A crochet poinsettia is one of the prettiest little makes of the festive season, and it is far quicker than it looks. Each bright red bract is simply worked along a short chain with stitches that grow taller and then shorter again, so you get a neat pointed petal every time.
At a glance: Yarn and hook: DK yarn and a 4mm (UK 8) hook (US G-6). Time: about 1 to 2 hours per flower. Terms: UK, with US conversions.
This crochet poinsettia pattern is our own design, written in UK terms with exact stitch counts. You will make five large petals, five small petals, a small backing disc, a yellow centre and two green leaves, then put them together into a flower about 12cm across.
Once you have one flower made, we show you how to turn it into a brooch, a napkin ring, a gift topper, a wreath decoration and a flat coaster.
What makes a crochet poinsettia look right?
A real poinsettia does not have round petals like a daisy. The coloured parts are bracts, which are pointed leaves that sit in a star shape around a cluster of tiny yellow flowers in the middle. You can read more about the plant on the Wikipedia poinsettia page.
So a convincing crochet poinsettia needs three things:
- Long, pointed petals that are narrow at the base, widest in the middle and sharp at the tip.
- Two layers of petals, with smaller ones sitting on top of the larger ones and turned so they fill the gaps.
- A small, textured yellow centre, made with French knots or tiny bobbles.
Green leaves peeping out from underneath finish the look. Every part of our crochet poinsettia pattern below is designed around those shapes.
Materials for your crochet poinsettia
You need very little yarn, so this is a lovely way to use up leftovers from bigger Christmas projects.
- DK yarn in red, about 15g for one large flower.
- DK yarn in green, about 5g for the leaves and backing disc.
- A small amount of yellow DK yarn for the centre.
- A 4mm (UK 8, US G-6) crochet hook.
- A blunt tapestry needle for sewing up.
- Optional: a brooch back, ribbon, or a hair clip, depending on how you plan to use the flower.
Acrylic DK is fine for decorations. If you want to make the coaster version, choose 100% cotton DK, which copes better with warm mugs. If you are unsure about yarn thickness, the Craft Yarn Council yarn weight guide explains the standard categories.
Tension is not critical. A slightly tighter tension than usual gives firmer petals that hold their points, so many people go down half a hook size for flowers.
Abbreviations and UK to US terms
This crochet poinsettia pattern is written in UK terms. If you usually follow American patterns, use the table below, or see our full guide to UK vs US crochet terms.
| UK term | US term | Abbreviation used here |
|---|---|---|
| Chain | Chain | ch |
| Slip stitch | Slip stitch | ss |
| Double crochet | Single crochet | dc |
| Half treble crochet | Half double crochet | htr |
| Treble crochet | Double crochet | tr |
| Space | Space | sp |
You will also use a magic ring for the centre pieces. If that is new to you, our magic ring tutorial walks you through it step by step.
How the petals are made
Every petal and leaf in this crochet poinsettia is worked the same way. You make a chain, then work back down one side of the chain from the tip to the base, using short stitches at the tip, tall stitches in the middle and short stitches again at the base.
At the base you work three dc into the last chain to turn the corner. Then you work along the other side of the foundation chain, using the spare loops, in the mirror order. A final slip stitch into the very first chain makes the sharp point.
If you have made our crochet poppy pattern, you will recognise the idea of shaping a flower with graduated stitch heights. Here it is stretched out along a chain to give a long, pointed bract instead of a round petal.
Crochet poinsettia pattern: large petals (make 5)
Use red yarn. In the instructions, “next ch” means the next chain along the foundation chain.
Ch 11.
Side one: ss in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch, htr in next ch, tr in next 4 ch, htr in next ch, dc in next ch, 3 dc in last ch. (12 sts)
Side two: now working along the other side of the foundation chain, dc in next ch, htr in next ch, tr in next 4 ch, htr in next ch, dc in next ch, ss in next ch. (9 sts)
Tip: ss into the skipped ch at the tip. (1 st)
Total: 22 sts. Fasten off, leaving a 15cm tail for sewing. Each large petal is roughly 5 to 6cm long.
Here is how the large petal stitch count adds up along the 11 chains:
| Part | Stitches | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Side one | 1 ss, 1 dc, 1 htr, 4 tr, 1 htr, 1 dc | 9 |
| Base corner | 3 dc in last ch | 3 |
| Side two | 1 dc, 1 htr, 4 tr, 1 htr, 1 dc, 1 ss | 9 |
| Tip | 1 ss into the skipped ch | 1 |
| Total | 22 |
The first chain from the hook is skipped and used for the final slip stitch, and chains 2 to 10 each hold one stitch on each side. Chain 11, the very first chain you made, holds the three base stitches.
