Pansy Crochet Flower: Free Pattern + Step-by-Step Tutorial
There is something quietly magical about pansies. Their velvety petals, the way their “faces” seem to look right back at you from the garden bed, and that rich combination of purples, yellows, and whites make them one of the most beloved flowers in the world. So it makes perfect sense that crochet lovers everywhere have fallen head over heels for pansy-inspired projects. Whether you want to embellish a hat, brighten up a tote bag, add a pop of color to a hair clip, or simply build up a collection of handmade blooms for a wreath or centerpiece, this free pansy crochet flower pattern is exactly what you need.
This tutorial is written for beginners and intermediate crocheters alike. If you can work a magic ring, single crochet, double crochet, and chain stitch, you have everything you need to make these gorgeous little flowers. The full pattern is written out below, along with tips, yarn suggestions, finishing ideas, and answers to some of the most common questions people ask when crocheting flowers for the first time.
Grab your hook and your favorite yarn, put on some music or a podcast, and let’s make some pansies.
Why Crochet a Pansy?
Before we dive into the pattern itself, let’s talk about why the pansy is such a wonderful flower to recreate in yarn.
Pansies have a distinctive shape that makes them instantly recognizable. They have five petals arranged in a specific way: two at the top that are slightly smaller and more upright, two on the sides that are a bit larger, and one large rounded petal at the bottom. That asymmetrical, layered quality is what gives the flower its face-like appearance and its charm.
In crochet, this translates beautifully. By working petals in two slightly different sizes and layering them over one another, you can recreate that same three-dimensional depth that makes real pansies so appealing. Add a small embroidered center or a French knot in a contrasting color, and your crochet pansy comes to life in a way that genuinely resembles the real thing.
Pansy crochet flowers are also wonderfully versatile. They work at almost any scale depending on your yarn weight, they can be made in realistic color combinations or fantastical ones, and they take very little time compared to larger crochet projects. You can make one in about twenty to thirty minutes once you get the hang of the pattern, which means an afternoon of crocheting can yield a small bouquet’s worth of blooms.
Materials You Will Need
One of the best things about this pattern is how little you need to get started. Here is the full supply list.
Yarn: You can use almost any weight of yarn for this pattern, but worsted weight or DK weight gives the most satisfying results for a standard-sized flower. Choose two or three colors that mimic a real pansy — a deep purple or violet for the larger petals, a lighter lavender or soft yellow for the upper petals, and a bright yellow or white for the center. Of course, you can also go entirely your own way with color and make something bold and unexpected.
Hook: For worsted weight yarn, a 4.0 mm or 4.5 mm hook works well. For DK weight, try a 3.5 mm hook. If you are working with thinner yarn like fingering or sock weight, drop down to a 2.5 mm or 3.0 mm hook. The key is to crochet firmly enough that the petals hold their shape without being so tight that the work becomes stiff.
Scissors and a tapestry needle: You will need these for weaving in your yarn ends and for any embroidery work on the center of the flower.
Embroidery floss (optional): A few strands of dark purple, brown, or black embroidery floss can be used to create the characteristic dark lines that radiate from the center of a pansy’s petals. This detail is entirely optional but it adds a wonderful touch of realism.
Stitch markers: Helpful for keeping track of rounds, especially for newer crocheters.
Backing materials (optional): If you plan to use your pansies as appliqués, accessories, or brooches, you may want felt, fabric stiffener, a pin back, or hair clip hardware.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology.
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
tr — treble crochet
MR — magic ring
rep — repeat
sp — space
yo — yarn over
Understanding the Pansy Shape
Before you begin, it helps to understand how this pattern is constructed. A crocheted pansy is made in two layers. The bottom layer consists of three larger petals: two medium petals and one large rounded petal at the base. The top layer consists of two smaller petals that sit slightly above the others. These two layers are worked separately and then joined together in the center, where a small decorative stitch or button is added to represent the flower’s face.
This two-layer construction is what gives the finished flower its realistic depth and dimension. Don’t be tempted to skip the layering step — it makes all the difference.
Free Pansy Crochet Flower Pattern
Part One: The Bottom Layer (Three Petals)
This layer forms the lower three petals of the pansy. Work this piece in your main petal color.
Foundation: Make a magic ring (MR).
