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Media Press Crochet: African Flower / Paperweight Granny
[Update April 13, 2012: I made a purse out of this motifs, tutorial is here.]
[Update August 11, 2011: Thanks to Mia again for providing more information to answer some questions at the comment section. Please find the information of the type of yarn, hook size and the resulting flower size at the pattern section.]
This is the first time I come across African Flower… well, accurately speaking, this is the first time I know that this crochet block is “African Flower”. Just like Granny Square, African Flower is a crochet block but in hexagonal shape, it can be joined next to each other to become a bigger piece and make into blanket, afghan, shawl, bag, table runner, cushion cover, soccer ball toy, coaster, pincushion, dress etc…. you name it!
Why does it call African Flower and not something related to it’s shape, for example Hexes, Hexagon Flower etc… According to some findings from the net, some said a lady saw this pattern from a South African community, so she gave it a name “Africa Flower”. There are some arguments around about the originality of the pattern since some saw it in the 70′s and it is called Paperweight Granny, much earlier than the version of the South African. Well….. leave that argument alone, be it African Flower or Paperweight Granny, crochet your project with these beautiful hexagons and call it Paperweight African Flower Granny 
I am putting this into my to-do list 
Get the step by step photo and written crochet pattern after this jump.
Thanks to Mia, who shared her African Flower crochet at Pinterest – one of my favorite stop-overs when I needed inspiration. I love the colors Mia used, as sweet as a pretty girl! Glad that Mia allowed me to share her photos and pattern here at Craft Passion. [Note: I modified Mia's original pattern to the way I used to write, but the workings are the same.]
{Get full details on next page.}
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Those are beautiful! Am jealous as I have no creative streak in me… you little one has got to be the happiest little girl ever after you finalize it all!
May be I will do something for myself for this one, don’t know yet, will play by ear and see what strike me when I start this project.
How sweet is this going to be…. what a lovely flower meadow! Thank you for sharing/showing this ! x
Thanks Mia to let me share it here too!
Such lovely colours … I adore.
Color is the first thing that caught my eyes too.
Gorgeous! I just found your blog through Craftgawker (via StumbleUpon) and I am loving it! I can tell I’m going to spend a lot of time here.
Hi Mommy en France, nice meeting you here, and welcome to Craft Passion. Hope you enjoy reading and making the craft you like!
Love the flowers are gorgeous. What size yarn did you use? I like the look of how you made them.
Paula, I have got the answer from Mia and updated in the pattern area. They are acrylic baby yarns.
50 % cotton 50 % acrylic. This yarn did not feel acrylic at all, if so I would not have used it. It is just soft and nice. It is called Tilda from svartafaret.se (swedish yarn) I also use 100 % cotton called Catania from coatsgmbh.de (danish).
I am so happy so many liked my “photo” of the african flowers. Actually it is not a real photo – I just put them in the copy mashine at home and scanned it.
Best luck to everyone!
Wow, I am surprised that the crochet steps photo is a “scanned” picture from a scanner. Perhaps next time I should try this for small motives. Thanks for the tips, Mia
Mia, how do you order this yarn? I do not see a way to order it on the web site, and I cannot find anything close to these colors here. Thanks!
Hi,
You said, “According to some findings from the net, some said a lady saw this pattern from a South African community, so she gave it a name “Africa Flower”. There are some arguments around about the originality of the pattern since some saw it in the 70′s and it is called Paperweight Granny, much earlier than the version of the South African.”
There is no arguement of the origin. Dorothy Neldhart’s crochet pattern, PAPERWEIGHT, was published 23 years before before the same pattern called AFRICAN FLOWER ( called that by Elizabeth) was printed in the South African paper, in 2009. Ms. Neldhart’s PAPERWEIGHT hexagon motif was originally published in New York, USA, in Woman’s Day Magazine, issue September 9, 1986. There are only two differences in the designs: The beginning round of PW is a chain 4, AF is a chain 5, and the last row of PW is a single crochet, the last row of AF is double crochet. It is the other rows that make the design, so those two are probably inconsequential as far as copyright violations. The design itself is the same.
Isn’t it wonderful to discover the history of these beautiful designs?
I made my first PAPERWEIGHT afghan several years before the pattern was printed in that South African magazine. I’m working on another one now. This one is made of wool. Both cover a double bed.
Ella
Ella, thanks for the history of the paperweight, this is a great trace back of this pattern, woohooo
You’re welcome. I forgot to include that Ms. Neldhart’s finished afghan was the cover for that issue.
