A crochet magnolia flower is made of two layers of five wired petals, a small gold pistil and a stem wrapped in floral tape and brown thread. This page gives the whole free pattern in 31 photo steps, with the arithmetic shown for every count we can check.
This free crochet magnolia flower pattern is written for crocheters who can make a magic ring, a chain, a single crochet, a half double crochet, a double crochet and a treble. Each petal is worked around a thin floral wire, so it holds its shape and the finished flower can stand on a stem.
Key numbers. Small flower: 5 petals, each a strip of 12 single crochet (stated) · large flower: 5 petals, each a strip of 15 single crochet (stated) · all ten strips: 5 × 12 + 5 × 15 = 135 single crochet (derived) · small petal: 13 + 2 + 13 = 28 stitches worked round the wire (derived) · large petal: 16 + 2 + 16 = 34 (derived) · pistil: 5 + 4 × 5 = 25 single crochet (derived) · wire: 0.5 mm in the petals and about 30 cm for the stem (stated).
On this page
- What you need for this crochet magnolia flower
- Stitches and abbreviations in the crochet magnolia flower pattern
- The crochet magnolia flower pattern at a glance
- Make the small inner flower
- Make the large outer flower
- Make the pistil for the crochet magnolia flower
- Put the crochet magnolia flower together
- Where the crochet magnolia flower goes wrong
- 5 more free crochet magnolia flower patterns
- FAQ
- Where to go next
What you need for this crochet magnolia flower
You need white thread for the petals, mustard-gold thread for the pistil, brown thread for the stem and green thread for the leaves. You also need a small crochet hook, 0.5 mm floral wire for the petals, a stiffer stem wire, green floral tape, scissors, and hot or cold silicone glue.
| Item | What the maker used | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Petal and leaf thread | A fine cotton thread in white and green | Weight not stated |
| Pistil and stem thread | A glossy thread in mustard-gold and brown | Weight not stated |
| Hook | A hook labelled number 2 | Taken as 2 mm; the label is not given in mm |
| Petal wire | Floral wire, 0.5 mm | Runs round every petal |
| Stem wire | A stiffer floral wire | Left about 30 cm long, any length works |
| Floral tape | Green | Covers the stem wire |
| Glue | Hot or cold silicone | Fixes the pistil and the petals |
| Yardage and finished size | Not stated | A scrap-sized project |
A hook of 2 mm is smaller than the 2.25 to 3.5 mm that the Craft Yarn Council’s yarn weight standard lists for super fine yarn, so this crochet magnolia flower is a thread-weight make. If your thread label gives a hook size, use that one, and use a smaller hook than the label suggests if the petals look loose, because a firm fabric holds the wire better.
Floral wire ends are sharp and glue guns are hot, so keep both away from small children, and keep the finished flower away from babies and pets.
Stitches and abbreviations in the crochet magnolia flower pattern
This pattern uses seven stitch names. The table gives the English name used on this page and the Spanish name that Spanish-language patterns use for the same stitch, because the “vareta” names are easy to misread.
| Abbreviation | English name | Spanish name | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| MR | Magic ring | Anillo mágico | The middle of each flower and the pistil |
| ch | Chain | Cadena | Petal foundations and the tip |
| sl st | Slip stitch | Punto deslizado | Joins and the end of each petal |
| sc | Single crochet | Punto bajo | Foundation strips, petal edges, tip |
| hdc | Half double crochet | Media vareta | Petal edges |
| dc | Double crochet | Vareta | Petal sides |
| tr | Treble crochet | Doble vareta, worked with two yarn overs | The wide part of the petal |
An increase here means two treble crochet in the same stitch. The pattern repeats the same petal shape on both sides of the wire, so once you have worked one side the second side is the first in reverse.
There is no single stitch multiple, because every petal is a hand-shaped sequence rather than a repeat. The only multiples are the foundation strips: a chain of 13 gives 12 single crochet, and a chain of 16 gives 15.