Round 1: Ch 1, work 5 sc into the MR, sl st to first sc to join. Pull the ring closed tightly. (5 sc)
Now you will work each petal individually off this center ring.
Petal 1 (Large Bottom Petal):
Row 1: Ch 3, turn. Work 2 dc into the same st at the base of the ch-3. Turn. (3 dc, counting the ch-3 as one dc)
Row 2: Ch 3, turn. Work 1 dc in the first dc, 2 dc in the next dc, 2 dc in the last dc, 1 dc in the top of the ch-3. (6 dc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc across all sts. (6 sc)
Row 4: Ch 1. Work sc evenly along the side of the petal, then 3 sc into the tip (the top corner), then sc evenly along the other side of the petal back to the center ring. Sl st into the center ring to anchor the petal.
Sl st to the next sc in the center ring to move to the next petal position.
Petal 2 (Medium Side Petal — Right Side):
Row 1: Ch 3, turn. Work 1 dc into the same base st, 1 dc into the same st. Turn. (3 dc)
Row 2: Ch 3, turn. 1 dc in first dc, 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in top of ch-3. (5 dc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (5 sc)
Row 4: Ch 1. Sc along the side, 3 sc into the tip, sc along the other side. Sl st into the center ring.
Sl st to the next sc in the center ring.
Petal 3 (Medium Side Petal — Left Side):
Repeat Petal 2 instructions exactly.
After completing Petal 3, sl st into the center ring and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the layers together.
You should now have a flat three-petal piece with one larger rounded petal at the bottom and two medium petals on either side.
Part Two: The Top Layer (Two Petals)
Work this piece in your secondary petal color, or use the same color as the bottom layer if you prefer a monochromatic look.
Foundation: Make a magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, work 3 sc into the MR, sl st to first sc to join. Pull ring closed. (3 sc)
Petal 4 (Upper Left):
Row 1: Ch 3. Work 2 dc into the base st. Turn. (3 dc)
Row 2: Ch 3. 1 dc in first dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 dc in top of ch-3. Turn. (4 dc)
Row 3: Ch 1. Sc across. (4 sc)
Row 4: Ch 1. Sc along side, 3 sc into tip, sc along other side. Sl st to center ring.
Sl st to next sc in center ring.
Petal 5 (Upper Right):
Repeat Petal 4 exactly.
After completing Petal 5, sl st into the center ring and fasten off, leaving a long tail for assembly.
Assembly
Place the top layer (two petals) on top of the bottom layer (three petals), positioning the two upper petals so they fan out above the center of the three lower petals. The top layer should sit slightly above center on the bottom layer, leaving the large bottom petal and the two side petals visible beneath.
Using your tapestry needle and the long tail from the top layer, sew the two layers together at the center, passing the needle through both centers a few times and pulling snugly so the layers are firmly joined. Tie off and weave in all ends.
The Center
The center of a pansy is one of its most defining features. There are several ways to finish it.
The simplest option is to sew a small yellow button right at the center where the two layers meet. A 6 mm or 8 mm button in bright yellow or white works beautifully and gives the flower a clean, polished look.
If you prefer a purely yarn-based finish, thread a tapestry needle with yellow yarn and work several straight stitches radiating outward from the center point, then make a small French knot right at the middle. This gives a more organic, hand-embroidered look.
For the characteristic pansy “whiskers” — those dark lines that radiate outward from the center on each petal — thread a needle with one or two strands of dark purple or near-black embroidery floss and work three to five straight stitches on the lower large petal and the two side petals, fanning outward from the center. These lines are what really make the flower read as a pansy rather than a generic bloom.
Color Combination Ideas
The beauty of working this pattern in yarn is the incredible freedom you have with color. Here are a few combinations worth trying.
Classic Purple Pansy: Deep purple for the three bottom petals, soft lavender for the two upper petals, and a bright yellow center with dark purple embroidered lines.
Sunshine Yellow: Bright golden yellow for the bottom petals, soft cream or white for the upper petals, and a deep orange center with brown embroidered lines.
Bicolor Blue: Royal blue for the bottom petals shading into white for the upper petals, with a yellow center. This mimics the stunning bicolor pansies often sold at garden centers in spring.
Cotton Candy: Pale pink for the bottom petals, white for the upper petals, with a soft pink center. This is a dreamy, romantic interpretation that works beautifully for baby items or wedding accessories.
