Thread Crochet Flower Hair Clips

Pattern also available as a downloadable pdf for free on Ravelry.

Handmade baby blankets always make fabulous gifts, but let’s face it – they take a while to make! I try my best to avoid store bought gifts, though, especially for close family and friends, and so I occasionally explore alternative (and quicker!) handmade gifts, like baby booties and plush toys. One of my favorites has been Tara Murray‘s birdy rattle (you can purchase her pattern here!) but it still takes a little more time and effort than I can squeeze in for a completely last minute gift.

So I started experimenting with Irish rose style crocheted flowers for hair clips. I made a couple for a baby basket contribution and played around with some varying sizes of yarn to match some other gifts I was working on at the time, but then I found some really pretty sparkly pink cotton thread and suddenly I was making all kinds of adorable pink flower hair clips!

So if you’re looking for a really last minute gift for a special little girl, you can whip up a pair of these in about an hour or so.

Suggested Materials:

Omega Rústíca Eclát Non-Mercerized Crochet Thread in Rosa
1.65mm Steel Crochet Hook
Small Button(s) (optional) – I prefer shaft buttons for flowers; these were about 1/4″ across
32mm Hair Clip(s) with 3 Holes
Stitch Marker(s)
Scissors
Small Darning Needle
Craft Glue

Instructions:

Rnd 1: 10 hdc in adjustable base ring (find a great tutorial here), join with sl st to top of 1st hdc. (10 hdc)

Rnd 2: sc in same st, (ch 3, sk next hdc, sc in next) around, ch 3, join with sl st to top of 1st sc. (5 ch 3 sp)

Rnd 3: sl st in 1st ch 3 sp, (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in ea ch 3 sp around. (5 petals)

Rnd 4: ch 1, bpsc around 1st sc of rnd 2, (ch 5, bpsc around next sc of rnd 2) around, ch 5, join with sl st to top of 1st bpsc. ( 5 ch 5 sp)

Rnd 5: sl st in next ch 5 sp, (sc, 2 hdc, 5 dc, 2 hdc, sc) in same sp and in ea ch 5 sp around, join to 1st sc and tie off.

Assembly:

Using beginning tail, begin to thread through back of rnd 1 as to cinch up the center of the flower, but place the shaft of the button in the center of your flower before you pull the tail to cinch it so that you can tighten it around the shaft of the button. If you are using a regular sew on button, simply cinch up the center of your flower to whatever degree you would like before sewing on the button. Secure the button with at least two stitches if possible before sewing your flower to the hair clip. I use three stitches to attach the flower to the clip through the three holes so that it makes a triangle because it seems to be the most stable means of attachment.

Tie off your thread between the flower and the clip and add a small drop of glue for additional security if desired – which is usually a good idea when children are involved! Be sure to allow the glue to dry completely before testing your handiwork so that the glue sets firmly. Wouldn’t want glue in anybody’s hair either!

Variations:

When I first designed these, my two smallest hooks were sizes 7 (1.65mm) and C (2.75mm). Quite a bit of difference when it comes to thread crochet! I figured the 7 was really too small for the thread I had, but I knew that the C would be way too big, so tiniest hook it was. Later, I decided to experiment with different sized hooks to see if I could make it a little less fiddly – that 1.65mm is just SO tiny!

Here are the results:

Thread Crochet Flower and Hook Comparisons

The flower on the far left is the original size seen in the pattern photos, which is worked with the 1.65mm. It measures just over an inch when flattened out. Next is a size 6 at 1.80 mm, which I think looks almost exactly the same as the size 5 (1.90 mm). There’s just one sixteenth of an inch difference (a hair under 2 mm) between the two in size and the stitches look almost exactly the same: more relaxed and open than when worked with the 1.65 mm hook, but not really too loose. The stitching in the last flower IS too loose in my opinion; it just starts to look sloppy to me – and it felt floppy while I was stitching it, too, although using the 2 mm hook was much easier and faster!

I like the density of the stitches and the petiteness of the flower when worked with the 1.65 mm best. I didn’t really notice enough of a difference in the ease of stitching with the 1.80 or 1.90 mm – they’re still pretty dadgum tiny! Choosing either of these hooks, though, should result in a nice little flower. If you have a tendency to stitch loosely, I would recommend using a smaller hook, but even if you’re a tight stitcher, I wouldn’t suggest using the 2 mm hook for this project.

Here’s a comparison of some different button sizes:

Thread Crochet Flower Button Center Comparisons

The first flower on the left (made with the 1.65 mm hook) has a 3/16” button, which is about 5 mm across. The center flower is sporting an 8 mm (5/16″) button. This one is my favorite and the size I used for the pattern photos. The last flower uses a whopping 11 mm button, which is also fun.

Display/Presentation:

If you’d like to make a card to attach your flower hair clips to, I’d recommend using fairly sturdy cardstock. The first card I made, I simply cut two slits in with a knife, but if you can find a ribbon stitch punch, it works perfectly. Once closed, they will warp the card, though, so keep that in mind when you’re making it. For a pair of thread crochet sized clips, a card about the size of a business card will do.

I hope you enjoy making these little hair clips; I know I did! Experiment with the design – customize your flowers, make them special. And have fun! I’d love to see your creations, too, so if you feel like sharing, pop on over to my Facebook page or tag me @crochetcetera on Instagram or Twitter and show me what you come up with!

*This pattern has not been tested for accuracy. Originally published 23 December 2011.

This pattern will always remain free here on my website and for your convenience, you may also download a pdf for this pattern through Ravelry. Enjoy!