Crochet Daffodil Pattern Free (PDF + Beginner Tutorial)

Spring is one of those seasons that makes you want to create something beautiful, and nothing captures that feeling quite like a crochet daffodil. Whether you want to brighten up your home with a flower arrangement that never wilts, add a cheerful touch to a gift, or practice your beginner crochet skills, this free crochet daffodil pattern is exactly what you need. In this tutorial, you will find a complete, step-by-step guide to crocheting a realistic daffodil from scratch, including tips on materials, stitches, assembly, and finishing. A downloadable PDF version of the pattern is also available at the end of this post so you can print it and take it to your favorite crafting spot.

Why Crochet a Daffodil?

Crochet flowers have become one of the most popular projects in the fiber arts community, and daffodils in particular hold a special place in many crafters’ hearts. They are one of the first flowers to bloom in early spring, symbolizing new beginnings, hope, and cheerfulness. Crocheting a daffodil lets you preserve that joy in yarn form, creating a keepsake that lasts forever.

Beyond their symbolic meaning, crochet daffodils are surprisingly versatile. You can use them to embellish a crochet bag, a hat, or a cardigan. You can attach them to a headband for a whimsical spring accessory. You can wire them onto floral stems and arrange them in a vase for a stunning centerpiece. You can even make a whole bouquet as a heartfelt, handmade gift for Mother’s Day, a birthday, or just because. The possibilities are truly endless.

This pattern is also a wonderful project for crochet beginners. While it looks intricate and impressive, it is built almost entirely from basic stitches: chain, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet. If you know these stitches, you are ready to get started. If you are still learning them, this pattern is a great way to practice them in a small, satisfying project.

Materials You Will Need

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Most of these are items you likely already have in your crochet kit, and none of them are expensive.

Yarn: You will need yellow yarn for the petals and trumpet, and a small amount of orange or deep yellow for the corona (the ruffled cup in the center). Light worsted weight or DK weight yarn works beautifully for this project. If you want a more delicate, realistic look, you can use fingering weight yarn with a smaller hook. Cotton yarn is especially nice for flowers because it holds its shape well and has a lovely matte finish, but acrylic yarn works just as well for beginners.

Crochet hook: A 3.5mm or 4mm hook is ideal for worsted weight yarn. Adjust your hook size to match your yarn weight and achieve a firm gauge. You do not want the fabric to be too loose, as this can make the flower look floppy.

Yarn needle: You will need a tapestry or yarn needle to weave in your ends and assemble the flower.

Floral wire or pipe cleaners: If you want to create a stem, a piece of floral wire (18 or 20 gauge) wrapped in green floral tape works perfectly. You can also use a green pipe cleaner as a simple, no-wrap alternative.

Green yarn or felt: For crochet leaves and a crochet stem. You can alternatively use green floral tape to wrap wire stems if you prefer a more realistic look.

Scissors: A small, sharp pair of scissors for cutting yarn.

Fiberfill or stuffing (optional): A tiny amount can be used to lightly pad the corona for dimension, but this is completely optional.

Stitch markers: Helpful for keeping track of your rounds, especially if you are a beginner.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here is a quick reference guide:

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
tr — treble crochet (also called triple crochet)
MR — magic ring (also called magic loop or adjustable ring)
st(s) — stitch(es)
sp — space
rep — repeat
( ) — work all stitches listed into the same stitch or space
… — repeat instructions between asterisks the indicated number of times

Understanding the Daffodil’s Structure

A crocheted daffodil is made up of three separate pieces that are assembled together at the end:

The petals form the flat, six-petaled base of the flower. Real daffodils actually have six tepals (three petals and three sepals that look like petals), and we will replicate that look in crochet.

The corona (also called the trumpet or cup) is the distinctive ruffled tube that sits at the center of the flower. This is what makes a daffodil look like a daffodil rather than any other flower. It is usually a slightly deeper shade of yellow or orange than the petals.

The stem and leaves complete the flower and give it a realistic, three-dimensional appearance.

Making each piece separately and then assembling them gives you much more control over the finished result and allows you to adjust sizing as needed.

