This crochet tulip pattern is the perfect project for intermediate crocheters. With easy-to-follow diagram charts, you’ll be able to create beautiful tulips in no time! These blooms make perfect decorations for your home or garden, or even as a gift for a loved one.
Skill Level – Intermediate
Pattern is written in US terms, Gauge is not important for this project, but you will need a crochet hook appropriate to make firm tight stitches with your chosen yarn.
Materials:
- Crochet Hook size: 1.5mm (US size 8/Canadian & UK size 4.5)
- DK (UK)/DK (USA)/8 ply (AUS) Yarn in flower color (yellow is shown) Any yarn will work
- DK (UK)/DK (USA)/8 ply (AUS) Yarn in green for leaves and pollen
- 1.6mm (16 Gauge US) wire cut to desired length of stem, 2 pieces of approx. 12” per stem
- 0.3mm (28 Gauge US) wire, approx. 8” per Petal A and Petal B, approx. 15” perLeaf, 4” per stamen
- White sewing thread
- Wire cutters & Scissors
- Candle and flame source (if using acrylic yarn)
- Glue Gun & Hot Glue or ‘dry clear’ craft glue
- Flat Iron/Straightener (optional)
- Wax crayon similar to petal color (orange shown)
- Paper floral tape in green, white and yellow
- 1 pkg. 3m x 500mm folded Crepe paper (green) OR Substitute floral tape for crepe paper (optional)
Stitches & Abbreviations:
- ch – chain
- st/sts – stitch/stitches
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half-double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- 2-sc inc – 2 single crochet in same stitch
- 2-hdc inc – 2 half double crochet in same stitch
- 2-dc inc – 2 double crochet in same stitch
- 4-dc inc – 4 double crochet in same stitch
- (hdc, dc, hdc) – half double crochet, double crochet, half double crochet in same stitch
Notes:
Making 3D crochet projects is more difficult than your usual crochet projects. This project is suitable for an Intermediate skill level. You will also need to know how to begin with a magic ring.
Magic Ring: Make a loop with your yarn. Holding the loop with your fingers, insert the hook into the loop and pull the yarn through the loop on the hook. Now work your stitches into the loop and simply pull the tail end of the yarn to draw up the ring. There are many online tutorials if this is a new technique for you.
All stitches not made in a foundation chain are to be worked through both legs of the stitch unless otherwise stated.
Petal A Chart
Petal A Instructions
Petal: Make 3 per open and 3 per closed Tulip Color: Flower color (yellow shown) Foundation: Slip knot (leave a 2-3” tail), ch 14
Round 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 chs, hdc in next 9 chs, (sc, ch 1, sc) in last ch, rotate work (hold the tail along the chain and wrap the new sts around the tail), hdc in next 9 chs, sc in last 3 chs, sl st in turning ch
Round 2: ch 3, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next ch, sc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 10 sts, (sc, ch 1, sc) in ch 1 space of Round 1, rotate work, hdc in next 10 sts, sc in last 3 sts and 2 chs, sl st in turning ch
Round 3: Insert .3 mm (28 Gauge US) wire through ch on hook, leaving a 3” tail (work round by wrapping each st around wire all the way around the petal)
Using heavier yarn or a larger hook may require a longer piece of wire – calculate length of wire needed per petal by measuring length of one petal and multiply by 2, add an extra 2-3” for safety and comfort while working. The same can be applied to the leaves, but multiply the length of the leaf by 4 instead of 2. Remember: excess wire can be removed later, but adding more is difficult
ch 1, sc in next 5 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, dc in next 2 sts, 2-dc inc in next 2 sts, dc in next 3 sts, 2-dc inc in next st, (dc, ch 3, sl st in ch 1 space of Round 2, ch 3, dc) in ch 1 space of Round 2, rotate work, 2-dc inc in next st, dc in next 3 sts, 2-dc inc in next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in next 5 sts, sl st in turning ch with hook in front of wires and yarn behind wires, cut the wire leaving a second 3” tail
Finishing: Pull both wire tails through the last st before tightening.
Wrap the tail around the wires about 2 times and then again so it sits between the two wires. Twist the wires twice so the twists sit right up against the end of the wrapped yarn. Cut the yarn close to the wire. Trim any remaining yarn tail from the beginning of the petal.
