Crochet Flower Patterns -Frequently Asked Questions
Written by: Kristen M
Published on 4/14/2025
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Hi friends! I hope you’re ready to read through all the tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions I’ve had for creating any of my flower crochet patterns. I decided to go through all of my most frequently asked questions and solutions, compile them into one list, and break it down for you so you can easily find the answers you need if you’re stuck. But as always, if something isn’t covered here that you’re having difficulty with, feel free to send me an email at kristen@junebugandjames.com and I will be more than happy to help you through! Keep scrolling below for all the info!
How can I stop my sunflower from swiveling so much at the top?
This is probably my most frequently asked question when it comes to any of my flower patterns, and I hope the solution I’ve been able to give has worked! It’s important to remember when it comes to crocheting in general, we all have different tensions when we hold the yarn and hook.
With that said, the sunflower in particular will have a problem swiveling if your tension is too loose combined with a thinner dowel size. To fix this problem, I suggest you go down a hook size for the back of the flower and the stem. I also suggest you try a thicker dowel size (such as a 3/8” dowel, or even up to a 1/2” dowel if needed). In addition to these solutions, I also suggest you try adding a bit more stuffing to the back of your sunflower when filling it in. This will help cushion and stabilize your dowel better.
You can find my sunflower pattern here if you haven’t check it out yet!
What dowel sizes are best to use and where can I find them?
This is a very common question I get, so I wanted to be able to share my response for you to save and come back to if needed. Because every crocheter tends to have a different tension when they crochet (some loose and some tight), the dowel sizes you, in particular, will want to use will need to be adjusted to your style. If you crochet tightly or are using a thinner chenille yarn, you will most likely need a 3/16” or 1/4” dowel size. If you tend to crochet loosely or are using a bulkier yarn, you may need to go up to a 3/8” or even 1/2” dowel size. I suggest experimenting and finding what sizes work best for your individual style.
Most craft stores or places that sell craft supplies may carry 12” dowels in many sizes (Michaels, Walmart, Amazon, etc.) I have also had makers say they have bought one large dowel from Lowe’s or Home Depot, and then cut it into 12” pieces and it seemed to be more cost effective.
Since I suggested trying out different sizes, I highly recommend picking up a small pack with multiple sizes first to see which ones works best for you. They have one at Walmart for a super affordable price! After that, you can easily buy the dowels in bulk from Amazon to save on costs if you plan on making multiple flowers.
I’d also like to add that I have heard of the smaller (3/16”) sized dowels snapping in half after being added to the stem, so to ensure this doesn’t happen I’d recommend you don’t use this size dowel if the flower is going to be used as a toy or maybe sold in a market. Using the 1/4” or larger are a much safer bet and would take a bit more force to snap in half.
Check out the links below for easy dowel options:
Walmart Multi Size Pack of Dowels
Bulk Pack of 3/16” Size Dowels - Amazon
Bulk Pack of 1/4” Size Dowels (this is the size I use!) - Amazon
Bulk Pack of 3/8” Size Dowels - Amazon
Bulk Pack of 1/2” Size Dowels - Amazon
Wooden Dowels - Michaels
How snug should the dowel fit into the stem?
You want to make sure your dowel fits snuggly into the stem to stop your flower from the possibility of swiveling at the top. There may still be a slight swivel, and this is normal, but it can be avoided by adjusting your dowel size, tension, or hook size. You also may need to adjust the stitches at the end of your stem to fit the 12” dowel. You don’t want a lot of extra stitches or room at the end of your stem after inserting the dowel. Remember, it should fit snuggly to give your flower the best support. As mentioned in the patterns, you can also add a small amount of hot glue to the end of your dowel to secure the stem even more.
Is there anything I can use other than a dowel for the stems?
Yes! If you want your flower stems to be more flexible, you can try hair curlers (as funny as it sounds - it works!), or possibly wrapped floral wire. You also have the option to stuff your stems with fiberfill stuffing if the other options don’t work for you. However, if you do choose to use stuffing instead, your flowers may still fit okay in a vase, but they will not stand upright on their own.
If you’re interested in trying the hair rollers route, here’s a pack I recommend!
Working the extended treble crochet with super bulky yarn is difficult - how I can make my stitches tighter with less visible loose loops?
First I have to say, it definitely just take a lot of practice. However, I did make a short tutorial over on my Instagram page that gives you an idea of how I eliminate unwanted loose loops in the back of my stitches. You can find the video here!
The tips for eliminating unwanted loose loops for this is stitch are to (1) keep your tension tight and your loops as close together throughout the stitch as possible, (2) use a finger on the opposite hand to help push the loose loops forward more so they don’t poke out the back as much, and (3) practice, practice, practice!
What’s the best yarn to use for your flower patterns?
All of my flower patterns are designed with Bernat Blanket yarn! I love the color options, but I also love the texture and the way my flowers hold together with this yarn. You really can use any super bulky size 6 yarn weight, however, and get the same or similar results! I’ve seen many people use chenille yarn with a smaller hook and their flowers turned out completely stunning. So definitely experiment if you’d like, but remember the dowel sizes you need may be a bit different depending on the yarn you choose!
A Few More Tips:
To make sure I’m covering all my bases, I wanted to jump in here and share a few more helpful tips for making these flowers!
My #1 tip is to make sure you read through the pattern at least once before beginning your flower. This will give you an overall idea of how it is constructed, and the photos will help you visualize the process before you begin. There are some tricky parts to these flowers, like crocheting inside out, working into front and back loops, and placing stitch markers in several different places to mark where you’ll place future stitches.
All of my flower patterns are intermediate level patterns due to their intricateness, except for the large version of the peony which is an advanced level pattern. But, I am happy to say once you’ve made it through a flower once, the second time will be a breeze! If you don’t feel like you’re quite an intermediate crocheter yet, but would really love to make a flower, I would say the daffodil would be a great one to begin with. It’s actually quite simple, and works up so incredibly fast!
The next point I wanted to mention was just some more clarification for why my flowers are designed the way they are. In general, when you crochet, there is a right and wrong side to your work. The right side of your work is the side that is facing you while you work, and the wrong side is the side facing away from you. If you know this already, it will feel strange when you’re working parts of some of the flowers because the pattern has you working inside out. The reason behind this was so that when you look at the flower from the very top/above, you’re looking at the right side of your work. All of the flowers are viewed this way, but it’s mostly noticeable when you begin working the rose, carnation, and the center of the tulip. My suggestion is to really follow each step of the instructions, and definitely refer to the photos if you’re confused!
Well friends, I think that’s all I have for today! If you have any other questions, or notes/tips you think I could add to this list make sure you reach out to me!
Let’s connect!!
