May Roses

This is my pattern for these adorable May Roses, a sweet little floral decoration for all sorts of prettifying projects. Make them into brooches, attach them to hats, bags, hair slides, cardigans. Assemble a whole bunch of them to prettify a tea cosy, a bag, a cushion. String them together to make a pretty floral garland. Stitch them to crochet triangles to make some pretty rosy bunting. Glue them to a twiggy wreath to make a gorgeous decoration for your home.......ahhh so many fun possibilities!

Before we begin, a little summary of the basic stitches. I'm writing using UK crochet terms ::

sl st [slip stitch] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.

dc [double crochet] :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US sc stitch)

htr [half treble]:: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all three loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US hdc stitch)

tr [treble] :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops (note :: this is equivalent to the US dc stitch)

To begin, chain 26.

:: Row 1 :: Start in the 2nd chain from hook (as shown above with my needle) and work a row of double crochet. You should count 25 stitches altogether. Turn the work.

:: Row 2 :: Start in 2nd chain from hook (as shown above with my needle)....

....work 5 treble stitches (as above) into the same stitch.

Slip stitch into next stitch (as above). This is your first large petal made.

*Work 5 tr's into next st, sl st into next st* (2nd large petal made)

Repeat between ** 3 more times until you have 5 large petals (as above)

*Work 5 htr's into next st, sl st into next st* (1st medium petal made)

Repeat between ** 3 more times until you have 4 medium petals.

*work 5 dc's into next st, sl st into next st (1st small petal made)

Repeat between ** twice more until you have 3 small petals.

Fasten off leaving a 20cm tail end for stitching up.

You should have what looks like a curly-wurly row of 12 petals (5 large, 4 medium and 3 small). It should already be naturally curling itself round to form the rosy shape so don't expect it to lie flat.

:: Stitching :: first of all, darn in the short tail end from the beginning of the foundation chain.

Now thread the long tail end onto a darning needle, and begin by tightly curling the small petals around in a spiral (as above)

Turn the rose over so that you are looking at the back of the petals with the straight line of the foundation chain nearest to you. As you curl and roll the small petals round in a spiral, begin to make small stitches through the layers of the foundation chain to hold the petals in place.

Keep gently rolling the petals around the centre, securing them with stitches as you go.

You'll need to regularly turn the rose over to check that it's forming well. It shouldn't be too tight and scrunched up, but not too loose and open either. You're aiming for quite a neat, compact spiral shape. Don't worry too much about how you are making the stitches either, it really doesn't matter. So long as they are holding all the petals securely in place that's ok as you will not see them.

When you come round to stitching the large outer petals, you should be aiming to create a neat five-petal flower shape, as shown above. When it's all stitched securely in place, fasten off.

You should find that once you've made one and got a hang of the stitching up bit (which is harder than the actual crochet bit I think), the second one will be a complete doddle. You will be so happy when you breeze through the second one that you will need to make many more instantly. You will start searching frantically through your stash, dragging out every shade of red-pink-purple that you can lay your hands on. Just a gentle warning....these are super addictive!

Want to find some green yarn and try a few leaves now??

:: To begin :: chain 8.

   Start in the 2nd chain from hook (as shown above with my needle) and work the following...

dc, htr, tr, 2tr's, tr, htr, dc. That's the first side of your leaf made.

Now you are going to make the pointy end bit, so chain 2, then insert hook through the 1st chain (see where I've put my needle in the above pic). Yarn over and work a slip stitch by pulling the yarn through the chain, then through the stitch on the hook.

This forms your "picot point".

Now for the second side of the leaf. You'll be working out of the single loops of the foundation chain, as shown with my needle in the above picture. You should be able to clearly count 7 single loops altogether. Work the following, to mirror the first side...

dc, htr, tr, 2tr's, tr, htr, dc.

Slip stitch into end of leaf and fasten off, leaving a tail end long enough to darn in.