Small petals (make 5)
Use red yarn again, or a slightly different red if you like a little depth.
Ch 8.
Side one: ss in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch, htr in next ch, tr in next 2 ch, htr in next ch, 3 dc in last ch. (9 sts)
Side two: working along the other side of the foundation chain, htr in next ch, tr in next 2 ch, htr in next ch, dc in next ch, ss in next ch. (6 sts)
Tip: ss into the skipped ch at the tip. (1 st)
Total: 16 sts (6 on side one, 3 at the base, 6 on side two and 1 at the tip). Fasten off, leaving a 15cm tail. Each small petal is roughly 3.5 to 4cm long.
Leaves (make 2)
Use green yarn. The leaves are made in exactly the same way as the petals, just a little longer.
Ch 13.
Side one: ss in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch, htr in next ch, tr in next 6 ch, htr in next ch, dc in next ch, 3 dc in last ch. (14 sts)
Side two: working along the other side of the foundation chain, dc in next ch, htr in next ch, tr in next 6 ch, htr in next ch, dc in next ch, ss in next ch. (11 sts)
Tip: ss into the skipped ch at the tip. (1 st)
Total: 26 sts (11 on side one, 3 at the base, 11 on side two and 1 at the tip). Fasten off, leaving a tail.
For a leaf vein, thread a lighter green yarn on your needle and work a line of embroidered chain stitch down the centre of the leaf, along the foundation chain.
Backing disc and centre
Backing disc (make 1)
Use green or red yarn. The disc gives you something firm to sew the petals onto.
Round 1: make a magic ring, ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), 6 dc into the ring, pull the ring closed, ss to first dc. (6 sts)
Round 2: ch 1, 2 dc in each st around, ss to first dc. (12 sts)
Fasten off. The disc is about 3cm across.
Yellow bobble centre (make 3)
Use yellow yarn. Make a magic ring, ch 2, then work 4 tr into the ring, leaving the last loop of each tr on the hook. You now have 5 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops, then ch 1 to close the bobble. Pull the ring tight and fasten off.
If you prefer a flatter centre, skip the bobbles and work five or six French knots in yellow yarn instead. French knots are also the better choice for the coaster version.
How to assemble your crochet poinsettia
Take your time with the assembly, as this is where the flower really comes to life.
- Lay the backing disc right side up. Place the five large petals around it in a star, with the base of each petal overlapping the edge of the disc by about 1cm.
- Space them evenly, roughly like the points on a five-pointed star. Pin them if that helps.
- Using each petal’s tail, sew the base of the petal firmly to the disc with small stitches. Keep the stitches on the back where possible.
- Place the five small petals on top, each one sitting in the gap between two large petals. Sew their bases to the centre of the disc.
- Sew the three yellow bobbles together in the very centre, or work your French knots there.
- Turn the flower over and sew the two leaves to the back of the disc so their tips peep out between the large petals.
- Weave in all the ends securely, and your crochet poinsettia is finished.
A light steam or a quick press under a damp cloth helps the petals lie flatter. Hold the iron above acrylic yarn rather than pressing down, as heat can flatten acrylic permanently.
Tips for a neat crochet poinsettia
- Keep the tips sharp. Pull the final slip stitch snugly. A gentle tug on each tip after fastening off sharpens the point.
- Watch the base corner. The 3 dc in the last chain should sit flat. If the base puckers, your chain may be tighter than your stitches; try making the chain with a hook half a size larger.
- Count as you go. Petals are short, so a missed stitch shows. Count the stitches on side one before you turn the corner.
- Use two reds. A slightly darker red for the large petals and a brighter red for the small ones gives your crochet poinsettia more depth.
- Stiffen if needed. For a gift topper that has to keep its shape, a light spray of fabric stiffener on the back of the finished flower helps.
Ways to use your crochet poinsettia
One crochet poinsettia takes an evening, and once you know the petal method you can make several in a weekend. Here are our favourite ways to use them.
Crochet poinsettia brooch
Sew a brooch back across the back of the backing disc, stitching through the holes in the bar. Make sure the stitches go into the disc and not just into a single petal, so the weight is supported. A brooch is a lovely way to wear your crochet poinsettia on a winter coat or scarf.
