Triple Layer Flower

This is my design for a decorative flower worked up in three layers. I used a DK weight merino yarn and a 3.5mm hook, and they ended up measuring approximately 8cm across.

I originally designed the flower to add some decoration to my hat, you can read more about that here. But this flower is beautifully versatile I think...it would make a super corsage/brooch, or could be applied to crochet bags, cushions, hair bands etc. It will provide lots of colourful flowery goodness, that's for sure!

So 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)

dtr [double treble] :: yarn over TWICE, insert hook, yarn over, pull loop back through stitch (four loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through two loops (three loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops (2 loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops (note :: this is equivalent to the US tr stitch)

OK.............here we go...........................................

:: Flower Centre ::

To start :: chain 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring. You'll be working out of the ring for the first round.

:: Round 1 ::

Chain 2 (counts as 1 dc), then work 6 dc's into ring. Join with a sl st to top of ch-2 to close round. You should clearly be able to see 7 stitches that you'll be working out of for the next round (as above)

:: Round 2 ::

Slip stitch into first stitch of previous round so that you're beginning round 2 in the right place.

Chain 2 (counts as 1dc), then 1dc into same stitch (as above)

Work 2 dc's into each of next 6 stitches, then sl st into top of ch-2 to close round. Fasten off.

You should now have 14 stitches to work out of for the next round (as above)

:: First Petal Layer ::

Begin by inserting hook into first stitch and hooking through a new colour. You can knot it to the tail end of the old colour if you like, but I find it gives a neater finish if you just hold onto the tail end at first and then crochet over it to anchor.

Into the next stitch, work 4 tr's, remembering to crochet over your ends as you work.

Slip stitch into next stitch. First petal made.

*work 4tr's into next stitch, sl st into next stitch*.

Repeat between ** until you have made 6 petals. You should have one last stitch left, so work 4 tr's into that stitch, then end the round by slip stitching into the very first stitch. Fasten off.

First Layer complete!

:: Second Petal Layer ::

This layer is made up in two parts. The first part involves creating a series of chain loops, and the second part involves creating the petals out of the chain loops. Sorry if it sounds confusing, it's quite straight forward I promise!

Firstly, choose your new colour and make a slip knot on the hook, as in the above picture.

What you're going to do is to anchor the new yarn into the back of the petals of the previous round. You'll be picking up two loops from the centre-back of each petal. See where I've put my needle? Those are the middle two loops that will provide the anchor. So.....

...keep the slipknot on the hook.  Hold the flower so that it's upright with the right side facing you. Use the hook to pick up those two loops at the back of the first petal, but keep the flower's right side facing you (as above)

Now work a slip stitch through those two loops....in other words, yarn over then pull the yarn through the two back-petal loops, then through the slip stitch already on your hook. You are now anchored in place and ready to start making chain loops (as above)

Chain 3.

Now get ready to anchor again...keep the right side of the flower facing you and pick up two loops at the back of the next petal to the left. Slip Stitch as you did before (yarn over, pull yarn through the two loops and through the loop on your hook)

You should now have a chain-loop anchored at each end to the back of two petals (as above). Remember to keep the front of the flower facing you, and that you are working from right to left.

*Chain 3, then make a slip stitch anchor through the two loops in the centre of the next petal.*

Repeat between ** 6 more times until you have 7 chain-loops in total.

Your last slip stitch will be made right back at the beginning, you need to slip stitch into the very first slip stitch you made, if that makes sense?! (a slip stitch into a slip stitch! see above). DON'T FASTEN OFF.

With same colour, you're now going to work the petals around the chain-loops you created. Begin by slip stitching underneath the first chain loop. Now work  6 tr's arounf the chain-loop, then slip stitch again to complete the first petal (as above). A reminder that you are continuing to work with the front of the flower facing you. You may find it easier to bend the first round of petals forwards so you can get to the chain loops more easily.

Slip stitch into the next chain loop, then work 6 tr's and a slip stitch into the chain loop. Second petal made (as above)

This is what it should look like on the reverse...you can see the first two petals and the remaining five chain loops waiting for petals.

Continue working the petals :: into each chain-loop you work sl st, 6 tr's, sl st. After the final petal has been made, close the round by slip stitching into the very first slip stitch of the first petal. Fasten off.

:: Third Petal Layer ::

Take your new colour and make a slip stitch on the hook. You will be working this round in pretty much the same way as the previous round. So to begin, use your hook to pick up two loops at the back of the petal, and slip stitch to anchor.

Chain 4.

