Aren’t these flower crochet motifs so aesthetically pleasing? It is a crochet African flower. Come, let me show you what they are and how to crochet them. Do read on to find out why they’re called African Flower granny, and get the free crochet pattern below.
This African flower crochet pattern is suitable for beginner-level crocheters, and it takes less than 15 minutes to complete one flower motif. It is a very versatile design as it can be used on its own as a decorative piece, or you may connect multiple African flower squares to create something bigger such as a blanket, grocery bag, hot water bottle cover, throw for your sofa… it can be anything you want it to be. I referenced a fellow crocheter, Mia’s original pattern from Pinterest in this free pattern and would like to thank her for allowing me to share it with all of you guys here on Craft Passion!
WHY IS IT CALLED CROCHET AFRICAN FLOWER?
Good question! This is my first time learning what this crochet block is called. Hence, I went to search with Google in hopes of finding an answer to this. Just like Granny Square, instead of a square shape, this crochet block pattern produces a hexagon motif. However, I still wondered why it is called African flower granny instead of something related to its shape, for example, Hexes, Hexagon Flower, etc.
Evidently, according to some findings online, there is a theory that states that a woman saw this pattern in a community in South Africa, hence, she gave the pattern the name ‘African flower’. On the other hand, some sources claimed to have seen it in the ’70s and called it the Paperweight Granny, much earlier than the South African version.
Regardless of the origin of the name, just crochet your project with these beautiful crochet hexagons and call it African Flower Granny or crochet African Flower. I, too, am putting this on my to-do list.
AFRICAN FLOWER CROCHET PATTERN
scroll ⬇️ to get the detailed pattern in US terms
MATERIALS FOR AFRICAN FLOWER CROCHET PATTERN
In this African flower hexagon crochet tutorial, you may crochet this multicolored flower in your colors of choice. The flower center and petal shape were made with alternated colors and, usually, with a white layer for the corner space around this crochet hexagon motif.
Additionally, you will need a crochet hook that corresponds to your yarn weight. For more information on yarn weights and hook sizes, click here. This free crochet pattern was completed with a 3 mm hook with a baby or sport-weight yarn.
HOW TO CROCHET AFRICAN FLOWER
Before we start going into the written pattern, I would like to point out that this free crochet pattern is written in US crochet terms. With this in mind, some knowledge of basic crochet stitches will be useful for the following project. Here are the crochet terms and their abbreviations to note: slip knot (sl knot), slip stitch (sl st), chain stitch (ch), single crochet stitch (sc), and double crochet stitch (dc).
Do check out my basics to crochet for a quick refresher on the various stitches mentioned above which includes information on the crochet supplies and easy patterns too.
Now that you are equipped with the knowledge required, let’s make a couple of your own African flowers with different color combinations for your next crochet project. Once you have made enough crochet flower blocks, join them up into a bigger project. We have compiled a few ways how to join these crochet motifs together.
What Can You Crochet With African Flower?
Some popular crochet projects to make are table runners, blankets, shawls or scarves, stuffed toys, and even an African flower soccer ball or pincushion. As for me, I have made a crochet purse out of my flower blocks and have written the pattern in 2 parts – part 1 and part 2. Conversely, a single hexagon may also act as a cute coaster for your beverages.
Need more inspiration on what to make with these African Motifs? Click here.
Happy Crocheting!
What’s Next?
If you find this pattern great and want to save it on your to-do list, you can:
- Pin it on Pinterest
- Share it on Facebook and/or Instagram. If you make this, please tag @craftpassion to show us your work.
Leave a comment if you have any questions or just to say “Hello”. We love to hear from you.
Find out more free crochet patterns to add to your to-do list.
African Flower Crochet Pattern
Thanks to Mia, who shared her African Flower Granny crochet on Pinterest – one of my favorite stop-overs when I needed inspiration. I love the colors Mia used, they are as sweet as a pretty girl! Glad that Mia allowed me to share her photos and pattern here at Craft Passion.
Dimension:
Each flower has a diameter of 7cm [2 3/4 inches] (excluding the white border) if using the yarn stated below.
Materials
- Yarn, acrylic baby yarn, various colors. (Mia used Tilda, Svarta Faret brand.)
Tools
- Crochet hook, 3mm
Instructions
Abbreviations:
sl knot = slip knot
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch (to fasten)
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
fo = fasten off
Rnd = round
African Flower Crochet Pattern
- Base Round – sl knot, ch 6, sl st into the first ch to make a ring.
- Rnd 1 – ch 3, 1 dc, ch1, *2 dc, ch1, * repeat until you have six spaces and six 2dc. sl st to the 3rd chain of the beginning round. fo
- Rnd 2 – Change color: Start in a space. ch 5, 2 dc in same space, *ch1, 2 dc, ch2, 2 dc in next space – repeat * 5 times, 1 dc and sl st into the 3rd ch of the beginning round.
- Rnd 3 – ch3, dc6 in the 2-ch space, ch1, * dc7 in next 2-ch space, ch1, repeat * 5 times. sl st the 3rd ch of the beginning round. fo.
- Rnd 4 – New color: ch1, sc around and make a long stitch down in round 2 between each flower petal. End with sl st. fo.
- Rnd 5 – White: ch3, 3 dc, ch1, *dc 1 in the same st as last dc, dc 3, ch1 (skip long stitch of the previous round), 4 dc, ch1, repeat 5 times, dc 1 in the same st as last dc, dc 3 ch1, sl st to the 3rd ch from the beginning round. [Note: ch1 in bold should be at the center of the flower petal, this is the corner of the hexagon]
- To join to the adjacent African Flower hexagon block, insert the hook to the matching ch stitch of another hexagon and do an sl st instead of ch.
Notes
Get the full articles at https://www.craftpassion.com/crochet-african-flower-paperweight-granny/
Krithana
Monday 19th of May 2025
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the free printable patterns!
Doris Winebrenner
Sunday 24th of March 2019
I just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU for the AFRICAN FLOWER GRANNY PATTERN ! I really Appreciate getting these Patterns . Please KEEP-UP the Beautiful work !!!!!!! Again THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Craft Passion
Monday 25th of March 2019
Thank you Doris, we really should thank Mia for her lovely guest post about this pattern. I love it too!
ELLEN DEE OLSON
Tuesday 26th of April 2016
I LOVE THE PATTERN BUT YOU DID NOT INCLUDE THE HALF HEXAGON FOR FINISHING THE AFGAN.
Jacquie
Tuesday 28th of July 2015
Hi, what is a long stitch x
Craft Passion
Tuesday 28th of July 2015
Hi Jacquie, long stitch is a long sc stitch that sometimes is referred to as spike stitch. It is like normal single crochet but work 1 row below the normal row you are working on. Hence, in the pattern, the crochet hook of the long stitch on 4th round is going to insert into the stitch of round 2. Hope this explanation helps you to understand. If you still have doubt, you can always search youtube for video on how to make this stitch.
cristina
Tuesday 26th of May 2015
Hi! Thank you for sharing the pattern! I have used it for a baby blanket. You can see it here: http://antiplictis.blogspot.ro/2015/05/paturica-din-flori-africane-crosetate.html
Kelly
Wednesday 19th of September 2018
How did you make the border for the baby blanket?
Craft Passion
Wednesday 27th of May 2015
It is nice and colorful!!! Thanks for showing, Cristina!