How to Crochet Pansies and Violas: Free Pattern and Step-by-Step Instructions
There is something quietly magical about a pansy. With its velvety petals, bold markings, and wide range of colors, it has been a garden favorite for centuries. Violas, their dainty cousins, carry the same cheerful spirit in a more delicate frame. Now imagine capturing that beauty in yarn — creating blooms that never wilt, never fade, and can decorate anything from a cozy hat to a spring wreath to a cherished gift bag. That is exactly what this free crochet pattern will help you do.
Whether you are a beginner who has recently discovered the joy of crochet or an experienced maker looking for a new floral project, this pansy and viola pattern is designed to be approachable, satisfying, and endlessly versatile. By the end of this post, you will have everything you need to create your own little garden of crocheted flowers.
Why Crochet Pansies and Violas?
Crocheted flowers have been a beloved part of fiber arts for generations, and for good reason. They are small enough to finish in a single sitting, which makes them perfect for using up yarn scraps. They are also incredibly versatile — a single finished pansy can become a brooch, a hair clip, a button embellishment, an appliqué on a baby blanket, or a component in a larger floral bouquet arrangement.
Pansies in particular lend themselves beautifully to crochet because their rounded, overlapping petals can be replicated with simple increases and decreases in yarn. The characteristic “face” of a pansy — those dark, radiating lines at the center — can be added with a few embroidered stitches in a contrasting color, giving your finished flower a realistic and charming look.
Violas follow the same basic construction but are slightly smaller and simpler, making them a wonderful companion piece. Crocheting both flowers together in the same project creates a natural, garden-inspired look that feels cohesive and professionally designed.
Materials You Will Need
Before diving into the pattern, gather the following supplies. The good news is that because these flowers are small, you do not need a large amount of any single color.
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn works wonderfully for a full-sized pansy that can stand on its own as a decoration. For a more delicate viola, you might prefer a sport or DK weight yarn. Acrylic yarn is beginner-friendly and widely available, but cotton yarn gives a slightly crisper definition to the petals, which many crafters prefer for floral projects. Grab three to five colors to give yourself the freedom to blend and contrast just as pansies do in nature.
Crochet Hook: A size 4.0 mm (G/6) hook pairs well with worsted weight yarn. Drop down to a 3.5 mm (E/4) or 3.0 mm hook if you are working with lighter weight yarn for the violas.
Yarn Needle: You will use this to weave in ends and to stitch the embroidered detail lines onto the finished petals.
Scissors: A small, sharp pair works best for clean cuts close to the work.
Stitch Markers: Optional but helpful, especially when you are learning the pattern. Marking the first stitch of each round prevents confusion.
Wire Floral Stems or Pin Backs: Depending on your intended use, you may want to attach your finished flowers to wire stems for a bouquet arrangement or to a pin back for a wearable brooch.
Optional Embellishments: Small buttons, glass beads, or a cluster of French knots can create a stunning center for your pansy or viola.
Understanding the Abbreviations
If you are newer to crochet patterns, here is a quick reference guide to the abbreviations used throughout this pattern.
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
tr — treble crochet
sk — skip
sp — space
yo — yarn over
rep — repeat
rnd — round
beg — beginning
MR — magic ring (also called magic circle)
All stitches are worked in US crochet terminology.
The Pansy Pattern
This pattern creates a single pansy approximately 3 inches across when worked in worsted weight yarn. Each flower is made up of five petals worked in two stages: two larger upper petals and three slightly different lower petals. This mirrors the natural anatomy of a real pansy.
Color suggestions: For a classic purple pansy, use a deep violet for the upper petals and a lighter lavender or white for the lower petals. For a yellow pansy, combine golden yellow with a creamy white. For a dramatic look, try deep burgundy paired with a dusty mauve. Nature gives you permission to be as bold or as subtle as you like.
Starting the Center
With your main color, create a magic ring.
Round 1: Chain 1, work 6 single crochets into the ring, pull the ring closed, and join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet. You now have 6 stitches in a small circle. This will become the center of your pansy.
Fasten off and leave a tail for attaching the center to the petals later, or continue directly to the petal construction if you prefer to work the center and petals as one piece.
Upper Petals (Make 2)
These are the two large petals that sit at the top of the pansy face. They are slightly rounder and more prominent than the lower petals.
Foundation: Chain 10.
Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 3 double crochets, 1 half double crochet, 1 single crochet, then slip stitch into the last 2 chains. Do not turn your work.
Row 2: Working back along the opposite side of the foundation chain, work 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 3 double crochets, 1 half double crochet, 1 single crochet, then join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet from Row 1.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for assembly. This gives you one rounded petal with a gentle oval shape.
Repeat to make a second upper petal.
Lower Petals (Make 3)
The three lower petals are slightly wider and flatter, reflecting how a real pansy’s lower petals spread outward and downward. Two of them flank the center, and one hangs directly below.
Foundation: Chain 12.
Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 4 double crochets, 1 treble crochet, 2 double crochets, 1 half double crochet, 1 single crochet. Do not turn.
Row 2: Working back along the other side of the foundation chain, work 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 2 double crochets, 1 treble crochet, 4 double crochets, 1 half double crochet, 1 single crochet, then join to the beginning with a slip stitch.
Fasten off with a long tail.
Repeat to make two more lower petals, for a total of three.
Assembling the Pansy
Lay your five petals out on a flat surface and arrange them the way they would appear in nature: the two upper petals at the top, slightly overlapping each other, and the three lower petals fanning out below. The bottom center petal should sit directly beneath the flower’s center, with the two remaining lower petals angled to the left and right.
