Bring a touch of unique texture and sunny charm to your crochet projects with this beautiful beaded sunflower motif! Inspired by a captivating tutorial, this pattern guides you through creating a detailed center with beads and then adding vibrant petals, resulting in a truly special embellishment. It’s a fantastic project for those looking to add a little sparkle and dimension to their work.
Skill Level: Intermediate (familiarity with beads in crochet helpful)
Finished Size (Approximate):
- Diameter: Approximately 3.5 – 4.5 inches (9 – 11.5 cm)
- Size can vary based on yarn, hook, bead size, and tension.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn: Small amounts of DK weight (Light Worsted / 8 ply) yarn in two colors:
- Color A (Center): Brown (or a dark, earthy tone)
- Color B (Petals): Bright Yellow
- Any smooth acrylic or cotton yarn will work beautifully. Cotton is often preferred for motifs as it holds shape well.
- Crochet Hook: E/4 (3.5 mm) or size needed to obtain a firm fabric.
- Choose a hook size that allows you to comfortably work with your beads.
- Beads: Small white or cream-colored beads (e.g., seed beads, small round beads). You’ll need enough to string onto your brown yarn.
- Ensure the hole in your beads is large enough for your yarn and crochet hook to pass through.
- Beading Needle (Optional but Recommended): A thin needle for stringing beads onto your yarn.
- Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends.
- Scissors
Gauge (Not Critical, but Aim for a Firm Fabric!):
Since this is a decorative motif, exact gauge isn’t crucial. However, aim for a fabric that is firm and without large gaps, especially in the center, to ensure your sunflower holds its shape nicely and the beads are secure. If your stitches are too loose, go down a hook size.
Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms):
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet (yarn over twice, insert hook, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through last 2 loops)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- MR: Magic Ring
- FO: Fasten off
- BPsc: Back Post single crochet (insert hook from back to front around the post of the indicated stitch, yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through both loops)
- FPsc: Front Post single crochet (insert hook from front to back around the post of the indicated stitch, yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through both loops)
Special Technique: Crocheting with Beads Before you begin, string a generous amount of your white/cream beads onto your Color A (brown) yarn. You’ll push them up as you need them.
Let’s Crochet Your Beaded Sunflower Motif!
This sunflower is worked in rounds, starting with the brown beaded center, then adding the vibrant yellow petals.
Part 1: The Beaded Brown Center (Color A)
Start with Color A (Brown) with beads pre-strung on the yarn.
Rnd 1: Create a Magic Ring (MR). Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 8 sc into the MR. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (8 sc)
- Pull the MR tight to close. This forms the very center of your sunflower.
Rnd 2: Ch 1. Sc in first sc, push 1 bead up to hook, sc in next sc. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (8 sc, 4 beads)
- The video shows beads being worked into every other stitch, creating a subtle beaded effect.
Rnd 3: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (12 sc)
- This round increases the stitch count for the next beaded round.
Rnd 4: Ch 1. Sc in first sc, push 1 bead up to hook, sc in next 2 sc. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (12 sc, 4 beads)
- Again, beads are worked into every third stitch.
Rnd 5: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 2 sc. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (16 sc)
- This round increases the stitch count for the next beaded round.
Rnd 6: Ch 1. Sc in first sc, push 1 bead up to hook, sc in next 3 sc. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (16 sc, 4 beads)
Rnd 7: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 3 sc. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (20 sc)
Rnd 8: Ch 1. Sc in first sc, push 1 bead up to hook, sc in next 4 sc. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (20 sc, 4 beads)
Rnd 9: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 4 sc. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (24 sc)
Rnd 10: Ch 1. Sc in first sc, push 1 bead up to hook, sc in next 5 sc. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (24 sc, 4 beads)
FO Color A. Weave in ends.
Part 2: The Petals (Color B)
Now, switch to Color B (Bright Yellow) to create the sunflower’s iconic petals. We will work into the stitches of Rnd 10 of the brown center.
Rnd 11 (Petals): Attach Color B with a sl st to any sc in Rnd 10 of the brown center.
- To create each petal:
- Ch 1.
- [1 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, 1 tr, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc] all into the same sc.
- Sl st into the next sc.
- This completes one petal.
Repeat the petal sequence (ch 1, work petal stitches into next sc, sl st into next sc) around the entire flower. You will create 12 petals.
- The sl st between petals helps define each one and keeps them separate.
After completing the last petal, sl st into the base of the first petal to secure.
FO Color B, leaving a tail for weaving in.
Part 3: Finishing Touches
- Weave in all ends: Use your tapestry needle to neatly weave in any remaining loose yarn tails. This is crucial for a tidy finish.
- Shape: Gently shape your sunflower, pushing the petals outwards to make them full and symmetrical.
Video tutorial
Versatile Uses for Your Crocheted Beaded Sunflower:
- Appliqué: Sew onto blankets, hats, scarves, headbands, bags, or clothing for a unique embellishment.
- Home Decor: Attach to baskets, cushions, curtains, or use as part of a garland for a touch of rustic charm.
- Gift Embellishment: Tie onto gifts instead of a traditional bow for a personalized touch.
- Hair Accessories: Glue or sew onto hair clips or elastic hair ties.
- Magnets: Glue a small magnet to the back for a cheerful refrigerator decoration.
- Brooch/Pin: Attach a pin back to the back for a wearable piece of art.
Customization & Tips:
- Bead Placement: Experiment with placing beads in every stitch, or in different patterns, to create varied textures in the center.
- Size Adjustment:
- Larger Sunflower: Use a thicker yarn (e.g., worsted weight) and a larger hook (e.g., H/5.0 mm). You can also add more rounds to the brown center, ensuring you continue the increase pattern and bead placement. Adjust the number of stitches in the petals accordingly (e.g., adding more dc/tr stitches to each petal, or adding more petals if you increased the center stitches).
- Smaller Sunflower: Use a finer yarn (e.g., fingering or lace weight) and a smaller hook (e.g., 1.5 mm or 2.0 mm). Reduce the initial sc count in Rnd 1 and the number of increase rounds. Adjust petal stitches (e.g., ch 1, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, sl st).
- Petal Fullness: Experiment with different stitch combinations within the petals for varied textures and shapes. For example, use more tr stitches for taller petals.
- Color Variations: While classic sunflowers are yellow, don’t be afraid to experiment with different shades of yellow or even orange for the petals, or a darker brown/black for the center.
Enjoy creating these bright, beautiful, and uniquely textured crocheted sunflowers! They’re a fantastic way to add a special handmade sparkle to any project.
