How to Crochet Pansies and Violas: Free Pattern and Step-by-Step Instructions

Few flowers capture the heart quite like pansies and violas. Their cheerful, velvety faces seem to smile up at you from garden beds, windowsill boxes, and now — thanks to this complete crochet pattern — from blankets, garlands, hair clips, greeting cards, and anything else you can imagine decorating with a little handmade bloom. Whether you are a seasoned crocheter looking for a new floral motif or a beginner eager to try your first three-dimensional flower, this pattern is designed to walk you through every stitch with confidence.

In this post you will find everything you need: a full list of materials, gauge notes, special stitch explanations, the complete pansy and viola crochet pattern written out in standard US terminology, tips for shaping and finishing, and ideas for how to use your finished flowers. Bookmark this page, grab your hook, and let’s make something beautiful.

Why Crochet Pansies and Violas?

Pansies and violas belong to the same botanical family, and both are beloved for their distinctive overlapping petals and the dark “whisker” markings that radiate from the center of each bloom. In crochet, that characteristic shape translates into a pattern that is genuinely fun to make. You work the petals individually so each one has its own slightly different size, and then you join them in a way that creates that natural, layered appearance. The result is a flower that looks impressively realistic even though the stitches themselves are straightforward.

Beyond aesthetics, small crochet flowers are enormously practical. They work up quickly, use only scraps of yarn, make wonderful gifts, and travel well in a project bag. A single pansy takes roughly fifteen to twenty minutes once you know the pattern. That means an afternoon of crocheting can yield a full bouquet, a wreath, or a decorated headband. They also make a fantastic stash-busting project because the color combinations are endless — deep purple and yellow, soft lavender and white, bright orange and burgundy, or anything your scrap basket suggests.

Materials You Will Need

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. The pattern is written for a medium-weight yarn with a 4.0 mm hook, but notes are included for adapting to other weights.

Yarn: You will need small amounts of yarn in two to four colors. For a classic pansy, choose a main petal color (purple, lavender, yellow, orange, or white), a contrast color for the upper petals if desired, and a small amount of yellow or gold for the center. For violas, a single petal color with a yellow center works beautifully. Worsted weight (size 4) yarn is recommended for beginners. Fingering or sport weight yarn creates a more delicate flower suitable for jewelry and appliqué.

Hook: A 4.0 mm crochet hook for worsted weight. Use a 2.5 mm to 3.0 mm hook for fingering or sport weight yarn.

Additional supplies: Scissors, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers (optional but helpful for beginners), embroidery floss or black yarn for the center markings, and wire or floral tape if you want to mount your flowers on stems.

Gauge: Gauge is not critical for decorative flowers, but for reference, a finished pansy in worsted weight measures approximately 3 to 3.5 inches (7.5 to 9 cm) across. A viola measures approximately 2 to 2.5 inches (5 to 6.5 cm) across. If your flower comes out larger than expected, try going down one hook size.

Understanding the Stitch Abbreviations

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here is a quick reference for the stitches used throughout.

ch — chain stitch. The foundation of most crochet work.

sl st — slip stitch. Used to join rounds and move yarn without adding height.

sc — single crochet. A short, tight stitch.

hdc — half double crochet. Slightly taller than a single crochet.

dc — double crochet. A tall, versatile stitch that forms the body of most petals in this pattern.

tr — treble crochet (also called triple crochet). Taller than a double crochet; used for the two large lower petals of the pansy.

dc2tog — double crochet two together. A decrease stitch worked by drawing up loops in two separate stitches and completing them together.

MR — magic ring (also called magic loop or adjustable ring). A technique for starting rounds that allows you to pull the center closed without leaving a hole. If you are unfamiliar with the magic ring, you can substitute a chain-4 joined with a slip stitch into a ring.

YO — yarn over.

Special Technique: The Pansy Petal

The key to a realistic pansy is understanding that the flower has five petals arranged in two layers. The upper two petals are smaller and slightly narrower. The three lower petals are larger, with the bottom center petal being the widest of all. In real pansies, those lower petals also carry the distinctive dark markings, which you will add with embroidery at the end.

