Crochet for beginners: learn the petal stitch step by step. A 11+3 chain multiple, cluster petals and color changes that make little flowers.
Petal stitch looks like a row of tiny flowers, and it’s easier than it appears. If you’ve done single crochet, chains and a basic double crochet, you already have the skills for it. This is crochet for beginners with a little extra challenge, and a good swatch to practice on. [One real line: why you picked this stitch, or what you’d make with it.]
The pattern takes 7 rows to complete one flower band, so it’s longer than most. Take it one row at a time, and don’t worry if the first petals look uneven.
What you’ll need
- Yarn: Red Heart Soft Baby Steps (#4 acrylic). Any soft worsted works.
- Hook: US H-8 / 5 mm. Tiffany’s pattern suggests an I hook, but she dropped one size because her stitches felt loose. Make a swatch first and pick the size that works for you.
- Colors: white plus two or more colors of your choice. She used white and dark pink.
- Yarn needle for the ends
Size
Chain a multiple of 11, plus 3. The sample uses 36 chains (11 x 3 + 3).
Abbreviations (US)
ch = chain, sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet, sp = space
Cluster (cl): Yarn over, insert your hook in the stitch or space, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Repeat once more in the same place, so you have 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 3.
Row 1: the base row
Sc in the 2nd chain from the hook. Ch 1, skip 1 chain, sc in the next chain.
Now the main repeat: ch 3, skip 3 chains, sc in the next chain. Ch 3, skip 3 chains, sc in the next chain. Ch 2, skip 2 chains, sc in the next chain. Do this twice on the 36-chain sample.
To finish, you’ll have 10 chains left. Ch 3, skip 3, sc in the next chain. Ch 3, skip 3, sc in the next chain. Ch 1, skip 1 chain, sc in the last chain.
So the rhythm is 3, 3, 2 across the row, with a single chain at each end. You’ll have 11 sc.
Row 2: the first petals
Ch 3 and turn. In the first ch-1 space, work a cluster, ch 2, cluster. That’s your corner.
Ch 1, skip the next sc and the ch-3 space, and sc in the following sc. Ch 1. Skip the ch-3 space and the next sc, and go to the next ch-2 space.
Here you make the top half of a petal: cluster, ch 2, cluster, ch 2, cluster, ch 2, cluster. That’s 4 clusters with ch 2 between each.
Ch 1, skip the next sc and the ch-3 space, sc in the next sc, ch 1. Skip the ch-3 space and the next sc. Work another 4 clusters (ch 2 between) in the next ch-2 space.
Ch 1, skip the ch-3 space and the sc, sc in the next sc, ch 1, then skip the ch-3 space and the sc. In the last ch-1 space, work cluster, ch 2, cluster. In the very last stitch, dc, pulling through with your new color to finish the stitch.
Row 3: the bottom of the petals
Ch 1 and turn. Sc in the top of the dc.
Ch 3. Work a cluster in the top of each of the next 2 clusters (the corner pair). Work into the tops of the clusters, with no chain between them.
Ch 3, sc in the next ch-1 space, putting your hook under the chain. Ch 3. Then work one cluster in the top of each of the next 4 clusters. For the bottom half of a petal there are no chains between the clusters, and only the top half has ch-2 spaces.
Ch 3, sc in the next ch-1 space, ch 3, then one cluster in each of the next 4 clusters. Ch 3, sc in the next ch-1 space, ch 3. Work a cluster in each of the last 2 clusters. End with a sc in the top of the turning chain.
It’s a relaxing row, and the shape starts to show here.
Row 4: chain spaces
Ch 1 and turn. Sc in the first sc. Ch 3, sc in the first cluster. Ch 2, skip 2, sc in the next. Ch 3, skip 3, sc in the next. Continue across with ch-3 spaces over the petals and ch-2 spaces over the cluster pairs, and finish with ch 3 and a sc in the last stitch.
Check this row against the video (about 12:46-15:44). It’s the hardest part of the transcript to follow.
Row 5: the flower tops
Ch 1 and turn. Sc in the first sc. Ch 1, skip the ch-3 space, and work 4 clusters (ch 2 between each) in the next ch-2 space. Ch 1, sc in the next sc, ch 1. Repeat for each petal across, working right around the two chains in the center of the flower. End with ch 1, skip the ch-3 space and sc in the last stitch.
At the end of this row, change to your next color. Tiffany’s sample goes to dark pink here.
Check against the video (about 15:44-19:14).
Row 6: the bottom petals again
Ch 3 and turn. Work a cluster in the top of each of the next 2 clusters, with no chain between them.
Ch 3, sc in the next ch-1 space. Ch 3. Then work one cluster in each of the next 4 clusters. Ch 3, sc, ch 3, then 4 more clusters. Ch 3, sc, ch 3, and finish with a cluster in each of the last 2 clusters. In the last sc, work 1 dc.
Row 7: closing the row
Ch 1 and turn. Dc in the first dc. Ch 1, skip the first cluster, and sc in the next cluster. Ch 3, skip the next three chains, and sc in the next cluster. Work across this way, with ch-3 and ch-2 spaces matching your starting row. Near the end, ch 3, sc in the next cluster, ch 1, skip the cluster and sc in the last stitch.
Check against the video (about 21:44-23:39).
Repeating the pattern
That’s the whole pattern. To keep going, repeat from row 2. Tiffany worked the rest of her swatch off camera, ending on a row 4, so the blanket’s top matches its start.
Her border is a round of single crochet, then half double crochet in the bottom front loop. It’s in a separate video: [add link].
Tips for beginners
- Swatch first. If your stitches look loose, drop a hook size.
- Count your clusters. Every petal group has 4, and the corners have 2.
- Bottom petals have no chains between clusters. Top petals have ch 2 between them.
- No blocking needed, she says, with this yarn. Yours may differ.
- A stitch marker at the start of each row helps. [Add your own tip.]
FAQ
Is the petal stitch good crochet for beginners?
It’s a good next step once you can chain, sc and dc. The clusters are the new part.
How many chains do I start with?
A multiple of 11, plus 3. The sample uses 36.
What hook size should I use?
H-8 / 5 mm for worsted yarn, but swatch to check. Tiffany’s pattern suggests I-9 / 5.5 mm.
Does it need a border?
It looks better with one. Tiffany shows hers in a separate video.