Poinsettia napkin rings
For napkin rings, a smaller flower made of just the five small petals and a French knot centre looks neatest. Make the band first.
Napkin ring band: using green yarn, ch 26 and join with a ss to the first ch to form a ring, taking care not to twist the chain.
Round 1: ch 1, dc in each ch around, ss to first dc. (26 sts)
Rounds 2 to 4: ch 1, dc in each st around, ss to first dc. (26 sts)
Fasten off and sew a small crochet poinsettia over the join. Check the band fits over a rolled napkin; add or remove chains in the starting chain if you need a different size.
Gift topper
A crochet poinsettia makes a beautiful gift topper that the recipient can keep. Thread a length of ribbon through the back of the backing disc and tie it around your parcel, or attach it with a small loop of yarn. It looks especially good on plain brown paper.
Wreath add-on
Three or five poinsettias grouped together make a striking focal point on a wreath. Sew or tie them to the base through the backing discs. Our crochet Christmas wreath is the perfect base, and the red flowers sit beautifully against its green cover.
You can also add a single flower to a door hanger, a stocking cuff or the top of a Christmas tree garland.
Crochet poinsettia coaster version
For a festive coaster, we make a solid round base and sew a flat poinsettia on top. Use 100% cotton DK for this one. For more coaster shapes and tips on cotton yarn, see our crochet coasters guide.
Base (green cotton):
Round 1: make a magic ring, ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), 12 htr into the ring, pull closed, ss to first htr. (12 sts)
Round 2: ch 2, 2 htr in each st around, ss to first htr. (24 sts)
Round 3: ch 2, *htr in next st, 2 htr in next st; repeat from * 11 more times, ss to first htr. (36 sts)
Round 4: ch 2, *htr in next 2 sts, 2 htr in next st; repeat from * 11 more times, ss to first htr. (48 sts)
Round 5: ch 1, dc in each st around, ss to first dc. (48 sts)
Fasten off. The base is roughly 10cm across.
Flower: make five large petals in red cotton and sew them flat onto the base in a star, stitching all the way around each petal so the tips cannot flip up. Leave out the small petals and the bobbles, and work a few yellow French knots in the centre instead. This keeps the surface as flat as possible so a mug or glass sits steadily.
Colour ideas and variations
Red and green are traditional, but poinsettias grow in many shades, and your crochet poinsettia can too.
| Look | Large petals | Small petals | Centre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | Deep red | Bright red | Yellow |
| Winter white | Cream | White | Pale yellow |
| Soft pink | Dusky pink | Pale pink | Yellow |
| Sparkly | Red with a metallic thread held together | Red | Gold |
For a bigger flower, start with ch 13 instead of ch 11 and work tr in the next 6 ch on each side instead of 4. This is the same as the leaf pattern, worked in red. For a tiny flower, use 4ply yarn and a 3mm hook with the same pattern.
More festive makes to try
If you enjoyed this crochet poinsettia pattern, there are plenty of quick Christmas projects to try next. Our easy crochet Christmas decorations round-up has lots of small makes for the tree, and our crochet snowflake pattern pairs beautifully with red flowers.
For more ideas, browse our Christmas crochet ideas, or try a cheerful crochet gingerbread man to hang next to your flowers.
Frequently asked questions about crochet poinsettia
Is this crochet poinsettia pattern suitable for beginners?
Yes, if you can make a chain, dc, htr and tr. The petals are short and repetitive, so they are good practice. The trickiest part is working along the other side of the foundation chain, which becomes easy after the first petal.
How big is the finished crochet poinsettia?
In DK yarn with a 4mm hook, the finished flower is about 12cm across, depending on your tension. Using 4ply yarn and a 3mm hook gives a smaller flower with the same stitch counts.
How much yarn does one crochet poinsettia use?
Roughly 15g of red DK, about 5g of green and a few metres of yellow. That makes it a good scrap-busting project.
How do I stop the petals curling?
A little curl is normal. Make sure your starting chain is not tighter than your stitches, then steam the petals lightly and let them dry flat. A light spray of fabric stiffener on the back also helps.
Can I make a crochet poinsettia without sewing?
The petals need to be joined in some way. You can glue them to a felt circle with fabric glue for a decoration, but sewing gives a stronger, longer-lasting result, especially for brooches and coasters.
