Saturday 17 June 2017

CUTE LITTLE FLOWER MOTIFS & a HEADBAND


free crochet pattern for flower motifs
CUTE LITTLE FLOWER MOTIFS & a HEADBAND


Welcome back to Sweet Nothings Crochet free blogs and thank you for joining me here once again.  I have decided to make a few floral motifs, once again, which one can in a multitude of ways.

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These are my notes as I work on my own project. Welcome back as we work on this new challenge together.

Materials used : Today I’ve used some of our lovely Indian Anchor knitting cotton with a 2 mm crochet hook ; hair barrette ; headband or rubber band ; or tic-tac clip ; fabric glue ; embroidery needle
For Indians : You could use Red ros ; Red rose metallic or   unbranded knitting cotton as well as Oswal or Vardhaman acrylic yarns
General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

International yarns :  Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.

Skill level : Intermediate

Abbreviations used :
ch : chain              ch-sp : chain space
sp : space             rep : Repeat
fsc : Foundation single crochet      
dc : Double crochet

Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw 

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs 

Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw 

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro 

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps.  One sc made.  Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M 

Half Double Crochet : Hdc :  yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ; 
yo, draw through all 3 lps.  One hdc made.  
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8 

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk); 
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice.  One dc made.  
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo 

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0 

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

Whipstitch to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the whipstitch at https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the embroidery needle and whipstitch to get an invisible join at https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the single crochet at https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

How to add beads : Check this video at https://youtu.be/EcpgMgBox8I

How to work with beads in crochet : Check out this video at https://youtu.be/yanbAnF_pr0


Instructions using U.S terminology
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.  For your convenience there video tutorials through the blog too
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.

Lovely headband or belt

free crochet headband pattern
free crochet belt pattern

You know the song “All things bright and beautiful…. ?”, so I’ve changed that a bit (so like me, right?? ;) ), and was singing “All things cute and beautiful, all creations great n small ; all things bright and wonderful, let’s make them for our baby, all ..”  OK, so may not be the *best*, but I hide behind poetic license and sang away as I crocheted.. (and I am sure I am in your head now.. LOL ..hyuk hyuk) ;)

The following items have been made to match a dress – which I will share shortly.  I have used the stitches from there for the headband – but it does not need to be used only for that dress, so I thought I’d share these accessories separately.

For the headband (which can also double up as a belt), I thought of using a simple “V”-stitch pattern.  This idea can be used to make a headband of any length and thickness.

This headband pattern can be used to make a belt as well.

For this lovely project, I’ve used the no-beginning chain to start at http://stitcheryprojects.com/2012/09/08/no-beginning-chain-lacy-shell-afghan/
This is a really simple start and it gives a neat and lovely lacy centre for our headband.

Start with ch 5, sc in the 5th ch from hk ;
ch 3, trc in the earlier ch-sp (formed when you worked the sc 
into the 5th ch from hk) ;
*ch 3, trc in the earlier ch-sp* ;
rep *to* till you have the chain length needed for your headband.  Turn.
Note : Work an even number of ch-sps

For our next row, we will work the “V”-st which is (3 dc ; ch 1, 3 dc) all in the same st or ch-sp.  
We will work our “V’-st in the ch-sps we’ve created, and we will work all the way to the end.  
We will then work around the last st and work on the other side of the start chain row till we reach the 1st st.  Got it?

On the final round of “V”-st, let’s add a picot , so this will mean our “V”-st will be (3 dc, picot , 3 dc).  We will use a ch-3 picot which is (ch 3, sl-st into the 3rd ch from hk)

If you decide to make a slim headband and you’re only working one round, then you will use the “V”-st with the picot on this round itself.

How to work a picot stitch : Traditionally for a ch-3 picot, you work (ch 3, sl-st in 3rd ch from hook).  For a ch-5 picot, you will do (ch 5, sl-st in 5th ch from hook).  
Here’s a great video https://youtu.be/8s3zVaBcn4s

Round 1 : sl-st into the 1st ch-sp , “V”-st in the same ch-sp ;
*ch 1, sc in the next ch-sp ; ch 1, “V”-st in the next ch-sp* ;
rep *to* in each ch-sp till the last ch-sp ;
(“V”-st in the last ch-sp ; ch 1 “V”-st in the same last ch-sp) ;
Turn and work along the other side ;
rep *to* in each ch-sp till the last ch-sp ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the last (or 1st ) ch-sp.  Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Now depending on how thick / wide you want your headband, you can either fasten off here, or work one or more rounds. 