Petal B Chart
Petal B Instructions
Petal: Make 3 per open and 3 per closed Tulip Color: Flower color (yellow shown) Foundation: Slip knot (leave a 2-3” tail), ch 15
Round 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 chs, hdc in next 10 chs, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in last ch, rotate work (hold the tail along the chain and wrap the new sts around the tail), hdc in next 10 chs, sc in last 3 chs, sl st in turning ch
Round 2: ch 3, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next ch, sc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 11 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch 1 space of Round 1, rotate work, hdc in next 11 sts, sc in last 3 sts and 2 chs, sl st in turning ch
Round 3: Insert .3 mm (28 Gauge US) wire through ch on hook, leaving a 3” tail (work round by wrapping each st around wire all the way around the petal), ch 1, sc in next 5 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, dc in next st, 2-dc inc in next st, dc in next 5 sts, 2-dc inc in next 2 sts, (2 dc, ch 1, sl st in ch 1 space of Round 2, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch 1 space of Round 2, rotate work, 2-dc inc in next 2 sts, dc in next 5 sts, 2-dc inc in next st, dc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in next 5 sts, sl st in turning ch with hook in front of wires and yarn behind wires, cut the wire leaving a second 3” tail
Finishing: Pull both wire tails through the last st before tightening.
Wrap the tail around the wires about two times and then again so it sits between the two wires. Twist the wires twice so the twists sit right up against the end of the wrapped yarn. Cut the yarn close to the wire. Trim any remaining yarn tail from the beginning of the petal.
Leaf Chart
Leaf Instructions
Leaf: Make 1 per Closed Tulip and 2 per Open Tulip Color: Green
Foundation: Slip knot (leave a 2-3” tail), ch 40
Round 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 3 chs, hdc in next 3 chs, dc in next 30 chs, hdc in next ch, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in last ch, rotate work (hold the tail along the chain and wrap the sts down the 2nd side of the leaf around the tail), hdc in next ch, dc in next 30 chs, hdc in next 3 chs, sc in next 4 chs, sl st in turning ch
Round 2: ch 1, sc in first 4 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, dc in next 22 sts, hdc in next 10 sts, (hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch 1 space of Round 1, rotate work, hdc in next 10 sts, dc in next 22 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in next 4 sts, sl st in turning ch
Round 3: Insert 2 pieces of .3 mm (28 Gauge US) wire through st on hook, leaving a 3” tail. Work round with the loop of every st around both wires. Ch 1, sc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, dc in next 22 sts, hdc in next 5 sts, sc in next 4 sts, (hdc, dc, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in post of dc, hdc) in ch 1 space from Round 2, sc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 5 sts, dc in next 22 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, sc in next 6 sts, sl st in turning ch with hook in front of wires and yarn behind wires, cut the wire leaving a second 3” tail.
Finishing: Pull the wire tails through the last st before tightening.
Wrap the tail around both the wires for about 1” and then place the yarn so it sits between the two wires. Twist the wires twice so the twists sit right up against the end of the wrapped yarn. Cut the yarn close to the wire and trim the tails near the twists. Trim any remaining yarn tail from the beginning of the leaf.
Pollen Chart
Pollen Instructions
Leaf: Make 1 per open and 1 per closed Tulip Color: Green
Foundation: Magic Ring, 3 sc in MR, pull tail tight, sl st to join (3 sts)
Round 1: (ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, sl st in next st from Foundation) 3 times
Finishing: Cut yarn leaving a 3” tail. Pull yarn through last st and tighten. Insert hook through the st next to where the end yarn tail is from the back of the Pollen to the front. Pull the yarn tail through. Tie the yarn tails in a knot twice. Pull tight and cut both yarn tails up against the Pollen.
Stamen Instructions
Pollen: Make 6 per open and 6 per closed Tulip
Materials: 6 pieces of 0.3mm (28 Gauge US) wire, cut to 6” length and yellow and green floral tape
Step 1: Hold all 6 pieces of wire so that the ends are even. Bend them into a square U shape with 90° bends 2” in from each end.
Step 2: Start wrapping yellow floral tape around the middle section of wire so that the tape sits up against the first bend. Slowly wrap down the middle section of wire until the 2nd bend is reached.
Step 3: Straighten both bends in the wire. Wrap back down the already wrapped portion of wire. Cut the floral tape and secure the end.
Step 4: In the center of the wire, use your nail to bend the wire in half.
Step 5: Place the green floral tape between the 2 wires. Start wrapping around both exposed wires so that it sits right up against the yellow floral tape. Wrap in place several time to build up some thickness. Cut the floral tape and secure the end.
Step 6: Repeat Steps 2-5 for the remaining 5 wires.
Assembly
If using Acrylic yarn (if using natural fiber, skip this step, down to the shading of the petals): Light the candle and hold each flower part a few inches above (NOT IN) candle flame to let the rising warmth melt the fuzzy stray fibers sticking out. Don’t get too close to flame or hold the crochet work in one place for long or the yarn may get smoke stained or burnt.
