Flower Pushpin Pattern #992

Materials: J. & P. Coats Knit-Cro-Sheen, 1 ball each of Blossom Pink, Forest Green and Dk. Yellow.
This amount is sufficient for 2 Flower Pushpins.
Milward's steel crochet hook No. 7.
2 curtain push pins.

Base of Flower. With Forest Green, ch 6, join with sl st to form ring. 1st rnd: 6 s c in ring. 2nd rnd: 2 s c in each s c. 3rd rnd: * S c in each of next 2 s c, 2 s c in next s c (an increase.) Repeat from * around. 4th and subsequent rnds: S c in each s c, making necessary increases in each rnd in order to have work lie flat. Continue in this manner until piece measures 2½ inches in diameter. Break off.

Small Petals. With Blossom Pink ch 6, d c in 1st st of chain, ch 3, turn. 1st row: 5 d c in ring, ch 4, turn. 2nd row: Tr in each d c, tr in turning chain. Ch 3, turn. 3rd row: D c in 1st st, tr in same st, 2 tr in next tr, 2 d tr in each of next 3 sts, 2 tr in next st, 1 tr and 1 d c in turning ch, ch 3, sl st in same place. Break off. Make 5 more petals same as this.

Medium Petals. Ch 6, d c in 1st st of chain, ch 3, turn. 1st row: 8 d c in ring, ch 4, turn. 2nd row: Tr in each d c, tr in turning ch. Ch 3, turn. 3rd row: 1 d c and 1 tr in 1st st, 2 d tr in each of next 8 sts, tr in turning ch, ch 3, sl st in same place. Break off. Make 7 more petals same as this.

Large Petals. Ch 6, d c in 1st st of ch, ch 3, turn. 1st row: 10 d c in ring, ch 4, turn. 2nd row: Tr in each d c, tr in turning ch. Ch 3, turn. 3rd row: 1 d c and 1 tr in 1st st, 1 tr and 1 d tr in next st, 2 tr tr in each of next 8 sts, 1 d tr and 1 tr in next st, 1 tr and 1 d c in turning ch, ch 3, sl st in same place. Make 9 more petals same as this. Stiffen and shape petals as follows: Dip petals into a solution of 1 part sugar and 2 parts water. Cup petals naturally and allow to dry.

Leaves. With Forest Green ch 20, skip 1 ch, s c in next st, half d c in next ch, d c in next ch, tr in each of next 13 ch, d c in next ch, half d c in next ch, 3 s c in last ch, half d c in 1st st on other side of chain, d c in next st, tr in each of next 13 sts, d c in next st, half d c in next ch, sl st in 1st ch. Break off. Make 7 more leaves like this. Then make 4 more, using Blossom Pink (to be used later as buds).

Stems. With Forest Green make a chain 10 inches long, turn. S c in 2nd ch from hook, s c in each ch, 3 s c in last ch, s c in each st on other side of chain. Break off. Make another same as this.

Buds. Make buds by sewing 2 Blossom Pink leaves together, leaving an opening at one end. Stuff bud firmly with same thread and sew opening together. Sew 1 bud and 1 green leaf securely to one end of each stem. Then sew 1 leaf on one stem, 2 inches away from bud, and 2 leaves on other stem, 3 inches away from bud. Fasten stems to base of flower, keeping center area free, as push pin passes through center.

Sew remaining leaves by one end to edge of base. Sew 1st row of large petals all around outer edge of flower base. Sew medium petals just within large petals and small petals within medium petals. Arrange petals naturally and keep center area free.

Flower Centers. With Dk. Yellow, work as for base of flower until piece measures same as head of push pin. Work 2 rnds without increasing. Slip push pin into this piece and continue as before, but decreasing as necessary, until head is completely covered. Push point of pin through center of base and arrange petals around it.