Crochet Flower Button Free Pattern – Button Covers + Garland

There is something undeniably charming about a handmade detail that transforms the ordinary into something truly special. Buttons are one of those quiet little accessories that most people overlook, but with a few yards of yarn and a small crochet hook, you can turn a plain button into a tiny floral masterpiece. This free crochet pattern will walk you through making beautiful flower button covers that fit over existing buttons on cardigans, baby clothes, pillows, and bags. And because the flowers are so delightful on their own, the pattern also includes instructions for stringing them together into a sweet floral garland that works perfectly as home décor, a party backdrop, or nursery decoration.

Whether you are a beginner looking for a satisfying small project or an experienced crocheter searching for a quick and creative way to use up your yarn stash, this pattern is for you. Everything here is free, written in clear US crochet terminology, and designed to be as flexible as possible so you can adjust sizes and colors to suit your own creative vision.

What You Will Need

Before diving into the instructions, gather your supplies. The beauty of this project is that it requires very little material, which makes it an ideal stash-buster.

Yarn: Any lightweight or fingering weight yarn works beautifully for button covers, giving you delicate petals that lay flat against a garment. For a garland, you can go a size heavier — DK or worsted weight — to create bigger, bolder flowers with more visual presence. Cotton yarn is especially popular for this type of project because it holds its shape, launders easily, and comes in a stunning range of colors. However, acrylic works just fine, particularly for garland flowers that will not be washed frequently.

Hook: Match your hook size to your yarn. For fingering weight, use a 2.25mm to 2.75mm hook. For DK weight, a 3.5mm hook is a good starting point. For worsted weight garland flowers, a 4mm to 5mm hook gives you lovely lofty petals.

Buttons: You will need the actual buttons you plan to cover. The pattern is adjustable, but as a general rule, the finished flower should be slightly larger than the button it covers — about half an inch wider in diameter on each side works well.

Yarn needle: For weaving in ends and sewing the flowers to button shanks or backing buttons.

Backing buttons or button shanks: These are the small flat buttons or shanks you will sew to the back of each crocheted flower to allow the cover to slip over the existing button on your garment.

Scissors, stitch markers, and a small amount of fiberfill or felt (optional): Fiberfill is useful if you want to give your button covers a slightly padded, dimensional look. Felt circles cut to size make a clean backing.

Understanding the Pattern Structure

Each flower button cover is made in the round, starting from a small center ring and working outward through a series of petal rounds. The pattern has three rounds for the basic flower, with an optional fourth round if you want larger, more ruffled petals. Once the flower is complete, you finish the back to create the button-cover pocket.

The garland version omits the back finishing and simply links the finished flowers together with a simple chain stitch connector, creating a flowing strand of blooms.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern (US Terms)

The following abbreviations appear throughout the instructions:

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
dc — double crochet
tr — treble crochet
sp — space
rep — repeat
st — stitch
yo — yarn over
MR — magic ring (also called magic loop or adjustable ring)

Crochet Flower Button Cover – Free Pattern

Making the Flower Front

Round 1 – The Center

Start with a magic ring. Chain 1 and work 6 single crochet stitches into the ring. Pull the tail to close the ring snugly, then slip stitch into the first single crochet to join the round. You will now have a small, tight circle with 6 stitches around it. This is your flower center.

If you prefer not to use a magic ring, you can chain 4 and slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring, then work your 6 single crochet stitches into the center of that ring.

Round 2 – The Inner Petal Base

This round creates the foundation for your petals. You will be working into each stitch from Round 1.

Chain 1. Work 2 single crochet stitches into each stitch around — this gives you 12 stitches total. Slip stitch into the first single crochet to join.

Round 3 – The Petals

Now the flower really starts to take shape. Each petal is worked as a small shell over 2 stitches.

Chain 1. Working into the first stitch, single crochet 1 stitch. Then, into the next stitch, work (1 double crochet, 3 treble crochet, 1 double crochet) — this is your petal shell. Single crochet into the following stitch. Repeat the petal shell into the stitch after that. Continue alternating single crochet and petal shells all the way around until you have worked 6 petals total, each separated by a single crochet. Slip stitch into the first single crochet to join.

You should now have a pretty 6-petal flower. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Optional Round 4 – Larger Ruffled Petals

If you want a bigger, more dramatic flower, do not fasten off after Round 3. Instead, continue with the following round:

Slip stitch into the space behind the first petal (between petals). Chain 3 (counts as first double crochet). Work (2 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet) into the same space between petals. This creates a fan. Chain 1, then work another (3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet) fan into the space between the next two petals. Repeat around until you have worked a fan between each set of petals — 6 fans total. Slip stitch into the top of the beginning chain 3 to join. Fasten off.

This optional round creates lovely layered petals that look especially beautiful when done in a contrasting color to the base flower.

Finishing the Button Cover Back

To turn your flat flower into a button cover, you need to create a small pocket on the back that slips over the button.

Cut a circle of felt or stiff fabric that is slightly smaller than the diameter of your finished flower. Use a hole punch or small scissors to make a slit or small hole in the center of the felt circle.

Alternatively, you can crochet a simple back panel: chain 4, slip stitch to join into a ring, work single crochet rounds until the piece measures the same diameter as your flower center, then continue in single crochet in rows, creating a small flap. The flap folds over to create the pocket. This method gives the most professional result.

The simplest approach for a quick button cover: sew a small button or button shank to the back center of your crocheted flower using the long yarn tail. A backing button is simply a flat, smooth button that you stitch to the back of the flower, and then use as the closure mechanism to hook your crocheted flower over the original button on your garment.

