How to Crochet a Daffodil: Free Pattern for a Beautiful Spring Flower

There is something quietly magical about daffodils. They are the first brave flowers to push through cold soil at the end of winter, and they carry with them the unmistakable promise that warmer days are coming. If you love bringing the beauty of nature into your home through yarn, then this free crochet daffodil pattern is exactly what you have been waiting for. Whether you want to make a single stem for a vase, a bunch of flowers for a centerpiece, or a cheerful brooch to pin to your coat, this pattern gives you everything you need to create a lifelike and lovely crochet daffodil from scratch.

This pattern is suitable for beginners who have mastered basic crochet stitches and intermediate crafters who want a satisfying project they can finish in a single afternoon. You will work the petals, the trumpet, and the stem separately and then join them together, which makes the whole process feel very manageable. Let’s walk through everything you need to know, from materials to finishing touches.

What You Will Need

Before you begin, gather your materials so that everything is within reach. Having the right tools makes the process smoother and helps you achieve the best results.

Yarn: You will need yellow yarn for the petals and trumpet. A light or medium yellow works beautifully for the classic daffodil look, but you can also use white or cream for the petals if you prefer a more realistic variety. For the stem and leaves, you will need green yarn. A worsted weight yarn (category 4) is recommended for this pattern because it holds its shape well and is easy to work with, especially for beginners.

Hook: A 4mm or 5mm crochet hook pairs well with worsted weight yarn. If you prefer to work with lighter yarn, adjust your hook size accordingly. The finished size of your flower will vary slightly depending on your yarn weight and hook size, which is completely fine.

Other supplies: You will need a small amount of polyfill stuffing or cotton stuffing to fill the trumpet of the flower, a yarn needle for weaving in ends and sewing pieces together, scissors, and a green floral wire or pipe cleaner to support the stem if you want your daffodil to stand upright. Stitch markers are also helpful for keeping track of rounds.

Understanding the Stitches

This pattern uses standard crochet abbreviations. Here is a quick reference before you dive in.

ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
tr – treble crochet
inc – increase (two stitches worked into the same stitch)
dec – decrease (two stitches worked together as one)
MR – magic ring

If any of these stitches are new to you, take a few minutes to practice them on a small swatch before beginning. Single crochet and double crochet are the workhorses of this pattern, and once you feel comfortable with them, the flower will come together quite quickly.

Part One: The Petals

A classic daffodil has six petals arranged in two overlapping layers. In this pattern, you will make six individual petals and then arrange them in two groups of three when assembling. This layered approach gives the flower a natural, dimensional look.

Making one petal (make six):

Begin with your yellow yarn and create a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 6 sc into the magic ring, pull ring closed, sl st to join. (6 stitches)

Round 2: Ch 1, inc in each stitch around, sl st to join. (12 stitches)

Round 3: Ch 1, work 1 sc in the first stitch, then inc in the next, repeat this pattern around, sl st to join. (18 stitches)

Now you will begin shaping the petal into its elongated form.

Row 4: Ch 1, work 9 sc across the row, turn. (9 stitches — you are now working in rows rather than rounds)

Row 5: Ch 1, dec, work 5 sc, dec, turn. (7 stitches)

Row 6: Ch 1, dec, work 3 sc, dec, turn. (5 stitches)

Row 7: Ch 1, dec, work 1 sc, dec, turn. (3 stitches)

Row 8: Ch 1, work 3 sc, turn.

Row 9: Ch 1, sl st across. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.

Repeat this process until you have six petals. They should look like small, slightly pointed ovals that taper toward the top. If you want broader petals, you can add an extra increase round at the beginning. If you want narrower petals, skip one of the increase rounds. The beauty of crochet is that it is easy to customize.

Part Two: The Trumpet

The trumpet is the most distinctive part of a daffodil — that cheerful, cup-shaped center that seems to reach out toward the sun. This piece is worked in rounds and lightly stuffed to give it a three-dimensional shape.

With yellow yarn (or a slightly deeper shade of yellow or orange if you want a more realistic look), make a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 6 sc into the ring, pull closed, sl st to join. (6 stitches)

Round 2: Ch 1, inc in each stitch around, sl st to join. (12 stitches)

Round 3: Ch 1, work 1 sc, inc, repeat around, sl st to join. (18 stitches)

Round 4: Ch 1, work sc in each stitch around, sl st to join. (18 stitches — no increases, just working even)

Round 5: Ch 1, work sc in each stitch around, sl st to join. (18 stitches)

Round 6: Ch 1, work sc in each stitch around, sl st to join. (18 stitches)

Now you will create the ruffled edge that gives the trumpet its characteristic frilly look.

Round 7 (ruffle): Ch 1, work 2 dc in each stitch around, sl st to join. (36 stitches)

At this point, add a small amount of stuffing to the trumpet. You do not need much — just enough to give it a gentle, rounded shape. Fasten off and leave a long tail for attaching it to the petals.

Part Three: The Stem and Leaf

A flower without a stem is just a blossom waiting to bloom, so let’s give your daffodil something to stand on.

Stem:

With green yarn, ch 40 (or longer if you want a taller stem). Work 1 sc in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. Fasten off.

If you are using a pipe cleaner or floral wire for support, fold a small loop at the top of the wire, insert it into the stem, and bend it as needed to keep the stem upright. You can also work the stem around a pipe cleaner as you crochet if you prefer a more secure finish.

Leaf (make one or two):

With green yarn, ch 15.

Row 1: Work 1 hdc in the third chain from the hook, 1 hdc in each of the next 11 chains, work 3 hdc in the last chain (this creates the tip of the leaf). Now work back along the other side of the chain, working 1 hdc in each chain until you reach the beginning. Sl st to join. Fasten off and leave a tail for attaching.

