A new crocheted dahlia flower to try

I have just developed this pattern for a large dahlia type of flower. It is a straightforward pattern which involves starting with foundation stitches, rather than chains, and then making a second row of stitches ranging from slip stitch up to double treble (UK). The third and final row uses shells to form the petals.

If the thought of using foundation stitches is off-putting, then please read my post about foundation stitches here - the entry contains a link to a very useful and easy to follow video.

Assembling the flower then involves winding and stitching the petals which I found to be much easier with foundation stitches than if the first row were chains.

If you were to attach a brooch pin at the back, then it would make a lovely join for the two edges of an edge-to-edge cardigan or it would be great on a wide knitted or crocheted headband or wristband.

Materials

One ball of DK yarn of your choice

Tapestry needle.

4 mm crochet hook

Size/Gauge

Gauge is not critical for this project, but choose a suitable hook for the weight of yarn you use. Using the yarn and hook above the finished flower measured three and a half inches across and one and a quarter inches deep.

The pattern can be found on Craftsy here


or on Etsy here

 

Foundation Stitches - got it!

I am still learning my craft and I have tried on a few occasions to follow video tutorials which aim to teach me  how to make foundation stitches instead of starting with chains. I have failed abysmally until today when I found these easy to follow videos on the Crochet for Cancer site. So I am feeling very pleased with myself for mastering these techniques:

• Foundation double crochet (sc in US)
• Foundation half treble (half dc in US)
• Foundation treble (dc in US) 

 In particular, I liked the fact that the presenter took her time and also some of the tutorials were in slow motion for slow learners like me. Great!

Foundation stitches give a stretchier edge to the beginning of a piece of work than working with a simple chain stitch, so are useful when you want some 'give' along the starting edge of a garment.

You can also follow Crochet for Cancer on Facebook. The flower in this post is their emblem.

Do any of you out there crochet for any charities?