Flower Power Squares – Small Crochet Motif

With a retro, seventies vibe these motifs can be used to quickly whip up all kinds of fun and funky flower power projects.

Cute bags, cushion covers, blankets and more.

So many project and colour combo options.

Thoughtful and quick gift inspo galore – let your Flower Power imagination run wild!

A PDF version of this design will be available to purchase from Ravelry shortly.

To save this pattern to make later, add to your Ravelry queue (when listing created), and/or pin via image below:

This is an original pattern by Farrah Jane Tate. You are welcome to sell products you have made using my patterns; however, I ask that you refer to the exact name of my pattern somewhere in the text of your listing. You may not copy, re-publish, sell, distribute, translate without permission, or claim my photos or patterns as your own in any way. This pattern may not be used in a classroom/workshop setting without my permission. Please note: If you have downloaded this pattern from an unofficial site (other than Ravelry, Love Crafts, Etsy, or my personal blog), this will be an unauthorised version and may not be the most current version. Please visit one of these sites to download an official, version-controlled copy.

Yarn scraps no more!

I had a small amount of Source of Fibre Dirty DK left over from other projects.
I let my imagination take charge and busted out these sweet small flower power square motifs.

I was able to make 16 motifs, with a very small amount of orange left over, and slightly more maroon.
The cutest bag took shape, and I only JUST had enough to make handles.
I had to use two different colours for the handles as I had that little yarn left… but this worked out super cute since there is a different distribution of the flowers on both sides of the bag also.

The funniest thing about this bag is although it was definitely not planned it is the bag that gets the most compliments, everywhere I take it.

It is so very retro and fun, and matches perfectly with a lot of my retro, seventies vibe clothes, including a flower power dress.

Pattern Details

• Refer to Appendix A for Bag Example Project Details.
• Skill Level: Intermediate.
• Yarn: DK/8ply/Cat. 3 weight yarn or Worsted/10ply/Cat. 4 weight yarn. Acrylic, cotton, wool, or blends of these. Amount will vary with type of yarn and individual tension.
• Hook: Use yarn label instructions as a guide for selecting hook size. Swatch to determine the optimal hook size for your tension.
• Motif Size: Varies with weight, fiber and brand of chosen yarn.
• Gauge: Specific gauge not required.
• Notions: Scissors and darning needle.
• Stitch Terminology: US. Refer to Abbreviations and Special Stitch Instructions.
• Pattern Synopsis: Square motif made in five to six rounds (according to preference). Constructed as flower centre, then petals, then circle, then square. Bonus bag diagram included in this blog post. Ravelry PDF will include numerous other bag diagrams.
• Social Media Share: Tag me @TheCrochetFix #FlowerPowerSquare #FlowerPowerSquareBlanket #FlowerPowerSquareBag

Abbreviations

• ~ = Approximately.
• 3L/3LO = Third Loop/Third Loop Only.
• Beg = Beginning.
• BL/BLO = Back Loop/Back Loop Only.
• Btwn = Between.
• Ch = Chain.
• DC = Double Crochet.
• DC2Tog = Double Crochet Two Together. DC worked over two stitches from the previous round. Refer to Special Stitch Instructions.
• DCStndSt = Double Crochet Standing Stitch (optional). Refer to Special Stitch Instructions.
• DK = Double Knit yarn. Equivalent to an 8ply or light worsted weight yarn (slightly thicker than sport weight and slightly thinner than worsted weight).
• Fin = Finishing.
• FL/FLO = Front Loop/Front Loop Only.
• HDC = Half Double Crochet.
• HTR = Half Treble Crochet. Refer to Special Stitch Instructions.
• Invis Join = Invisible Join (optional). Refer to Special Stitch Instructions.
• JAYG = Join As You Go. Methods for joining motifs when making the last round of the motif that will be joined to another.
• MC = Magic Circle.
• Prev = Previous.
• Puff = Puff Stitch (optional – used for example bag handle only). Refer to Special Stitch Instructions.
• Rep = Repeat.
• Rnd(s) = Round(s).
• RS = Right Side.
• SC = Single Crochet.
• Sk = Skip.
• Sl St = Slip Stitch.
• Sp = Space.
• St(s) = Stitch(es).
• TR = Treble Crochet. Refer to Special Stitch Instructions.
• TRStndSt = Treble Crochet Standing Stitch (optional). Refer to Special Stitch Instructions.
• WS = Wrong Side.
• Yo = Yarn over (hook).

Special Stitch Instructions

DC2Tog

Note: This st is made over two sts from prev rnd and reduces the st count.

Yo, insert hook through first st, yo, pull through a loop (3 loops on hook). Yo, pull yarn through first two loops on hook (2 loops on hook). Yo, insert hook through next st, yo, pull through a loop (4 loops on hook). Yo, pull yarn through first two loops on hook (3 loops on hook). Yo, pull yarn through all three loops on hook.