Ella
Hi, I have the Woman’s Day magazine that the Paperweight pattern is in! My aunt gave it to me all those years ago and asked me if I’d like to make it. To this day, it isn’t finished!! I’ve made lots of the “blocks” but haven’t put them together. I definitely will have to get it finished right away and start one with the pastel colors, I just love them! Thanks for posting, it jogged my memory!!LOL
Hi Debbie, glad to bring you back on track again
Just found your website via oneprettything — I Will be back!!
Lovely! Found you on one pretty thing. And pinned this project Pinterest.
: )
what kind of yarn did you use? I just tried it, and mine… well, it looks like the yarn balling machine got sick and decided to throw out a huge knot instead of a ball of yarn. (lol)
sorry, but that’s what mine looks like
I think any plain dk or worsted yarn should do well for this pattern. Just have to use the hook size recommended on the label.
This is beautiful. Can you mail it to my e-mail adres please and do you have a pattern for caps for adults.
Blessings
Minnie
South Africa
thank you thank you thank you, love this design and searched loads of sites to find out how to make it. I am a novice and self tought with the help of a lovely lady on you tube! am absolutly hooked on crochet now and cant wait to make these flowers. Can I ask what type of yarn you have used for these and also the hook size? thank you again
Hi plp,
Mia didn’t tell me what type of yarn she is using, but I guest there were from cotton baby yarn with hook size of 3.5mm or as per label.
Mia replied my email and the detail is updated above.
Question…what type of yarn is used, and what size crochet hook?
Hi Lori,
This flowers were done by Mia and she didn’t tell me what exact yarn and hook size she used. But, my guest is cotton baby yarn with 3.5mm hook or as per recommended on the yarn label.
Lori, I just got the detail from Mia and they are updated in the post.
When I made my first afghan, I used acrylic– mostly Red Heart 4 ply knitting wprsted, and a G Hook. Now I’m working on one in wool.
Ella
Cool!!! Ella, can you tell us how big is each flower with 4 ply worsted and a G Hook?
I found this a couple weeks ago, and bookmarked it. I bet I’ve visited to eye these little beauties! So tonight I finally sat down and started it. The pattern is a little hard for me being a noob, but after a little fanangling I figured it out. But I’m seriously struggling with the outer border, your white part! I was wondering if there was another site where the pattern is stretched out a little more? I’m one of those that learns by detail, lol! I LOVE your afghan though! Its my inspiration!
Jasmine
Hi Jasmine, can you tell me more detail where do you have difficulties on the white part? The dc or the joining with the adjacent block?
Woohoo! Never mind! Figured it out! Took me a couple tries, and I’ve got 9 really wonky flowers on my desk, but I think I got it! I’m not starting in the right spot. When you are saying FO, you mean to fasten off the yarn and then work in a new color. I sure wasn’t reading that right! Now for a trip to the yarn store!
Jasmine
I am so happy to know that you have got it right!!!! Can’t wait to see your afghan soon!!!!
I really love the patterns that you have BUT I DO NOT WISH TO PRINT OUT EVERYONES COMMENTS. HOW ABOUT IT?!
I will have the printing setup in my new web design which is still in developing stage. At this moment, please use internet explorer to print out the selection you want.
Thanks so much for considering a way to fix this problem. I only complained cause paper and ink cost so much. Especially in B. C., since we pay way too much on taxes for everything. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness. Good luck solving the problem. Pam
You are most welcome, Pam, feel free to feedback for any improvement suggestion. Thank you.
I copy and paste the pattern into a document on my computer and printed it. No comments that way. I always do this with anything I want online. It’s my favorite way to control what I print.
Hi I found your lovely site via a crocheting forum and when I saw the African flower I fell in love with it. But sadly your pattern is wrong. There are so many faults with it I’ve now given up trying to put them right and another thing, it does not say how to make a long stitch down in the round 2 between each flower petal. Daisy
Hi Daisy, thanks for the feedback. I got this pattern from Mia, though I haven’t tried it out but the pattern looks alright and there is nothing wrong with it. Would love to know more in detail which part do you think that it is wrong and get you in trouble with.
Hope it won’t take too long, and I will make a tutorial for certain detail that Mia didn’t mention.
Long stitch is not so commonly used for certain skill level, but it is just a simple sc stitch that done on a row lower then previous row by pulling it longer than usual sc.
Will appreciate to hear the detail feedback from you.
Mean while, I have a plan to make a project out from these beautiful African flowers, still waiting for the yarns to reach me
NO worries I have found another website that has the same pattern but their one has the right instructions. I can’t find the original one you mention on the site you copied from. I searched her website and it don’t seem to be there.