As before, hold the flower upright with the front facing you and work from right to left. Pick up two loops from the back of the next petal and make a slip stitch.

Chain 4, then pick up two loops from the back of the next petal and slip stitch.

Continue in this way until all 7 chain loops have been made. Finish by slip stitching into the first slip stitch, DO NOT FASTEN OFF>

With same colour, you're now going to work the petals around the chain-loops you created. Begin by slip stitching underneath the first chain loop. Now work  7 tr's around the chain-loop, then slip stitch under the chain-loop  to complete the first petal (as above).

Continue working the petals :: into each chain-loop you work sl st, 7 tr's, sl st. After the final petal has been made, close the round by slip stitching into the very first slip stitch of the first petal. Fasten off.

The final part of the flower is to work an edging in a contrasting colour.

Work through BACK LOOPS ONLY for this, starting with the first stitch of the first petal, as shown by my needle above.

Pull a new colour through to the front of the first stitch, then work 1 dc into same stitch.

Work 1 dc (Back Loops only) into each of the next 7 stitches, which should take you around the first petal edge (as above)

Now you're going to make a Long Slip Stitch. What you need to do is hold the flower upright with right side facing you, and fold down the previous (pink) round of petals. Can you see the two little (pink) loops that you picked up in the previous round? See where my needle is? Well you're going to make a Long Slip Stitch down in there......

....stick your hook in between those two little loops, yarn over, then pull the loop through to the front and through the loop on your hook....

...keep your tension quite loose and allow your hook to gently pull the stitch right up level with the edging row (as above)

*Work 1 dc into each of the next 8 stitches (back loops only, as above)

Make another Long Slip Stitch into the little gap between the anchor-loops in the previous row below. Pull the slip stitch loop gently up so it's level with the edging row.*

Repeat between ** 5 more times until you are back to the beginning.

After the last Long Slip Stitch, close the round by slip stitching into the first stitch. Fasten off.

Awwww so pretty! And pretty addictive too.

I made this lovely flower some leaves...the pattern is a little fiddly, but I'll do my best to explain it to you.

First make the central stem. Chain 10, then begin in 2nd chain from hook and slip stitch into each stitch along (9 sts). Fasten off.

This first side of the leaf is effectively worked out of the foundation chain loops. Hold your leaf stem so that the tail ends are hanging off to the right as you will be starting at this end. Begin by inserting your hook into the first stitch and pulling though your new colour (as above)

Work 1dc into the first stitch, then 1 tr into the next stitch (as above)

Work 1 dtr into each of the next 4 stitches. A quick reminder, dtr = Double Treble, plain English instructions for this stitch as follows ::

yarn over TWICE, insert hook, yarn over, pull loop back through stitch (four loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through two loops (three loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops (2 loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops (note :: this is equivalent to the US tr stitch)

 Now work 1 tr, 1 htr, 1 dc. You should be at the end of the foundation chain/first side (as above)

There should be a stitch sitting at the end of your central stem...use it to make a picot point, as follows :: 1 tr, chain 2, sl st into 2nd chain from hook, 1 tr (as above)

Now work out of BACK LOOPS ONLY down the second side, as follows:

1dc, 1 htr, 1 tr (as above)

Now work 1 dtr into each of the next 4 stitches, then 1 tr.

You should have one remaining stitch left, so put 1 dc and 1 slip stitch into that last stitch.

Chain 1, then slip stitch into beginning stitch to finish.

Fasten off and darn ends in on reverse (if you darn the ends up and down the centre, it strengthens the leaf and stops it from being too floppy and curly)



So there you have it...I'm sorry if my tutorials seem overly long and complex, but I do try my best to explain everything as if you were sitting right next to me and we were hooking along together.

I really hope you enjoy giving this a go and making up some colourful pretties to decorate and adorn. They are lots of fun to make, and invite lots of scummy colour play!

Do you know, I really LOVE making these tutorials and sharing my passion with you, even though they are extremely time consuming to produce. I hope that if you've been inspired to give this little decorative project a go, that you might consider making a small donation to help support what I do here in the Attic.

♥

xx Thank you so much as always for your support and hooky love, it's very, very much appreciated. Wishing you many happy, blissful hours of joy with hook and yarn xx

♥

 

 

Comments

[Sallie Fisher]

I think this looks great and i'm looking forward to having a go later this evening.
I love your tutorial as they are in plain English and I understand them.

Purplesal

[Emma Spink]

Thank you so much Lucy for yet another clear, concise and friendly tutorial. I've just completed one of these and I'm really pleased with the result.

