Made and counted by Wren —

Crochet Shawls With Flowers: Basic Motif & Daisy Appliqué Guide

Learn to crochet shawls with flowers using a basic flower motif and daisy appliqué. Add romantic floral charm to any wrap with this step-by-step guide.

IntermediateLevel

4-6 HoursTime

WorstedYarn

Jump to the pattern

At a glance

Start by completing your chosen shawl base pattern in your preferred triangular, rectangular, or circular shape.

Block the finished shawl so the fabric lies flat and the true shape is visible before adding any embellishment.

Begin the Basic Flower Motif with a tight center ring, then work the two rounds to form the rounded petals.

Fasten off the Basic Flower Motif and leave a long tail for attaching it to the shawl later.

Work the Daisy Flower separately through its two rounds, forming the more elongated, pointed petal shape.

Arrange the finished flowers on the shawl and pin them in place to test the overall layout.

Sew each flower securely onto the shawl surface using its own yarn tail and a yarn needle.

Weave in any remaining ends on the wrong side so the shawl looks clean and finished from the front.

About this pattern

This pattern transforms a plain crochet shawl into a floral showstopper by adding two charming appliqué motifs: a Basic Flower and a cheerful Daisy Flower. What makes this project special is how the small-scale motifs pack a big visual punch, turning any triangular, rectangular, or circular shawl base into something that looks boutique-made. It's perfect for crocheters who already have a favorite shawl pattern in their queue and want to give it a fresh, feminine upgrade without starting from scratch.

The techniques here center on working tidy motifs in the round, starting from a magic ring or chain loop, and building petals through a mix of chains, single crochets, and double crochets to create dimensional layers. Expect a comfortable intermediate skill level — you'll want to be confident with basic round construction and simple increases, but there's no complicated shaping to worry about. Between the two flower rounds and the six-step assembly process, plan on a relaxed evening or two to complete the floral additions once your base shawl is finished.

The finished result is a shawl base adorned with delicate, dimensional flowers that catch the eye without overwhelming the fabric underneath. Depending on how many motifs you scatter across the surface, the look can range from a single romantic accent near the shoulder to a fuller garden trail along one edge. Soft, drapey, and endlessly giftable, this floral-embellished shawl makes a beautiful handmade present for a birthday, bridal shower, or simply as a treat-yourself project for the changing seasons.

Variations

The beauty of this floral appliqué approach is how endlessly customizable it is. For a bold statement, try working the Basic Flower Motif in a saturated color like cherry red or cobalt blue against a neutral oatmeal or cream shawl base — the contrast makes the petals pop. For something softer, stick to a tonal palette: a blush pink daisy on a dusty rose shawl reads elegant and cohesive rather than crafty. Yarn substitutions open up a lot of possibilities too — swap your worsted weight Vanna's Choice or Soft for budget-friendly color options, or upgrade to Cascade 220 Superwash or Malabrigo Rios for a shawl with beautiful drape and a slightly fuzzy halo around the flower edges. If you want a lightweight summer version, drop down to a sport or DK weight yarn with a smaller hook, which will shrink your flowers to a dainty, delicate scale ideal for scattering multiple blooms across the fabric. For a seasonal spin, work the Daisy Flower in golden yellow with a brown center for a sunflower-inspired look come autumn, or cluster several Basic Flower Motifs in white and pale green for a wintry, frost-flower effect. You can also play with placement: instead of a single accent flower, try a cascading trail of three to five motifs graduating in size down one point of a triangular shawl, or space them evenly along the entire bottom edge for a fuller garden-border effect. Mixing both motif types together — alternating Basic Flowers and Daisies — adds even more textural interest and keeps the eye moving across the piece.

I adore this project because it's the perfect way to breathe new life into a shawl you already love — or one you've been planning to make. Working the Basic Flower Motif in just two rounds is so satisfying; you start with a tight little center and watch the petals bloom outward in minutes. Then the Daisy Flower gives you a totally different texture and silhouette, so your finished shawl has visual variety instead of matchy-matchy repetition. I love that these motifs are small enough to be portable projects — I've made several while watching TV or waiting at appointments. There's something deeply calming about the rhythm of chain, single crochet, repeat around a tiny ring. And the payoff is huge: attaching even two or three flowers to a shawl edge instantly elevates it from 'nice handmade wrap' to 'where did you buy that gorgeous piece?' It's beginner-friendly enough to build confidence with round construction, but polished enough that experienced crocheters will still enjoy the process. Honestly, once you make your first flower, you'll want to make a dozen more.

Common mistakes

Starting the flower center too loose, causing a visible hole in the middle of the Basic Flower Motif.Pull your starting chain or ring tail tight before beginning round one, and give it an extra tug again once round one is complete to fully close the gap.
Working petal stitches too tightly, which makes the Daisy Flower cup or curl instead of lying flat.Keep your tension relaxed on the petal stitches specifically — if needed, go up half a hook size just for the flower motifs so the petals have room to spread out.
Losing track of which round you're on when the flower has only two rounds but multiple stitch types within each.Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go, especially since round two often has a different stitch count than round one.
Attaching the finished flowers to the shawl with visible knots or bulky seams on the right side.Use the mattress stitch or a whip stitch worked through the back loops only, and weave in all tails on the wrong side before attaching so nothing shows through the shawl fabric.
Choosing a shawl base and flower yarn with mismatched weights, so the appliqués look either too dainty or too heavy for the fabric.Match your flower yarn weight closely to your shawl yarn weight, or if you want a subtle contrast, stay within one weight category difference at most.
Overcrowding the shawl with too many flowers placed too close together, hiding the shawl's own stitch pattern.Lay your finished flowers on the shawl before stitching them down and step back to view the placement from a distance, leaving breathing room between each motif.