Oh man thank you so much for that clarification on the “stitch”. It finally occured to me to read the comments, lol. Also, it looks like the flowers in the photos have 4 rounds but the pattern calls for 5 rounds. Love this pattern though, thanks for posting it
If you look carefully, it is 5 rounds altogether , the pattern is correct
My computer is not working properly.
I have not followed your directions, and do not have time now to do a comparison, but I think that the only differences between it and the original directions–the PAPERWEIGHT pattern from Womans Day Magazine Sept 1986 is the first row-PAPERWEIGHT uses 4 chains in the circle, and the last row, which in AF is a double crochet, I think, and in PAPERWEIGHT is a single crochet.
I will not post the original here due to possible copyright infringement, but can email it to an individual who wants it, if that person emails me at sparksella@hotmail.com. Put PAPERWEIGHT PATTERN in the subject line so it doesn’t get tossed.
Again, I am having problems with my computer, so if you don’t hear back right away, I will get to it asap. (If time gets too far along, send a reminder.)
I saw this on Pinterest and feel in love withnit. I just got back from buying the yarn for it and can’t wait to start. I hope I can do it but it looks like yourebthere to help. Do you think a h hook is to big?
I am not sure what yarn weight are you using, but h hook (5 mm) sounds big. Use the recommended hook size on the yarn label and test out if the tension is right, otherwise, reduce to 1 or 2 size smaller.
Hope this help.
What is a long stitch?
It is a sc stitch that done on a row lower then the one you are working on, pull the loop to the height of your current row.
I’m comparing your pattern to PAPERWEIGHT (Womans Day 1986) now. I’ve never done this, but I can see why some people are having problems: it appears that the directions as given are not what the picture of the design of the motif shows.
The picture shows a Paperweight motif, with changes in the first and last rows.
As I said, I’ve never done this, but this is MY understanding in comparing the two:
differences
This is enough similar to the Paperweight pattern (the main elements of the design are the same (changes seem to be only in extra stitches) that this pattern is also possibly copyright infringement.) as is the pattern that I know as African flower. Maybe recognising that in your title takes care of that for you.
Your pattern, I think, makes a larger, looser motif than both of the others.
starting ring: Paperweight (PW) is chain 4, YOUR PATTERN (YP) uses a chain 6,
round 1 PW & YP appear the same
round 2 YP uses a chain 5, PW a chain 3
round 3 appears the same but since row 2 is bigger (chain 5) there may be problems.
round 4 Even though the directions for row 4 appear similar (YP has an extra chain stitch), it is written in a manner that is confusing to me, and may also be causing problems for other people.
round 5 for Paperweight the last row is a single crochet around. Round 5 Your Pattern is way different.
I need to say too, that I am not an expert at any of this. I just really like the Paperweight and am glad the directions are getting out.
You asked me what I used. I/m in USA. I used an H hook, and acrylic knitting worsted for my first one. I’m now using an H hook and wool. The wool is similar to knitting worsted, I think, but doesn’t seem as thick. It’s Elann’s Peruvian Highland Wool. My motifs: I did a dc row after the fourth row, and finished with a single crochet last row, so essentially, I have 6 rows, not 5. The distance across, corner to corner is just at 5″.
Ella
Merci merci merci pour le tutorial !!
Ella, merci pour l’histoire.
I know you took a guess about what kind of yarn Mia used but could you find out specifically which yarn she used and the colors. I am TOTALLY in love with the pattern and the color choices. In Seattle I will need a beautiful blanket to keep me warm and my spirits up this winter. Thanks
I have written to Mia and waiting for her reply. Hope she shares the details with us
Will update in the post when she replies me with the info.
Rita, Mia replies and I have updated the detail in the pattern section.
Thanks for keeping up with this.
Ella
The update says “Each flower has a diameter of 7mm (excluding the white border) if using the yarn stated below.”
I used google’s search and found that “7mm = a little more than 1/4 inch.”
Surely that’s an error! LOL!
Ella
Oh… Ella, it is a typo, should be 7cm which is 2 3/4″
I corrected and updated in the post, thanks for informing 
These are so pretty! I am going to crochet some tiny ones for the little table top Christmas tree I bought for my mom. She is 85 and not getting around so good now so I got her a battery operated tree with a timer. Now she won’t have to bend down to unplug a tree or worry about leaving it on. I started making white ornaments but now I am in love with these colors. LOL We may both get all new trees.
hello, came here from pinterest. i love your clear step by step tutorial, since i am very much a beginner at crochet. i do love the yarns mia used. any idea where to order the tilda yarn from? thanks so much.
