Crocheting Liberty Carnations

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Liberty

The Liberty Carnation, also known as “Cravo da Liberdade” in Portuguese, is a stunning crocheted flower that combines detailed craftsmanship with symbolic meaning. With its vibrant red petals and realistic structure, this project creates a beautiful representation of the carnation flower that has become an emblem of freedom and democracy in many cultures.

Understanding the Pattern

This pattern, designed by Luisa Cabral from Alanja Handmade, creates a realistic carnation flower with detailed petals, a structured base, and life-like leaves. The finished piece stands as a beautiful decorative item while carrying the meaningful phrase “Viva a Liberdade!” (Long live freedom!).

Liberty Materials Needed

To create your Liberty Carnation, you’ll need:

  • 100% cotton yarn (size 2) in red and green
  • 2.5mm crochet hook (adjust according to your yarn size)
  • Tapestry needle
  • Scissors
  • Floral wire for the stem
  • Small wire (~0.2mm) for leaves (optional)
  • Pliers
  • Floral tape (optional)

Liberty Crochet Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard crochet terminology:

  • MR: Magic Ring
  • Ch: Chain
  • St/s: Stitch/stitches
  • R: Row/Rows
  • Slst: Slip Stitch
  • Sc: Single Crochet
  • Hdc: Half Double Crochet
  • Dc: Double Crochet
  • Inc: Increase
  • Dec: Invisible Decrease

Liberty Creating the Flower Components

Flower Petals (In Red)

Note: The ch 2 at the beginning counts as 1 double crochet stitch. The slip stitch at the end of each round doesn’t count as a stitch in the final count.

  1. R1: In magic ring, ch 2, 11 dc (12 stitches)
  2. R2: Ch 2, 2 dc in same stitch, [3 dc in same stitch] × 10, 1 slip stitch (33 stitches)
  3. R3: Ch 2, 1 dc, [2 dc in same stitch] × 32, 1 slip stitch (66 stitches)
  4. R4: Ch 2, 2 dc in same stitch, [1 dc, 2 dc in same stitch] × 32, 1 slip stitch (99 stitches)
  5. R5: Ch 2, 2 dc in same stitch, [1 dc, 2 dc in same stitch] × 49, 1 dc, 1 slip stitch (147 stitches)
  6. R6: [Ch 4, 1 slip stitch] × 147 (735 stitches)

Finish off and weave in the yarn ends.

Flower Base (In Green)

  1. R1: In magic ring, 6 sc (6 stitches)
  2. R2: 6 increases (12 stitches)
  3. R3-8: Sc around (12 stitches) for 6 rounds
  4. R9: [Ch 3, 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, 1 dc, 2 slip stitch] ×6 (24 stitches)

Finish off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Small Leaves (Make 2 in Green)

  1. R1: Ch 10, starting on the 2nd ch from the hook, 9 sc. Rotate and work 9 sc on the other side of the chain. Add some thin wire and crochet over it (18 stitches)
  2. R2: Ch 3, starting on the 2nd ch from the hook, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 9 sc, 1 slip stitch (12 stitches)

Finish off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing. Leave the 2 ends of the wire for assembly at the end.

Big Leaves (Make 2 in Green)

  1. R1: Ch 15, starting on the 2nd ch from the hook, 14 sc. Rotate and work 14 sc on the other side of the chain. Add some thin wire and crochet over it (28 stitches)
  2. R2: Ch 3, starting on the 2nd ch from the hook, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 14 sc, 1 slip stitch (17 stitches)

Finish off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing. Leave the 2 ends of the wire for assembly at the end.

Liberty Assembly Process

  1. Pass the floral wire through the flower base (6) and flower petals (7), and bend the floral wire inside using pliers (8).
  2. Sew the flower base to the petals using the tail from the base (9, 10).
  3. Using floral tape, wrap around the floral wire for a more polished look. As you wrap, add the small leaves and wrap around the small wires.
  4. Continue wrapping the tape and add the big leaves the same way (11).
  5. Finish off and weave in all remaining yarn threads.

The assembly combines all the separate elements into a cohesive finished piece that resembles a real carnation. The floral tape not only gives a professional finish but also secures all the components together while creating the appearance of a natural stem.

Customization Options

While the traditional Liberty Carnation is red, you can experiment with different colors to create various carnation varieties:

  • White carnations can symbolize purity and luck
  • Pink carnations often represent gratitude
  • Purple carnations can symbolize capriciousness
  • Yellow carnations might represent disappointment or rejection

You can also adjust the size by using different yarn weights and hook sizes.

Check this out :Crocheting Adorable Daisy Plushies

Conclusion

The completed Liberty Carnation makes a beautiful decorative piece with historical and cultural significance. It can be displayed in a vase, incorporated into a wreath, used as a brooch, or given as a meaningful gift. The intricate crochet work results in a realistic flower that will last much longer than its natural counterpart.

Remember, if you decide to share your creation on social media, tag @alanja.handmade and use the hashtag #alanjahandmadepatterns so the designer can see your beautiful work!