Kali Flower

Kali Flower by Joyce Yu

What is Being Made

The Kali Flower is a crocheted decorative flower motif designed by Joyce Yu. This project creates a layered floral design with a center flower and outer flower petals, available in two size options: 5 petals or 6 petals. The finished size is flexible and depends on the hook size and yarn weight selected by the crocheter, making it adaptable for various applications such as appliqués, garment embellishments, or standalone decorative pieces.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level crochet project employs several fundamental and intermediate crochet techniques. The pattern begins with a magic loop foundation, a popular method for starting circular motifs. The design utilizes layering as a key technique, with the outer flower petals folded over the center flower as the work progresses around the motif. The pattern incorporates stitch variation within individual petals to create texture and dimension, building from simpler stitches at the petal edges to taller stitches at the petal centers. Color work is achieved through color changes between the main color center flower and contrast color outer petals.

Stitches Used

The Kali Flower pattern uses a range of crochet stitches to build structure and visual interest:

• Chain (ch) – Used for foundation and spacing between stitches
• Single crochet (sc) – The shortest stitch, used for the foundation round and petal edges
• Half double crochet (hdc) – A medium-height stitch used to transition within petals
• Double crochet (dc) – A taller stitch used in the petal construction
• Triple crochet (tr) – A very tall stitch used at the peak of each petal for maximum height and dimension
• Double triple crochet (dtr) – An extra-tall stitch included in the pattern abbreviations for potential use
• Slip stitch (sl st) – Used to join rounds and create seamless transitions

Materials and Tools

The Kali Flower pattern is designed with flexibility in mind regarding yarn and hook selection. The recommended yarn weight is sport weight, though the pattern notes that any hook size and yarn weight can be used to achieve the desired finished size. The pattern calls for a Size F hook (3.75mm) as a starting point, but encourages crafters to substitute any hook they have on hand. A small amount of yarn is required – just a few yards of main color (MC) and contrast color (CC) yarn, which can be the same or different yarn types as desired. Additional materials include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and finishing. Notably, gauge is not important for this project, making it an accessible pattern for crafters of varying experience levels who may not have perfected their tension.