Free pattern: Lacy Daisy Applique

  What are butterflies attracted to? Flowers! The Cotton Candy Butterfly applique needs accessories, and it just seemed right to create some flora for the fauna. Flowers are a pretty uncomplicated thing to crochet, but what I'm looking for is something simple, yet different.

  I was determined to design the "perfect" daisy to pair with the butterfly. Making up my mind became the most difficult process. I wanted something like a traditional daisy, but with more flair; maybe even a little elegance. I also couldn't decide on a size, and then thought it would be cute to mix various sizes or layer them together. Since I couldn't chose which I prefer, I just kept making more.

  First, I'll provide a simple base pattern for an average daisy; one that's probably been used by countless crocheters around the world for an untold number of decades. It produces a compact, traditional geometric daisy. I would have used this simple pattern for the project I've been working on, but it didn't suit my taste.

  Following the basic pattern is the new and improved Lacy Daisy and its variations. You can mix and match the centers for a different look, and there is an optional border available for each version. Plus, who says you have to make white and yellow daisies? Use those scraps to make any combination of your choice.

Skill Level:

Easy - intermediate

Materials:

Steel hook size 7 US (4 UK)

Size 10 crochet thread

Needle to weave in ends

Gauge:

1 row, 2 tr = 1/4" x 1/4" (1 cm x 1 cm)

Stitches and abbreviations:

Slip stitch  (Sl st)

Chain  (ch)
          - stitch (st)
          -space (sp)
Single crochet (sc)
Double crochet (dc)
Triple crochet (tr)


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Directions for Basic Daisy:

Basic daisy worked in single crochet.

Round 1:

With color A, ch 2 (c/a 1 sc), 10 sc in farthest ch from hook. Insert hook in same st, pull up a loop. Yarn over with color B, pull through 2 remaining loops on hook. Cut color A.

Round 2:

With color B, *Sl st in next st, ch 2, 1 dc in same st.* Repeat from * to * 5 more times. Bind off, weave in ends.

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Directions for Lacy Daisy:

*Note: If using the lacy center, be sure to use Round 2 for lacy center. All other versions will use Round 2 for other centers. For your favorite version, simply follow directions for when to continue for a border or to bind off.

Round 1 - Double crochet center:

With color A, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 11 sc in farthest ch from hook. Insert hook into beg ch-4, pull color B through with a sl st.

Version 4 with double crochet center

Round 1 - Triple crochet center:

With color A, ch 4 (counts as 1 tr), 11 sc in farthest ch from hook. Insert hook into beg ch-4, pull color B through with a sl st.

Version 4 with triple crochet center

Round 1 - Lacy triple crochet center:

With color A, ch 4 (counts as 1 tr), ch 2, {1 tr, ch 2} 5 times in farthest ch from hook. Insert hook into beg ch-4, pull color B through with a sl st.

Version 4 with lacy triple crochet center and border

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Round 2 for Lacy triple crochet center:
With color B, *(Ch 3, 2 tr, ch 3, sl st) in same st, sl st in ch-2 sp.* Repeat from * to *  5 more times.  Continue for other versions. For version 1: Continue to border 1.1, or bind off, weave in ends.

Round 2 for other centers:

With color B, *(Ch 3, 2 tr, ch 3, sl st) in sa
me st, sl st into next st.* Repeat from * to * 5 more times.  Continue for other versions. For version 1: Continue to border 1.1, or bind off, weave in ends.

Top row, left to right: Version 1 with triple crochet center and border; version 2 with double crochet center, no border. Compare sizes with basic daisy; bottom.

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Round 3:

*Ch 5, (1 tr, ch 2, 1 tr) in sp between tr posts. Ch 5, sl st in next 2 sl sts.* Repeat from * to * 5 more times. Continue for other versions. For version 2: Continue to border 2.1, or bind off, weave in ends.

Version 2 - Both with borders. Left: Triple crochet center. Right: Lacy triple crochet center.

Round 4:
*Ch 7, (1 tr, ch 3, 1 tr) in ch-2 sp. Ch 7, sl st in ch-5 st, sk 1 sl st, sl st in next sl st.* Repeat from * to * 5 more times. Continue for other versions. For version 3: Continue to border 3.1, or bind off, weave in ends.

Version 3 with border and triple crochet center.

Round 5:
*Ch 9, (1 tr, ch 4, 1 tr) in ch-3 sp. Ch 9, sl st in ch-7 st, sl st in next 2 sl sts.* Repeat from * to * 5 more times. Continue to border 4.1, or bind off, weave in ends.

All examples of version 4. Top left example is worked with double crochet center, no border. This will be the same size as version 3 worked with triple crochet center and border (see previous photo).

Border 1.1:
*Ch 1, 3 sc in ch-3 sp, 3 sc in sp between tr posts, 3 sc in following ch-3 sp. Ch 1, sl st in each of next 2 sl sts.* Repeat from * to * 5 more times. Bind off, weave in ends.

Border 2.1:
*Ch 1, 5 sc in ch-5 sp, 5 sc in ch-2 sp, 5 sc in following ch-5 sp. Ch 1, sl st in ch-5 st. Sl st in each of next 2 sl sts.* Repeat from * to * 5 more times.

Border 3.1:
*Sl st in next ch, ch 1. 6 sc in ch-7 sp, 7 sc in ch-3 sp, 6 sc in following ch-7 sp. Ch 1, sl st in each of ch-6 and ch-7 sts. Sl st in each of next 2 sl sts.* Repeat from * to * 5 more times. Bind off, weave in ends.

Border 4.1:
*{Sl st into ch-9 sp, ch 1} 7 times. {Sl st into ch-4 sp, ch 1} 4 times. {Sl st into ch-9 sp, ch 1} 6 times. Sl st into ch-9 sp, sl st into ch-9 st. Sl st into next 3 sl sts.* Repeat from * to * 5 more times. Bind off, weave in ends.

Version 4.1 combined with version 2.1, both with lacy center.

Version 4 with version 1.1

  As you can see, there are quite a few combinations to be made. Hopefully, you'll have an easier time making a decision than I did. Happy crocheting!