Magical Flower Chain
Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
Let's take a Magical Mystery Tour back to the 60's. Remember Woodstock? We've got to get ourselves back to the Garden. Flowers in your hair.... Flowers everywhere.... I love the flower girl. So don't be counting Flowers on the Wall. Let's go to a Garden Party.
There is always something magical about linking flowers together. Clover, Dandelions, Daisies, whatever.... I love the colors and the simple beauty of it. Well, these flowers can be linked over and over again, anytime. It won't matter if it is winter, spring, summer or fall. Kai, my youngest grandchild (4 yrs. old), told me, "We need lots of colors for the flowers." So that is exactly what we did.
(about 10-15 minutes for one complete Flower Link). I did not use numbered Rows/Rnds in the instructions because there is really only one row for each segment. Also, there is only one final weave in, even though there are 3 colors. Make as many Flower Links, in as many colors as you want. A bracelet that fits my hand only takes 4 Flower Links. For the simplicity purpose of these instructions, I just made one type of flower. But you could add more single crochets to the beginning base to have more petals, or different kinds of petals. If you do change the flower petals, you may need to adjust the size of the connecting-stem-hole. And you might want to experiment with other types of yarns and hooks. It looks beautiful with crochet thread and a smaller hook, but is more time consuming.
As always, I hope you enjoy it. And if you are going to San Francisco.... Be sure to wear some Flowers in your Hair!
Materials:
Worsted Weight Yarn (I used Sugar n Cream Cotton) \~ 2 yards (153cm) for one Stem \~24"for one FlowerCenter \~ 2 yards for one Flower Petals 3.75mm/ Fhook Yarn needle Scissor or Snips Gauge: Not essential to construction Size: One Flower with Stem = 2 1%2" (6.4cm) in length and 1 %2" (3.8cm) across top of Flower Abbreviations: \~ = Approximately MR = Magic Ring Beg = Beginning RT = right Ch(s) = Chain(s) Sc = Single Crochet Dc =Double Crochet Ss = Slip Stitch FO = Fasten Off St(s) = Stitch(es) US Terminology Stem (Starting at the top): Start with a MR. Ch 1, 5 Sc in ring. Join with a ss to the 1st sc. Pull gently to close the ring, but leave a slight hole in the center. Then take the working yarn end and measure \~ 26 to 30" (66-76 cm), and cut the yarn. Pull the long end of yarn through the last loop of the joined-ss.
With the RT side (of the 5 sc's) facing, insert hook in center hole to the back (see photo below). Catch the yarn end and pull through a loop, big enough to hold with your thumb. Remove the hook from that loop. Be sure to hold the first loop secure. Insert the hook in the last joining stitch (also front to back), and pull through another loop. But continue to pull the entire yarn end (the 26") through to the front.
Replace the hook on the first loop and pullit snug against the 5 sc's so the first st will not be loose. \*\*\* Now, CH 16, ss to the 8"h ch from the hook, s in the next 8 chs, and pull the yarn end through the final loop. Insert the hook from the inside of the hole, and pull up the final yarn end.
Pull the beg yarn end to tighten the center hole. Then tie the yarn end with the beg yarn about 3 times tight and secure. Snip the ends to about 1/4 to 1/8" (.6 to .3cm). This will be covered and will not show. Note: If you want longer stems, instead of 16 chains, increase to 20 or so.
A Link Stem:
For closing the circle of a crown, bracelet, belt or necklace. Not necessary for a scarf or garland. Repeat the stem to the Ch 16. Instead of ss in the 8th ch, ss in the 12th ch.
The Loop-Hole needs to be large enough so the final flower willfit
And continue to ss in the next 4, and pull the yarn end through the final loop. Insert the hook from the inside of the hole, and pull up the final yarn end. Pull the beg yarn end to tighten the center hole. Then tie the yarn end with the beg yarn about 3 times tight and secure. Snip the ends to about 1/4 to 1/8" (.6 to .3cm). This will be covered and will not show.
Flower Center:
Start with a MR. Ch 1, 5 Sc in ring. Join with a ss to the first sc. FO. Pull taut to close the center hole. Hook the end-yarn through the Back Loop of the same sc that you joined. This brings the yarn end to the back. Tie beg and end yarns together about 3 times tight and secure. Snip the ends to about 1/4 to 1/8" (.6 to .3cm). This will be covered and will not show.
5 FlowerPetals:
With Wrong sides of Flower-Center and Stem-Top facing: Work this entire round through both the back-loop of the Flower-Center AND a frontloop of the Stem-Top: Note: Work the petal sts over the beg yarn end and it will save having to weave it in. Join petal-color with a ss in the Back-Loop of the Flower-Center (one of the 5 sc's) AND a Front-Top-Loop of the Stem-Top (one of the 5 sc's) (Ch 1, Dc, Ch 1, ss) all in the same as first ss. (Ss in next sc, Ch 1, Dc, Ch 1, ss) all in one st and repeat 3 more times for 5 petals. Ss in the same as first st to join. FOandweave in.
Link the bottom stem thru a loop in the next flower stem. Continue until you have the length that you want. To connect in a circle, put the Link-Stem through the last loop and then put the first flower through the Big Loop.
Top Row are stems with 21 chains, instead of 16. There are less flowers per strand, and it would look good as a necklace. The bottom strand was made as per the instructions with 16 chains, and four together make a great bracelet.
