Tea for Tuesday - Flower Mug Mat Tutorial

Good morning, all!  So nice to see all your bright, happy faces today!  As promised, today we've got a tutorial for part of the Anthro-inspired quilt.  We'll be crocheting, so grab a hook and some yarn - here we go!

This is what we're making today.  Something nice and cheery for spring.  The pattern we'll be doing is based on the one I created for the big flower on the skirt.

You'll notice that the edges of the white flower are kind of ruffly compared to the yellow flower.  I'll explain how to do both in just a bit.

But first - you need a size G crochet hook and some cotton worsted weight yarn.  Your choice of either one or two colors.  We'll go over how to do it both ways.

Ready?

Here's a reminder of the abbreviations (these are US abbreviations):
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sk = skip
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
tr = treble crochet
Rnd = round (this one is new today)

If you just started crocheting with us back in January, look how much you've learned so far!  Aren't you so clever!  You'll also notice a new abbreviation up there - rnd for round instead of row.  We're crocheting in the round today - something new.  Don't worry, it's really not hard.

Start with ch 2, and make 6 sc in second ch from hook.  Yes, they will all fit.  You just have to slide the stitches over within the hole with your fingers.  When you've got them all squished in, join with a sl st to the top of the first sc.  You've now just made a circle.

Rnd 1:   2 sc in each sc around (12 sc's)

By the way, 2 sc (or any other stitch for that matter) into a stitch is an increase (abbreviated inc).  If you see that in another pattern, now you will know what you are looking at.  As your circle increases in size, you have to accommodate that with increases in the number of stitches.

Rnd 2:  Ch1.  *2 sc, then 1 sc in next stitch* around.  In plain English, Make 2 sc in the first stitch, then only 1 in the next stitch.  We've done repeats before, so just repeat what's between the two *'s all the way around. (18 sc).

Rnd 3:  Ch1.  *2 sc, then 1 sc in next 2 stitches* around. (24 sc).  Now we are spreading out the increases around the circle equally - think of it like blowing up a balloon.

I think you can see now where we are headed with this...
Rnd 4:  Ch 1. *2 sc, then sc in each of next 3 stitches* around (30 sc).
Rnd 5:  Ch 1. *2 sc, then sc in each of next 4 stitches* around (36 sc).
Rnd 6:  Ch 1.  *2 sc, then sc in each of next 5 stitches* around (42 sc).
Rnd 7:  Ch 1.  *2 sc, then sc in each of next 6 stithces* around (48 sc).

So here's where I'm letting you make a choice.  You can continue in the color you are using to make a flower that is one color (like the ivory one on the skirt), or you can fasten off and join a second color (like the sample photo above).  I'm also going to show you some petal variations, so you may want to read all the way through before doing any more stitching.

This first petal variation is what's on the skirt.  It makes the ruffly petals.
Start with a ch 3.  Work 4 dc in same stitch. Sc in next stitch.  *5 dc in next stitch, sc in following stitch* around.  You'll recognize this type of shell from our butterfly yesterday.  The shell is what makes the petals.  Also, by putting the shells so close together, that's what gives us the ruffles.

You can see in the photo how they curl.  We used this to our advantage on our butterfly.

For flat petals, the pattern is pretty similar.
Start with a ch 3 and 4 dc in the same stitch.  *sk 1, sc, sk 1, 5 dc* around.  By skipping a stitch, you spread the base of the shells out more evenly, which keeps them flat.

For bigger petals, which is what I have in the sample mug mat, make your shells using treble crochets.
Start with ch 4 (remember tr's are taller so you need that extra ch to reach the top) and 4 tr in the same stitch. *sk 1, sc, sk 1, 5 tr* around.

When I was working this sample up, I really liked the bigger petals for the mug mat.  When I was making my skirt, I was in more of a hurry, and I wanted that little something more, so I just went with the smaller petals. No matter which way you choose, it will be fine.

So how about some more variations?  Make your center smaller by doing fewer rounds and/or a smaller hook.  Make it bigger by doing more rounds (remember to add 1 sc in each section like we did above).  You can also make it bigger by using double crochets or even treble crochets.  Make a bunch of the centers and use them for hexagons to make an afghan (think Grandma's Flower Garden quilt pattern).  Make a bunch of flowers and stitch them together for a little girl's afghan.  Make them all one color, or all different colors to use up your stash.  For an afghan, I would highly suggest using acrylic yarn instead of the cotton.  And speaking of a different yarn, make these with a steel hook and size 10 crochet cotton.  Stitch them together for a doily or table runner.

I hope you're enjoying making the projects, but most importantly I hope you're learning that no pattern is set in stone.  Feel free to explore different yarns and hook sizes.  Play with the pattern to make it an expression of your own creative vision.

So grab your hook and some yarn and go play!  Have a great day!