Pattern Instructions

Part One: The Petals

The petals are worked as a flat piece. Each petal is made individually in a row, and then all six petals are connected at their base to form a flower shape.

Starting the base ring:

Using your yellow yarn, make a magic ring. If you are not comfortable with a magic ring, you can chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring instead.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 12 sc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Pull the magic ring tail to close the center. (12 sts)

Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc into each stitch around. Join with a sl st. (24 sts)

Now you will work each petal separately. Each petal uses 4 stitches from the base ring.

Making each petal (repeat 6 times total):

Join yarn to any stitch on the base ring. Work into the next 4 stitches as follows:

Row 1 (wrong side): Ch 1, sc in the same st, sc in the next 3 sts. Turn. (4 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 2 sts, 2 sc in the last st. Turn. (6 sts)

Row 3: Ch 1, hdc in the first st, dc in the next 4 sts, hdc in the last st. Turn. (6 sts)

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in the first st, hdc in the next st, dc in the next 2 sts, hdc in the next st, sc in the last st. Turn. (6 sts)

Row 5 (petal tip shaping): Ch 1, sc in the first st, hdc in the next 2 sts, hdc in the next 2 sts, sc in the last st. Turn.

Row 6: Ch 1, sc across, decreasing 1 st at each end. (4 sts)

Row 7: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc2tog. (2 sts)

Row 8: Ch 1, sc2tog. Fasten off, leaving a tail. (1 st)

To finish the petal, work a single crochet border around the outside of the petal. Join yarn at the base of the petal, sc evenly up the left side, work 2 sc at the tip, and sc evenly back down the right side to the base. This border gives the petals a clean, defined edge.

After completing each petal, join your yarn to the next 4 stitches on the base ring and repeat the petal instructions. Work all six petals this way.

Once all six petals are complete, weave in your ends. The petals piece is now finished.

Part Two: The Corona (Trumpet)

The corona is worked in the round in a spiral, gradually increasing to create the open, ruffled cup shape. Use your orange or deep yellow yarn for this piece.

Round 1: Make a magic ring. Ch 1, work 6 sc into the ring. Do not join — work in a continuous spiral. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch to track your rounds. (6 sts)

Round 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 sts)

Round 3: Sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st — repeat around. (18 sts)

Round 4: Sc in the next 2 sts, 2 sc in the next st — repeat around. (24 sts)

Round 5: Sc in each stitch around with no increases. This helps the cup form a slight cylinder before the ruffle opens. (24 sts)

Round 6: Hdc in the next st, 2 hdc in the next st — repeat around. (36 sts)

Round 7 (ruffle): Work (hdc, dc) in each stitch around. This creates the ruffled, wavy edge of the corona. (72 sts)

Join with a sl st to the first hdc of Round 7. Fasten off and weave in your ends.

The corona should look like a small ruffled cup or trumpet. If you want a little more dimension, you can lightly stuff the inside with a pinch of fiberfill before attaching it to the petals.

Part Three: The Stem and Leaves

For a crocheted stem:

Using green yarn and your hook, chain 40 (or the length you desire). Work 1 sc in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. Fasten off. This creates a simple flat stem, which you can stiffen with floral wire by threading wire through the center before fastening off completely.

Alternatively, wrap a length of floral wire with green floral tape for a quick, realistic stem.

For the leaves:

Using green yarn, make a magic ring or chain 4 and join.

Row 1: Ch 1, work 3 sc into the ring. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc, 2 sc in the last st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc across. Turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc across. Turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog. Turn. (3 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc. Turn. (2 sts)
Row 7: Ch 1, sc2tog. Fasten off. (1 st)

Work a sc border around the leaf for a clean finish, just as you did with the petals. Make two or three leaves per flower.

Assembling Your Crochet Daffodil

Assembly is the step that transforms your individual pieces into a finished flower, and it is easier than it looks.

Start by placing the corona at the center of the petals piece with the ruffled edge facing outward. Using your yarn needle and a length of yellow or orange yarn, sew the base of the corona to the center of the petals with a few secure stitches. Work in a circular motion, stitching around the base of the corona until it feels secure.