You should end up with a really sweet little pointy leaf shape, the perfect accompaniment for the roses.

You might need to give your picot pointy end a little tweak to get it to sit flat and straight, as sometimes they curl a little.

Ahhhhhhhhhh what rosy gorgeousness!

I want to just add a little note about yarn and hook size. So from left to right.........

1. Large May Rose made by using two strands of dk weight merino yarn on a 5mm hook.

2. Medium May Rose made using dk weight merino yarn on a 3.5mm hook.

3. Slightly smaller May Rose made using a crochet cotton on a 3mm hook.

4. Dinky May Rose made using a fine mercerised crochet cotton on a 2.5mm hook.

I do particularly like the large double-colour rose, it was a bit of an experiment and came out much better than I expected. I think it would make a lovely brooch with a couple of leaves added....

So pretty!!!!

I hope you enjoy having a go with these lovely little blooms, they are so quick and easy to do. Perfect for using up scraps of yarn, perfect for whizzing up in any spare moment. Once you've made one, you will soon have a whole rose garden blooming before your eyes, I guarantee it. Have fun!

Oh....before I dash off to my yarn stash, I'm just going to write out the patterns for you in brief so you can copy/paste/print if you wish.......

May Rose
chain 26.
Start in 2nd ch from hook, dc to the end (25 stitches).
Turn the work.
Skip 1 st, * 5tr's into next st, sl st into next st *
Repeat between ** 4 more times (five large petal shells made)
*5 htr's into next st, sl st into next st *
Repeat between ** 3 more times (four medium petal shells made)
*5 dc's into next st, sl st into next st *
Repeat between ** twice more (three small petal shells made.
fasten off, leaving long tail end for sewing up flower.

Darn in short tail end from beginning of foundation chain.
Thread long tail end onto needle and begin by curling the small petals round in a circle. With bottom straight edge uppermost, make small stitches to secure petals in place. Keep winding petals round, securing with stitches on reverse as you go. Keep checking on right side that the flower is forming nicely, not too scrunched up, not too loose.
You should end up with a rose that roughly has five petals around the outside, then twirls inwards to a tightly curled centre.

Rose Leaf

Chain 8.

Start in 2nd chain from hook and work the following ::

dc, htr, tr, 2tr's, tr, htr, dc.

Chain 2, sl st in 2nd chain from hook (picot point made).

Now work back along the bottom of the foundation chain, in the single loops of the chain ::

dc, htr, tr, 2tr's, tr, htr, dc.

Sl st into end of leaf and fasten off leaving a tail end long enough to darn in.

♥

As with all my patterns, I totally love creating them and get a huge buzz out of sharing and inspiring. I am happy to give them for free, but I'm sure you can appreciate it does take a lot of time and effort to create this sort of picture-heavy tutorial.  I hope that if you've been inspired to give these sweet roses a go, that you might consider making a small donation to help support what I do here in the Attic. Thank you as always for your hooky love, it's very, very much appreciated.

 

♥ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx♥

 

 

Comments

[Katie]

Just made my first trial one, fantastic! Thank you so much!!! Realise I've been making up my own strange hybrid DC stitch, but for once read your tutorial correct and worked it out. Hope you have a lovely bank holiday!!!

[Tracy]

Loving these! thanks for the hard work nutting out the design! I hear my wool basket calling me! :)

[Elisa]

I learnt how to crochet just last week and have finished one of your roses...amazingly simple but beautiful pattern! Thank you.

[Jayne]

As usaul beautiful! Am off to make a little wreath of roses, by sticking them on a circle of cardboard trimmed in ribbon, thank you for the patterm x

[Lori]

I think you must be the Lucy who stepped out of that wardrobe from Narnia. You are so talented. I love all your crocheted designs. Thank you for blogging them. I went to the amazon site and tried to donate to you there but I couldn't seem to figure out how. I'll try another way later. L

[Madeline]

I really enjoy reading your blog all the way from Victoria, BC, Canada! I love your little bit of happy, stripey, colourful UK over here on the west coast. :) it's a wonderful pick me up on days when I'm feeling grey.

