African Flower Crochet FAQs Unravelled

FAQs

What is African flower crochet?

Yes, some crocheters prefer to crochet motifs together rather than sew them.

Both methods can work well.

Choose the method that gives you the finish you prefer and feels most comfortable to work.

How to choose hook size?

Select a hook size based on your yarn weight and desired fabric tightness. Generally, to achieve the tension needed to avoid a gappy finish, you should use the smallest hook possible. Work a shape and check the finish before committing to the whole project.

What are yarn weight equivalents?

Yarn weights range from lace to super bulky; each has a recommended hook size and gauge.

Why different terms?

Terminology varies by country, like US vs UK crochet terms.

Can I use any yarn for African flower?

Yes, but cotton or acrylic yarns work best to show the flower’s shape clearly.

Can I crochet the shapes together?

An African flower motif is made in a certain way so that the centre of the motif looks just like a flower. It can be any shape from a triangle to a nonagon and beyond but the shapes most commonly used to create the animals and birds are triangles to nonagons.

Yes, sewing with mattress stitch is a perfectly good way to join African Flower motifs and can create a very neat finish.

The important thing is to use a consistent method throughout the whole project.

Can I sew the shapes together?

Why are my joins puckering?

Puckering usually happens when the joining yarn is pulled too tightly.

Try relaxing your tension slightly and make sure you are not accidentally skipping stitches.

Gaps can happen if the join is too loose, the motifs are worked with loose tension, or the edge stitches are not lined up correctly.

A firmer, more even join usually helps.

Not always, for 3D animals, I usually only recommend gentle blocking if the motifs are uneven or distorted.

Do I need to block African Flower motifs before joining?

Why can I see gaps between the motifs?

Contact

Got questions about my crochet? I'm here to help. I will endeavour to reply to your emails as soon as I can, however due to time differences and availability, you will probably not get an immediate response.