Tropical Flower Crochet Buttons Free Pattern
Tropical Flower Crochet Buttons Free Pattern
Introduction
These little tropical flower buttons are the perfect quick win for any crocheter, including total beginners who have only just learned single crochet and double crochet. Each button is a flat forest green disc ringed with five rust petals, so you get a bright, summery pop of color in a piece that measures just one inch across. They work up in minutes from tiny scraps of fine cotton yarn, which makes them a wonderful stash-buster and a great way to use up leftover odds and ends. Sew them onto cardigans, bags, headbands, or baby clothes for a handmade detail that looks far more complicated than it really is.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Fine (2) weight cotton. Approximately 5 yards (4.5 m) forest green and 5 yards (4.5 m) rust per button.
- Hook: 3.25 mm (D/3) crochet hook.
- Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, small sharp sewing needle and matching thread for attaching buttons, and scissors.
- Finished size: 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter per button.
Abbreviations
- MR – magic ring: an adjustable loop you crochet into to start a round with no hole.
- sc – single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
- ch – chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
- inc – increase: work 2 single crochet into the same stitch.
- sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- st(s) – stitch(es).
- rnd(s) – round(s).
- [ ] – repeat the instructions inside the brackets the number of times stated.
Gauge
8 single crochet and 8 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm). To check it, crochet a small flat swatch in single crochet and measure a 1-inch section; if you have more stitches than 8, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your tension snug but not tight. A slightly firm fabric helps the button hold its flat shape and keeps the petals crisp.
- Work the center disc in joined rounds or a continuous spiral, whichever you find easier, but keep track of your stitch count so the disc stays flat.
- Leave a 6-inch tail of rust yarn when you join for the petals so you have plenty to weave in securely later.
- Make a small batch at once. The buttons are so quick that working five or six in one sitting keeps your gauge consistent across a set.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Center (Color A – Forest Green)
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, then work 6 sc into the ring (6 sts). Pull the ring closed.
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Fasten off Color A and weave in the ends. This flat green disc is the flower center.
Petals (Color B – Rust)
Rnd 4: Join Color B with a sl st to any st of Rnd 3. *Ch 3, work 3 dc into the same st, ch 3, sl st into the next st; repeat from * around for 5 petals total (5 petals).
Fasten off Color B and weave in all ends.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in every remaining end on the wrong side of the flower, tucking the tails under the green center so they are hidden. Gently flatten each button with your fingers, or lightly steam-block it by holding a warm iron just above the fabric without pressing down, so the petals lie flat and even. To attach the button to a garment, thread a sewing needle with matching thread and bring it up through the center hole of the flower, then through the fabric and back through the center hole a few times to anchor it securely. Finish with a small knot on the wrong side of the garment.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the rust petals for sunshine yellow, hot pink, or coral to build a whole tropical bouquet of buttons.
- Use a contrasting color for the center disc, such as cream or mustard, for a different look on the same flower shape.
- Work the petals in the same color as the center for a subtle tone-on-tone button, or add a tiny store-bought pearl or bead at the middle for extra sparkle.
