How to crochet Altea

The name of this officinal plant means to cure. Since ancient times, Altea was known as a friend of the poor as it allowed them to heal themselves without resorting to expensive medical treatment.
Infinite are the varieties and shades of its colors that with the abundant flowering it gives us.
To make the crochet Altea you need to prepare the flowers, the buds. the pistil, the calyx and the leaves which are of two different sizes.
Required: cotton number 10 and number 20 - crochet hook 1.0 mm - scissors - galvanized iron wire 0.45 mm - wadding - pliers - plasticized iron wire.
For the leaves, the buds and the calyxes I used the number 10 cotton, for the rest the number 20.

Explanation of the flower

Cast on 4 chain stitches and in the first chain make 9 double crochet (total 10).

1st round: 15 double crochet (increase every 2 points).
2nd round: 15 double crochet. Cotton color change.
3rd round: 3 triple crochet in one point, 2 triple crochet in one point, 3 triple crochet in one point. Turn the job.
4th round: 2 triple crochet in one stitch 8 times. Turn the job.

5th round: 1 half double crochet, 2 double crochet in one stitch, 2 triple crochet in one stitch twice, 8 triple crochet, 2 triple crochet in one stitch 2 times, 2 double crochet in one stitch, 1 half double crochet. Go down with slip stitch up to the turn of the 15 double crochet and repeat the same for a total of 5 petals.

Explanation of the pistil

Cast on 4 chain stitches and in the first chain make 7 double crochet (total 8).

1st and 2nd round: 8 double crochet.
Cut about 6 cm of galvanized iron wire, in the center wrap a little wadding and twist it on itself for about 1 cm. The remaining wire will be used to attach the flower to the stem. Insert it into the pistil and shape it with your hands.
3rd round: 2-3 slip stitch and finish the job.

Explanation of the bud

Cast on 5 chain stitches and in the first chain make 7 triple crochet (total 8).

Turn the piece and continue following the explanation of the 4th and 5th round of the flower petal.

Create 2 petals in total.

Explanation of the chalice

Cast on 4 chain stitches and in the first chain make 9 double crochet (total 10).

1st round: 15 double crochet (increase every 2 points).
2nd round: 6 chain stitches and do: 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 3 double crochet, skip 2 basic stitches, 1 slip stitch. Repeat the same for a total of 5 tips.

To assemble the flower, insert the pistil into the flower and then into the glass. Cover the small union stem with cotton by working around the chains.

To assemble the bud, cut about 6 cm of galvanized iron wire and wrap a little cotton in the center (the same shade used to make the petals). Twist the iron wire on itself for about 1 cm.

Insert it between the 2 petals which will be a little closed between them. Then insert the glass and cover the union stem with the cotton.

Explanation of the closed bud

Cast on 4 chain stitches and in the first chain make 9 double crochet (total 10).

1st round: 20 double crochet.
2nd round: 2 double crochet closed together for the whole round.
Cut about 5 cm of galvanized iron wire and wrap some cotton wool in the center. Twist the iron wire on itself for about 1 cm and insert it in the bud. Close the second round and continue stuffing.
3rd round: 2 double crochet closed together for the whole round.
4th round: 1-2 slip stitch stitches and finish the job.

Cover the small union stem with cotton.

Explanation of the medium leaf

Cast on 20 chain stitches.

Cut a piece of galvanized iron wire that makes the complete turn of the chains plus 2 cm more per side and insert it to them by working around 19 single crochet, on one side and the other. 1 slip stitch in the center to get to the other side.

1st round: 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 2 double crochet in one stitch, in 9 base stitches make 13 triple crochet, 2 double crochet in one stitch, 1 half double crochet, 5 single crochet. Repeat the same side on the other side, therefore start from the 5 single crochet. 1 slip stitch in the center to get to the other side.
2nd round: 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 2 double crochet in one stitch, 1 triple crochet, 2 triple crochet in one stitch, 1 double triple crochet, 2 double triple crochet in one stitch, 1 triple triple crochet , 1 triple triple crochet and 5 chain stitches in one stitch, repeat the same one more time, 7 single crochet. Repeat same on the other side in reverse.

Stretch the leaf well by modeling it with your hands. Twist the iron wire about 1 cm around itself. Cover the union stem by working around the chains.

Explanation of the large leaf

Cast on 30 chain stitches.

Cut a piece of galvanized iron wire that makes the complete turn of the chains plus 2 cm more upwards and insert it to them by working around 29 single crochet on one side and the other. 1 very low point in the center to get to the other side.

1st round: 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 2 double crochet in one stitch, in 11 basic stitches make 14 triple crochet, 2 double crochet in one stitch 2 times, 4 half double crochet, 9 single crochet. Repeat the same on the other side in reverse. 1 slip stitch in the center to get to the other side.
2nd round: 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 2 double crochet in one stitch, in 20 base stitches 26 triple crochet, 2 double crochet in one stitch, 3 half double crochet, 9 single crochet. Repeat the same on the other side in reverse. 1 slip stitch in the center to get from the other top.
3rd round: 1 single crochet, 2 half double crochet, 2 double crochet in one point, 2 triple crochet, 2 triple crochet in one point, 2 double triple crochet, 2 double triple crochet in one point, 2 triple triple crochet , 1 triple triple crochet and 5 chain stitches in one stitch, repeat the same one more time, 2 single crochet, 5 half double crochet, 5 single crochet, 5 slip stitches. Repeat the same on the other side in reverse.

Tension the leaf well and twist the iron wire around itself for about 1 cm. Cover the small stem with cotton.

Cut a piece of plasticized iron wire of the appropriate length and thickness for the work being carried out. On a tip wrap some cotton wool and bend it with the help of pliers. Insert a closed bud following the same procedure as in the previous explanation.

Immediately under the bud at the top of the stem, fasten the other closed buds. Then tie the buds with the medium leaves and the flowers always with the medium leaves. At the end of the stem tie the large leaves.

Cover the stem with cotton by working the chains around it, except for about 2 cm which will be inserted into the vase.

Model everything with your hands.
Your Altea is now ready to be placed in the pot.
As always I hope to have been clear in the explanation.
See you next time.

Hello to all.