Hydrangea Flowers

These little four petaled flowers were directly inspired by a collection of beautiful hydrangea flowers which I gathered in the Autumn and dried in my studio (you can read more about the colour inspiration in this post). 

I initially made these flowers to illustrate the yarny colour palette which I put together to make my hydrangea inspired striped blanket, but once I started making them I got a weeny bit addicted to seeing them fly off my hook. Before I knew what was happening I had made a whole heap load of them, and now I've plans to assemble them into a pretty Hydrangea Wreath.

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)

Flower Centre

Chain 2; you will work all the stitches in this round into the 2nd chain from the hook (shown by my needle in the above picture)

Work 4 dc into the 2nd chain from the hook.

Flower Petals

Look at the dc stitches you just made and find the first one (shown by my needle in the above picture) - your first petal will be crocheted into this first dc stitch.

 

In first dc stitch, work 1 slip stitch; ch 1; then work 2 tr in same stitch (as shown above)

Work 1 dtr (I've given an explanation of this stitch at the start of the pattern if you need to familiarise yourself with it)

A dtr (double treble) is a tall stitch, so you should see it standing up a little higher then the 2 treble stitches.

Work 2 tr in same stitch; ch 1; then slip stitch into the same stitch (shown by my needle in the above picture) to anchor the petal.

So to be clear - ALL the stitches for this first petal have been worked out of the same dc stitch. It's quite a tight fit, but it works out I promise.

Locate the next dc stitch - it'll be tucked in very close to the bottom of the petal you just made (shown by my needle in the above picture).

Work all stitches for the second petal out of the same dc stitch, as follows :

sl st; ch 1; 2 tr; 1 dtr; 2 tr; ch 1; sl st.

Locate the next dc stitch (shown by my needle in the above picture).

Work all stitches for the third petal out of the same dc stitch, as follows :

sl st; ch 1; 2 tr; 1 dtr; 2 tr; ch 1; sl st.

Locate the last dc stitch.

Work all stitches for the fourth petal out of the same dc stitch, as follows :

sl st; ch 1; 2 tr; 1 dtr; 2 tr; ch 1; sl st.

Finally, slip stitch into the beginning ch-1 to close the round. 

Fasten off, then thread the tail end onto a darning needle and bring the end through to the back of the flower. Darn in securely on the reverse.

And that's an easy little four petaled flower made - I hope it'll be the first of many!

Depending on what you have in mind for your yarny hydrangea flowers you might not need leaves, but I made two different sizes to go with mine so thought I'd quickly give you the patterns for them here.

Large Leaf

Chain 10.

Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, work the following nine stitches to create the first half of your leaf :

1 dc; 1 htr; 1 tr; 1 tr; 1 dtr; 1 tr; 1 tr; 1 htr; 1 dc.

Chain 2.

To make the second side, you will be working opposite the stitches you just made, putting your hook under the single loops of the foundation chain, as follows :

1 dc; 1 htr; 1 tr; 1 tr; 1 dtr; 1 tr; 1 tr; 1 htr; 1 dc.

Slip stitch into the base of the first dc at the very end of your leaf to close the round. Fasten off and darn in ends.

That's the large leaf made - now here's a slight variation to make a smaller leaf....

Small Leaf

Chain 8.

Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, work the following seven stitches to create the first half of your leaf :

1 dc; 1 htr; 1 tr; 2 tr; 1 tr; 1 htr; 1 dc.

Chain 2.

To make the second side, you will be working opposite the stitches you just made, putting your hook under the single loops of the foundation chain, as follows :

1 dc; 1 htr; 1 tr; 2 tr; 1 tr; 1 htr; 1 dc.

Slip stitch into the base of the first dc at the very end of your leaf to close the round. Fasten off and darn in ends.

You should now have a neat little pair of leaves.....

....to add some shrubbery to your floral endeavors!

At this stage of writing, I've still not decided quite what to do with my hydrangea flowers - at first I thought I'd make a wreath, but I'm now thinking I might crochet a round cushion and stitch the flowers and leaves in a circular pattern. Or maybe I might make a pretty flower garland to hang on my mantel.....

.....hope you have fun making some of these sweet flowers, and deciding what to do with them too!!

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Here is an abbreviated version of the hydrangea flower which you can copy/paste/print...

Hydrangea Flower

Ch 2; work 4 dc in 2nd chain from hook.

(sl st; ch 1; 2 tr; 1 dtr; 2 tr; ch 1; sl st) in first dc.

Work  the same petal sequence (sl st; ch 1; 2 tr; 1 dtr; 2 tr; ch 1; sl st) in each of the remaining 3 dc stitches to create four petals in total. 

Slip stitch into the beginning ch-1 to close round. Fasten off and darn end through the back of flower.

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ps I used up the oddments of Special DK yarn left over from making my Hydrangea Stripe blanket with a 4 mm hook, but this pattern would work with any type of yarn and is a great little stash buster x

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Nancy]

I love all your flowers and keep hoping some day you will design a pansy. I saw one you made for a crochet trip but I never was able to find it again in the archives. Love your blog and all your thoughts you share with us.

Nancy in Maine

[Janet]

Just tried these, as usual your instructions are very clear and easy to follow. They will make an excellent addition to my grandaughter's fairy garden. Thank you so much Lucy!

[Rita Bennett]

Just going to make the blanket so will make a few of these to svatter on the blanket. Thank you.

[Jill]

Can't wait to start on the Hydrangea Flower. I have so much wool. The hard part will be to choose colors. Thank you so much for the pattern. I love knitting or crocheting flowers.

[Deborah cherry]

Just finishing blanket,made mine a bit longer as I’m silly and didn’t think to measure.thought I might make a few flowers and sew on corner.loved making blanket

[Ana]

Desde Argentina te sigo y trato de imitar las formas de las flores y hojas, es lo que mas me gusta hacer. Te envío un abrazo.-

[Kerry Hayden]

I so love your creatations.
Thank you xxx

[Karen]

Hi Lucy,
I’m part way through the hydrangea blanket and plan to add a scattering of these across it for extra yumminess 😃

[Charlotte Skelton]

How about little brooches? Would look fab on a woolly hat! Lovely!

[Daphne]

Just can't wait to make some of these little flowers Lucy, such delicate colours, also the hydrangea blanket is so tempting, I'm finishing yet another granny stripe blanket to go in our caravan, love the colours and the firm stitches of the pattern, you do so inspire me, Thankyou again, I just love your blog enjoy may, not a lot of sun around this week!

[Ellie]

Long time quiet admirer, but this project is so lovely I needed to comment :) I have a question: have you tried, or do you think, a magic ring would work instead of the ch2? Thank you for all you share with your readers!

[Lynne]

Hi Lucy thanks for the flowers they are beautiful. I am making my daughter a posy for May Day at her school and these lovely flowers will be part of that posy.

Lynne

[Candace Jacobs]

These are so cute...endless possibilities! Thank you Lucy.