Poinsettia
© June Gilbank 2007
Crochet a large poinsettia flower for Christmas – perfect as a table centrepiece or as a decoration. Or make a smaller one in fine yarn or thread to wear as a pin on your coat, a Christmas tree decoration, or anything else you can think of!
This Poinsettia pattern is Donationware – the pattern is available for free, but if you like it please consider sending me a donation to show your appreciation:

Send me a donation and receive the easy-to-print PDF version of the pattern as a thank you!
Donations of any size are much appreciated. Just add the amount you wish to donate, and, once you have checked out and paid, your pattern will instantly be available to download from your PlanetJune account.
The complete pattern and instructions are available below, regardless of whether or not you choose to pay for them
This is a PlanetJune original crochet pattern. Feel free to use items made from this pattern however you wish, but I’d appreciate credit as the pattern designer. Please do not reproduce the pattern anywhere else; instead post a link to http://www.planetjune.com/blog/free-crochet-patterns/poinsettia/
Terminology
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet (double crochet for UK/Aus) |
| st | stitch |
| sc2tog | single crochet decrease (insert hook into stitch and draw up a loop, insert hook into next stitch and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook) |
| FL | front loops |
| BL | back loops |
Notes
• Do not join at the end of each round; rounds are worked in continuous spirals.
• Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round. Move the marker up each time you start a new round.
You will need…
• E US/3.5mm crochet hook
• Small amount of worsted weight yarn in red, green and yellow
• Yarn needle to weave in ends
• Stitch marker
I used worsted weight yarn and a size E hook, which produced a large 6.5″ diameter flower. Try using a finer yarn or crochet thread with a correspondingly smaller hook to give a more compact flower.
Ingredients
Large Poinsettia:
- 6 of Style A in red
- 6 of Style B in red or green
- 6 of Style C in green
- 1 centre in yellow
Small Poinsettia:
- 6 of Style A in red
- 6 of Style B in green
- 1 centre in yellow
Crochet Instructions
Style A
Make a magic ring, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring. (4 st)
Rnd 2: (2sc in next st, sc in next st) twice. (6 st)
Rnd 3: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st) twice. (8 st)
Rnd 4: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st) twice. (10 st)
Rnd 5: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 st) twice. (12 st)
Rnd 6: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 st) twice. (14 st)
Rnds 7-8: sc in each st around. (14 st)
Rnd 9: (sc2tog, sc in next 5 st) twice. (12 st)
Rnd 10: (sc2tog, sc in next 4 st) twice. (10 st)
Rnd 11: (sc2tog, sc in next 3 st) twice. (8 st)
Join with sl st to next st. Fasten off, leaving long end of yarn.
Style B
Make a magic ring, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring. (4 st)
Rnd 2: (2sc in next st, sc in next st) twice. (6 st)
Rnd 3: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st) twice. (8 st)
Rnd 4: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st) twice. (10 st)
Rnd 5: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 st) twice. (12 st)
Rnd 6: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 st) twice. (14 st)
Rnd 7: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 st) twice. (16 st)
Rnd 8: sc in each st around. (16 st)
Rnd 9: (sc2tog, sc in next 6 st) twice. (14 st)
Rnd 10: (sc2tog, sc in next 5 st) twice. (12 st)
Rnd 11: (sc2tog, sc in next 4 st) twice. (10 st)
Rnd 12: (sc2tog, sc in next 3 st) twice. (8 st)
Join with sl st to next st. Fasten off, leaving long end of yarn.
Style C
Make a magic ring, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring. (4 st)
Rnd 2: (2sc in next st, sc in next st) twice. (6 st)
Rnd 3: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st) twice. (8 st)
Rnd 4: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st) twice. (10 st)
Rnd 5: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 st) twice. (12 st)
Rnd 6: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 st) twice. (14 st)
Rnd 7: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 st) twice. (16 st)
Rnd 8: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 7 st) twice. (18 st)
Rnds 9-10: sc in each st around. (18 st)
Rnd 11: (sc2tog, sc in next 7 st) twice. (16 st)
Rnd 12: (sc2tog, sc in next 6 st) twice. (14 st)
Rnd 13: (sc2tog, sc in next 5 st) twice. (12 st)
Rnd 14: (sc2tog, sc in next 4 st) twice. (10 st)
Rnd 15: (sc2tog, sc in next 3 st) twice. (8 st)
Join with sl st to next st. Fasten off, leaving long end of yarn.
Centre
Make a magic ring, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6 st)
Rnd 2: in FL only, (sc, ch2, sc) in each st around. (6 st)
Rnd 3: in remaining BL of Rnd 1, 5 sc in each st around. (30 st)
The stitches of Rnd 3 will want to crinkle up into a loopy ruffle – let them do this! You want them to stick up to form the centre flowers of the poinsettia.
Assembly Instructions
Style A
- Flatten out each petal/leaf.

- Fold the petal up along the centre line, so the two ends of the open edge meet. Using a yarn needle and the long yarn end, make a couple of stitches at the open edge between the two ends, to keep them together.

- String all 6 petals together by running a length of yarn on a yarn needle (you can use one of the yarn ends or cut a new length) through the folded edge of each petal.

- Run the yarn through the first petal again to form a circle, pull tight and knot to keep it in position.
Styles B and C
- Flatten out each petal/leaf.

- Arrange one leaf over a second, so that one side of the open end of one is over the midpoint of the open end of the next, and they are arranged at approx 60 degrees (think snowflakes or slices of pie to judge the angle – you don’t have to be accurate).

- Use a yarn needle and the long yarn end from one of the leaves to stitch them together, joining the two leaves with small stitches at the end and about a third of the way up the leaves.
- Arrange another leaf over the top leaf, in the same position and angle, and stitch in the same way.
- Continue until all 6 leaves are joined, and each leaf overlaps over one leaf and under another. There should be a small gap in the centre.