Each petal in this pattern is worked individually by chaining a foundation, working stitches along one side, pivoting at the tip, and working stitches back along the other side. This gives the petal a natural pointed or rounded shape depending on how you handle the tip. Pay attention to where the pattern says to work into the same stitch — that is what creates the curve at the top of each petal.

The Pansy Crochet Pattern

Part One: The Flower Center

Using yellow yarn, make a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 6 sc into the ring, pull the tail to close the ring, sl st to first sc to join. (6 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each stitch around, sl st to first sc to join. (12 sc)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. This small circle forms the center button of your pansy. Set it aside.

Part Two: The Upper Petals (make 2)

These two petals sit at the top of the flower and are slightly smaller and more upright than the lower petals.

Using your main petal color, ch 10.

Row 1 (petal body): Starting in the second ch from the hook, work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc. In the last chain, work (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) to create the tip. Do not turn.

Now work back along the opposite side of the foundation chain: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc.

Sl st into the first stitch to close the petal. (You will have worked a total of 18 stitches plus the tip chain.)

Fasten off, leaving a tail for assembly. Gently pinch the base of the petal and give it a slight fold along the center to create a natural cupped shape.

Part Three: The Side Petals (make 2)

The two side petals are a little wider than the upper petals and sit in the middle layer of the flower.

Using your main petal color (or a contrast color if you prefer the classic two-tone pansy look), ch 12.

Row 1 (petal body): Starting in the second ch from the hook, work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc. In the last chain, work (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) to create the tip. Do not turn.

Work back along the opposite side: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 2 tr, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc.

Sl st into the first stitch to close the petal.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for assembly.

Part Four: The Bottom Center Petal (make 1)

This is the largest and most prominent petal. It is the one that most people associate with the classic pansy face.

Using your main petal color, ch 14.

Row 1 (petal body): Starting in the second ch from the hook, work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, 3 tr, 1 dc, 2 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc. In the last chain, work (1 sc, ch 3, 1 sc) to create a slightly wider rounded tip. Do not turn.

Work back along the opposite side: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 2 tr, 1 dc, 3 tr, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc.

Sl st into the first stitch to close the petal.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for assembly.

Part Five: Assembling the Pansy

Lay your petals out on a flat surface before sewing anything down. This gives you a chance to check the arrangement and make any adjustments.

Place the two upper petals side by side so their bases overlap slightly in the center. Thread the tail from one petal onto your yarn needle and use a few small stitches to anchor the bases together where they overlap. These petals should angle slightly upward in the finished flower.

Place the two side petals below the upper petals, positioning them so their bases overlap with the upper petals and with each other at the center. Stitch them in place.

Finally, position the large bottom center petal so its base meets the other four petals in the center of the arrangement. This petal should face directly downward in the finished flower. Stitch it securely.

Once all five petals are joined, position the yellow center button over the point where all the bases meet and stitch it down, pulling slightly to help gather and cup the petals naturally around it. Weave in all ends neatly from the back.

Part Six: Adding the Markings

This step is what truly transforms a plain crochet flower into a recognizable pansy. Using a length of black or very dark purple embroidery floss (or a similarly thin yarn), thread your needle and work several straight stitches radiating outward from the center of each lower petal. These should be roughly parallel lines that fan slightly, mimicking the natural veining of a real pansy petal. Work three to five lines per petal, starting close to the center button and extending about a third of the way toward the petal tip.

For a yellow pansy, you might add dark brown or black markings. For a purple pansy, dark navy or black works beautifully. For a white viola, a soft yellow center with fine purple lines creates a very delicate, realistic effect.

The Viola Crochet Pattern

Violas are essentially smaller, more delicate cousins of pansies. They have the same five-petal structure but are worked on fewer chains, and the overall flower tends to be flatter and more dainty. Many crafters use violas as appliqués on baby items, bookmarks, and greeting cards because of their smaller scale.

