I’d anticipated getting lots done these last 2 weeks.  Last year I made this Avalon top whilst watching Wimbledon.  Well this year I seem to have just watched Wimbledon and not made anything whilst doing so… whoops!

Consequently I’ve had had a bit of a making frenzy and started about 6 projects in one go.  My house looks like a whirlwind in a craft store! These puffy flowers were so quick to whip up, at least they are ready enough to blog!

I got the idea for these from a knitted version spotted on Pinterest and tried it a couple of different ways.  The first trial (large purple flower pictured) of this was worked in rows with rows of broomstick lace in between the petals and although this was quick, working it in the round is less of a faff especially as you don’t need the broomstick loops!

So here are the patterns for the medium (7cm) and small (4.5cm) flowers worked in the round.  I’m thinking of making more and covering a cushion in them to go in my living room…

Scroll down for pdf patterns! (US and UK notation)

Materials

I used a size 4mm hook and stash dk yarn – but I reckon you can use whatever scraps you have with a matching hook for these.

Patterns:

Worked in the round – ch2 at start of round counts dc (you can use ch3 if your chains are tight but as mine are loose ch2 are enough for me!)

Medium Puffy Flower:

Ch48 and sl-st into first ch to join.

R1: ch2, dc in each of next 5 chains, *ch2, sk2 sts, dc into next 6 chs, repeat from * 4 more times, ch2, sk2 sts, join with a sl-st into top of the 1^st st (6 ch sps and 6 lots of 6dc)

R2: Ch2, do not turn, dc in each of next 5 dc, *ch2, skip ch space, dc 6 times, repeat from * 4 more times, join with a slip st (6 ch sps and 6 lots of 6dc)

R3 and R4:  Repeat R2.

The petals are now made – the next round gathers them up to make them puffy.

R5: ch1 (does not count as a st), *sc3tog over the first 3 sts, sc 3tog over the next 3 sts (you will now be at the chain space).  Make a sc over all of the chain spaces and the starting chain by passing the hook in front of the work and then under into the middle of the rounds to draw up a thread, then complete the sc.  (The tighter you keep this stitch the puffier your petals will be.  You can do it loosely if you like but the important thing is to try and keep it even all the way around.  Please see the step by step photo if you are struggling with this stitch!)  Repeat from * 5 more times (18 sts).

R6: *sc2tog (this will be in the two sc3tog sts from the previous row), sc, repeat from * 5 more times (12 sts)

R7: sc2tog 6 times (6sts)

Fasten off and weave in ends.  Sew a button onto the flower centre.

For a different look you can replace the dc’s with sc’s and work a few more rows of R2.  This makes a stiffer petal (but I preferred the dc version for being super super speedy).  (If you look closely at the pictures you can see my sc version in blue…)

Small Puffy Flower:

Ch30 and sl-st into first ch to join.

R1: ch2, dc in each of next 3 chains, *ch2, sk2 sts, dc into next 4 chs, repeat from * 3 more times, ch2, sk2 sts, join with a sl-st into top of the 1^st st (5 ch sps and 5 lots of 4dc)

R2: Ch2, do not turn, dc in each of next 3 dc, *ch2, skip ch space, dc 4 times, repeat from * 3 more times, join with a slip st (6 ch sps and 6 lots of 6dc)

R3:  Repeat R2.

The petals are now made – the next round gathers them up to make them puffy.

R4: ch1 (does not count as a st), *sc2tog over the first 2 sts, sc2tog over the next 2 sts (you will now be at the chain space).  Make a sc over all of the chain spaces and the starting chain by passing the hook in front of the work and then under into the middle of the rounds to draw up a thread, then complete the sc.  (The tighter you keep this stitch the puffier your petals will be.  You can do it loosely if you like but the important thing is to try and keep it even all the way around.  Please see the step by step photo above if you are struggling with this stitch!)  Repeat from * 4 more times (15 sts).

R5: *sc2tog (this will be in the two sc2tog sts from the previous row), sc, repeat from * 4 more times (10 sts)

R7: sc2tog 5 times (5sts)

Fasten off and weave in ends.  Sew a button onto the flower centre.

What will you use yours for?

Downloadable pdf patterns:
Puffy Flowers US

Puffy Flowers UK