How to Crochet a Flower Appliqué

Materials & tools you'll need

Step 1 — Make the slip knot and foundation chain

Start with a slip knot on your hook, then chain 32 stitches to form the foundation for your flower strip. This chain becomes the base that all of your petals will be worked into, so keep your tension relaxed and even — a foundation chain that's too tight will be difficult to work back into for the petal round.

Step 2 — Work the first petal

Work a half double crochet into the third chain from your hook. Into that same stitch, work double crochet stitches until you have five stitches total sitting in that one spot — the two skipped chains at the start count as the equivalent of one double crochet, so you only need to add a few more to reach five. This little cluster is your first petal.

Step 3 — Repeat the petals across the chain

Chain one, then skip the next stitch along the foundation chain and work five double crochets into the stitch after it. Repeat this pattern — chain one, skip one, five double crochets — all the way across the remaining foundation chain. Each cluster of five double crochets forms one petal, and the strip will naturally start to curve as the petals build up along one side.

Step 4 — Finish the last petal

When you reach the end of the foundation chain, complete your final petal, chain one, and cut your yarn, leaving a tail a few centimetres long. Take that tail together with the starting tail from your original foundation chain and tie them together. This pulls the very first petal down and rounds it off, giving the start of your flower a neat, curved edge instead of a flat one.

Step 5 — Weave the tail through the petals

Thread the long working tail onto your yarn needle. Working along the strip, weave the needle through the small holes that sit underneath each petal — not the gaps between the petals themselves — all the way down to the end of the strip, then pull the tail through. This weaving is what allows the flat strip to gather and curl into a flower shape in the next step.

Step 6 — Twist into shape and secure

Holding the woven tail, begin twisting the strip so the petals wind around a central point. How tightly you twist is entirely up to you: wind it snugly for a neat, compact rose, or keep it looser and a little uneven for a wavy, carnation-like look. Adjust the petals until you're happy with the size and fullness, then flip the flower over and tie the woven tail together with the original starting tail to lock the last petal in place and anchor the center. Trim one tail and leave the other long enough to sew the finished flower onto a headband, a garment, or wherever you'd like to add it. Make a few in different colours and you've got the makings of a small handmade bouquet.

Frequently asked questions

What supplies do I need to crochet a flower appliqué?
You'll need a crochet hook (a 4mm aluminum hook works well), scissors, yarn, and a yarn needle for weaving the tail through the finished petals and securing the twist.

What yarn is best for a crochet flower appliqué?
A fine, sock-weight yarn makes a small, delicate flower well suited to jewelry or fine embellishment. A DK or worsted weight yarn works up bigger and shows off the petal stitch definition more clearly, which is helpful for beginners.

Can I use a different size crochet hook for this pattern?
Yes. The hook size mainly affects the finished flower's size and drape, not the pattern itself, so you can size up or down based on your yarn weight and how large you want the finished appliqué to be.

Does the shape of the flower change after washing?
Yes, the flower will shrink slightly and tighten after washing, which gives it an even rosier, more compact look. This is worth keeping in mind if you're attaching it to an item that will be laundered.

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