I was wondering... What crochet hooks are your favorite to use? I've been using the basic metal ones since they are the easiest to get my hands on but they don't feel very nice when I'm using them.

Thank you!

[cybercita]

Hello and thank you, these will be perfect for adorning a tea cozy I've been knitting!

Re: donating. I did send you something a few months ago, but have no idea whether it was received or not as it was never acknowledged, which discourages me from sending any more.

[Geri]

Lucy absolutely lovely again thank you for sharing , have put on my list to do once my visitors have gone home,

[belle007]

Fabulous! thanks very much for sharing your pattern.

[Sandra]

These are very sweet little May roses, thank you for the very clear tutorial. I'm making them for a couple of friends with May birthdays! My birthday is in May too, so maybe I'll make some for myself too!
Have a lovely Sunday!

[folksmith]

I love the new left pattern, can't wait to make them. Your roses are adorable and your tutorials are so helpful. Thanks for taking the time to make the tutorials.

[Claire]

Thank you Lucy. As usual they are fabulous, the instructions are impeccable and the photos a perfect accompaniment.
Do you look at "Making" magazine? It is good.
The current issue (jubilee themed on sale in Asda) has an advert from a craft book publishing company. They are looking for craft based writers, no writing experience necessary. Why don't you have a look. They would bite your hand off. I will write you a reference!

[Jan honeycutt]

What a perfect way to spend my time and eyes to drink this in,whilst enjoying a helf price frap... Thank you so much:)

[Ellie]

Inspirational....thank you! E.

[Debbie]

Love this, thanks so much for all the wonderful patterns you put on your blog!!!

[HGK]

Lovely, as always :) I pinned this one and I'm sure I will try making a few of these sometime soon!

Have a great weekend!
Audrey
hetkabinet.blogspot.com

[Diane]

Hi Lucy,

So cute. Thank you. I alway love your tuts. They are so clear and straight forward. There's never a question on how to do them. It makes me want to dash off and grab my crochet hook and yarn.

[Denise in Newcastle upon Tyne]

What lovely flowers. Your patterns are easy to understand with lovely photos to follow each step. Your use of lovely bright colours is an inspiration.
I agree you should definately write a book

[Michele]

Hello Lucy, I tried making your May Roses, and they turned out so lovely. I must confess that my first 2 were made using the US version in error - but they still turned out very nice. When I realized my mistake, I tried one the way you intended, and it was so lovely and a bit smaller which worked well as an embellishment to a very small drawstring crocheted bag I am am making for my daughter.

I am really enjoying your blog and hearing about your great holiday - and your pictures are wonderful. I had the good fortune to make my first trip to England last June for a very short stay in London. Think I need to start planning for another trip.

[starquilt]

They look so pretty. Have to try them. Thanks.

[Bernice Mitchell]

What beautiful little bunches of loveliness! I am very new to crochet but I will certainly add these to my wish list. I love your blog and I have just about got the hang of the little flower you have created. Wish I had your talent. Your tutorials are great - pictures very helpful. Thank you x

[Gail B.]

Beautiful and a great visual tutorial! Thank you sooooo much :)

[Beatrice]

Hey Lucy, i just want to say that your blog is AWESOME! I have learnt how to crochet just by reading your blog and i have made loads of stuff that people love! The crochet bag, the ripple scarf, i have made the flowers and even made earrings from your crochet snow flake pattern. Thank you so much for blogging. Your wording is perfect and the pictures make it even easier to get. So thank you all the way from Kenya!

[Chris Delaney]

Thank you Lucy, these roses are divine and my fingers are itching to start!
Kind regards from sunny Queensland, Australia.

[Tids]

I've just had a blissful hour working up some of these babies! Clear, perfect tutorial. Thank you so much. This is exactly what Bank Holiday Mondays are for :) xx