Simple Crochet 6 Flower Appliqué – Free Pattern PDF
There is something quietly magical about a small crocheted flower. It takes only minutes to make, requires little more than a scrap of yarn and a hook, and yet the finished result feels complete in a way that bigger projects sometimes do not. A single flower appliqué can transform a plain hat into a gift-worthy keepsake, turn a basic tote bag into something personal, or give new life to a baby blanket that needed just one more detail to feel finished. This pattern gives you six of them — six distinct flower designs that range from the simplest beginner-friendly bloom to slightly more textured styles — all worked in the same approachable way so that you can pick up any one of them and finish it in a single sitting.
This post walks you through every flower in detail. You will find full written instructions, notes on yarn and hook choices, tips for finishing and attaching your appliqués, and ideas for how to use them. At the end, you will also find a link to download the free PDF version so you can print it out and keep it beside you as you work.
What You Need Before You Begin
Before diving into the patterns themselves, it helps to gather everything in one place. Because these are small appliqués, the materials list is refreshingly short.
Yarn: Any weight of yarn will work, and this is genuinely one of those cases where the instruction is not an oversimplification. Fingering weight yarn with a small hook produces delicate flowers suitable for clothing embellishment. Worsted weight produces bold, chunky blooms that stand out on bags and blankets. DK and sport weight sit comfortably in the middle. Use what you have. Scrap yarn is ideal here, and this pattern is an excellent way to finally put those leftover half-skeins to use.
Hook: Match your hook to your yarn. A rough guide: fingering weight pairs well with a 2.25–3.5mm hook, DK with a 3.5–4.5mm hook, and worsted with a 4.5–5.5mm hook. If your flower feels stiff and dense, go up a hook size. If it feels loose and floppy, go down.
Yarn needle: You will need this to weave in your ends and to attach the finished flowers to your project.
Scissors: One pair is enough.
Optional: Stitch markers, especially if you are new to working in the round and want to track your starting point.
Understanding the Abbreviations
All six patterns use standard US crochet terminology.
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
tr — treble (triple) crochet
sp — space
rep — repeat
st(s) — stitch(es)
MR — magic ring (also called magic loop or adjustable ring)
YO — yarn over
If you are more comfortable with a foundation chain instead of a magic ring, you can substitute a ch-4 joined into a ring with a slip stitch in place of any MR in these patterns.
Flower One: The Classic Five-Petal Daisy
This is the flower most people picture when they think of a crochet appliqué. It is symmetrical, clean, and works beautifully in two colors — one for the center and one for the petals.
Instructions:
With your first color (center color), make a MR.
Round 1: Ch 1, work 10 sc into the ring, join with sl st to first sc. Pull tail to close ring. (10 sc)
Fasten off center color. Join second color (petal color) to any stitch.
Round 2 (petals): Ch 4, 3 tr in next st, ch 4, sl st in next st; rep from 4 more times. (5 petals)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
The ch-4 at the start and end of each petal creates a gentle stem that keeps the petal lifted off the center, giving the flower a slightly three-dimensional look. If you want flatter petals, reduce the chains to ch-3.
Flower Two: The Simple Six-Petal Bloom
This flower has six petals rather than five, which gives it a fuller, more rounded silhouette. It works particularly well in a single color with a contrasting center sewn on afterward using a French knot or a small button.
Instructions:
Make a MR.
Round 1: Ch 1, work 12 sc into the ring, join with sl st to first sc. Pull tail to close. (12 sc)
Round 2 (petals): Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in same st, ch 3, sl st in next st; rep from 5 more times. (6 petals)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Each petal is formed by working two double crochets into the same stitch, which creates a subtle peak at the center of each petal. This gives the flower a slightly pointed, star-like appearance at the tips, which reads differently from the rounded daisy above and makes it useful for a different mood in your projects.
Flower Three: The Layered Rose
This one takes a few more minutes than the others, but the result looks considerably more complex than the effort involved. The rose is worked in a flat spiral rather than in rounds, which gives it the overlapping petal effect of a real rose.