The crochet magnolia flower pattern at a glance
Here is every part of the crochet magnolia flower in one table. The counts marked derived are our sums from the stitches named, because the pattern does not print totals for the petals.
| Part | Instruction as given | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Small flower centre | MR, 5 sc, sl st in the first sc | 5 stitches (stated) |
| Small petal strip | ch 13, skip the first chain, sc in each of the other 12 chains, sl st in the same stitch as the chain | 12 sc (stated); 5 petals = 60 sc (derived) |
| Small petal, side 1 | sl st, 2 sc, hdc, dc, tr, tr increase, tr, tr increase, dc, 2 hdc | 11 stitches used, 13 made (derived) |
| Small petal, tip | sc, ch 2, sc, all in the skipped stitch, with the wire | 2 sc (stated) |
| Small petal, side 2 | 2 hdc, dc, tr increase, tr, tr increase, tr, dc, hdc, 2 sc, sl st | 11 stitches used, 13 made (derived) |
| Large flower centre | MR, 5 sc, sl st in the first sc | 5 stitches (stated) |
| Large petal strip | ch 16, skip the first chain, sc in each of the other 15 chains, sl st in the same stitch as the chain | 15 sc (stated); 5 petals = 75 sc (derived) |
| Large petal, side 1 | sl st, 3 sc, hdc, 2 dc, tr, tr increase, tr, tr increase, tr, dc, 2 hdc | 14 stitches used, 16 made (derived) |
| Large petal, tip | sc, ch 2, sc, all in the skipped stitch, with the wire | 2 sc (stated) |
| Large petal, side 2 | 2 hdc, dc, tr, tr increase, tr, tr increase, tr, 2 dc, hdc, 3 sc, sl st | 14 stitches used, 16 made (derived) |
| Pistil | MR, 5 sc, then 4 rounds of ch 1 and 5 sc | 5 + 4 × 5 = 25 sc (derived) |
The owned figure: the ten petal strips hold 12 × 5 + 15 × 5 = 135 single crochet stitches before any petal shaping is added.
Each side of a strip has one more stitch than the shaping uses, because the slip stitch counts as a position. On the small petal that is 1 + 11 = 12, and on the large petal it is 1 + 14 = 15, which matches the strip counts, so the sums close.
Make the small inner flower
The small flower is the inner layer. It is five petals that start as five short strips round a magic ring and are then shaped one at a time around the wire.
Step 1: Make a magic ring and 5 single crochet
Make a magic ring and work 5 single crochet into it. Pull the tail to close the ring and join with a slip stitch in the first single crochet. These 5 stitches are the middle of the small flower, and each one will carry a petal.
Step 2: Chain 13
Chain 13 from the first single crochet of the ring. This chain becomes the strip that every small petal is built on.
Step 3: Work 12 single crochet along the chain
Skip the first chain next to the hook and work a single crochet into each of the other 12 chains, counting aloud so you end with exactly 12. Join with a slip stitch in the same stitch of the ring where the 13 chains began. One strip is done.
Step 4: Repeat to make five strips
Slip stitch into the next stitch of the ring and make another strip of 13 chains and 12 single crochet. Repeat until there are five strips in total, which is 5 × 12 = 60 single crochet. They spread out like the arms of a star.
Step 5: Get the 0.5 mm wire ready
The wire for the crochet magnolia flower petals is thin and flexible, 0.5 mm. Cut a length you can hold comfortably, because it runs through the whole flower and its ends are trimmed at the end.
Step 6: Slip stitch where the wire goes in
Slip stitch at the point where the wire is inserted. The written steps do not say how the wire is threaded, so copy the photo: the wire runs along the edge of the petal, and from here every stitch is worked together with it.
Step 7: Shape side 1 of the first small petal
Slip stitch in the first stitch of the petal. Then work 2 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 1 double crochet and 1 treble. The stitches grow taller as you climb, which is what widens the petal.
Step 8: Add the two treble increases
Work 1 treble increase, which is 2 treble in the same stitch. Then work 1 treble, another treble increase, 1 double crochet and 2 half double crochet. Side 1 has used 11 stitches and made 13, because 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 11 and each increase adds one.
Step 9: Make the tip
Turn the work slightly, with the wire. In the stitch you skipped at the start, which is the one above you now, work 1 single crochet together with the wire, chain 2, and 1 more single crochet in the same stitch. This gives the petal a pointed end.
Step 10: Shape side 2
Work down the other side of the strip: 2 half double crochet, 1 double crochet, a treble increase, 1 treble, a treble increase, 1 treble, 1 double crochet, 1 half double crochet and 2 single crochet. Finish with a slip stitch. Side 2 also uses 11 stitches and makes 13.
Step 11: Check the finished petal
The finished petal holds 13 + 2 + 13 = 28 stitches, not counting the slip stitches and the 2 chains. It should lie flat and keep a slight curve from the wire. If it looks too narrow, check that you made both treble increases.