Next, if you are using a wire stem, thread the wire up through the center of the petals and corona. Bend a small hook at the top of the wire and pull it back down slightly so it catches on the base of the flower and holds everything in place. Wrap the entire wire stem in green floral tape, adding your crochet or floral-taped leaves at the base of the flower head as you go.

If you are making a flat embellishment (for a bag, hat, or card), you can skip the stem and simply attach the flower to your project using a few stitches at the back.

Tips for a Beautiful Finished Flower

Getting a lovely result is mostly about tension and assembly, but here are a few extra tips that will help your daffodil look its best.

Keep your tension firm but not tight. Flowers that are crocheted too loosely tend to look flat and floppy, while very tight tension can make them stiff and difficult to assemble. Aim for a fabric that holds its shape but still has a little flexibility.

Block your petals before assembly. Lightly wet your petals piece, gently reshape it, and pin it flat to dry. This helps the petals lie flat and even, giving you a much more professional-looking result.

Use a stitch marker religiously when working the corona in the round. It is very easy to lose track of where your round begins when working in a spiral, and a marker saves a lot of frustration.

When making multiple daffodils for a bouquet, vary your shades slightly. Use pale yellow, bright yellow, and gold for the petals, and deep orange, coral, and amber for the coronas. This variation makes the bouquet look natural and lush.

If your corona ruffle looks too flat, try going up a hook size for the final ruffle round only. The extra looseness will encourage the edge to curl and wave more naturally.

Free PDF Download

A printable PDF of this crochet daffodil pattern is available for you to save and print at home. The PDF includes all of the pattern instructions in this post, the abbreviation guide, a materials list, and a simple diagram of the daffodil’s assembly. To download it, click the download button or link provided on this page. The file is free and does not require a subscription or email — just click and save.

If you find this pattern helpful, consider saving it to your Pinterest boards or sharing it with your crochet friends. Your shares help keep free patterns like this one available to everyone.

Ideas for Using Your Crochet Daffodils

Once you have made a few of these flowers, you may find that you cannot stop. Here are some creative ways to use your crochet daffodils beyond a simple vase arrangement.

A crochet daffodil corsage is a gorgeous accessory for spring events. Pin a single bloom to a cardigan lapel or attach a small cluster to a ribbon headband for a sweet spring look.

Make a wreath. Glue or sew a collection of daffodils (mixed with a few leaves and small greenery sprigs) onto a grapevine or foam wreath form for a cheerful door decoration that lasts all season.

Embellish a gift. Tie a single crocheted daffodil to a gift bag or box in place of a bow. The recipient gets both the gift and a handmade keepsake they can keep long after the wrapping is gone.

Create a floral crown. Wire several daffodils onto a flexible headband frame and intersperse them with crochet leaves for a fairytale floral crown that is perfect for spring photoshoots, garden parties, or flower-themed birthday celebrations.

Sew them onto a tote bag. A cluster of two or three daffodils stitched to the corner of a plain canvas tote bag transforms a simple accessory into something that looks boutique-made.

Storing and Caring for Your Crochet Flowers

Crochet flowers made from acrylic yarn are very easy to care for. If they collect dust, a quick shake or a gentle burst of compressed air (the kind used for electronics) will clean them up. For cotton yarn flowers, you can hand wash them gently in cool water and reshape them while wet to restore their form. Avoid machine washing flowers with wire stems, as the wire can rust or distort.

Store your flowers in a breathable container like a fabric bag or a cardboard box rather than an airtight plastic bin. This prevents the yarn from developing an unpleasant smell over time, especially in humid climates.

Final Thoughts

Crocheting a daffodil is one of those projects that rewards you with something genuinely beautiful in just a short sitting. From gathering your yarn to sewing on that final leaf, the whole flower can be completed in an afternoon, and the result is a piece that looks far more complex than it actually is. That combination — accessible technique, impressive result — is what makes this pattern so satisfying for beginners and experienced crafters alike.

Whether you are making one daffodil