Viola Center

Using yellow yarn, make a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 5 sc into the ring, pull to close, sl st to join. (5 sc)

Fasten off, leaving a tail.

Viola Upper Petals (make 2)

Using petal color, ch 8.

Starting in the second ch from hook, work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc. In the last ch, work (1 sc, ch 1, 1 sc). Work back along the opposite side: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc. Sl st to close. Fasten off with tail.

Viola Side and Bottom Petals (make 3)

Using petal color, ch 10.

Starting in the second ch from hook, work 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 2 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc. In the last ch, work (1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc). Work back along the opposite side: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 2 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc. Sl st to close. Fasten off with tail.

Assemble the viola the same way as the pansy, with the two upper petals on top and the three lower petals fanned out below. Add the center button and markings as desired.

Tips for Perfect Petals Every Time

Blocking makes a significant difference with crochet flowers. Once your pansy or viola is assembled, lightly mist it with water, shape the petals with your fingers, and allow it to dry flat. If you want more pronounced shaping, use a small amount of fabric stiffener diluted with water and allow the flower to dry over a rounded surface like a ball or the end of a wooden spoon for a slightly cupped effect.

If your petals are curling in the wrong direction, try turning your work and working the return row from the opposite side, or experiment with working your stitches into the back loop only on the return pass.

Color choice has a huge impact on the final look. Do not be afraid to combine colors you would not typically pair — pansies in nature come in some extraordinarily vivid combinations. Rust and cream, deep wine and pale pink, bright canary yellow and violet, and even near-black with white edges are all true pansy colors.

Creative Ways to Use Your Crochet Pansies and Violas

A single pansy is lovely. A collection of them becomes magical. Here are some of the most popular ways crafters put these flowers to use.

Garlands and bunting make a cheerful decoration for children’s rooms, parties, and spring displays. Simply stitch or glue a row of flowers along a length of twine, ribbon, or crocheted chain. Mix pansies and violas in different colors for a wildflower effect.

Hair accessories are another favorite. Glue or stitch a pansy onto a snap clip, a headband base, or an elastic band. A cluster of three small violas makes an especially pretty hair ornament that works for adults and children alike.

Appliqués on clothing and accessories give handmade garments a signature flourish. Stitch a pansy onto the pocket of a denim jacket, the brim of a sun hat, the corner of a tote bag, or the cuff of a baby cardigan. Because the flowers are worked separately, they are easy to attach to almost any fabric with a few hidden stitches.

Greeting cards and bookmarks transform a simple crochet flower into a long-lasting keepsake. Back your pansy with a small piece of felt cut to shape, add a safety pin or a strip of hook-and-loop tape, and you have an instant brooch. Glue a viola directly to a hand-lettered card for a birthday or thank-you note that will be kept long after the occasion has passed.

Wreaths and floral arrangements bring the softness of a garden indoors year-round. Wire your flowers onto a wreath form, tuck them into a small vase alongside dried botanicals, or arrange them in a shadow box frame as a piece of fiber art for the wall.

Caring for Your Finished Flowers

If your pansies and violas are made from acrylic yarn, they are machine washable on a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Cotton yarn flowers should be hand washed in cool water and reshaped while damp. Wool and wool-blend flowers should be hand washed with a wool-safe soap and dried flat to prevent felting — though intentionally felted wool pansies have a wonderful painterly texture that is worth experimenting with.

If you have used fabric stiffener on your flowers, they will need spot cleaning only. Store stiffened flowers away from humidity, which can cause them to soften or lose their shape.

Sharing Your Makes

Once you have worked through this pattern and made a flower or two (or twenty), consider sharing your finished pansies and violas on social media. The crochet community is wonderfully supportive, and seeing how other crafters interpret a pattern — different color choices, different scales, different applications — is one of the genuine joys of sharing a craft online. Tag your posts so other pansy and viola enthusiasts can find you, and feel free to link back to this pattern so new crafters can find their way here.

If you have any questions about specific steps, run into trouble with the assembly,