Emma x

[Mary]

Hi Lucy,
I'm a beginner in crocheting and something in this tutorial is confusing for me. In the blooming cusion tutorial you wrote: "Ch 1, then work 15 dc into the ring."(chain 1 counts as dc)
And here:
Round 1 ::
Chain 2 (counts as 1 dc), then work 6 dc's into ring.
What is the difference? And why chain 2 counts as dc here?
Thank you so much! Your work is really amazing!

[franny]

I am just learning. I will have a go at this. it is so pretty

[Jan]

Have only recently come across your blog - it is absolutely fantastic and I shall return again and again. The colours you use and the fun things you make just inspire me to grab yarn and hook and have a go thankyou.
Best wishes from Jan

[california sue]

tried to send some $ but the button function wouldn't take a U.S. address (actually the 'county' field is the hangup. If you could fix, will remit!)

Your hard work is very much appreciated. Have never seen such concise and detailed instructions.

[peacock]

hello attic ,i really love your colourfull word .you have a bigest fan in doha

[catherine]

I am a beginner living in the uk so find the uk terms easier to understand. Your flowers look lovely so I am going to try making them. Thanks for the pattern.

[Kate]

Hi Mary
Not sure if you found your answer but the reason for the chain is to gain some height before you move onto your next stitch...if you've made a ring for the start of a flower say, if you just did a double crochet straight into one of the next stitches you'd have no height. Chaining 2 first will add the height needed before you do your double crochet. You count the 2 chain as a double crochet because it is included as part of the crochet you'll be doing...does that make sense? I guess just pretend it is a double crochet! If you're doing treble crochet then the chain will be 3 as that is the height needed and created by the treble. Not sure if that's helped. I expect Lucy would explain much better!

[Sayantani]

you know yours is the best in the whole lot of crochet blogs. so well written and easy to follow. I recently have been bitten by the crichet bug and literally cant stop. made a cute little scarf for my niece and decorated with these flowers and leaves. it looks awesome...thanks and a very happy new year to you. your new follower.

[Mary]

Thank you for the explanation, Kate. But my question was: "Chain 2 counts as 1 dc" or "Chain 1 counts as 1 dc" ? I've seen in Lucy's Flat circle tutorial that chain 2 counts as htr
http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/crocheting-a-flat-circle.html
And in the Triple Layer flower Tutorial
"Chain 2 = 1 dc" Why?
I've found somewhere that:
ch 1 counts as 1 dc
ch 2 counts as 1 htr
ch 3 counts as 1 treble
Is this right?
Many thanks again, Lucy!

[wilma nelson]

I am just a beginner, and have just found your blog,it is fantastic, always admired these flowers and bought one at my daughter,s pottery fair which she has every December, so i am going to have a go, for next year

[pavira29@gmail.com]

Hi Lucy...
I have visited almost all your pagers and wonderful patterns.. would be rally happy if you visit my just opened blog
http://crochetkumari.blogspot.in/

Take care.. Happy Crocheting!!!

[Kathleen Diehl]

Thank you for your excellent photographs and descriptions !!!!!!!

[The Stitch Sharer]

Thanks as always for your fabulous tutorial. I have just made 8 triple layer flowers and added them to my hazel wreath frame - a total happy hug to hang in my kitchen. Thank you.

[Rosa Maria Salazar]

Thank you for these excelent works.

[Eva]

Estupendo paso a paso, unas flores muy bonitas

[Samantha]

Hi Lucy, I absolutely love your flower! I've just made it and it's beautiful :) I was wondering, are we allowed to sell our finished flowers? I am opening an Etsy store soon, and would love to include this! I would, of course, give you credit in the listing :)

[Susan]

absolutely stunning!!! Thank YOU so much!

[Debbie]

Your tutorials are fantastic. I love love love the close up shots, they make it really easy to follow. The long tutorials are great for beginners like me. I can do it with your help. Thanks.

[Cristina Pisani]

Thank you for your wonderful tutorials and your beautiful patterns. Love all of them!!!!

[Sarah Olschewski]

O MY GOSH! You are like the crochet queen! I love your yarn, it's sooooooooo colorful! I've been crocheting for a couple of years and this is the first time I've seen your blog and I'm blown away. I thought I could crochet, but man! You make me feel like a beginner! (no offense to those who are starting out!) You inspire me alot, but I only go though email. So if you could email me, I'd love to chat and learn how in the world you became sooooooooo good at crochet!

[LUCIA ROSA GONZALEZ]

HERMOSA......