Nestora

Easy Crochet Flower Pattern for Beginners: Free Applique

This pattern makes a flat five-petal flower about 2.5 in (6.5 cm) across, worked from a center ring outward in simple US stitches. It needs only chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet, so a beginner who has practiced those can finish one flower in roughly 20 to 30 minutes.

Five-Petal Flat Crochet Flower Applique

Free crochet pattern · US terms

Yarn: 4 - Medium (worsted) — suggested
Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6) — verify with a swatch
Gauge: 14 sc x 16 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet, unblocked. Gauge is not critical for an applique, but a looser gauge gives larger, floppier petals. (calculated, not measured)
Size: approx. About 2.5 in (6.5 cm) across from petal tip to petal tip, based on the stated gauge
Level: Beginner
Time: about 25 min (estimate)

Written and count-checked on paper, not yet physically tested. Make the gauge swatch and the checkpoint below before you commit all your yarn.

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The flower is a small flat applique with a round center and five evenly spaced petals. It is worked in joined rounds, starting from a magic ring, so the center stays closed and the petals sit flat.

It suits anyone who can make basic stitches and wants a quick decoration to sew onto a hat, tote, headband, or cushion. Make one as practice, then repeat in other colors.

Before You Start

Time Estimate: About 20 to 30 minutes per flower for a beginner, plus a few minutes to weave in ends.

Skill Needed: Chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet. No shaping or seaming.

Yarn Amount: One flower uses about 8 to 12 yd (7 to 11 m) of medium weight cotton, so a single skein makes many.

Swatch First: Work one practice flower in scrap yarn to check your tension and petal spacing before making a set.

Safety: If you attach this flower to a baby item, hat, or pet accessory, sew it on very securely with several passes of thread and no long loose tails. Small appliques can come loose and become a choking hazard. Do not leave a baby unattended with any item that has a detachable decoration.

Materials

Suggested materials. Any yarn of the same weight works if you match the gauge.

Small amount of medium weight (worsted) cotton yarn, about 10 yd (9 m) per flower

Cotton holds a flat shape and shows stitch definition well. Smooth acrylic also works and is slightly softer.

4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook

Matches medium weight yarn for a firm, flat fabric. Use 3.5 mm (E-4) if your petals ruffle.

Tapestry needle

For weaving in ends and sewing the flower onto a project. A blunt tip passes through crochet stitches without splitting them.

Small sharp scissors

For trimming yarn tails close to the work.

Yarn needed (estimate): Estimated about 10 yd (9 m) per flower; a 100 g skein makes many flowers

Gauge and Size

Gauge: 14 sc x 16 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet, unblocked. Gauge is not critical for an applique, but a looser gauge gives larger, floppier petals.. This gauge is calculated from the yarn and hook above, not measured on a finished sample. Make a 4 in (10 cm) swatch first; change the hook size, not your tension, until it matches.

Finished size (approximate): About 2.5 in (6.5 cm) across from petal tip to petal tip, based on the stated gauge. Your size depends on your gauge.

Abbreviations (US terms)

Abbr.	Meaning
ch	chain
sl st	slip stitch
sc	single crochet
hdc	half double crochet
dc	double crochet
st	stitch
sts	stitches
sp	space
MR	magic ring (adjustable ring)
rep	repeat
FO	fasten off

Special Stitches

Magic ring (MR)

Wrap the yarn twice around two fingers to form a loop, then work the first round into the loop. Pull the short tail firmly to close the center after Round 1.

Petal (worked in one space)

In the same stitch or space, work sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc. This makes one rounded petal that fans outward from the center.

How This Pattern Is Written

All instructions use US crochet terms.
The flower is worked in joined rounds. Each round ends with a slip stitch into the first stitch of that round, and the joining slip stitch does not count as a stitch.
The starting chain of each round counts as a stitch only where stated. In this pattern no round states that the starting chain counts; every round begins with a ch 1 that does not count, and where a round begins with petals, the first petal is worked directly into the first stitch.
Work with the right side facing you throughout. The petals curl slightly toward the wrong side, which is normal and settles when pressed.
Every round's starting count equals the previous round's ending count, except Round 5, which works slip stitches into the petal stitches only; petal rounds add stitches inside each petal but the round total stays the same because petals are worked into existing stitches.
Keep petal stitches loose enough to lie flat. Tight petal stitches make the flower cup upward.

