Mix and Match Flowers Tutorial


As promised last week, here's my tutorial for my Mix and Match flowers.  I'm calling it that because there's a few variations of these flowers that you can make using the same basic idea. They are great for decorating all kinds of things and they are the same ones I used on my Eclectic Grannie Bag.

This tutorial will show you how to make the Single Flower, the Double Flower and a Little Flower.

★★☆ - Improver

If you already know what you're doing you can download the written pattern and get started straight away.


As usual, I've written in UK terms, but here's the translation for American terms:

British (American)
Slip Stitch (Slip Stitch)
Chain (Chain)
Double (Single)
Half Treble (Half Double)
Treble (Double)
Double Treble (Treble)


Stage One - Magic Loop

Hold your yarn in the usual way, with the yarn end trailing over your finger loose.


 Wrap the yarn around your finger so that the yarn makes a loop.


Hold the yarn tail in place with your thumb.



Pick up your crochet hook and slide it under the loop and grab the yarn coming from the ball.


Pull the yarn through the loop.


Keep the crochet hook in place and still holding the loop and yarn tail, ease the loop off your finger.


You are now ready to begin your first row!


Stage Two - The first row


Keep hold of that yarn tail and loop and make one chain.


Then make 6 double crochets required for the first row into the loop.


Now comes the magic part.

Hold your crochet hook and work with you right hand and with your left hand, grab the yarn tail and pull it so that the loop gets smaller and smaller.


As you pull, the dc’s you’ve made with curl up into a circle.  When the first and last dc meet, you can make a slip stitch into the first dc to close the circle.


If you still have a hole in the middle of your circle, give that yarn tail another tug and the hole will close up altogether.



See, no more middle holes - magic!


Stage Three - Finishing the middle


Now we’re onto the second row.  Chain 2 and then make 2 dc’s into the first stitch of the circle.


Continue you making 2 dc’s into each stitch of the first row right round the circle.  Once you are back to the beginning, make a ss into the first dc.


You should have 12 dc’s and you can break off this colour yarn now.





Stage Four - The Inner Petals

This is row three of the pattern. We need to join the new colour yarn to start, but as this row is working into the front of the two crochet loops that make up the stitch, you just want the join the new yarn to the front loop too.  See in the picture that I have only picked up one loop with my hook?


Once you’ve got the new colour attached, chain 2


Make 4 trebles into the next stitch.


Chain 2 and ss to next stitch.


Chain 2, and make 4 trebles into the next stitch again.




The stitches can get pulled a little tight as you work so make sure you pull the petals out the way each time so you’re always picking up the next stitch and not missing one out.  It’s easy to do.


Chain 2, and ss to next stitch again.


Work your way right around the flower in the same way until you’re right back at the beginning.  (You should have 6 petals now.  If not, you might have missed out one of those pesky stitches somewhere along the way!)



Chain 2 and make a slip stitch into the same stitch where the yarn was attached.



Cut your yarn and pull the yarn right through with your hook so the tail is coming out the front of the flower.


Grab your yarn needle and thread the yarn back through the same stitch you just used for your slip stitch.  This makes a nice neat finish at the front.



We have a flower.  If you just want to make a Single Flower, you can stop now.

If you want to make a Double Flower, stick with me...


Stage Five - The outer petals

Ok, here we are at row four.  The last row.  Turn your flower over and you should see all your back loops sitting there, waiting to be used.

Attach the new yarn colour to one of the back loops, any will do as long as it is in the middle of one of the inner petals, like in the picture.


Chain 3, then we’re going to make 4 double trebles into the next stitch (back loops  only of course).  The double treble is the one where you have to wrap the yarn round the hook twice before you push it through the loop.


There’s the four dtrs, see how they’re longer that regular treble stitch.


Then chain 3, and make a slip stitch into the next back loop.


If all has gone to plan so far, this outer petal should show nicely between the inner petals, like so.


Repeat this same method around the circle, chain 3, make 4 double trebles into the next back loop, chain 3 and slip stitch into the next back loop.

You should finish by making your last ss into the same stitch you attached the new yarn to.


Cut the yarn and use the hook to pull the ss loop, until the yarn tail comes through to the front again.


Grab the yarn needle and thread the yarn tail back through the same stitch that you made the slip stitch in.


And that’s it.  You’ve just made a Double Flower.  Well done you.



