These last few days have been dark and gloomy, leaving behind a sense of sadness in the air. The grey skies only added more dreary days by generating more dark clouds.
Desperately, you try to find a colour that can revive those dark and puffy eyes. Then you pause briefly, and your eyes start flickering by a spot of pink. Then hidden beneath the dark-green leaves, there is a touch of pink. Dangling in the breeze is the vibrant Camellia, with its soft tones of pink petals hanging on its shiny leaves.
Its large leaves are usually glossy, but the leaves on our Camellia tree is covered with layers of black residue. I suspect the grime are fungal parasites. We have tried to destroy these nasty parasites with sprays, but the residues keep returning. Thankfully, this did not affect the tree to produce blooms – which still stand beautifully on its own.
Welcome to Week 4 ‘5 Easy Crochet Projects’. Have fun making this Camellia corsage.
You will need:
Cotton DK weight
I have used: Patons cotton DK
(Pink) A
(Green) B
Crochet hook: 3.50mm
A three hole brooch
Tapestry needle
Needle and thread
A pair of scissors
Abbreviations:
adjustable magic ring
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
tr – treble
dtr – double treble
st – stitch
ss – slip stitch
yrh – yarn round hook
beg – beginning
*() – repeat instructions within
Rnd – round
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
Step 1 – Camellia flower
Using yarn A
Rnd 1: Ch-40, 1dc into second ch from hook, dc until end, ch-1 and turn = 39sts.
Rnd 2: 1dc, ch-2 and 1tr into same st, *(2tr into next st, then 1tr, ch-2, 1dc, ch-2 1tr all into the next st), rep from *() 2 times more. Continue with 2tr into next st, 1tr, ch-2, 1dc, ch-3, 1dtr all into next st.
Continue with *(2dtr in each of next 2sts. Then 1dtr, ch-3, 1dc, ch-3, 1dtr all into next st). rep *() 8 times more. Ending with 2dtr in each of next 2sts, then 1dtr, ch-3, 1dc = 4 small petals and 10 large petals. Turn work around to continue.
How to make a double treble – dtr
- Wrap the yarn around hook twice, insert hook into st required, yrh and draw yarn through – giving you 4 loops on the hook.
- Yrh, and draw through 2 loops on the hook, leaving you with 3 loops on the hook.
- Yrh, and draw through 2 loops on the hook, leaving you with 2 loops on the hook.
4. Yrh, and draw through remaining 2 loops on the hook. One double treble made. One loop remains on the hook.
Rnd 3: ch-3, (1dc, 1tr in next st), 1tr in next, (2dtr in each of next 2sts), 1tr in next, (1tr, 1dc in next st), 1dc into st of gap (between petals) this forms one petal, (ch-3, 1dc, 1tr into first st of next petal).
Continue with *(1tr in next st, 2dtr in each of next 2sts, 1tr in next st, 1tr, 1dc in next st, 1dc into st of gap). Rep *() 5 times more. *(Ch-3, 1dc, 1tr into first st of next petal, then 1tr, 2tr in each of next st, 1tr in next st, 1tr, 1dc in next st, 1dc into st of gap), rep *() 3 times more.
Then *(ch-2, 1dc, 1tr in first st, 1tr in each of next 2sts, 1tr, 1dc in next st, 1dc into st of gap), rep *() 3 times more – until end. Fasten off leaving a long yarn end of 51cm/20 inches approx. Total 4 small petals, 3 medium and 7 large petals. Weave in shorter yarn end.
Step 2: Leaf – Make 1
Using yarn B
Rnd 1: ch-15, *(1dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1tr in each of next 2sts, 1dtr in each of next 8sts, 1tr in each of next 2sts, 1dc in last st). Turn work to your left to work on opposite side of leaf.
Rnd 2: ch-2, rep *() from round 1, ss into first st to join.
Rnd 3: ch-1, 1dc in each of next 3sts, 1dc in each of 5sts, *(ch-2, 1dc into next st), rep *() 5 times more. Ch-2, 1dc in next st, continues with (ch-2, 1dc) in each of next 5sts, then 1dc in each of next 8sts. Ch-1 and ss into first st to join. Fasten off leaving 30cm/12inches approx.
Step 3: Back plate – Make 1
Using yarn B, make an adjustable ring
Rnd 1: ch-1, make 6dc into ring, ss into first st to join =6sts
Rnd 2: ch-1, make 2dc in each of next 6sts, ss into first st to join =12sts.
Rnd 3: ch1, make *(1dc in first st, 2dc in next st), rep *() 5 times more, ss into first st to join =18sts.
Rnd 4: ch-1, make *(1dc in each of next 2sts, 2dc in next) rep *() 5 times more, ss into first st to join =24sts.
Rnd 5: ch-1, make *(1dc in each pf next 3sts, 2dc in next) rep *() 5 times more, ss into first st to join =30sts. Fasten off, leaving 10cm/4inches approx. Tighten yarn end on adjustable ring and weave in both ends.
Step 4: Assembly
- Roll into a flower with small petals first, ensure petal cups are facing inside – giving a cup-like effect. Thread tapestry needle with long yarn end and sew flower together, taking needle between petals. Ensure flower is intact and secure before cutting yarn end.
- Thread tapestry needle with long yarn end from leaf. Sew leaf onto WS of back plate (see photo). Begin around the edge of the leaf and work around, ensure properly secure before cutting yarn end.
- Thread sewing needle with a green colour thread – bring both ends together to tie a double knot. Make a secure stitch on the centre of the plate/leaf. Join the flower onto the plate with regular stitches, taking the needle through the base of each petal around until secure before cutting thread.
- Thread sewing needle with a green colour thread – bring both ends together to tie a double knot. Make a secure stitch on the back of the plate (RS). Position the brooch correctly and make several stitches through each hole until secure. Fasten off securely before cutting thread.
Happy crocheting.