Instructions:
Ch 31.
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, 2 dc in next ch, 2 dc in next ch, sc in next ch; rep from across. (You will have approximately 10 mini petals along the length of the chain.)
Do not turn. Instead, roll the strip loosely around itself with the petal edge facing outward, and secure the base with a few whip stitches using your yarn needle and tail end.
The tighter you roll it, the more closed the rose will look. A looser roll gives an open, garden-rose effect. Experiment with both.
Finishing the rose: Once rolled and secured, the flat base can be stitched directly to your project. Because the base is slightly thicker than the other flowers in this collection, it holds its shape well even without any additional stiffening.
Flower Four: The Sunflower
This pattern produces a boldly graphic flower that mimics the look of a sunflower with a dark center and bright yellow petals. It is worked in two distinct rounds with a clear color change between them.
Instructions:
With dark brown or dark gold (center color), make a MR.
Round 1: Ch 1, work 6 sc into ring, join with sl st to first sc. (6 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (12 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from around, join. (18 sc)
Fasten off center color. Join petal color (bright yellow or golden yellow) to any stitch.
Round 4 (petals): Ch 5, sl st in second ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, sl st in next st of Round 3; rep from around. (18 petals)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
The eighteen petals in this flower are narrow and slightly pointed, which closely mimics the long, thin petals of an actual sunflower. If the petals feel too floppy, try going down one hook size for Round 4 only.
Flower Five: The Puff Stitch Flower
The puff stitch creates a satisfyingly rounded, almost padded petal, and this flower uses that texture to its advantage. It is slightly more involved than the first two flowers but still very accessible for anyone who has learned basic crochet stitches.
A puff stitch is made by working several partially completed double crochets into the same stitch and then drawing a loop through all of them at once. It is essentially a cluster stitch, and it creates a pronounced bump of yarn that gives each petal real visual weight.
How to make a puff stitch in this pattern: YO, insert hook into st, pull up a loop, (YO, insert hook into same st, pull up a loop) twice more, YO, draw through all 7 loops on hook, ch 1 to close.
Instructions:
Make a MR.
Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), work 11 hdc into ring, join with sl st to top of ch-2. (12 hdc)
Fasten off first color if you are doing a color change. Join petal color.
Round 2: Ch 1, sl st in first st, ch 2, work puff stitch in next st, ch 2, sl st in next st; rep from 5 more times. (6 puff petal clusters)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
This flower has a slightly cushioned, dimensional look that photographs beautifully. It works especially well on items that will be photographed or displayed, like wreaths, framed textile art, or decorative pillows.
Flower Six: The Open Lace Flower
This final flower takes a slightly different approach by incorporating chain spaces to create an airy, lace-like appearance. It is well suited to lightweight yarns and more delicate projects like summer tops, lace shawls, or baptism blankets.
Instructions:
Make a MR.
Round 1: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), dc in ring, ch 1; rep from 9 more times, join with sl st to 3rd ch of starting ch-4. (10 dc and 10 ch-1 spaces)
Round 2: Sl st into first ch-1 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 2; rep from around, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (10 groups of 3-dc, 10 ch-2 spaces)
Round 3 (petal tips): Sl st into next dc and into ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in ch-2 sp, ch 4, sc in same sp; rep from around, join. (10 small pointed petal tips)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
The resulting flower is open and geometric, with ten small pointed tips ringing a defined center. It reads as more sophisticated than the other five flowers in this collection and suits adult garments and home décor projects particularly well.
Tips for Finishing Your Flower Appliqués
No matter which of the six flowers you make, a few finishing practices will significantly improve the final result.
Blocking: Even a light blocking makes a noticeable difference in how clean and even the petals look. For most yarn fibers, you can simply dampen the flower with cool water, gently pull the petals into shape, pin them if needed, and allow the flower to dry flat. Wool and wool blends respond especially well to steam blocking if you have an iron with a steam setting.
