How to crochet a Gladiolus

A name due to the shape of the leaves that in Latin means "little sword".

Gladiolus is a flower known since antiquity for its splendid flowering where it was mainly used in ceremonies as an ornament. Today we find it hybridized in an infinite variety of colors where it is one of the most appreciated flowers to beautify the gardens. I tried to make her beauty last in time, recreating this beautiful crochet flower. To make the crochet gladiolus you need to prepare the flower (for which I picked up the petals of the lily that are 6), the buds of 3 different sizes, the glasses that are of 2 different sizes, the pistils, a sturdy stem and naturally the leaves I created of 3 different heights.

Needed: cotton number 20 - 1.0mm crochet hook - scissors - needle - fishing line - 0.45mm galvanized iron wire - plasticized iron wire - pliers.

Explanation of the flower

Each flower is composed of 6 petals

Start 30 little chains

1 lap: 3 single crochet, 3 half double crochet, 3 double crochet, 11 triple crochet, 3 double crochet, 3 half double crochet, 3 single crochet, redo equal to the other side of the chains.

2 round: same as the first round plus 3 increases to be done in the triple crochet which will then be 14 instead of 11.

3 round: cut a piece of galvanized iron wire appropriate to the size of the petal plus a few cm more and insert it to the petal by working around the single crochet. Tighten the work well, twist a piece of wire around itself and close the work.

Explanation of the pistil

Cut about 15 cm of fishing line (possibly not colored) place it on the forefinger and hold it firmly with your thumb work 20 single crochet.

In the last single crochet make 5 double crochet and close them together keeping the line always inserted inside. Now close the work and when it stops the cotton we try to give the shape of small ball to the 5 double crochet. For each flower we have to make 3 pistils. Now that we have 6 petals and 3 pistils, let's assemble the flower. Place the 3 pistils in a petal and join them now by sewing them down at the base of the petal, we must feel them beautiful still. We add to this petal 2 other petals, always sewn down to form the central section of the flower, then continue to join the other 3 alternating them to get the right shape of the flower. To make the gladiolus of these flowers we have to prepare 4.

Explanation of the big bud

For this bud we have to prepare 3 petals identical to that of the flower with relative 3 pistils and the same procedure. We will do 2 of these buds.

Explanation of the average bud

Start 25 little chains.

1 lap: 3 single crochet, 3 half double crochet, 3 double crochet, 6 triple crochet, 3 double crochet, 3 half double crochet, 3 single crochet, redo equal to the other side of the chains.

2 lap: identical to the first lap with 3 increases in the triple crochet that instead of 6 will therefore be 9.

3 turn: insert the galvanized wire of the length that we need to work around the single crochet and close the work, same procedure of the petals of the flower.

Of these petals we will make 2 for bud and will be sewn down at the base to keep them together.

We will do 3 of these buds.

Explanation of the small bud

Same procedure as for the medium petal, except for the 3rd round where you will work the single crochet without the insertion of the galvanized wire. Of these petals we will make 1 for bud and the buds will be 3 in total.

Explanation of the large cup

The procedure is the same used to create the petal of the middle bud, then make the 25 little chains and the first and second round identical to the petal, then without closing the job make another 25 little chains to create another petal joined to the previous one. Then go down with slip stitch until the beginning of the petal and close the work by holding the cotton a bit 'long. The 2 petals are approached and half of them are sewn on one side and then on the other.

So we created the cup where we will put the flower and also the big bud. In total we should make 6.     

Explanation of the small glass

Same procedure of the great glass working only up to the first lap. Of these glasses we should make 6 where then the 3 medium buds and the 3 small buds will be inserted.

Now we cut about 15 cm of galvanized iron wire and insert it at the ends of each flower and bud creating a semi-circle, we knot it 2-3 times to lock it and then insert it into the glass. Once done for all the flowers and all the buds (except for a small bud) we cut a piece of plasticized iron wire that is strong enough to support the weight of the flowers and buds. Curve a tip of the stem to create a small pin (helping us with a forceps), where we spiral the small bud by attaching it to the stem with the wire, then insert the glass that will wrap the bud. Now one at a time starting with the small bud we will attach to the stem all the buds and flowers in increasing order. Then evaluate the length of the stem keeping in mind also the piece that will be inserted inside the vessel. Now we cover the stem with the green cotton working around the chains once on the right and once on the left of the stem, perhaps doing a few more points in conjunction with the joints of the flowers and buds to cover well even the galvanized wire, left out obviously the piece that will be inserted inside the vase. Once this is done arrange the flowers and buds well giving it the right shape.

Now to complete the gladiolus we have to prepare the leaves that I made of 3 different sizes to give more naturalness to the whole.

Explanation of the big leaf

Start 71 little chains, insert the galvanized iron wire (cut twice the length of the chains and another about 10 cm) working around the low points both on one side and on the other of the chains.

1 round: 25 triple crochet, 15 double crochet, 10 half double crochet, 10 single crochet, 10 slip stitch, work equal to the other side, obviously starting from slip stitch.

Close the work and twist the remaining iron wire about 3 cm on itself to form a small stem that will then allow the leaf to be inserted into the vase.

Explanation of the average leaf

The procedure is identical to the big leaf only the points that will change: 51 little chains, the single crochet around the wire and then do: 15 triple crochet, 10 double crochet, 10 half double crochet, 10 single crochet, 5 slip stitch .

Explanation of the small leaf

The same procedure of the other leaves also here change the points that are: 31 little chains, always the single crochet around the wire and the first round that will be: 10 triple crochet, 5 double crochet, 5 half double crochet, 5 single crochet, 5 slip stitch.

Make all the leaves you need to complete the gladiolus and admire your masterpiece. Of course you can change the composition always following your imagination and passion, changing the colors and the amount of flowers and buds. Mine is just an example that I had the pleasure of sharing with you and I hope as always to be able to explain everything to the fullest. Good creation to all we'll see you next time!