- Pull any loose yarn ends through to the back.
Final Assembly
You should now have two (or three) rings of petals/leaves and one yellow centre. To finish assembling, arrange each layer by pulling the loose yarn ends through the centre hole of the previous layers, so they are all at the back of the flower. The layer order is (bottom to top):
Large poinsettia: C-B-A-centre
Small poinsettia: B-A-centre
Rotate the layers so their angles are offset and all the leaves are visible.
Divide the yarn ends at the back into two groups and tie the two groups in a secure knot. Depending on what you’d like to do with your flower, you can weave in all the yarn ends, leave them long to tie it onto something, or trim them down.

I hope you enjoy this pattern. Please leave me a comment below if you do!
76 Comments »
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Please note that I respond to comments here on the blog, so please return to this post to see my reply, or check the above box to subscribe to comments on this post by email. -June



alaa tharwat said
what is st can you show me by photos?
June said
alaa, st = stitch. The stitches are single crochet. Hope that helps!
SALLY PATTERSON said
GOD HAS BLESSED YOU WITH A GIFT FOR USING YARN. I WOULD LOVE TO PAY A LITTLE SOMETHING BUT AT 71 I DONT BELONG TO PAY PAL. HOW ESLE CAN I DONATE? MY FAMILY IS GOING TO LOVE GETTING THESE FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR HUGS SALLY
barbara said
what is a magic ring
irene said
what is a magic ring
June said
Barbara & Irene, just click the words ‘magic ring’ in my pattern (above) and it will take you to my tutorial
yolanda analice said
Hello!
I am brasilian , salvador,bahia and love crafsts , crochet,ceramic,tricot,alls arts.
I see your blog and I liked il very very.
I am in group “amigas do croche” (croches’s friends).
Good Weekend.
Yolanda
carmen rosa chaves said
Hello
Thank you for this pattern, it’s really beatiful and oportunity for this seasson.
Rose said
That is a really nice pattern, perfect for the holidays
arleen said
I was looking for gifts i can make for my son’s teachers and helpers on short notice, and this is wonderful!
When i get some $ into my paypal, will definitely come back with a donation. in meantime, am wondering. i want to do a boquet with them, to put in a vase. what would work for the stems?
i was thinking pipecleaners but that might look to cheap against the gorgous flowers. any suggestion would be so appreciated?
(ps, will take about 2 weeks to trans my money to paypal and then to you). (that’s what stinks about being in canada..)
June said
Arleen, the poinsettia is quite a large and heavy design, so a pipe cleaner probably won’t give it enough support to work as a stem. I suggest you try the yarn-wrapped rod technique from my Daffodils pattern (scroll down to the ‘Stem’ instructions near the bottom) which should work well!
momo said
kawai….so cute…
Marianne said
Hi June
I love your patterns – the daffodil , rose and poinsetta are all gorgeous, and I hope I can get mine looking as professional as that. At present I am making Towel Toppers and putting Flowers,Birds and Teapots on Round crochet motifs. Also making Pincushions in shape of minature Hats, Teapots, and adding flowers on the Hats!! I will keep checking your site. I have it Bookmarked now. Thanks very Much.
Mariana. Tash said
Looks really good.I will try it sometimes,most probably during the school breaks.
Thanks alot.
Zuri said
Hello
).
I found this pattern while looking for pictures of this plant and I decided to make it for my mom (just in time for Christmas
I used a bigger needle because I’m still kind of new at crocheting and it was a little hard for me to do it with a small one. It turned out great and it was easy to follow your pattern
Ray said
Hey June, thanks for the great pattern! I just recently learned to crochet at the age of 18, it’s an amazing hobby and helps me unwind after a hectic day at university. I usually go for amigurumi dolls and other anthromorphic projects, but I saw it and thought it would make an amazing gift for my grandmother.
I hope the link works and you’ll be able to let me know what you think of my work! Many thanks and much love,
Ray xXx
sonia mara rücker said
gostaria muito, de recerber esta receita oi grafico em portugues.
Muito obridaga pela ayençao e ajuda.
Sonia Rücker.
Crochet for the Holidays « My Other said
[...] You can find the patter for the poinsettia here: PlanetJune [...]
Tricia said
June! I bow to your crochet greatness!! I made two of these for Christmas, for mom and m-i-l, attached them to a wooden block that had a hook below it (found for $2, removed the tacky decor that was on it). They came out beautifully. Thank you so much for the free pattern! You are an amazing crochet artisan.
Tricia
Il Ciocco di Quercia » Blog Archive » Angelo Rosa said
[...] ho fatte come i petali dei fiori le spiegazioni sono in inglese,ma di facile [...]
Melba Dobbins said
I just discovered your website today. I love to crochet and am anxious to try the poinsettia. Do you have the rose pattern on the website?
June said
Hi Melba, yes, you can find it here: http://www.planetjune.com/basicrose
Melba Dobbins said
Thank you for the crocheted rose pattern.
I am looking for a pattern for crocheting over wire clothes hangers. Do you know where I can find such a pattern?
Thank you so much
Melba Dobbins
June said
Let me refer you to Crochet Pattern Central. You’ll find it really useful – it’s a directory of free crochet patterns! If you type ‘hanger’ into the search box, lots of free patterns come up
Jstar said
So im onli 13 years old and i live in Jamaica and i do nt realli knoe how tew make the magic ring. What can this be substituted for?
Thx mucho! :p
June said
Jstar, you can learn the magic ring at http://www.planetjune.com/magicring, or, if you’d prefer, just ch 2 and make the stitches of Rnd 1 into the 2nd ch from the hook instead