Carnations

Directions for 1 flower 2 1/2" in diameter

MATERIALS:
Thread,varigated or solid color of choice for flower
green thread for calyx
green floral tape and wire stem
steel crochet hook size 7
needle nose pliers.

GAUGE:10 tr = 1"; 3 rnds = 1 1/4"

FLOWER:
Starting at center of flower, ch 10, join with sl st to form ring.
Rnd 1:Ch 4 (counts as 1 tr) 19 tr ( yo, 2 times) in ring. (20 tr). Join with sl st to top of ch 4.
Rnd 2:Ch 4, tr in same place as sl st, 2 tr in each tr around (40tr). Join with sl st to top of ch 4.
Rnds 3 & 4: Repeat rnd 2 (160 tr at the end of rnd 4)
Rnd 5: Sc in same place as sls t * ch 10, sc in next tr; repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

CALYX:
Starting at center, ch 4, join with sl st to form ring.
Rnd 1:7 sc in ring. DO NOT JOIN RNDS
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (14sc)
Rnd 3: *Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; repeat from * around. (21 st)
Rnd 4 - 10: Sc in each sc all the way around. Fasten off.

FINISHING:
Fold flower in half 3 times. Make a running stitch across 3rd rnd of flower, to secure the folds. Insert flower into calyx. Pin to hold in place. Hand sew calyx to flower with an overcast st. Spread out flower so that edges overlap calyx

STEM:
Using pliers, make a loop in one end of wire; insert unbent end through the center of flower and calyx. Push against base of flower to keep flower from wobbling. Using pliers, find bent end of wire and close the loop, capturing serveral folds in the loop. Then use floral tape to blend the calyx into the stem, covering the whole stem.