DCStndSt (optional to commence rnd)

Note: This st can used instead of beg Ch 2 + first DC and counts as the first DC in the rnd. Alternatives are (Ch 1, SC, Ch 2) or any other chainless DC. Refer also to YouTube video.

Ch 1, SC in first st from prev rnd, Ch 1, SC in FLO of SC that was just made (i.e. stacking second SC on first SC).

HTR

Yo twice, insert hook through st, yo, pull through a loop (4 loops on hook). Yo, pull yarn through first two loops on hook (3 loops on hook). Yo,  pull yarn through all three loops on hook.

Invis Join (optional)

Note: This st can be used instead of Sl St to join last st in rnd to first st in rnd. Refer also to YouTube video.

Remove loop from hook, insert hook from back to front (through BL and then FL) of st that join is to be made in, return yarn loop to hook, pull yarn through st (from front to back). Gently pull yarn end to tighten join.

Puff

Note: The following instructions are for a modified Puff. If a fuller Puff is preferred, an additional rep from * can be made (for nine loops on hook).

Yo, insert hook through st, yo, pull through a loop (three loops on hook). *Yo, insert hook back through same st as before, pull through a loop (additional two loops on hook). Rep from * once more (seven loops on hook). Yo, pull yarn through six loops on hook (two loops on hook). Yo, pull yarn through both loops on hook.

TR

Yo twice, insert hook through st, yo, pull through a loop (4 loops on hook). Yo, pull yarn through first two loops on hook (3 loops on hook). Yo, pull yarn through first two loops on hook (2 loops on hook). Yo, pull yarn through both loops on hook.

TRStndSt (optional to commence rnd)

Note: This st can be used instead of beg Ch 5 and counts as the first TR in the rnd. Alternatives are (Ch 1, SC, Ch 3) or any other chainless TR. If the st needs to be taller make a Ch 1 before stacking the third SC on the second SC.

Ch 1, SC in first st, Ch 1, SC in FLO of SC that was just made (i.e. stacking second SC on first SC), SC in FLO of second SC (i.e. stacking third SC on second SC).

Pattern Instructions

Notes:

• Make all stitches within ( ) in the same stitch from the previous round.
• If preferred, Invis Join can be made in place of Sl St where next round will be made in a different colour.
• If preferred first Petal round can be worked in FL and BL, or BLO, instead of 3LO.
• A stitch count follows instructions for each round in ( ).
• Beg Ch 1/Ch 2, and fin Sl St/Invis Join do not count as a stitch.
• DCStndSt counts as a DC for stitch count purposes.
• Beg Ch 5/TRStndSt count as a TR for stitch count purposes.
• Change colours according to preference. When joining a new colour after the petals have been made, ensure join location is as per rnd note.
• Before making a flower power motif project, first decide whether the motifs will be joined together after all motifs have been completed, or during last rnd of motif construction via a JAYG method. Refer also to Joining Motifs.
• Refer also to example project construction diagrams for inspiration.
• For best appearance wet or steam block motifs prior to motif project assembly.

Small Square

Note: This post contains the instructions for the small square motif only. The medium and large square motif instructions will be posted separately. When the Ravelry PDF is available this will include the instructions for all three sizes in the pattern PDF.

Beg Circle

Leaving a beg yarn tail of sufficient length to sew in, make a circle with either MC, or Ch 4 and Sl St into first ch.

Rnd 1

Ch 2, 12 DC in circle, Sl St into first DC.

(12 DC)

Rnd 2

Ch 1, SC in first st, 5 DC in next st (Petal made), *SC in next st, 5 DC in next st (Petal made), rep from * around, Sl St into first SC.

(6 Petals (each with SC, 5 DC))

Rnd 3

Note: Refer also to YouTube video. Although video was made for the corresponding hexagons, this particular Petal rnd is the same. All SC sts will reuse the same Rnd 1 st that Rnd 2 SC was made in. The Rnd 3 SC should be made over the top of the corresponding Rnd 2 SC.

Ch 1, SC in first st from Rnd 1 (over the top of SC from Rnd 2), sk first DC of first Petal, (HDC, DC) in second DC st of first Petal, DC btwn st posts of second and third DCs of first Petal, DC in third DC of first Petal, DC btwn st posts of third and fourth DCs of first Petal, (DC, HDC) in fourth DC of first Petal, sk last DC of first Petal (Petal made), *SC in next st from Rnd 1 (over the top of SC from Rnd 2), sk first DC of next Petal, (HDC, DC) in second DC st of same Petal, DC btwn st posts of second and third DCs of same Petal, DC in third DC of same Petal, DC btwn st posts of third and fourth DCs of same Petal, (DC, HDC) in fourth DC of same Petal, sk last DC of same Petal (Petal made), rep from * around, Sl St into first SC.