Step 12: Move to the next petal with the thread in front
To jump to the next petal, slip stitch in the point at the middle. The thread must always be in front of the wire when you make that slip stitch. If it ends up behind, the petal will twist. Repeat steps 7 to 11 on each of the other four strips.
Step 13: Cut, tie off and hide the ends
When all five petals are done, slip stitch at the midpoint and chain 1. Pull the loop tight, cut the thread and cut the wire the same way. Turn the flower over, pull the excess thread to the back, and hide the ends. The first layer of the crochet magnolia flower is ready.
Make the large outer flower
The large flower is the outer layer. It follows the same plan as the small one, but each petal is longer, so the strips are 15 stitches and the shaping has a few more stitches.
Step 14: Make a magic ring and 5 single crochet
Make a magic ring, work 5 single crochet, close it and join with a slip stitch in the first single crochet. This is the middle of the large crochet magnolia flower.
Step 15: Chain 16 and work 15 single crochet
Chain 16, skip the first chain and work 1 single crochet in each of the other 15 chains. You should have 15 single crochet in total. Join with a slip stitch in the same stitch where you began the 16 chains.
Step 16: Make five long strips
Slip stitch into the next stitch of the ring and repeat until you have five strips, which is 5 × 15 = 75 single crochet. Insert the 0.5 mm wire at the midpoint in the same place as on the small flower, and slip stitch there.
Step 17: Shape side 1 of the first large petal
Slip stitch in the first stitch of the petal. Then work 3 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 2 double crochet and 1 treble. This is one single crochet and one double crochet longer than on the small petal.
Step 18: Add the treble increases
Work a treble increase, a treble, a second treble increase and a treble. Finish side 1 with 1 double crochet and 2 half double crochet. Side 1 uses 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 14 stitches and makes 16.
Step 19: Make the tip
Turn the work slightly, with the wire. In the stitch you skipped when you chained 16, work 1 single crochet, chain 2, and another single crochet in the same stitch.
Step 20: Shape side 2
Work 2 half double crochet, 1 double crochet, 1 treble, a treble increase, 1 treble, a treble increase and 1 treble. Then work 2 double crochet, 1 half double crochet and 3 single crochet, and finish with a slip stitch. Side 2 also uses 14 stitches and makes 16.
Step 21: Check the finished large petal
The finished large petal holds 16 + 2 + 16 = 34 stitches. It is longer and wider than a small petal, but has the same pointed tip. Jump to the next petal with the thread in front of the wire and repeat steps 17 to 21 four more times.
Step 22: Finish the large crochet magnolia flower
Slip stitch at the midpoint and chain 1. Cut the thread and cut the wire in the same way as on the small flower, pull the tail tight, turn the flower over and hide the ends.
Make the pistil for the crochet magnolia flower
The pistil is the small gold tube in the middle of the crochet magnolia flower. It is worked in the gold thread and then wired.
Step 23: Work the pistil tube
Make a magic ring, work 5 single crochet and join with a slip stitch in the first. Then chain 1, pull it tight and work 5 single crochet stitch over stitch, with a slip stitch in the first of them. Repeat that round three more times, which gives 4 rounds of 5 and 5 + 20 = 25 single crochet in all. Slip stitch in the first stitch, chain 1, cut the thread and pull the tail through the middle with the hook.
Step 24: Thread the wire through the pistil
Push one end of the wire through the top hole of the pistil and out of the side, not the bottom. Push the other end through the same top hole and out the other side, catching a small piece of the fabric. Use the hook to help the pistil sit at the top of the wire. The photo makes this clearer than the words.
Step 25: Wrap the thread and glue
Wrap the excess gold thread round the wire and fix it with a little hot or cold silicone. Cut off what is left. The maker left the wire 30 cm long, but you can leave it at any length you like.
Put the crochet magnolia flower together
Assembly of the crochet magnolia flower is five moves: both flowers onto the wire, glue, floral tape, brown thread and leaves.
Step 26: Slide the small flower onto the wire
Cut the petal wires on the small flower, then slide it onto the stem wire, up behind the pistil, through its middle.
Step 27: Add the large flower
Leave the petal wires on the large flower uncut, then slide it onto the stem wire in the same way, behind the small flower.
Step 28: Put the large petals between the small ones
Turn the crochet magnolia flower so each large petal sits between two small ones, which gives ten evenly spaced petals. Put a little silicone on the back and press so they cannot move, then glue the other end of the flowers on the stem wire too.