Thread your yarn needle with the tail left after fastening off. Position the backing button at the center of the flower’s wrong side and sew it securely in place using several passes through the button holes and through the center stitches of the flower. Knot tightly and weave in the end. The crocheted flower can now be slipped over any button of a similar or slightly smaller size on your garment.

Sizing Your Button Covers

Button sizes vary widely, so here is a general size guide to help you match your finished flower to your buttons:

For 15mm buttons (small, like those on baby cardigans): Use fingering weight yarn with a 2.25mm hook and work only Rounds 1 through 3. Your flower should measure approximately 3–3.5cm in diameter.

For 20mm buttons (medium, like those on adult cardigans or blouses): Use DK weight yarn with a 3.5mm hook and work Rounds 1 through 3. Your flower will measure approximately 4–4.5cm in diameter.

For 25mm–30mm buttons (large statement buttons on coats or bags): Use worsted weight yarn with a 4.5mm hook and include the optional Round 4. Your flower will measure approximately 6–7cm in diameter.

Always test your finished flower on your actual button before sewing the back in place, adjusting the hook size or yarn weight as needed.

Crochet Flower Garland – Free Pattern

Now for the garland version. The flowers for a garland are made the same way as the button cover flowers, but you skip the back finishing entirely. Instead, after making each flower, you join them together using a simple chain strand.

How Many Flowers Do You Need?

A garland for a standard mantelpiece or window frame (about 150cm long) typically uses 20 to 25 flowers. A longer party backdrop of 2 to 3 meters will need 40 to 60 flowers. A small nursery wall garland between 80 and 100cm long looks lovely with 12 to 15 flowers.

Because each flower works up in just 10 to 15 minutes, even a longer garland becomes a pleasantly meditative weekend project.

Choosing Your Colors

A monochromatic garland in shades of the same color — pale blush to deep rose, or cream to gold — creates an elegant, cohesive look. A rainbow garland alternating bright colors brings a festive, playful energy perfect for children’s parties or nurseries. A seasonal garland in autumn tones of rust, mustard, and brown or spring tones of lavender, mint, and yellow makes a beautiful rotating home accent you can refresh throughout the year.

Consider making some flowers with a contrasting color center. Work Rounds 1 and 2 in one color, then switch to a different color for the petal round. This two-tone approach gives your garland even more visual interest.

Joining the Garland

Make all of your flowers first, leaving a 15cm tail on each one. Then, using your main garland color, make a foundation chain of 120 stitches — or however long you want the garland to extend on each end beyond the last flower. Slip stitch the tail of the first flower to the chain at your desired starting position. Chain 8 to 12 stitches (adjusting for how tightly or loosely you want your flowers spaced), then slip stitch the tail of the next flower to the chain. Continue in this way until all flowers are attached.

Alternatively, work the join as you go: after making each flower, do not cut the yarn. Chain 10, then begin the magic ring for the next flower using the same continuous strand of yarn. This method creates an organic, flowing garland with no sewing required, though it does mean committing to your color sequence in advance.

Finish both ends of the garland with a chain long enough to tie into a bow or loop over a hook for hanging.

Tips for Success

Use a yarn bowl or keep your yarn in a small bag to prevent tangling, especially when switching colors frequently for a rainbow garland. Weave in your ends as you go rather than saving them all for the end — there is nothing more discouraging than facing a pile of 50 flowers with six tails each.

Block your finished flowers if you want them to lay extra flat and even. For cotton yarn, lightly mist each flower with water and pin it to a foam board in a star shape until dry. The petals will open up beautifully and hold their shape.

If you are making button covers for a garment you plan to wash, choose a machine-washable yarn and make sure your backing button is also washable. Always hand-wash or use a gentle cycle and lay flat to dry to protect the flowers.

Label your backing buttons with a safety pin through the yarn before sewing them on if you are making many at once. It is easy to mix up sizes when you have several different flowers laid out on your work surface.

Ideas for Using Your Crochet Flowers

Beyond button covers and garlands, these small flowers have dozens of uses. Pin a cluster of them to a plain tote bag for an instant handmade makeover. Sew several onto a plain headband for a floral hair accessory. Attach them to bobby pins or hair clips for a delicate floral pin that works for weddings, birthdays, or everyday wear. Glue them to a plain picture frame for a cottage-style accent. Stitch a row of them along the hem of a child’s dress or the cuff of a sweater. Use them as gift toppers instead of ribbon — they double as a small additional gift the recipient can use long after the wrapping is gone.

They also make wonderful additions to crochet blankets as appliqués. Scatter a handful of finished flowers across a finished baby blanket and tack each one down with a few stitches in the center. The result is an heirloom-quality piece that looks far more complex than it actually is.

Sharing Your Makes

Once you have finished your flowers, we would love to see them. Crochet communities on Instagram and Pinterest are full of gorgeous interpretations of patterns like this one, and sharing your color choices and creative adaptations inspires other makers to try new things. If you add this project to Ravelry, you can also note your yarn choices and modifications so other crafters can find them easily.

Feel free to sell items made from this pattern at craft fairs, markets, or in your online shop. This is a free pattern shared with love, and the finished items are entirely yours to use and sell as you wish.

A Final Word

There is real joy in the small things — in a button that makes someone smile, in a garland that turns a bare wall into something warm and welcoming. Crochet has always been a craft that finds beauty in the overlooked, taking something as humble as yarn and a hook and creating it into something that carries the maker’s time, intention, and care. These little flowers do exactly that. They are quick enough to be satisfying, beautiful enough to be meaningful, and flexible enough to fit into almost any project or space you can imagine.

Grab your hook, pick your favorite colors, and start with just one flower. You will likely find that one turns into ten before you even notice the time passing — and that is exactly the kind of magic that makes crochet worth picking up in the first place.