I am not sure so I did a search to see if anyone sell these yarns online, but sorry to say that I was unable to find it.
ok
How many flowers can be connected to make a good sized afghan? Thank you!
Depends on what size you want your afghan be, for adult or for baby. The flower (with border) is about 3″, so, you will need to do some math around to get the estimated numbers of flower for your afghan.
Hope this helps.
hai
sister
its very super , i am new to crochet , if you have any books or tutotials pls send to me.
all project is very good to see
i am learn crochet by this website
Hi..! I love this, and i’m trying to make a kind of wrap or poncho for my kid with this lovely flowers, i’ll let you know when get finish
I can imagine the colorful wrap around your kids, lovely! Hope that we will have a chance to see it when you have completed the poncho
Samantha said, ” i’m trying to make a kind of wrap or poncho for my kid with this lovely flowers”
I made a wrap of granny squares by making a rectangle and a square 1/2 that length. ie, the rectangle for that one was about 12 squares long and 6 wide (they were large squares). The square piece was 6 squares by 6 squares. I joined them to form an “L”. Thiw wrap was for an adult in a cold area. It wasn’t used much as a wrap, and was added to to become an afghan!
I really like your idea of using the Paperweight Pattern for a wrap, even in a lighter yarn.
Ella
hi…i have a question regarding joining the motifs…do we join as we go? i mean is the final round in white to be done after all the other motifs are made? or is the white round a part of the motif, and then we join them together by slip stitching? thanks in advance
The joining can be done in both methods, depending on your preference.
Hi,
I have searched and searched for a place to order this yarn online, but find nothing. Do you know of a similar brand that may have baby yarn in Bright colors? Its easy to find pastels, but I want bright! thanks!
Hi! I’m new here and love your website. You’re amazing & very talented & gifted. I just wanted to say that I finally am able to make flowers crochet. I’ve been trying to learn this crochet method/technique for a while and thanks to you, I finally did it. I’m going to make me a blanket with this pattern. Thank you again.
Maria
i just love this afhan and it is so easy you explained it very well.if you ever come across a crochet pattern for beaded star doilys would love to find the pattern lost all mine over the years
Hi, i really loved these flowers, very pretty. i have been doing crochet for years, but i only know how to crochet with symbols, realy having hard time to make it by reading.
is there anyway i can get the symbole pattern for these flowers?
thanks
I am thinking of making a diagram chart for it. Trying out a new crochet pattern software now. Please wait while I have it done
good news by just looking at the flowers pic i was able to make it, it is easy and it came out beautiful. however software pattern is a great idea. thank you, Tania
Thank you so much for the tutorial!
this is a link to my first attempt with the motif
http://cupcakesandcustard.blogspot.com/2012/02/and-now-for-something-completely.html
Lesley x
Well done, Lesley
Love the baby blanket you made with these African Flower motifs.
Try LionBrandYarn.com. Cupcake® Yarn and Microspun Yarn have some bright colors.
I just clicked on the “Tilda” in the Material and Tool section of the pattern instructions and it took me straight to the website http://www.svartafaret.se/garn/tilda/farger. The selection of colors are beautiful
English is my only language. I couldn’t understand the language to order the yarn. Would anybody be willing to help me place an order? Thanks.
If you allow, I can forward your email to Mia, who contributed these photos and pattern to me, I think she might be able to help you to buy them too.
Ok that would be fine. Thank you.
Round 3 must be wrong…I couldn´t make it right with the ch1 in bold Rnd 5…it was never really centered but then I looked closely at the pictures and counted 8 dc in round 3 instead of 7 as you have written.
BUT every where I look at the internet I see 7dc in the description…I don´t understand…
Anyway, if I use 8dc everything turns out just as it should…so I make 8
Thanxs for the pattern
I am still learning crochet and am confused on the joining of the flowers. Please help. Do I finish all the Rounds then go back and slip stitch between the stiches? Am I suppose to stop part way on the last round and join it a different way?
Hi Mia,
You can do it both ways as long as they join up nicely
I wish I can get the yarn. I’d love to try it out
Love the colors and the pattern. Good job everyone !
Thanks so much for sharing this pattern! It is beautiful. I got here after googling “african flower” after seeing MIA’s on Pinterest…
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hello,
am in LOVE with this flower pattern and am very happy to have found it. i am making a little baby blanket for my up and coming little girl. i was initially going to make it from little squares in different patterns but this is so amazingly adorable i have chosen this pattern instead. thank you from our family for posting a pattern that will make a loved keepsake for my little girl.
jen
This is sweet, jen, to make it into a baby blanket. I just finished a purse with this flower, will post it up for you all to see soon.
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