Striped Alpine Hyacinth Spike Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This little hyacinth is a joy to make and even more fun to display. It is written for confident beginners who know their basic stitches and are ready to try the alpine stitch, a wonderfully ridged texture that looks far more complicated than it is. Worked as a straight tube in alternating cherry red and pink bands, it captures the look of a real hyacinth spike, and a scattering of tiny bobbles along the front adds that bumpy floret charm. At just 2.5 inches wide and 4 inches tall on a 6-inch stem, it fits perfectly in a small vase or a handmade bouquet, and the soft worsted acrylic makes it squishy, durable, and completely fuss-free.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight acrylic. Color A (cherry red): 30 yd. Color B (pink): 30 yd. Color C (green): 10 yd.
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6)
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, small amount of polyester fiberfill, stitch marker (optional)
• Finished size: Flower head 2.5 inches wide x 4 inches tall; stem 6 inches long

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• hdc – half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops.
• dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
• fpdc – front post double crochet: work a double crochet around the post of the stitch below, from front to back, instead of into the top of the stitch.
• inc – increase: work two single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
• MR – magic ring: an adjustable loop used to start working in the round.
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• RS – right side (the outside of the finished piece)

Gauge

16 stitches x 8 rows = 4 inches in alpine stitch. Work a small swatch in the pattern and measure the middle of it; if your stitches are larger, go down a hook size, and if smaller, go up.

Tips Before You Start

• The alpine stitch alternates a plain dc row with a row of fpdc and dc stitches. Keep your turning chains loose so the edges of the tube stay flat and easy to seam.
• Change colors at the end of the last stitch of a row, pulling the new color through the final loop, so the stripes stay crisp.
• Count your stitches at the end of every row; the flower head stays at 9 stitches throughout, so any drift is easy to spot.
• Stuff the tube only lightly. Overstuffing stretches the alpine ridges and hides the texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Flower Head (Color A)

Row 1: Ch 11, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch across (9 dc).

Row 2: Ch 3, turn, [fpdc around next st, dc in next st] 4 times, fpdc around last st (9 sts).

Row 3: Ch 3, turn, dc in each st across (9 dc).

Row 4: Ch 3, turn, [fpdc around next st, dc in next st] 4 times, fpdc around last st (9 sts).

Rows 5-8: Change to B. Repeat Rows 3-4 twice (9 sts).

Rows 9-12: Change to A. Repeat Rows 3-4 twice (9 sts).

Rows 13-16: Change to B. Repeat Rows 3-4 twice (9 sts).

Rows 17-20: Change to A. Repeat Rows 3-4 twice (9 sts).

Rows 21-24: Change to B. Repeat Rows 3-4 twice (9 sts).

Rows 25-28: Change to A. Repeat Rows 3-4 twice (9 sts).

Rows 29-32: Change to B. Repeat Rows 3-4 twice (9 sts).

Rows 33-36: Change to A. Repeat Rows 3-4 twice (9 sts).

Rows 37-40: Change to B. Repeat Rows 3-4 twice (9 sts).

Rows 41-44: Change to A. Repeat Rows 3-4 twice (9 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Bobbles (make 20, in A or B)

Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc into the ring (4 sts).

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (8 sts).

Rnd 3: Sc in each st around (8 sts). Fasten off.

Stem (Color C)

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts).

Rnds 2-30: Sc in each st around (6 sts). Fasten off.

Leaves (make 2, Color C)

Row 1: Ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 ch, hdc in last ch, ch 1, turn, hdc in same ch, dc in next 3 ch, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Fold the flower head in half lengthwise with right sides together and whipstitch the side edges to form a tube. Turn right side out, stuff lightly, then sew the top and bottom openings closed with matching yarn. Sew the 20 bobbles evenly along the front of the flower head in a staggered pattern, alternating A and B. Insert the stem into the bottom of the flower head and sew it securely in place. Sew the two leaves to the stem near the base of the flower head. Weave in all ends, then lightly steam or mist and shape the piece, letting it dry fully before displaying.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the cherry red and pink for lavender and lilac, or white and pale blue, for a softer spring bouquet.
• Make a cluster of three spikes at slightly different heights and bind the stems together with green yarn for a fuller hyacinth bunch.
• Use a 3.5 mm hook and sport weight yarn for a smaller, daintier flower that fits tiny bud vases.