Pot of Primroses

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This dainty little pot of primroses stands less than 3 inches tall. It is made using mostly thread weight yarn and each flower is decorated with a few beads in the centre. The pattern could be adjusted to make a larger pot by varying the yarn weight and the size of the pot used.

A translation of this pattern into Spanish is available here, thanks to Ana for this. 

I used:

Anchor crochet cotton in brown, green, yellow and pink, plus a small amount of double knitting weight yarn in brown for the soil.

A selection of seed beads in pink and green.

Hooks – 1.5mm and 3.5mm.

Row marker

Small plastic plant pot (mine measured 2 inches high).

PATTERN

English terms used

dc (English) = sc (American)

htr (English ) = hdc (American)

tr (English) = dc(American)

dtr(English) = tr(American)

POT

With brown crochet cotton and 1.5mm hook make 2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc.

2nd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

3rd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

4th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)

5th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 3 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (30 dc)

6th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 4 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 4 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (36 dc)

Keep increasing 6 dc in each round until your work covers the base of the pot. I worked up to a total of 48 dc in the round.

Next round: 1ch, 1 dc into back loop of same stitch as chain, 1 dc into the back loop only of each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

Place a row marker at the start of the round. Using the plastic plant pot as a guide, work in a spiral so that the work fits cosily over the pot. Increase as before as and when it is needed. I eventually increased to a total of 66 dc and completed 28 rounds. Continue working until 2 rounds beyond the top of the pot have been completed.

Next round: 1ch, 1 dc into back loop of same stitch as chain, 1 dc into the back loop only of each stitch to end, sl st into first dc. This forms the fold line for the top of the pot.

Work one more row without any increases. Fasten off leaving a long tail. Fold over to form the lip of the pot and use the long tail end to slip stitch this in place.

SOIL

For this I used dark brown double knitting weight yarn and a 3.5mm hook.

Work as given for the base of the pot until it reaches the size of the top of the pot. Fasten off.

FLOWERS

With pink crochet cotton and 1.5mm hook make 2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc. Break off pink and join in yellow.

2nd round: 1 ch, 1 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 ch, 1 dc into next dc] 5 times, 2 ch. Sl st into 1st dc. (6 spaces)

3rd round: 1 ch, [1 dc, 2 ch, 3 tr, 2 ch, 1 dc] into each 2 ch space, sl st into 1st dc. Fasten off.

Make enough flowers to cover the soil so that their edges overlap slightly. I made a total of 6 flowers.


LEAVES

With green crochet cotton and 1.5mm hook make 2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc.

2nd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

3rd round: 1ch, 1dc in same stitch as chain, 1dc in next dc, 1 htr in next dc, (1 tr, 1 dtr, 1 tr) all in next dc, 1 htr in next dc, 1 dc in next 3 dc, 1 htr in next dc, (1 tr, 1 dtr, 1 tr) all in next dc, 1 htr in next dc, 1 dc in last dc, join with a sl st into 1st dc.

I made four leaves in total to sit around the edges of the pot.

MAKING UP

Neaten all loose ends. Sew 5 seed beads into the centre of each flower. Arrange the leaves and flowers onto the soil and stitch in place.

With the plastic pot inside the crocheted pot, stuff the pot with something that will give it some weight and fill the pot to the brim. I used an old sock (clean of course!).

Slip stitch the soil piece to the inside rim of the crocheted pot, just above the rim of the plastic pot.

Place your pot on display, stand back and let it be admired.