Using your yarn needle and the long tails you left, stitch the petals together at the base. Work through the innermost points of each petal, pulling them snugly together. Then stitch or glue the crocheted center circle over the join point in the middle. This covers the assembly area neatly and gives the flower a finished, professional look.
Adding the Pansy Face
The “face” of a pansy — those radiating dark lines — is what makes it instantly recognizable. Using a dark contrasting yarn, thread your needle and work five to seven straight stitches radiating outward from the center of the flower toward the edges of the upper and lower petals. These stitches do not need to be perfectly uniform. In fact, slight variations give the flower a more organic, handmade character.
If you prefer a more polished look, a thin line of fabric paint drawn with a fine brush works beautifully once the flower is blocked and fully dry.
The Viola Pattern
Violas are crocheted using the same basic method as pansies but on a slightly smaller scale and with a simplified petal shape. The result is a daintier flower that works perfectly as a filler bloom in arrangements, as a smaller accent on accessories, or as a stand-alone decoration on cards and tags.
Viola Upper Petals (Make 2)
Foundation: Chain 8.
Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 2 double crochets, 1 half double crochet, 1 single crochet, then slip stitch into the last chain. Do not turn.
Row 2: Work back along the opposite side: 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 2 double crochets, 1 half double crochet, 1 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Fasten off with a long tail. Repeat for the second upper petal.
Viola Lower Petals (Make 3)
Foundation: Chain 9.
Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 3 double crochets, 1 half double crochet, 1 single crochet, slip stitch into the last chain. Do not turn.
Row 2: Work back along the opposite side: 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 3 double crochets, 1 half double crochet, 1 single crochet, slip stitch to join.
Fasten off with a long tail. Repeat for two more lower petals.
Assemble the viola exactly as you would the pansy, joining the five petals at the base and covering the center with a small crocheted ring or a single seed bead stitched in place.
Finishing and Blocking
Blocking is the process of wetting or steaming your crocheted pieces and pinning them flat to dry, which gives them a more polished, even appearance. For small flowers like pansies and violas, blocking can make a dramatic difference.
To wet block your flowers, mist them lightly with water or submerge briefly and press out the excess gently. Lay them on a foam blocking mat, use rust-proof pins to shape each petal as desired, and allow them to dry completely — usually overnight. For acrylic yarn, steam blocking with a light touch of an iron held just above the surface works well.
Once blocked and dry, your flowers will hold their shape beautifully and look far more refined than unblocked versions.
Ideas for Using Your Crocheted Pansies and Violas
The joy of making small crocheted flowers is that the possibilities for using them are nearly limitless. Here are some ideas to spark your creativity.
A cluster of three or five pansies stitched onto a plain knitted hat transforms it into a statement piece worthy of a boutique price tag. Attach a few violas as accents and the effect is stunning.
Glue or stitch a single pansy to a plain hair clip or headband for a quick and charming accessory that makes a lovely gift for any age.
Create a spring wreath by making a dozen or more pansies and violas in a mix of colors and attaching them to a grapevine or foam wreath base. Tuck in a few crocheted leaves and the result is a wreath that looks like a cottage garden.
Stitch a pansy onto a fabric gift bag or the flap of a purse for an elegant finishing detail that elevates the entire piece.
Make a bouquet of pansies and violas on wire stems and arrange them in a small vase for a permanent floral centerpiece that requires zero maintenance and never drops petals on the table.
Color Inspiration for Your Pansies and Violas
One of the most exciting aspects of crocheting these flowers is the color play. Real pansies come in an extraordinary range of hues, from deep midnight purple to buttery yellow, from snowy white to rich mahogany red, and in countless bicolor and tricolor combinations. Here are a few palette suggestions to get you started.
For a classic cottage garden feel, combine deep violet, soft lavender, and warm white. For a sunny summer look, use bright golden yellow with a blush orange center accent. For a moody, romantic arrangement, pair deep burgundy with dusty rose and a touch of pale gold at the center. For a pastel Easter or spring theme, soft mint green, pale butter yellow, and baby pink make a delightful combination.
Do not be afraid to mix cool and warm tones within a single flower. Pansies in nature often have petals that transition from one color to another, and you can replicate this effect by working the first few rows of a petal in one color and switching to another, or by holding two strands of different colors together as you crochet.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
A few small habits will make a noticeable difference in your finished flowers.
Tension consistency matters more than you might expect with small projects. If your tension is too tight, the petals will curl under. If it is too loose, they will look floppy and undefined. Practice on a few test petals before committing to your final yarn and color choices.
Leave generous tails when fastening off. On a small project, the impulse is to cut close to save yarn, but longer tails give you more to work with during assembly and make it much easier to hide ends securely.
When joining petals, stitch through both layers where petals overlap rather than just at the single base point. This creates a sturdier construction that will hold up well over time and handling.
Press your finished flowers gently under a clean cloth after blocking for the smoothest, most professional finish.
Sharing Your Makes
If you make pansies or violas using this pattern, please share your finished flowers! Seeing how different yarn choices, color combinations, and sizes affect the final result is one of the great joys of the crochet community. Tag your posts and save this pattern so you can come back to it whenever you want to add a little floral magic to your next project.
Whether you are filling a spring wreath, topping a handmade card, or making a wearable piece of botanical art, these crocheted pansies and violas are sure to bring a smile to anyone who sees them. Happy crocheting!