Deep Burgundy: Rich wine-colored yarn for the bottom petals, dusty rose for the upper petals, and a golden center. This autumnal combination is stunning on scarves and hats.
Wild Garden: Use up your yarn scraps and make each petal a different color. Patchwork pansies like these look wonderful massed together in a wreath or garland.
Ways to Use Your Crochet Pansies
Once you start making these flowers, it is very hard to stop. The good news is that there is no shortage of ways to use them.
Hat embellishments: Sew a single large pansy to the side of a beanie or cloche hat for an elegant, garden-inspired look. A cluster of three small pansies in graduating sizes looks especially charming.
Brooch or pin: Sew a pin back to the reverse side of your finished pansy and wear it on a coat lapel, scarf, or cardigan. Lightly stiffening the flower with fabric stiffener or a mixture of water and white glue will help it hold its shape over time.
Hair accessories: Glue or sew your pansy onto a hair clip, headband, or barrette. This is a lovely gift idea, especially for young girls.
Bag decoration: Sew several pansies across the front of a tote bag, purse, or backpack for a one-of-a-kind floral design.
Wreath: Make twenty to thirty pansies in mixed colors and attach them to a grapevine or wire wreath form for a beautiful door decoration. Add some crochet leaves for contrast and a ribbon for hanging.
Bookmarks: Sew a pansy to the top of a long strip of crocheted or woven ribbon to make a decorative bookmark.
Scrapbooking and card making: Lightly stiffened flat crochet pansies can be used in paper crafts as dimensional embellishments on handmade cards, photo frames, and journal covers.
Baby items: Attach a pansy to a baby headband, hat, or blanket for a sweet and delicate finishing touch.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
A few small adjustments can make a big difference in how your finished flower looks.
Work your foundation ring tightly. The center of the pansy is the anchor point for everything else, so pulling the magic ring snug before you begin is important. A loose center will cause the petals to splay out awkwardly.
Block your finished flower if you want it to lie flat. A quick damp blocking — just mist the flower with water, shape the petals with your fingers, and let it dry flat on a towel — makes a noticeable difference in the final appearance. You can also pin the petals into position while they dry for more precise shaping.
Use a slightly smaller hook than your yarn label recommends. Working just a little more tightly keeps the petals firm and helps them hold their shape, especially if the flowers will be handled frequently as accessories or toys.
Weave in your ends really well. There is nothing more frustrating than discovering a tail has worked its way loose from a finished project. Run your tapestry needle through several stitches in different directions before trimming.
If you plan to sew the flowers onto a project, leave a longer tail when you fasten off and use that to sew them on rather than adding a new length of yarn. It reduces the number of ends you need to manage.
Scaling the Pattern Up or Down
One of the most useful things to know about this pattern is how easily it scales. The basic construction stays the same regardless of yarn weight, but the finished size changes dramatically depending on what you use.
With bulky yarn and a 6.0 mm hook, your pansy will be large and lush — perfect as a focal point on a bag or a bold hat embellishment. With fingering weight yarn and a 2.5 mm hook, you will get a delicate, jewelry-scale flower ideal for brooches, hair pins, or embellishing a fine-knit shawl. DK and worsted weight sit in the middle ground and are the most versatile for general use.
You can also add or subtract rows in the petal sections to adjust the size. Adding one extra row to each petal gives a more open, airy bloom; removing a row gives a tighter, more compact flower. Play around with it and see what you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this pattern to sell finished items? Most independent designers who publish free crochet patterns allow crafters to sell a reasonable number of finished items made from the pattern, with credit given to the original designer. Please check the terms of use associated with any pattern you work from before selling.
How do I keep the petals from curling? Some curling is normal, especially before blocking. Blocking the finished flower almost always resolves this. If you are still having trouble, try working with a slightly looser tension or a larger hook.
What if I want to add leaves? Crochet leaves are a wonderful companion to this flower. A simple leaf can be made by chaining ten, then working sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc back along the chain to create a rounded leaf shape. Work two or three of these in a medium green yarn and sew them to the back of your pansy for a finished, polished look.
Can I make this pattern in one color? Absolutely. A single-color pansy in cream, white, or a deep jewel tone is elegant and sophisticated. The two-layer construction still gives plenty of visual interest even without color contrast.