Weaving in ends: Take extra care to weave the ends in tightly and in opposing directions. Because these flowers are small, a loose end can pull the whole piece out of shape. Running the needle through several stitches in one direction and then doubling back in a slightly different direction gives a secure hold without adding bulk.
Stiffening: If you want your flower to hold a particularly firm shape — for example, for use on a hair clip or brooch where it will be handled frequently — a light application of fabric stiffener or even a diluted solution of white craft glue and water will do the job. Apply it with a small brush, shape the flower as desired, and allow it to dry completely on a flat or slightly curved surface.
How to Attach Flower Appliqués to Your Projects
The method you use to attach a finished flower appliqué depends on what it is being attached to.
For knit or crochet fabric, a simple whip stitch around the outer edge of the flower works well. Use the same yarn you used for the flower, or a matching thread if you want the stitches to be invisible. Take care to catch only the fabric of the base project and not to pull so tightly that the fabric puckers.
For woven fabric like canvas tote bags or denim, use a sharp tapestry needle and thread rather than yarn, as thread will create smaller, less visible attachment stitches. Sewing through the center and around the outer edge gives the most secure hold.
For non-fabric surfaces like headbands, barrettes, or brooches, a hot glue gun gives a quick and very secure bond. Allow the glue to cool fully before handling the finished piece, and press firmly for about thirty seconds after applying.
Project Ideas for Your Six Flower Appliqués
Once you have made a set of these flowers, the possibilities for using them are genuinely broad.
A baby blanket with one flower in each corner and a larger flower at the center makes a beautiful shower gift. The sunflower and the classic daisy work especially well for this because of their clear, readable silhouettes.
A simple beanie hat becomes something special with a single puff stitch flower or layered rose attached just above the brim. Use a button or small brooch back so the flower can be removed before washing the hat.
Headbands — both the flat elastic kind and the padded velvet style — are one of the most popular uses for crochet flower appliqués. The lace flower in particular looks elegant on a velvet headband.
Tote bags benefit from the larger, bolder flowers. A sunflower on a natural canvas bag is a classic combination that never really goes out of style.
Greeting cards: If you do any paper crafting, a crocheted flower glued to a handmade card elevates the whole thing. The recipient often keeps the card specifically to remove the flower and use it somewhere else.
Scrapbook pages, framed textile art, wreaths, garlands — all of these are natural homes for small crocheted flowers.
Download the Free PDF Pattern
All six flower patterns above are available as a single, printable PDF. The PDF version includes all of the written instructions from this post in a clean, easy-to-read format with a small photo reference for each flower design. It is sized for standard letter paper and A4, so it will print correctly regardless of which paper format you use.
To download, use the link provided below the post or on the pattern page. The PDF is completely free, with no email sign-up required. If you find the patterns useful, sharing this post or saving it on Pinterest helps others find it and helps support the continued creation of free patterns here.
A Note on Yarn and Color
Color is where a crochet flower appliqué truly comes alive, and it is worth spending a moment thinking about it before you sit down to work. The most striking flower appliqués tend to use a high-contrast pairing between center and petals: deep navy and bright cream, warm terracotta and soft blush, forest green and bright coral. These combinations catch the eye in a way that tone-on-tone flowers do not.
That said, tone-on-tone flowers — where center and petals are different values of the same hue — have a quiet sophistication that works particularly well on adult garments and neutral home décor. A pale blush center with a dusty rose petal, for instance, looks refined and intentional rather than playful.
Variegated yarn is another option worth considering, especially for the rose and the lace flower, where the self-striping or color-pooling effect adds movement that solid yarns cannot.
Final Thoughts
These six flowers have been designed to be as accessible as possible while still giving you variety and choice. Whether you are brand new to crochet and looking for a satisfying first project, or an experienced maker looking for quick stash-busting patterns between larger projects, there is something in this set for you.
Make all six in matching colors for a coordinated set. Make each one in a completely different palette for an eclectic, garden-party feel. Make fifty of the same flower and string them into a garland. The pattern is yours to use however suits you best.
Happy crocheting, and enjoy your flowers.