If you are working till Round 2, then you will work the picot in the middle of the “V”-st here and not on Round 1.

Last Round 2 : sl-st into the 1st “V”-st , “V”-st in the same “V”-st ;
*ch 1, sc in the next sc ; ch 1, “V”-st in the next ch-sp* ;
rep *to* in each ch-sp till the last “V”-st on this side ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next ch-1 sp ;
“V”-s in the next “V”-st and Turn and work along the other side ;
rep *to* in each ch-sp till the end of this row ;
ch 1, “V”-st in the next “V”-st and join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Once done, join the two ends of your headband either directly, or with a satin ribbon.  As we have this lovely lacy centre (holes), we can also thread in a thin satin ribbon into that space and have it loop around the back of the head for the child.  A neat bow just under the nape of the neck, or jauntily peeping out by the side of the ear will look lovely.

Right.  Now that we have got the headband done, let’s add on a few motifs – just because we can !!

1 : Simple Aster flower
free crochet pattern for flower motifs

This lovely creation is a series of chains worked on a starting magic circle. Depending on  how many petals you want, you can increase the number of sc on the start circle.

I would suggest that you use two colours.  
One for the magic circle and then one for the petals. 

Start Round 1 : (With Colour 1) : with a magic circle and 12 hdc in that circle. 
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.  Pull lightly to close circle.

Fasten off Colour 1, and attach Colour 2.

Round 2 : (With Colour 2) : ch 15 from the 1st hdc, sl-st into the same hdc ;
*sl-st into the next hdc ; ch 15, sl-st into the same hdc* ;
rep *to* all around. Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Now here’s where it gets interesting.

You have your little Aster flower ready.  What would you like to do with it?

If you, as I have, would like to make it a small motif to attach onto a headband or dress, then I’d suggest that before fastening off, leave a long tail, which I have then used to make a small loop at the back of the flower.  You can then pass a safety pin or headband through this small flat loop to suit your purpose.
ELSE you can attach directly onto the dress with an embroidery needle.  If doing this, I’d suggest you embroider along the 1st round of hdc, and allow the petals to flap free.


2 : Simple five-petal flower


Once again, this flower has only 3 rounds, and it would look lovely with Round 1 in one colour, and Rounds 2 & 3 in a 2nd colour.

The beauty of this pattern is that you can make this a 6/7/8 petalled flower very easily – just increase the number of start stitches and follow through.  As you will figure (as soon as you work this pattern), for a 6 petalled flower, you will start with 12 sts and so on.

Start Round 1 : (with Colour 1) : with a magic circle and 10 sc in that circle. 
Join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.  Pull lightly to close circle.

Round 2 : sl-st into the 1st 2 sc ;
(ch 3, 2 dc ; ch 3, sl-st into the same st) all in the 1st sc ; sl-st into the next st ;
*sl-st into the next st ; rep (to) once in the same st ; sl-st into the next st* ;
rep *to* all around and join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

In the last round, we will work only

Round 3 : sc in the 1st sl-st ; *ch 4, sc in the space between the 2 dc ; ch 4, sc in the next sl-st* ; rep *to* all around and join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

Once again, before you fasten off, determine what you are using the motif for, and follow the instructions given above. 
Accordingly fasten off and weave in ends, or leave a tail for attachment.


free crochet pattern flower motifs



3 : Rose

I’ve used the rose pattern from the rose pendant pattern below. 


4 : Small balloon

For the balloon, start with 4 ch ; 5 trc in the 4th ch from hk, ch 3 and sl-st into the same 4th ch from hk.  Leave a long tail (which is the string that is holding the balloon).  If you feel like it, string in a few beads and ta da, you have a cute little balloon ready to go.

If you decide to use this as a pin, then you will need to work in a small loop at the back of the balloon, using an embroidery needle.  This is the loop you can use to loop it onto the headband or use a small pin to pin it onto the dress.

Do remember  that this is where you read all about this project.  So please add my blog link when you share and show off your project.  Thanks in advance.

And that’s done.. yet another project brilliantly executed ! 

free crochet pattern flower motifs and belt


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Have a great day and see you soon

Here are some of my other headwear creations.  Have fun with these patterns too

































































































































































































































































































































.. and some home use / miscellaneous free patterns