Sigh.  The Crochet African Flower just might be my favorite afghan motifs.  I’m not sure why I love her so.  Maybe it’s that bit of femininity amidst the lines of the hexagon.

There’s so much to love about the crochet african flower.  I love how simple stitches are put together in a way that forms something beautiful.  The only fancy thing going on is a long single crochet.  And if you haven’t done this, it is so easy.  Simply work a regular single crochet, but instead of inserting your hook into the next stitch, you insert your hook into a spot in a previous row (as indicated).

Today we’re going to learn 2 amazing bits of goodness with this versatile crochet african flower beauty: The traditional crochet african flower hexagon and a petal variation and an easy change for a crochet african flower motif!

Crochet African Flower

Here is what you will need:

• US H8/5.00 mm (here are my favorite crochet hooks)
• Worsted Weight Yarn, I used scraps including some of the leftovers from the Sedge Stitch Baby Blanket
• Tapestry needle and scissors

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart.  Find links to stitches on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Started will show basic stitches used in many patterns and Crochet Stitch Dictionary shows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.

The Crochet African Flower Hexagon is approximately 6″ across from one point to the other .

The Hexagon uses 4 colors.

Using color 1, Ch 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring

R1:  Work all stitches in this round in the ring.  Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc),dc, ch 1 *2dc ch1*, repeat from * to * 4 more times.  Sl st to top of starting ch 3.  (At end of the round there are 6 groups of 2 dc each).  Fasten off Color 1.

R2:  Join color 2 in ch-1 space from previous round.  Working in same space as joining, ch3 (counts as 1st dc), dc, ch 2, 2dc, ch 1.  *In next space work (2dc, ch 2, 2dc, ch 1).  Repeat from * 4 more times.  Join with sl stitch to top of starting ch 3.

R3:  Sl stitch to 1st space.  Ch3, work 6dc in same space, ch 1.  *in next space work (dc 7, ch 1).  Repeat from * 4 more times. Join with sl stitch to top of starting ch 3. Fasten off color 2.

Round 4 is worked in single crochet with a long single crochet in between each petal as follows:

R4:  With color 3 and starting on the side of any petal, work sc around.  Work a long sc in between each petal, by inserting hook into the middle of the dc sets from round 2 and pulling up a loose loop.  Then yarn over and pull through both loops to complete the long single crochet.  Continue working sc in every petal stitch and a long sc in between each petal.  sc to top of starting sc.  Fasten off color 3.

R5:  Attach color 4 to a single crochet above the start of a dc petal from round 3.  Ch 3 (1st dc), dc in next 2 st, in next stitch work (dc, ch 2, dc) (1st corner of hexagon worked), *dc in next 7 st, (dc, ch 2, dc) in next st (corner worked).  Repeat from * around, ending with a dc in final 4 st after 6th corner worked.  Fasten off color 4.

Weave in ends.

How About A Crochet Hexagon Flower Motif?

Friends, I’ve got you covered!  Remember the Happy Flower Project 2019?  You can read all about it here!  You might remember I shared a fun photo with 4 flowers:

We’ve already learned the Loopy Flower (bottom left) and the Black Eyed Susan (top right).  Take a look at that cutie pie in the top left corner! Yup, you guessed it!

This is simply the African Flower Hexagon worked without the last row!  This darling motif measures 4-1/4″ across and uses 3 colors instead of 4. Simply stop after round 4 and voila!  An adorable flower perfect for the Happy Flower Project 2019!

A Simple Variation Makes A Big WOW!

Did you notice the teeny tiny variation in the motif that makes the petals pop?  I worked the long single crochet in row 4 differently in this flower.  Instead of working the long single crochet into the into the middle of the dc sets from round 2, I worked in between the stitches in row 1.  Just go right between the petals in between the 2 dc stitches.

Which way do you prefer to work the long single crochet for your next Crochet African Flower?  Tell me in the comments.  I’d love to hear from you!

I love seeing your finished projects!  If you enjoyed making the Crochet African Flower,  I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @crochet365knittoo.  If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Crochet 365 Knit Too Facebook page or pop over to the Crochet365KnitToo Club and share a photo!  I’d love to see your work!