Orchid Flower Pattern

Ch 4, 4 dc in 4th st from hook, ch 3, turn.

Sc in next dc, * ch 2, sc in next dc, repeat from * once, ch 2, sc in 3rd st of ch, ch 3, turn.

Sl st in 1st loop, * ch 2, sl st in next loop, repeat from * twice, ch 2, sl st in same space (an increase), ch 3, turn.

Sl st in 1st loop, * ch 2, sl st in next loop, repeat from * 3 times, ch 2, sl st in same space (6 loops), ch 3, turn.

Sl st in 1st loop, * ch 2, sl st in next loop, repeat from * 4 times, ch 3, turn. Repeat the 5th row 14 times.

Skip 1st loop, sl st in next loop, * ch 2, sl st in next loop, repeat from * 3 times, ch 3, turn. Repeat the last row 3 times, having 1 less loop in each row.

Sl st in next loop, ch 2, sl st in next loop, working down side of petal, * ch 2, sc in next loop, repeat from * down side to loop before the dc row, ch 4, sc in 1st st of starting ch, ch 4, working up opposite side, sc in next loop, * ch 2, sc in next loop, repeat from * up side and across top of petal.

Ch 3, sc in same space, * ch 3, sc in next loop, ch 3, sc in same space, repeat from * all around, cut thread. Cut a 5 inch length of white covered wire and run through center of petal on back, turn over about ¼ inch at top to hold in position. Sew wire at lower edge of petal and let remainder of wire extend at lower edge of petal. Work another large petal in same manner.

Ch 4, 2 dc in 4th st from hook, ch 3, turn.

Sc in next dc, ch 2, sc in 3rd st of ch, ch 3, turn.

Sl st in 1st loop, ch 2, sl st in next loop, ch 3, turn.

Sl st in 1st loop, ch 2, sl st in next loop, ch 2, sl st in same loop, ch 3, turn.

Sl st in 1st loop, * ch 2, sl st in next loop, repeat from * once, ch 2, sl st in same loop, ch 3, turn.

Sl st in 1st loop, * ch 2, sl st in next loop, repeat from * twice, ch 3, turn. Repeat the last row 11 times.

Decrease 1 loop at beginning of each row same as on large petal, ch 3, turn.

Work even, ch 3, turn.

Decrease 1 loop at beginning of row, ch 3, turn, sc in remaining loop, working down side of petal, * ch 3, sc in next loop, repeat from * down side, ch 3, sc in 1st loop of opposite side, * ch 3, sc in next loop, repeat from * up opposite side, ch 3, sc in 1st loop at top of petal, cut thread. Lace a wire through back of petal same as on large petal. Work 2 more small petals in same manner.

Ch 5, join to form a ring, * ch 3, sc in ring, repeat from * 3 times, do not join this or the following rounds.

* Ch 2, sl st in next loop, ch 2, sl st in same loop, repeat from * all around.

* Ch 2, sl st in next loop, repeat from * all around.

Same as 3rd round.

Working in same manner increase 3 loops evenly spaced, then work even same as 3rd round until piece measures about 1½ inches in length, ch 3, turn.

Sl st in 1st loop, * ch 2, sl st in next loop, repeat from * 6 times, ch 3, turn.

Decrease 1 loop at beginning of each row, ch 3 to turn each row.

Same as last row but do not turn.

Working around entire opening, * ch 3, sc in next loop, ch 3, sc in same loop, repeat from * all around, join, cut thread. Tint the inside of petal with crayon having Yellow at center and Purple at top.

Ch 3, 6 sc in 3rd st from hook, without joining rounds work 1 sc in each sc until piece measures about 1¼ inches, ** decrease in next 2 sts (to decrease: * insert hook in next st, pull loop through, repeat from * once, thread over and pull through all loops at one time), repeat from ** twice, cut thread leaving a small length (top of pistil), with hook pull thread through inside of pistil. Tint outside with Yellow pastel crayon.

Double the 8 inch length of medium wire in half and cover with Rayon for about a ½ inch length at top and insert in crocheted pistil. Pull wire through tube petal and cover the stem of wire with a strip of Green crepe paper. Arrange petals as illustrated around the tube petal and cover all wires with a strip of Green crepe paper. Finish with artificial fern and a ribbon bow if desired.