Checkpoint after Round 2: A flat circle of 10 single crochet stitches with a closed center, about 0.75 in (2 cm) across. Count the stitches along the outer edge; you should have 10.

The Pattern

Center and Petals

Round 1: Make a MR. Ch 1 (does not count as a st). Work 10 sc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Pull the tail to close the center.(10 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st). Work 1 sc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first sc.(10 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1 (does not count as a st). Work 1 sc in the first st. *Ch 2, skip the next st, 1 sc in the next st; rep from * 4 more times, ending with 1 sc in the last st. Join with a sl st to the first sc. This round creates 5 chain-2 spaces for the petals.(10 sc, 5 ch-2 sps)
Round 4: Ch 1 (does not count as a st). Work 1 sc in the first sc. *In the next ch-2 sp work (sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc), then 1 sc in the next sc; rep from * 4 more times. Join with a sl st to the first sc.(10 base sc, 5 petals)
Round 5: Ch 1 (does not count as a st). Work 1 sl st in each petal st around, working only into the petal stitches and skipping the base sc between petals (6 sl st per petal). Join with a sl st to the first sl st. FO, leaving a 6 in (15 cm) tail.(30 sl st)

Finishing and Assembly

1. Weave the starting tail into the back of the center and trim.
2. Thread the ending tail on the tapestry needle and run it through the back of several stitches, then trim.
3. Press the flower face down on a towel with a warm iron held just above the surface, or pin it flat and mist lightly. Do not press hard on the petals.
4. Sew the flower to your project with small stitches through the back of the center only, so the petals stay free.

Sizes and Variations

Six Petals

Work Round 3 as 6 repeats of ch 2, skip 1 st, sc in next st for 12 sts, then work 6 petals in Round 4.

Two-Color Flower

Change color after Round 2 for a contrasting center, and carry the old color up the back.

Larger Flower

Use bulky (5) yarn and a 6.0 mm (J-10) hook for a flower about 4 in (10 cm) across with the same stitch counts.

Troubleshooting

What you see	Likely cause	Fix
The center has a visible hole	The magic ring was not pulled tight, or the tail was cut before closing.	Pull the short tail firmly right after Round 1, before working Round 2. If the hole remains, sew across it from the back with the tail.
Petals curl up like a cup	Petal stitches are too tight, or the yarn is stiff.	Work the petal stitches more loosely and try a hook one size larger. Steam or mist the flower and press it flat.
Petals are uneven or overlap	Petals were not spaced evenly, or a chain-2 space was skipped or doubled.	Check that Round 3 has exactly 5 chain-2 spaces. Count the spaces before starting Round 4.
The flower edge ripples	Too many stitches were worked into the chain spaces.	Keep each petal to sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc. Do not add extra stitches, and use a smaller hook if rippling continues.

Care

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, squeeze gently without wringing, and lay flat to dry. Press lightly with a warm iron on the wrong side if needed.

Questions Makers Ask

Can I make this flower without a magic ring?

Yes. Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring, then work 10 sc into the ring. The center may show a small gap, which you can close by sewing it with the tail.

How do I attach the flower to a hat or bag?

Sew it on with a tapestry needle and matching thread or yarn, stitching through the back of the center only. Keep the stitches small and secure so the petals stay flat.

What yarn is best for a flat flower?

Medium weight cotton gives the crispest, flattest petals. Acrylic works too but may be softer and slightly less defined.

Designer's note: Make one practice flower first in scrap yarn to check your tension, then work a set in the same yarn so the petals match.

Next: Try a simple granny square next to practice working in rounds and changing colors.

Printed from Nestora — https://nestora.medsaca.com/2026/10/23/easy-crochet-flower-applique/