If you'd also like to know how to make the teeny, tiny flowers here's how...


Little Flower


Start with a magic loop again.  If you've forgotten how, just scroll up to 'Stage One' of this post.


Chain one.


Make  6 double crochets into the loop.


Pull the yarn end so that the first and last stitches come together, just like we did before and make a ss into the first stitch to close the circle.


Pull the circle nice and firmly so the hole in the middle closes and cut your yarn.


Join the new colour yarn in your usual way and chain two.


Make 2 half treble crochets into the same stitch, then chain two.

(If you're not too sure on half trebles, it's the one where you yarn over, insert the hook through the stitch, yarn over again, then pull the hook back out of the stitch, yarn over again and then pull the yarn through all three loops on the hook.)


Make a slip stitch into the same stitch to finish the petal.


Slip stitch into the next stitch.


Then repeat the process again for the second petal:  Chain two, make two half treble crochets, then chain two and slip stitch into the same stitch.


Repeat this process to make a petal into each stitch around the circle.  Make a slip stitch into your starting stitch and cut yarn.


Pull the loop like you did before so that the cut end comes through to the front.


Then use your needle to thread the yarn through to the back again.


There you go, an easy peasy Little Flower.

Now you can make as many as you like in any variation you like and go flower decorating crazy!








S x


Why not come and share your creations with us in Cherry Heart's Cozy Corner, my Ravelry group.  It's a great place to go if you've got any questions too!

Comments

  1. I tthink this is the first time I've seen 'magic loop' demonstrated where I actually get how to do it. Thanks for taking the time to share the tutorial, it's very clear and easy to follow. Carole x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful tutorial! Great job.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I always struggle with that magic loop, but you've made it ever so clear, thank you. Lovely pattern too!
    Victoria xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for such a clear tutorial. The pictures really help.
    Blessings,
    Kate

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you! I'm going to try this soon. Hope I can get the magic loop thing. I've never done it before.

    ReplyDelete
  6. A great tutorial with excellent pictures which show every step so clearly. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear my friend, Thank you very much for this tutorial, expecially step by step pictures.. These flowers are so cute and pretty. I may try to make.. Best wishes...

    ReplyDelete
  8. I can't wait to have a go at the magic loop. I've never understood it before but you've made it look really clear and simple! Thanks!
    x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lovely, lovely, lovely!
    Have bookmarked this for future projects- it's always great to have different flower variations, isn't it?!
    Brilliant magic ring tutorial also- I'll be pointing people in your direction for this one!
    Enjoy the rest of your week.
    Xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Such a wonderful tutorial on the sweet pretties! I love using the magic loop, especially when I have been crocheting my grannies! Looking forward to making some flowers. Have a beautiful day! xo Heather

    ReplyDelete
  11. So pretty, thanks for the tutorial :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is cool! I will give this a try when I've the time! ^^

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Sandra , thankyou for this ....your flowers are lovely and maybe I'll finally master the magic loop :0)
    Jacquie x

    ReplyDelete
  14. These are the cutest little things. Thanks for the tutorial.
    XOXO
    Ana BC

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thankyou for sharing your lovely patterns.
    Greetings from South Africa
    Charlien Richter

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am a knitter, but don't crochet, but I would like to say that your tutorial is so clear and it must take ages to do each stage and photograph it - explaining how to do something to other people is very difficult. I really admire your patience and the very beautiful flowers which are the result!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Fabulous tutorial Sandra! Thanks for taking the time to do this :-)
    The flowers are gorgeous!
    Carole x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you so much - I can't wait to try xx

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you!!! these flowers are lovely!!!
    xxxx Alessandra

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wonderful tutorial and I love the flowers!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gorgeous! Your tutorials are so clear and well written I shall give this a go :D

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you!!!
    I follow your blog!!
    Esperanza✿⊱╮.
    http://esperanzaentretelasypinturas.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  23. Lovely flowers and a fab tutorial, very clear and easy to follow :) xxx

    ReplyDelete
  24. wow thanks for this i'll give it a try.

    ReplyDelete
  25. juste MERCI
    belle journée bises!

    ReplyDelete
  26. These look amazing, and I love the detail and trouble you have gone to in explaining how to make them. Thank you! Going to do these this week! Warm regards, Alison from Undertendollarsblog.com

    ReplyDelete