Mirrored glass display of crochet water lilies – seamless pattern from makemydaycreative.com
It was bound to happen. I bought this yarn for the blanket I’m working on – but of course I got distracted.
I’ve been looking for a good water lily pattern for a while, and whilst I’ve seen a few most of them require sewing several layers together. Also, most water lilies I have seen have 8 petals around – but most of the patterns out there use 6 petal repeats. A minor detail I know, but it’s nice to be accurate!
You can use these for whatever you like really. I’m thinking of making a few more and then displaying on mirrored glass along with leaves as a centrepiece for a table. Or adding a few rows to turn it into squares for a cushion…
Seamless crocheted water lily
Scroll down for pdf patterns! (US and UK notation)
You will need:
White (or how about pink or purple?) dk yarn (I used Rico baby so soft – approx 40m)
Yellow dk yarn (I used Rico baby so soft – approx 10m)
A size 4mm hook
Pattern:
The pattern is worked in the round from the centre out. The stamen and petals are worked into the front loops of the round before the next increase of the base circle is worked into the unworked back loops. This means no sewing together later!
Begin with yellow yarn; make a magic ring.
Round 4 complete
R1: 8hdc into ring, sl-st in to front loop of first hdc to join. Pull ring closed. (8sts)
R2: (Work in front loop only (f.l.o.) of each st in R1) *Ch4, sl-st into 2nd ch from hook, 2 more sl-st (down the ch), sl-st into next st, repeat from *7 more times. Work the final sl-st into the back loop of R1. (8 centre stamen made)
R3: (Work in back loop only (b.l.o.) of each st in R1) Ch1 (does not count as st), 2sc in each st around, join with a sl-st into f.l. of 1st sc (16sts).
R4: (Work in f.l.o. of each st in R3) *Ch5, sl-st into 2nd ch from hook, 3 more sl-st (down the ch), sl-st into next st, repeat from *15 more times. Work the final sl-st into the back loop of R3. (16 outer stamen made)
Fasten off and join white yarn.
R5: (Work in b.l.o. of each st in R3) Ch1 (does not count as st), *2sc, sc, repeat from * around, join with a sl-st into f.l. of 1st sc (24sts).
Tip: If you find that your petals curve to one side, try crocheting your chain more loosely or tightly to correct it.
Completing R6: Petal prior to final dc, after final dc, after sl-st, completed round 6.
R6: (Work in f.l.o. of each st in R5) ch1 (does not count as st), *sc, ch5, sl-st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in final ch, dc around the post of the sc at the start of the chain, sl-st in next st, sc, repeat from * 7 more times, but omit the final sc and work a sl-st to join (8 innermost petals made)
R7: (Work in b.l.o. of each st in R5) Ch1 (does not count as st), *2sc, sc, sc, repeat from * around, join with a sl-st into f.l. of 1st sc (32sts).
R8: Ch1, sl-st in f.l. of st behind (i.e. the last sc of R7) – this will stagger the next row of petals from the row just worked.
(Work in f.l.o. of each st in R7) ch1 (does not count as st), *sc, ch6, sl-st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in final ch, tr around the post of the sc at the start of the chain, sk 1 st, sl-st in next st, sc, repeat from * 7 more times, but omit the final sc and work a sl-st to join (8 more petals made)
R9: (Work in b.l.o. of each st in R7) Ch1 (does not count as st), *sc, sc, sc, 2sc, repeat from * around, join with a sl-st into f.l. of 1st sc (40sts).
Round 10 makes “arms” which the next set of petals are worked into. Most people work into the back loop only when working down a chain. I suggest you do that here because on R11 you can then work into the front loops of the chains!
R10: (Work in f.l.o. of each st in R9) *Ch6, slst in 2nd ch, 4 more sl-st down chain, sl-st in 1st st, sc 5 times, repeat from * 7 more times, omitting last sc, sl-st to join (8 “arms” made).
Round 11 is worked around R10, working up and down the arms to make the penultimate row of petals. When working up the first side of the “arms” you should have back loops available from the chain. When working down the second side of the arms, it is easier to work into just to back loops of the sl-sts. This also leaves a nice ridge up the centre of the petals. If you prefer though, you can work through both loops of the sl-sts.
Outer petals with ridge running up centre
R11: Turn work and sl-st twice so that you are starting the row from between the two arms. Turn the work back to work into the first arm (there will be 5 chains, ignoring the turning ch).
*Work into each ch as follows: (dc, dc, hdc, sc, sl-st).
Now work back down the other side of the arm – you can chain 1 here if you find it difficult to turn – (sl-st, sc, hdc, dc,dc).