This creates a simple, elongated leaf shape. For a slightly different look, you can add a slip stitch border along the outer edge of the leaf, which creates a nice defined outline.

Assembling Your Crochet Daffodil

Now comes the most satisfying part — bringing all the pieces together into a finished flower. Take your time with this step because a careful assembly makes all the difference.

Begin with the six petals. Arrange three of them in a circle, flat sides together, and sew them to each other at the base using your yarn needle and a length of yellow yarn. This creates your first layer. Repeat with the remaining three petals for the second layer.

Once you have your two petal layers, place the second layer on top of the first, offsetting the petals so that each petal of the top layer sits between two petals of the bottom layer. This offset creates that beautifully full, layered look you see on real daffodils. Sew the two layers together at the center.

Next, place the trumpet in the center of the assembled petals and sew it down securely. The ruffled edge should face upward and outward, just like a real daffodil’s trumpet. Make sure to sew all the way around the base of the trumpet so it sits firmly and doesn’t droop to one side.

Now attach the stem to the back of the assembled flower. Poke a small opening through the center back of the petals, insert the top of the stem, and secure it with several tight stitches. If you used a pipe cleaner inside your stem, you can also wrap a small loop of green yarn around the flower center to hold everything together.

Finally, attach your leaf or leaves to the stem, roughly a third of the way down from the flower. You can sew them on at an angle so they sweep outward naturally, just as daffodil leaves do in the garden. Weave in all your remaining ends, give your flower a gentle tug in all directions to make sure everything is secure, and your crochet daffodil is complete.

Tips for Getting the Best Results

A few small adjustments can take your crochet daffodil from good to absolutely beautiful.

Blocking your petals is one of the best things you can do for a polished finish. Lightly mist your finished petals with water, shape them on a flat surface, and allow them to dry completely before assembling. This evens out any uneven stitches and helps the petals hold their intended shape.

Tension matters more than you might think. If your tension is very tight, your flower will feel stiff and the petals may curl inward. If your tension is loose, the petals may look floppy. Aim for a consistent, relaxed tension throughout. If you notice your tension changing partway through, it is fine to stop, breathe, and re-establish your rhythm.

Color choices can completely transform the look of your daffodil. Traditional daffodils are yellow throughout, but many varieties feature white or cream petals with a yellow, orange, or even pink trumpet. Try making a set in different color combinations and see which you like best. An all-white daffodil with a soft peach trumpet is particularly elegant, while an all-yellow version has that cheerful, sunny energy that makes it perfect for spring decorating.

Sizing up or down is easy with this pattern. If you use a bulky weight yarn and a larger hook, you can create an oversized statement flower that looks stunning in a large vase or as a focal point in a wreath. Conversely, using fingering weight yarn and a 2mm hook will give you a delicate miniature daffodil that would be perfect for a hair clip or a gift tag embellishment.

Ideas for Using Your Crochet Daffodil

Once you have made one, it is very hard to stop at just a single flower. Here are some lovely ways to use your finished daffodils.

A small cluster of three or five daffodils arranged in a ceramic pot or mason jar makes a charming spring centerpiece that will never wilt. You can mix in other crochet flowers — tulips, crocuses, and hyacinths all make wonderful companions — to create a full floral arrangement.

A single daffodil attached to a safety pin becomes a beautiful brooch that you can wear on a coat, scarf, or bag. This also makes a thoughtful and personal handmade gift.

You can wire a few daffodils together with floral tape and green pipe cleaners to create a spring wreath or a small garland for a mantelpiece or windowsill. Adding some crocheted green leaves and a ribbon bow completes the look.

Daffodils also make wonderful gift toppers. Tie a few to a wrapped present in place of a bow, and the lucky recipient gets both a gift and a keepsake flower.

If you are a teacher or crafter who runs workshops, this pattern is a lovely one to teach in a group setting. Each person can customize their flower with their own color choices, and the finished pieces come together quickly enough that everyone leaves the session with something to be proud of.

A Note on Spring Crochet

There is a reason so many crocheters reach for their hooks when spring begins. Something about the season’s energy — the lengthening days, the color returning to the landscape, the warmth beginning to build — translates beautifully into creative work. Making flowers with yarn connects us to the natural world even when we are indoors, and there is a deep satisfaction in being able to say, “I made that.” A crochet daffodil captures the particular joy of early spring, that first flush of yellow in the garden that feels like a gift after a long winter.

This free pattern is meant to be a starting point. Once you feel comfortable with the basic structure, play with it. Try adding more petals, experiment with different textures of yarn, or use variegated yarn for a sunset-colored flower that doesn’t exist in nature but is beautiful nonetheless. Crochet is a living craft, and the best patterns are the ones that inspire you to make them your own.

Gauge and Finished Size

Working in worsted weight yarn with a 4.5mm hook, each petal measures approximately 4 centimeters in length. The finished flower head, once all petals are assembled, measures approximately 10 to 12 centimeters across. The trumpet stands approximately 3 centimeters tall. The stem, as written, is approximately 15 centimeters long, though you can adjust this to any length you prefer.

These are approximate measurements only. Because crochet gauge varies from person to person, your finished flower may be slightly larger or smaller, and that is perfectly fine. The most important thing is that you enjoy making it.

Final Thoughts

This free crochet daffodil pattern is a wonderful project for crafters at almost every level. It teaches important skills like working in the round, shaping with increases and decreases, creating three-dimensional structure through stuffing, and assembling multi-piece projects — all wrapped up in a project that is genuinely lovely to look at when it is finished. Whether you are making your very first crochet flower or adding to a long collection of botanical projects, a daffodil is a beautiful choice, and this pattern will guide you every step of the way.

Happy crocheting, and may your project bring a little bit of spring sunshine into wherever you are making it.