DIFFERENT DESIGNS OF SUNFLOWERS AND SOME MATERIALS I USED IN MAKING FLOWER BOUQUET

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There are lots of versions of crocheted sunflowers that you will find on the internet from patterns to tutorials. Different sizes and techniques were shown to derive certain designs.

Last year, I was able to make my version without the use of tutorials or patterns because I'm too lazy enough to watch and wait for the next thing to do. 🤣 I want to work continuously without delays so I just use my imagination base on the final look of some crocheters' output.

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Then I made my 1st sunflower the size of my palm. I am satisfied and happy with the result (by that time.)

Then last month, when I received an order of sunflower bouquet, I told myself that I will be making sunflowers in bigger size. So I tried to widen the circumference of the middle circle and made 10 layers instead of 7. Then I omit the picot with 3 chains stitch on the petals (which I made from my 1st design) and made only 1 chain and slip stitch on the last SC I made before the chain. It was like making picot but instead of 3chains, I only made 1chain. (I hope you just understand my explanation here.😅🤭).

And here's what I made.

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This was my 2nd design of sunflower and right after I made this, I decided to check some tutorials (finally 🤭), as I don't like it. 😅

Then I saw this tutorial on YouTube. Crochet Double Petal Sunflower and I feel in love with the design so I patiently watch and tried it on my own.

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I never knew it will take longer than I expected and took me whole day to finish this double petal sunflower. I put some thin wires on each petals (as I follow on the tutorial) and made me uneasy to crochet. But it's worth trying because the result was amazing.

After I posted it on my social media accounts, I received an order of crocheted double petal sunflower. My customer wanted it in blue color which is the favorite color of her sister whom the flower will be given.

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Of course the price of the double petal sunflower was doubled also as it takes longer to make than the single petal. But I know that some would still want to have a not so pricey sunflower so I decided to make my own version with a single petal. I still copy the way the petals were made a long with wires and exclude the picots on the center circle.

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Now, it looks simpler but still beautiful. But I still offer the double petal sunflower to anyone who want it as long as they're okay with the price. 🥰

Doing a flower bouquet requires more materials unlike doing crochet wearables like swimwear where you only need your crochet hook, scissor/cutter, and yarn. A Flower bouquet needs flower wrappers, ribbons, floral wires in different sizes, floral tape, glue sticks, pliers, and more.

So now, I'll be sharing with you what kind of materials I've been using for months now.

MATERIALS:

YARNS

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I use milk cotton yarn as this kind of yarn is the most preferred by crocheters who were making flower bouquets for years now. I don't know what kind of brand it is as is written in the Chinese language, I think. Each piece weighs 45-50 grams and its composition is 60% milk cotton and 40% acrylic. It's lighter and soft to use, so I did hoard some colors 😅 when I order online (shopee - online selling app).

HOOK, CUTTER, AND SCISSOR

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The most preferred crochet hook size is the 3.5 mm hook but since I don't have that size, I just use my 3mm instead and I find it comfortable to use.

I use a cutter when cutting threads as it's quick to grab and cut the excess threads while I use scissors when cutting the flower wrappers.

WIRES

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I use floral wires about 1-2mm or #18 for the stem of the flowers while #22 or #24 for the leaves and petals of sunflowers. I also used alambre or continuous wires that are sold in hardware stores as a replacement if I run out of floral wires.

FLORAL TAPE

I used color green floral tape to wrap around the wires along with the leaves.

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GLUE STICK AND LIGHTER

I used a glue stick on the tip of the wire and insert it into the bottom hole of the tulip for a stronghold.

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FLOWER WRAPPERS

There are lots of variations in choosing your flower wrappers. From a plastic-like wrapper (waterproof) with lots of colors to choose from, inner lining tissue paper (a soft and very thin paper), kraft paper (usually brown-colored paper), or just plain transparent plastics.

Waterproof Flower Wrapper

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Inner Lining Tissue Fiber-like

Aside from using this one as inner lining, I also used this as the outer lining, wrapping the bouquet before tying a ribbon. This one makes your flower ribbon the fancy looks and I really like to use it. The price is lower than the waterproof flower wrapper and plans on buying more of this in different colors.

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Fiber-like Flower Wrapper

This one is similar to inner lining tissue but thicker. I was having thoughts about buying more colors of this like because it is expensive compared to the usual waterproof flower wrapper but I must say that I love the effects of this one on the flower bouquet plus it's easy to use.

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RIBBONS

Choosing the right size of ribbons and colors should depend on the color of your wrapper and flowers, and the size of your bouquets. Or you can simply choose the color white ribbon as it will not contradict other colors of your wrapper.

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PLIERS

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I used the long-nose pliers (below) to bend some wires and a side cutter (above) to cut some excess wires.

So far, those are the only materials I'm using from this moment and if you can share to me some other materials or equipment that will help improve my flower bouquets, I'll will be glad to know.

Know also that I am not yet an expert in making bouquets but I hope you find it helpful when you think of making your own flower bouquets in the future.

God bless everyone.