On the main body of flower: sk 1 st, sl-st, sl-st, repeat from * 7 more times, omitting the last sc – join with a sl-st into the 2nd of the two sl-sts worked at the beginning of this round. (8 petals made)
R12: (Work in b.l.o. of each st in R9) Ch2, sl-st into b.l. of 1st st in R10.
Ch1 (does not count as st), *2sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, repeat from * around, join with a sl-st into f.l. of 1st sc (48sts).
For a more closed lily, or to allow loops for turning this flower into a square motif, work R13 into f.l.o. as instructed (as per example here). If you prefer an outer row of petals which lies flatter you can work both loops as you would normally for R13. (Make the final sl-st of R12 through both loops in this case.)
R13: (Work in f.l.o. of each st in R12) *Chain 7, turn, sl-st in 2nd ch from hook, 5 sl-st, sc 6 times, repeat from * 7 more times, omitting last sc and joining with a sl-st (8 arms made).
R14: As with R11, turn and make 3 sl-sts back along the last sc’s just made. Turn and work the next sts up the 1st arm:
*tr, tr, dc, hdc, sc, sl-st, ch2. Now work down the 2nd side of the arm: sl-st, sc, hdc, dc, tr, tr.
Sk 3 sts, sl-st (into the middle st between the arms). Repeat from * 7 more times.
How to crochet a Water Lily in 1 piece – free pattern
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
If you wish to block this piece, I recommend steam blocking.
Water Lily crochet pattern
Downloadable pdf patterns: Water Lily US notation, Water Lily UK notation
Make My Day Creative 
That is so beautiful. Looks really delicate, thanks for including the method, very kind :-)
Thanks! And you’re welcome. :)
I just made one. Very real looking. I like it very much.
Thanks Marian! I’m glad you like it!
oh wow…that’s absolutely spectacular! I’m going to make some…not sure for what, but I have to make some lol
Thanks! Yes, I’m planning on making more too… for no particular reason, I just like them! :)
This is captivating. simply gorgeous. I hope I can make it. Thank you for sharing this pattern.
Hi Susan! Please do give it a go! I’m happy to help if you are struggling, but hopefully it is quite straightforward! :)
Aw, they look really pretty, and very realistic too!
Thanks! :)
What a lovely design! And your photos, both of the mirrored flowers and the process photos, are excellent!
Thanks Kerry! I hope the process photos are useful. I know many people prefer being shown rather than just a written pattern! :)
I absolutely love this project….work smarter not harder! You are a very talented, creative person! Thank you so much for sharing your genius with the world! God bless you!
Hi Lynn! I’m with you on the smarter/harder thing! Really pleased you like this and thanks for the feedback! :)
So beautiful!
Thanks! :)
Thank you this is beautiful. I.hope to use it on an Afghan.
Thanks Connie! I think this would be great on an afghan!
These look gorgeous! I love how realistic they are put together. Even the way the petals form. The inside is great too. I can see expanding the center area to make great chrysanthemums.
Thank you! And what a great idea about chrysanthemums! :)
I loved the water lily so much I made one today. I turned out beautiful. I used pink instead of white.
Hi Jennifer! Pink sounds lovely. I have been debating a shade of purple myself… :)
Pingback: Flowers for the Season | Treblemaking Hookers
Your lovely waterlily pattern was mentioned and linked in today’s issue of http://www.treblemakinghookers.com. Just thought I’d let you know. :)
Thank you! I’ll check it out. :)
OMG! U had me @ purple! Hi, it’s Dee, again. I put down your sweater for a few months because life & the holidays got in my way. However, I was recently gifted 2 lovely colors of purple & decided that I must @ all costs finish it by 3/31/14. But this water lily, it’s exquisite, & my flower. July’s flower.I love your creativity! Keep up the phenomenal work! Wheels are turning & I’m thinking to make this into a corsage to wear with the sweater. Oh! I’ve said too much… can’t wait to show you though. Email me?
Haha well I’m glad you like this! It’s a quick project so good for a minor distraction. I hope your corsage turns out well!
P.S. Not to be greedy, but, can you do a lotus, too? I love that you pay attention to detail. #analsometimes&idon’tmindit
I’ll keep it in mind! :)
It turned out perfect! Looks exactly like the picture. Great pattern
Great! So pleased you like it! :)
Pingback: Special Cards | Make My Day Creative
Absolutely lovely and what a crochet genius you are! I am going to make this for a headband. I know it will be just great.
Thank you Brenda! I’m sure it will look great! :)
I absolutely love your design! The first ones I made were not exactly the same as yours, but I made them into squares. I just made another one and this time I was able to follow the pattern correctly :) I am turning this into a square also. Thank you so much for sharing your pattern.
Hi Ofelia! That sounds great! I was wondering about turning them into squares myself. I hope you’re pleased with your end project!