For the Pollen, hold each tip of the Pollen over the flame very briefly then pinch the end to form more of a point. Do this for all 3 tips of the Pollen.
Coloring the Petals
For all Petals, hold so that the right side of the petal is facing up. Use the crayon to gradually build up color all over this side of the petal as shown. Very briefly hold the crayon over the flame to slightly melt the crayon and color the petal with it to build up a slightly more intense color. Do this for each Petal A and Petal B. Set aside.
Neatening the Petals, Leaf and Pollen (Optional and can be done with any fiber)
Turn on the hair straightener and set it to a medium-high setting. Once warm, clamp the straightener on the petal in very short bursts. If left on for more than a very short amount of time, the straightener can burn the yarn.
Shaping the Petal As
Shape the Petal As by using either the flame or the straightener to heat the petal. Hold the petal so that the back side is facing you. Run you thumb from the base of the petal up along the length towards the tip. While doing this, push the middle of the petal away from you and curl the tip towards you. With the right side facing you and at the point where the petal widens, bend the petal to away from you to approx. a 90° angle.
Shaping the Petal Bs
Shape the Petal Bs by using either the flame or the straightener to heat the petal. Hold the petal so that the back side is facing you. Run you thumb from the base of the petal up along the length towards the tip. While doing this, push the middle of the petal away from you and curl the tip towards you.
Assemble the Main Stem
Make 1 per open and 1 per closed Tulip
Step 1: Use 1 piece of 1.6mm (16 Gauge US) wire and cut to desired stem length, approx. 12”.
Step 2: (If using floral tape, skip to Step 3) With the crepe paper still folded as packaged, cut perpendicular to the folded edge through all the layers to create a continuous strip about 1” wide.
Add a dab of hot glue to one end of the stem wire. Unfold the strip of crepe paper and adhere one end of the paper to the glue on the wire. A glue stick may also be used to secure the crepe paper.
Step 3: Wrap the crepe paper or green floral tape up and down the wire from one end to the other to add even thickness along the wire. Stop when desired thickness is achieved for the stem. Glue down the tail end of the crepe paper or floral tape and snip off any excess.
Step 4: Start wrapping the white floral tape around the end of the stem. Wrap down approx. 2” from the end of the stem and back up. Wrap enough to build up a little thickness and the saturation of the white color.
Step 5: Wrap back down the portion that is wrapped in white. Cut the white floral tape and secure the end.
Step 6: Apply a dab of hot glue to the center of the back of the Pollen and secure it to the white tip of the stem.
Step 7: Place a Stamen along the length of the stem so that the point where the green floral tape on the Stamen starts is in line with where the white floral tape starts as shown. Wrap the white thread, holding the end down the length of the stem, around the stem and the Stamen 5-6 times to secure the Stamen to the stem. Do NOT cut the thread.
Step 8: Place the 2nd Stamen next to the 1st Stamen. Wrap the thread around all Stamen and the stem 3 times. Do NOT cut the thread.
Step 9: Repeat Step 8 to attach each of the remain Stamen until all 6 are attached and evenly spaced around the stem and Pollen. Do NOT cut the thread.
Step 10: Tie the thread in a Figure 4 knot around all Stamen and the stem. Repeat the Figure 4 knot a 2nd time.
Step 11: At the level of the Pollen on the Stamen, use your thumb to pinch each Stamen and push it out slightly so that it is curved in a slight “C” shape around the Pollen.
Step 12: Cut the wires for each Stamen just below where the thread is securing them to the stem as shown. Do NOT cut the thread.
Assemble a Closed Tulip
Step 1: Have the Petals and Stem within reach. Place a Petal A (Petal A1) along the stem so that the base of Petal A1 is in line with the bottoms of the Stamens and is curving around the Stamens and Pollen. Wrap the thread tightly around the stem and Petal A1 several times to secure it.
Step 2: Take a Petal A (Petal A2) and place it next to Petal A1 so that they take up 2/3 of the space around the stem. Tightly wrap the thread around the stem and petals several times.
Step 3: Take the last Petal A (Petal A3) and place it between Petal A1 and Petal A2. All Petal As should be evenly spaced around the stem. Tightly wrap the thread around the stem and petals several times.
Step 4: Place a dab of hot glue on the thread and wrap a few more times through the glue to secure the thread. Cut the thread.
Step 5: Gently pinch the sides of each Petal A inward.
Step 6: Place a line of hot glue down the length of the outside of Petal A1. It should be along the bottom of the last round. Secure Petal A2 onto the outside of Petal A1
Step 7: Repeat Step 6 to attach Petal A3 onto the outside of Petal A2.