(6 Petals (each with SC, 2 HDC, 5 DC))

Rnd 4

Note: Commence rnd in second st/first DC of any Petal from Rnd 3. A SC will be made in each of the three middle DC Petal sts around. 

Ch 1. Working all sts in 3LO only: HDC in first st, SC in next three sts (i.e. three middle Petal sts), HDC in next st, DC2Tog in next HDC st and HDC st that is two sts along (i.e. sk SC),*HDC in next st, SC in next three sts (i.e. three middle Petal sts), HDC in next st, DC2Tog in next st and HDC st that is two sts along (i.e. sk SC), rep from * around, Sl St into first HDC.

(18 SC, 12 HDC, 6 DC2Tog)

Rnd 5

Ch 5, TR in first st, (HTR, DC) in next st, HDC in next st, SC in next four sts, HDC in next st, (DC, HTR) in next st (first side made), *3 TR in next st, (HTR, DC) in next st, HDC in next st, SC in next four sts, HDC in next st, (DC, HTR) in next st (next side made), rep from * around, TR in first st (alongside beg Ch 5), Sl St into fifth Ch of beg Ch 5.

(12 TR, 8 HTR, 8 DC, 8 HDC, 16 SC (or 3 TR, 2 HTR, 2 DC, 2 HDC, 4 SC per side))

Rnd 6 (optional)

Ch 2, (DC, 2 HDC) in first st, HDC in next 12 sts (first side made), *(2 HDC, DC, 2 HDC) in next st, HDC in next 12 sts (next side made), rep from * around, 2 HDC in first st (alongside first DC), Sl St into first DC.

(4 DC, 64 HDC (or 1 DC, 16 HDC per side))

Finishing

Sew in yarn ends securely on WS of motif.

Joining Motifs

Motifs can be joined by either sewing or crocheting the motifs together. Motif joins can be made through both FL and BL, BLO, BL and 3L, or 3LO.

If crocheting motifs together, this can be done on either RS or WS, depending on the preferred join appearance, with options including simple Sl St or SC, or more complex Ch braid joins.

Another option for quick and efficient construction is JAYG in the last rnd.

Refer to YouTube video for several joining options using a crochet hook.

Project Ideas

Motifs can be sewn or crocheted together to form all sorts of pretty and functional items, including:

• Bags.
• Blankets, throws, and runners.
• Cushion covers.
• Shawls, wraps, cardigans, beanies, scarves, fingerless mitts and other wearables.

Bags

A sample of Square Bag Diagrams of various shapes and sizes will be provided in the PDF (when this is available).

An example diagram is provided for the pictured example project.

Notes:

• Yellow represents bag front and provides the bag shape; brown represents bag back.
• Fold the brown half of the bag to the back.

Bag 14 Example Diagram

Stitch front and back together at base and along long edges at sides of bag.

Pattern Support

Available via thecrochetfix Facebook community group.

Pattern Versioning

Appendix A:

Example Bag Project

For additional inspiration, refer to Ravelry projects once design is available on Ravelry.

Small Squares Bag Project

• Yarn: ~175g/6.25Oz (less than one ball of each colour) of Source of Fibre Dirty DK acrylic (8ply/DK/Cat. 3) in Llama (off white), Cotinga (maroon) and Rooster (orange) colours.
• Hook: 4mm/G/6.
• Motifs: 16 small squares. 8 with Cotinga centres and Rooster petals. 8 with Rooster centres and Cotinga petals. Rnds 4 and 5 in Llama. Rnd 6 omitted for this project. Different petal colour flower placement on front and back – see above images.
• PDF Bag Diagram: 14.
• Bag Size: ~27cm/10.5in width by ~20cm/8in height from bag base to opening.
• Motif join technique: Make motifs in their entirety before joining. Join motifs by SC together on WS through FL and BL together. Make a rnd of SC in top opening of bag in Cotinga in btwn st posts around, with (SC, Ch 1, SC) in square corners where handles are joined. Make a second rnd of SC in top opening of bag in Llama (in FL and BL of each st from prev rnd), and 2 SC in each square corner Ch 1 Sp from prev rnd.
• Handle: Twisted Puff design. Use Rooster for one handle and Cotinga for the other. Make each handle ~12.5cm/5in in length, or to preference. Ensure sufficient beg yarn tail length to later sew handle end to bag.Make handle as follows: Ch 3, Puff in third Ch from hook, turn, Ch 1, Puff in beg Ch 2 Sp. *Turn, Ch 1, Puff in Ch 1 Sp, rep from * until handle is sufficient length. Fasten off yarn leaving sufficient yarn tail to sew handle end to bag.Sew handle to opposite corners of top two squares on both sides of bag.