It turned out great, here are the squares I have made. The 2nd and 3rd ones are missing a round of petals. Thank you again for sharing this lovely pattern.
I am a little confused. In R6 are there 2 sc in each stitch worked in? (one at the start of the petal and one at the end) Also do you skip any of the stitches? You must since there are 24 stitches in R5 and only 8 petals in R6. Thank you for your help.
Hi Darlene! Each petal uses 3 sts – 8petals x3=24sts. There is 1 sc at the start, then you make the ch and rest of the petal, do a sl-st in the next st, and then a final sc. (i.e. the 3 sts into the base are an sc, sl-st, sc, then repeat the whole thing for the next petal. Hope that helps, let me know if not! :)
Hola disculpe no entiendo ingles. Crees poder mandarme el patrón a mi coreo en español .. La verdad me gusta Mucho esa flor . mi coreo es auravelasco@rocketmail.com .gracias . att.aura.
Hi! I’m sorry but I don’t speak spanish – I suggest using google translate or asking someone who can! Or maybe a helpful reader can help you out? :)
This is one of the prettiest water lily patterns I’ve seen! Thank you for sharing your talent :) But I don’t see the finished size. ?
Thank you! The finished example measures 7cm (base) or 14cm (petal tip to petal tip when flat). Not a very easy one to measure since it is 3D! :)
Thank you! I needed to know if I could up the size to aran/worsted, but it def needs to stay DK. And that lets me know even with DK it will still be too large to put on a lily pad granny square I am doing now. But I am definitely making it for another afghan I have coming up I’m making for my mom!
No problem! Someone made this in a lighter weight yarn (the project is on Ravelry) so it came out smaller. May make your afghan take a long time though! :)
Hi after looking for a year for a water lily more realistic, I finally found yours which looks awesome. I was wondering if you could make a video tutorial please. I really want to make some of these ! Wonderful work and thx for sharing it with us ! Flory ( Romania)
Thank you Flory! I’m pleased you like this. I’ll have a think about the video – let me know in the meantime if you have any problems! :)
I agree with Flory, a video tutorial would be great since I can not read a pattern. Everything I have learn has been through watching others as they explain or youtube videos. I love the way you made this and would love to put it on my Princess and the Frog tutu dress I am making. I am going to see if I can figure out your pattern.
Hopefully the photos will help in the meantime :)
I commented on Oct. 22 and I would like to update on that comment. Because of this flower I had someone teach me to read a pattern over the phone and made this lilly for my daughter’s tutu dress for Halloween. Thanks for sharing your pattern.
Hi Catherine! That’s so great. Well done because this is not the easiest first time pattern! I bet your daughter loved it too. :)
Pingback: Free Pattern: Water Lily Leaves | { birdeli } handmade
Pingback: Butterflies, hearts, and bracelets | Make My Day Creative
Super pattern!!!!! I enjoy making little purses, bags, shawls etc A motif like this is ideal for a nice touch Thanks so much for sharing with us Here’s wishing you a wonderful New Year full of peace and prosperity in all ways Helen SMILE
Thanks Helen! I’m glad you like this!
Pingback: Lotus Flower and Blanket Planning | Wool Pickle
Good gosh! That is a drop dead gorgeous flower! One of them will find itself on a hat for sure. Probably several hats. And, goodness know, lots of other crocheted pieces.
Thanks Charleen! I’m so glad you like it. :)
Beautiful! I’ve used it to make a headband for my daughter and now making another one as a birthday gift for another little girl. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Marta! These sound lovely! I’m glad you like this pattern!
I love these flowers. Thank you so much for sharing the pattern. You have been blessed with a beautiful gift (talent). I am so happy that you are sharing it with us (me)!
I wish there was a way to post a picture on here…. I added an extra row that was green to make a row of leaves… I think it looks great
Hi Sarah! That sounds lovely! You can post your project on the Ravelry page for this pattern – I’m sure lots of people would like to see it! :)
Hi Esther. I am translating your pattern into Dutch. Would you be interested in it?
Hi Marjan! I’d love to link to it if you are posting it somewhere – The more translations, the more people can make it! :)
OMG I’m falling in love with this pattern!!!! I’m a HUGE FAN OF THIS FLOWER!!! I crochet since I was little around 3 to 4 yrs old. Now I do 1 bedspread every month and save them. I’m sick of doing the same thing all the time but I can’t stop cause I love crochet. I can’t believe I have a new flower to try. I hope, it’s easy and understandable to do or follow the pattern. Thanks a lot and that make my day!!! Lot of appreciation!!!
Hi Lesieli! I’m glad you like this. How on earth do you manage a bedspread a month? I am in awe! I hope you get on ok with this flower, let me know if you have any issues :)