Step 8: Repeat Step 6 to attach Petal A1 onto the outside of Petal A3.
Step 9: Have the Petal Bs in reach. Take a Petal B (Petal B1). Place a “V” of hot glue on the base of the inside of the petal. Secure Petal B1 to the tulip so that the center is in line with the seam of Petal A1 and Petal A2.
Step 10: Repeat Step 9 with the next Petal B (Petal B2) so that its center is on to of the seam of Petal A2 and Petal A3.
Step 11: Repeat Step 9 with the last Petal B (Petal B3) so that its center is on the seam of Petal A3 and A1.
Step 12: Pull Petal B1 away from the Tulip. Place 3 lines of hot glue evenly spaced along the inside bottom half of Petal B1. Secure it to the Tulip.
Step 13: Repeat Step 12 to secure Petal B2 and Petal B3 to the tulip.
Step 14: Start wrapping green floral tape at the base of the tulip around all the wires from the petals and the stem.
Step 15: Wrap halfway down the stem. Wrap back up to the base of the tulip and then back down to the halfway point. Cut the floral tape and secure the end.
Step 16: Take the leaf and place a dab of hot glue in the base of the leaf. Place the leaf onto the stem so that the base of the leaf wraps around the stem at the halfway point.
Step 17: Start wrapping the floral tape around the base of the leaf so that almost the width of the floral tape is covering the base of the leaf.
Step 18: Wrap around the stem moving slowly down the stem so that the stem width gradually decreases to just the existing stem width. Then wrap to the end of the stem.
Step 19: Wrap back up the stem until the point where the stem widens where the leaf is attached. Wrap back down to the end of the stem. Cut the floral tape and secure the end.
Assemble an Open Tulip
Step 1: Have the Petals and Stem within reach. It is helpful to keep all Petal As and all Petal Bs separate. Place a Petal A (Petal A1) along the stem so that the base of Petal A1 is in line with the bottoms of the Stamens and is curving around the Stamens and Pollen. Wrap the thread tightly around the stem and Petal A1 several times to secure it.
Step 2: Take a Petal A (Petal A2) and place it next to Petal A1 so that they take up 2/3 of the space around the stem. Tightly wrap the thread around the stem and petals several times.
Step 3: Take the last Petal A (Petal A3) and place it between Petal A1 and Petal A2. All Petal As should be evenly spaced around the stem. Tightly wrap the thread around the stem and petals several times.
Step 4: Place a dab of hot glue on the thread and wrap a few more times through the glue to secure the thread. Cut the thread.
Step 5: Gently pinch the sides of each Petal A inward and manipulate the Petals to be evenly spaced around the stem as shown.
Step 6: Have the Petal Bs in reach. Take a Petal B (Petal B1). Place a “W” of hot glue on the base of the inside of the petal. Secure Petal B1 to the tulip so that it is centered between Petal A1 and Petal A2.
Step 7: Repeat Step 6 with the next Petal B (Petal B2) so that it is centered over the space between Petal A2 and Petal A3.
Step 8: Repeat Step 6 with the last Petal B (Petal B3) so that its center is centered over the space between Petal A3 and A1.
Step 12: Pull Petal B1 away from the Tulip. Place 2 lines of hot glue along the inside edges of Petal B1. Secure it to the Tulip. Repeat for Petal B2 and Petal B3.
Step 13: Start wrapping green floral tape at the base of the tulip around all the wires from the petals and the stem.
Step 14: Wrap halfway down the stem. Wrap back up to the base of the tulip and then back down to the halfway point. Cut the floral tape and secure the end.
Step 15: Take a leaf and place a dab of hot glue in the base of the leaf. Place the leaf onto the stem so that the base of the leaf wraps around the stem at the halfway point.
Step 16: Start wrapping the floral tape around the base of the leaf so that almost the width of the floral tape is covering the base of the leaf.
Step 17: Wrap around the stem moving slowly down the stem until about 1-1.5” of stem has been wrapped. Cut the tape and secure the end.
Step 18: Repeat Step 15 to secure the 2nd leaf to the stem so that it is on the opposite side of the stem as the first leaf.
Step 19: Start wrapping the floral tape around the base of the 2nd leaf so that almost the width of the floral tape is covering the base of the leaf.
Step 20: Wrap around the stem moving slowly down the stem so that the stem width gradually decreases to just the existing stem width. Then wrap to the end of the stem.
Step 21: Wrap back up the stem until the point where the stem widens where the 2nd leaf is attached. Wrap back down to the end of the stem. Cut the floral tape and secure the end.
Your tulips are now complete, continue making them until you have a bunch of closed and open tulips.