The pattern

Written out round by round

Materials

Worsted weight yarn
Crochet hook (size to suit your yarn)

Abbreviations

ch = chain
dc = double crochet
shell = shell stitch

1. Basic Flower Motif

A simple flower motif can be used throughout your shawl to create a cohesive design.

Pattern Overview: Stitches Used : Chain, Double Crochet.

Colors : Your choice for the flower center and petals.

Round 1Make a magic ring, ch 2 , work 12 dc into the ring. Pull tight to close .
Round 2Ch 2 , *work 2 dc in the next stitch, ch 1 *; repeat around. 2. Floral AppliquéPattern Overview: Stitches Used: Single Crochet, Slip Stitch.

Floral appliqués can be sewn onto your shawl for added texture and dimension.

Colors : Various colors for a vibrant look.

Create individual flowers using various patterns, then attach them to the shawl with a yarn needle.

3. Daisy Flower

Daisy flowers are perfect for a cheerful, summery shawl.

Pattern Overview: Stitches Used : Chain, Double Crochet, Slip Stitch.

Round 1Ch 4 , join to form a ring. Work 12 dc into the ring.
Round 2Work * 1 dc, ch 1 , 1 dc* in each stitch around for petals. 4. 3D FlowersPattern Overview: Stitches Used: Shell Stitch, Double Crochet.Complete your shawl with a decorative border or edging. This can be a simple single crochet or a more intricate scalloped edge.

3D flowers add depth and are perfect for making a statement on your shawl.

Creating Your Crochet Shawl with Flowers Step 1: Choose Your Base Pattern

Select a shawl pattern that you love. There are many options, including triangular, rectangular, or circular shawl patterns.

Step 2: Incorporate Flowers

Decide where you want to place the flowers. You can make them a central feature or sprinkle them throughout the shawl.

Follow the chosen flower pattern, creating several motifs in advance.

Step 3: Join Flowers to the Shawl

As you crochet the shawl, attach the flowers at the desired locations. You can sew them directly onto the shawl using a yarn needle.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

Discover beautiful crochet shawl patterns featuring flowers. Get inspired with ideas, tips, and step-by-step instructions to create your perfect floral shawl today!

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Assembly

Step 1

Complete your shawl with a decorative border or edging. This can be a simple single crochet or a more intricate scalloped edge.

Step 2

Discover beautiful crochet shawl patterns featuring flowers. Get inspired with ideas, tips, and step-by-step instructions to create your perfect floral shawl today!

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Important notes

💡 Use a hook one size smaller than your shawl's main hook for the flower motifs — this keeps the petals nice and dense so they hold their shape once attached.

💡 Save your yarn tails when finishing each flower round; you'll use these same tails to sew the motif directly onto the shawl instead of weaving them in first.

💡 Block your shawl base before attaching any flowers so the fabric is fully relaxed and you can see exactly where the petals will sit once the piece is finished.

💡 If working the Daisy Flower in a variegated yarn, wind off a small separate bobbin so the color pooling doesn't clash unpredictably across the petals.

💡 Pin your flowers in place with locking stitch markers or safety pins first, then step back and try the shawl on (or drape it over a chair) before committing to permanent stitches.

💡 Keep a small yarn needle threaded and ready while making multiple flowers — attaching each motif right after finishing it prevents a pile of loose ends to sort through later.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Can I use this Basic Flower Motif and Daisy Flower on any shawl shape?

Yes, both motifs work beautifully on triangular, rectangular, or circular shawl patterns since they're worked separately and simply sewn on afterward. Just choose placement that complements your shawl's existing shape and drape.

How many flowers do I need to make for one shawl?

This depends entirely on your desired look — a single accent flower near one point is elegant, while a cluster of five or more creates a fuller garden effect. Start with two or three and add more once you see how they look in place.

What yarn weight works best for the flower appliqués?

Worsted weight yarn gives the flowers good structure and visibility against most shawl fabrics, but you can drop to DK or sport weight for smaller, more delicate blooms. Just match your hook size to whichever yarn weight you choose.

Do the Basic Flower Motif and Daisy Flower use the same stitch techniques?

They share the same round-based construction starting from a center ring, but the Daisy Flower creates more elongated, pointed petals compared to the rounder petals of the Basic Flower Motif. Both are worked in just two rounds, making them quick to complete.

How do I attach the flowers securely without them coming loose over time?

Use your leftover yarn tail and a yarn needle to whip stitch through the back loops of the flower's outer round, securing it to the shawl at multiple points around the edge. A few extra stitches at the center back of the flower also help anchor it firmly.