Looking for a simple and colourful craft that’s easy for kids but pretty enough to use as decorations? This yarn flower is surprisingly simple to make, and you only need a small piece of cardboard to shape each petal perfectly. With just yarn, scissors, and a bead for the center, you can create fluffy five-petal flowers in any colour!
And with this yarn craft the process is definitely part of the fun! Each petal is made by wrapping yarn around a cardboard template, then tying the petals together in the middle. Add a pearl bead to finish, and you’ve got a bright, beautiful flower that’s just as fun to make as it is pretty to display.
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How to Make a Yarn Flower
Materials:
- Cardboard
- Yarn (flower colour)
- Pearl bead(s) (10mm)
Equipment:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Cut cardboard pieces
- Grab a piece of scrap cardboard and measure 2 cm (about 3/4 inch) in from the side. Make a mark. Repeat, marking every 2 cm, going up to 10 cm.
- Extend each mark into a line, going up 4 cm (about 1-1/2 inches). Then cut out the strips of cardboard.
- You should now have 5 pieces of cardboard measuring 2 x 4 cm.
Step 3: Make a flower petal
- Choose a colour of yarn for the flower petals. Wrap it around the long edge of the cardboard about 14 times.Try to keep the wraps to the middle of the cardboard.
- Cut the yarn, leaving about 8 inches extra.
- Thread a needle with the yarn tail. Bring the needle up under the wrapped yarn, pulling it up until there’s just a loop left.Bring the needle back down through the loop, creating a knot. Pull the yarn tight, securing the knot around the bundle at the right side.
- Now repeat the same steps, but from the opposite direction.In other words, bring the needle down behind the yarn this time, and thread the yarn up through the loop before pulling the knot tight to secure it.
- Repeat the last 2 steps on the other side.
- Bring the yarn under the bundle to the other side again and secure it with a knot.
Step 4: Make the rest of the petals
- Repeat step 3 four more times, for a total of 5 petals.
- Remove the petals from the cardboard. They should slide off easily, but you may need to rip the cardboard to remove them — it just depends on the type of cardboard and how tightly you wrapped them.
Step 5: Tie the flower together
- Cut an 8 inch piece of yarn and thread it onto your needle.
- Insert the needle through the center of a petal. Make sure you don’t catch any of the yarn from the “good side” of the petal (the smooth side, without the knots).
- Thread the rest of the petals onto the yarn, making sure the tails face in the same direction.
- Remove the needle and tie the 2 ends into a knot, pulling tight to bring the petals together. Secure with a double knot.
- Make sure all the tails are at the back of the flower (the side with the knots).
- Tie each petal to the one next it, creating a more secure flower.
Step 6: Add the flower center
- Cut off most of the tails, leaving only the longest one (likely the one from tying the flower together).
- Thread this tail on a needle again and bring it to the front of the flower.
- Thread a pearl bead onto the yarn.
- Sew into the edge of the yarn across from where the tail starts, bringing the yarn to the back of the flower again.
- Pull the tail through all the way so the bead sits nicely in the center of the flower.
- Tie the tail through one of the other knots to secure it, and cut off the excess yarn.
- Your yarn flower craft is complete!
Helpful Tips:
- Cut cardboard in different widths to make different sizes of flowers. A wider piece will create larger petals, while a narrower piece makes smaller, daintier blooms.
- This is a great stash-busting craft! Use leftover yarn from other projects to create bright, colourful flowers.
How can I make a different size of yarn flower?
Using thicker yarn will automatically create a more full flower. You can also change the size of your cardboard template.
For our larger flowers, we used a 3 x 5 cm piece of cardboard and wrapped the yarn about 18 times for each petal. For smaller flowers, simply use a narrower piece of cardboard and wrap fewer times.
What type of yarn should I use for this flower craft?
We used worsted weight acrylic yarn, but this yarn flower craft works with almost any yarn type or size. The weight of the yarn will affect the look of your flower — thicker yarn makes fuller, chunkier petals, while thinner yarn creates a more delicate flower.
How can I use these yarn flowers?
These yarn flowers are perfect for sewing onto bags, hats, scarves, sweaters, or headbands. You can also glue them onto hair clips, turn them into brooches, add them to gift wrapping, or use them in other spring and summer home decor projects.
What type of bead is best for the center of the yarn flower?
We used a 10 mm pearl bead for both our small and large flowers. We love the classic look and how the smooth pearl contrasts with the soft texture of the yarn.
You could also use a yellow bead for a daisy-style center, or even add a rhinestone decorated bead for sparkle and texture. For smaller flowers, choose a slightly smaller bead so the proportions look balanced.
These yarn flowers are one of those crafts that look impressive but are surprisingly simple to make. Once you get the hang of wrapping the yarn around the cardboard template, you’ll want to experiment with different colours, sizes, and textures. It’s a relaxing, satisfying project that’s perfect for using up leftover yarn and creating something cheerful in the process.
Whether you make just one or a whole bouquet, these soft, fluffy flowers add a sweet handmade touch wherever you use them — and they’re just as fun for kids as they are for adults!
Here’s even more flower craft ideas:
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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