Dandelion Garden pillow - FREE overlay crochet pattern

What time of the year is in your part of the world? It’s supposed to be spring in Czech Republic. And hopefully it has arrived already. The forecast promises several cold nights, but hopefully the sun will not be gone. Last year I was calling for spring and warmth with my African style Mandala necklace. And this year I decided to grow a mini Dandelion Garden. On my old pillowcase. It’s also my mother’s birthday today (she has just turned 65!). So my new garden is for her. If you would like to grow your own crochet dandelions – here is a free overlay pattern.

You will need:

• Leftovers of Sport yarn. I used yarn “Catona” by Scheepjes (50g/1.76 oz., 125 m/137 yds.) in shades: 205, 249, 254, 257 and 263. Catona comes in skeins of 25g and 50g and is available at Wool Warehouse*, Deramores* or your local Scheepjes shops. You can also read my review about this yarn HERE.
• Crochet hook 2.5 mm (C)* or size needed to get an acceptable gauge – your dandelions should stay flat!
• Scissors, tapestry needle to weave in ends.

Size

The size of the finished dandelion depends on the yarn and hook you use. My dandelions are approx. 6-7 cm (2.3in – 3in) large.

 Stitch guide and Abbreviations

US standard abbreviations are used in this pattern. But if you are used to other terms, please check this Crochet Translation Project which might be helpful in translation to your native language.

rnd - round
st(s) - stitch(es)
ch - chain
yo - yarn over
lp(s) - loop(s)
BLO - back loop(s) only
FL – front loop
NJ - needle join
sc (single crochet) – insert hook in indicated stitch, yo, draw up a lp, yo and pull through both lps on hook.
dc (double crochet) – yo, insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw up a lp, *yo, pull through 2 lps* twice.
tr (treble crochet) – yo twice, insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw up a lp, *yo, pull through 2 lps* three times.
dtr (double treble crochet) – yo 3 times, insert hook in indicated stitch, yo, draw up a lp, *yo, pull through 2 lps* 3 times.

*…* *crochet following directions* as many times as indicated

Important notes

• New yarn is attached by simply pulling it in indicated stitch and making one or two chain stitches (which will count as the 1st sc or dc accordingly).
• All rounds are joined with a "needle join", which will help to make joining sections invisible! You can read detailed information about these two aspects HERE.
• If you are not sure how to find front and back loops of the stitches, please, read THIS post. And HERE you can find a TIP on how to crochet in back loops without the holes.
• Placement of the colors is not critical for this pattern. Please, feel free to place them according to your taste.

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Copyright LillaBjornCrochet 2017. All rights reserved. This pattern is for unlimited personal use only. Do not reproduce or sell the pattern. The pattern may not be copied in any way (print or digitally), in part or in full. Items may be sold that are made from this pattern as long as the designer is credited. Shop owners, if you wish to make a kit with yarn using this pattern, please request permission and copyright details from me before offering any kits for sale. Please, read Copyright page for more information.
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INSTRUCTIONS

Add this Pattern to your Ravelry Queue 

*Purchase an ad-free and ready-to-print PDF of this pattern (including all Important Notes, material list, stitch guide, complete instructions and photo tutorials) HERE on Ravelry.*

I made three different kinds of “dandelions” for my pillow and then sewed them onto ready fabric pillow case from IKEA. 

Dandelion 1

Rnd 1. Make magic ring, ch2 (counts as first dc) and 15dc in magic ring; NJ in first dc of the rnd after ch2. (16 dc)

Rnd 2. Attach yarn in any st (BL) of rnd 1. Note: First dc of this rnd will be ch2. Work this and all next rounds (for all dandelions) in BLO!!

2dc in each st around; NJ in first dc after ch2. (32 dc)

Rnd 3. Attach yarn in 2nd dc of any increase of rnd 2.

*3dc (first dc of the rnd will be ch2), 2dc in next st* 8 times; cut yarn leaving approx. 30cm/12in tail, NJ in first dc of the rnd after ch3. (40 dc)

Dandelion 2

Rnd 1-3. As for Dandelion 1

Rnd 4. Attach yarn in second dc (BL) of any increase of rnd 3.
Note: there will be always 1 st skipped on rnd 2 between dc’s.

*2sc (first sc of the rnd will be ch1), 1tr (FL) in second dc of increase of rnd 2 directly below, skip no sts on rnd 3, 2sc, 1tr (FL) in second dc of increase of rnd 2 directly below, skip 1 st on rnd 3* 8 times; cut yarn leaving approx. 30cm/12in tail, NJ in first sc of the rnd after ch1. (48 sts)

Dandelion 3

Rnd 1-3. As for Dandelion 1

Rnd 4. Attach yarn in second dc (BL) of any increase of rnd 3.
Note: there will be always 3 sts skipped on rnd 2 between dc’s.

*5sc (first sc of the rnd will be ch1), 1tr (FL) in second dc of increase of rnd 2 directly below, skip no sts on rnd 3* 8 times; NJ in first sc of the rnd after ch1. (48 sts)

Rnd 5. Attach yarn in first sc (BL) of rnd 4 after any tr.

*2sc (first sc of the rnd will be ch1), 1dtr (FL) in central st of rnd 2 between two dc, skip 1 st on rnd 4, 2sc, 2sc in next st* 8 times; cut yarn leaving approx. 30cm/12in tail, NJ in first sc of the rnd after ch1. (56 sts)

Congratulations! Your Dandelion Garden is now finished!

Pin dandelions randomly with a few sewing pins to your fabric pillowcase and stitch them by hand with running stitch using yarn tails.

Draw stems with sewing chalk and then embroider them with running stitch and yarns in different colors. Secure ends and… you are done! :)

 
p.s. You can also use this small dandelions as ornaments for wrapping gifts. Read more about this idea HERE.

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