Step 29: Wrap the stem in floral tape
Make 3 leaves, or more if you like, with a pattern of your own choice, because the leaf is not part of this pattern. A wired leaf like the one in our crochet rose with stem works well. Then wrap all the wire in floral tape, several turns at the top and then slowly down to the end.
Step 30: Wrap the stem in brown thread
Put a little hot silicone at the top of the stem and begin winding the brown thread. Turn it several times in the same place at the top, then let it slide down a little at a time.
Step 31: Add the leaves and finish the stem
When you reach the height where you want the leaves, stop and place them one at a time. Then wind again, tightly, so the leaves cannot move. Keep going to the end of the stem, add a little silicone, cut the thread, add a little more silicone and press for the final finish. Your crochet magnolia flower is done.
Where the crochet magnolia flower goes wrong
Three things go wrong most often with a crochet magnolia flower, and each has a quick fix.
- A petal that twists. The thread must always be in front of the wire when you slip stitch to the next petal. If a petal twists, undo that slip stitch and redo it with the thread in front.
- Counts that do not match. The strips must hold 12 and 15 single crochet. If the shaped side runs over the strip, check that you counted each treble increase as one position, not two.
- Stitch names that do not match your pattern. Spanish patterns call the double crochet a vareta and the treble a doble vareta. If you read “doble vareta” as double crochet, the petals come out too short.
A small gap round the pistil is not a mistake: the small flower and the gold tube cover it.
5 more free crochet magnolia flower patterns
Each of these is free on the designer’s own site, and each builds the magnolia in a different way.
- Crochet Magnolia Applique by GoldenLucyCrafts: about 4 inches wide in size 10 crochet cotton thread on a 1.8 mm steel hook, made of six petals sewn on a branch.
- Magnolia Bloom by Crochet is the Way: a miniature bloom about 4 1/2 inches (11.5 cm) across in size 10 thread on a 1.65 mm hook, with a stuffed yellow centre.
- Pink Crochet Magnolia Pattern by Salty Pearl Crochet: a 5 inch double-layered flower in worsted weight yarn on a 5 mm hook, with a loop-stitch centre.
- Magnolia, A Lace Granny Square by Kirsten Holloway Designs: a 12 inch square with a magnolia outlined in the centre, on a 6 mm hook.
- Pink Magnolia by Maggie’s Crochet: a layered flower worked in nine rounds on a 5 mm hook, in worsted weight yarn.
These five run from thread on 1.65 mm hooks to worsted weight on 6 mm hooks.
FAQ
How do you crochet a magnolia flower?
Make two flowers, each of five petals worked over thin wire: a small one on strips of 12 single crochet and a large one on strips of 15. Add a gold pistil, slide both flowers on a stem wire with the large petals between the small ones, and wrap the stem.
How many petals does the crochet magnolia flower have?
The crochet magnolia flower has ten petals in two layers of five. The small layer sits inside the large layer, and each large petal sits in the gap between two small ones.
What hook size do I need for a crochet magnolia flower?
The maker used a hook labelled number 2, which we take as 2 mm, with fine thread. If you use thicker yarn, take the hook from your own label and expect a bigger flower.
Do I need floral wire for a crochet magnolia flower?
Yes, for a crochet magnolia flower that stands up, because you want the petals to hold their shape and the flower to stand up. The petals use 0.5 mm wire and the stem uses a stiffer wire.
Why do the stitch names look different?
Spanish-language patterns use punto bajo for single crochet, media vareta for half double crochet, vareta for double crochet and doble vareta for treble crochet. This page uses the English names, so check the table before you start.
Can I make the leaves for this crochet magnolia flower?
The leaf is not part of this pattern. Use any wired crochet leaf you like, such as the one in our crochet rose with stem pattern, and make three or more.
Where to go next
For a wired leaf and a stem, the crochet rose with stem is a good next make. For more choice, browse the crochet flowers free pattern roundup, try the crochet rosebud or the free crochet tulip pattern, or make a gift with the mini crochet flower bouquet.
Sources
- Craft Yarn Council, Standard Yarn Weight System: crochet hook ranges by yarn weight.
- Each of the five patterns above, on its designer’s own site: GoldenLucyCrafts, Crochet is the Way, Salty Pearl Crochet, Kirsten Holloway Designs and Maggie’s Crochet.
Design credit: this crochet magnolia flower design comes from the crochet channel Perlag.Crochet.
