How To Hook Wool Flowers – Rug Hooking Tutorial

I made another tutorial. Can you believe it? This time around I’m showing you how to hook wool flowers.

It’s a really easy rug hooking tutorial that many of you have asked me about over the years.

These flowers are crazy easy to make, but I’m going to warn you now though, once you start, you’ll find it hard to stop.

They are addicting!

Just like the other rug hooking tutorials I’ve made in recent weeks, I decided to make a video tutorial on how I hooked these flowers and of course, a picture filled tutorial as well.

I am a visual learner, and in my book, every little bit helps. So here we go!

How To Hook Wool Flowers 

The first step is deciding on what size you want your flowers to be. Big? Small? There is no set size, it’s totally up to you. 

I typically aim for my finished flowers to be around 4” – 6” across when completed.

So for my flower “template” I usually want my circle to be about 3” – 4” across {a little smaller than the finished flower}.

After I’ve figured out what size I want my flowers to be, I then trace a circle onto linen backing with a sharpie marker. I’ve always used container lids from the fridge for this as they are sturdy and always available. 

I typically draw 6 flowers out onto a piece of linen at a time. If you’ve never hooked a wool flower before, you’ll probably find it easier to just start with 1 circle.

First things first. You’ll want to secure your rug hooking backing {I use linen} in your frame {I used my 8″ quilting hoop to hook these flowers}.

You’ll want to keep your rug hooking backing as taut as possible as you hook so make sure your baking doesn’t have too much “bounce” to it. 

Then, simply pull the wool strip through the backing and up towards you about 1 1/2″ inches. 

*If you’ve never pulled loops before, check out my video on how to use a rug hook.

The first flower petal. 

Now for the second petal, I would suggest pulling your wool strip up and then tucking the hook into the first and second petal to make sure they are approximately the same length.

Once you get the hang of it, you won’t need to do this, but it’s a helpful tip for beginners.

Here’s what the first 10 loops {petals} look like from the top.

Here’s what the first 10 loops {petals} look like from the side.

Sometimes I’ll hook one row of petals, and sometimes two. It really just depends what look I’m going for. 

After you hook the petals, it’s time to hook the seed head. I hook this at the same height {about 3/8″} as I do for my rugs. 

Here is what a completed sunflower looks like.

Now it’s time to finish the flower! 

After I trim the extra bits of backing away, I place the flower on top of a piece of hand dyed wool the same size. {I like to trim the backing and wool around my flowers to about 2 inches from the edge.}

Next from the edges of your hooked flower, tuck the backing and the wool inward and pin in place.

I use 2 strands of matching DMC floss to stitch the linen backing and wool together. You’ll want to work your way around the flower and then leave a 2 inch wide opening.

At this point you can choose to stuff your flowers with wool scraps for a more fuller looking flower, or not stuff them for a more “flat” look. 

Every flower needs a stem and I like to use pruned tree branches for mine. I usually aim for branches with a tip around ½ wide.

To add a stem, simply insert a {dried and clean} tree branch, and then stitch the opening closed.

Now it’s time to give this wool flower some leaves!

Next, take an 8″ x 2″ wide strip of green wool and cut in half lengthwise. Then round the edges a bit.

Place the “leaf} under the stem.

And tie it in place.

I usually add 2 to 3 leaves per flower.

And that, my friends, is my tutorial on how to hook wool flowers.

If you want to see a more detailed version of how I made these sunflowers, you can check out the video on my youtube channel MavisButterfield.

Any hey, while you’re there, maybe you want to subscribe too. You just never know what I might make next. 😉

Keep Calm and Carry On.

~Mavis

More rug hooking tutorials can be found HERE.