Giant Marigold Crochet Flower for Easy DIY Diwali Decor 2025

Easy DIY Crochet Giant Marigold Flowers for Diwali Decor (Beginner Friendly)

Want bold, joyful decor for Diwali without a lot of fuss? Giant crochet marigolds are the perfect answer. They are fast, dramatic, and reusable year after year. In this step-by-step guide, I walk you through tripling your yarn for oversized petals, chaining in easy sets of 18, a quick hack for stitch markers, then gathering everything into lush ruffles. I also show how to add a sturdy stem and a neat cup with leafy loops for a polished finish. Change up the yarn color and you have pink or purple flowers for any room in the house.

Materials Needed

• Yellow or orange yarn: One 100 g ball for the petals (Yarn: shop my favorite yarns).
• Green yarn: About 15 g for the stem and cup.
• 8 mm crochet hook: Great for chunky, beginner-friendly work (Hook: my go-to 8 mm).
• Scissors: For trimming ends.
• About 70 stitch markers: You can also use scraps of contrasting yarn as DIY markers.
• Yarn needle: A blunt tip works best for gathering petals and sewing the cup (Needles: sharp tip set I use).

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Prefer written instructions? Use the free pattern for this project, written in plain English like I am sitting beside you: free pattern. If you love printing and highlighting, grab the printable PDF.

Why These Materials Work for Beginners

Tripling the yarn creates thick, sculptural petals without complex stitches. The hook size and method keep things simple and fast.

1. Choose acrylic yarn for stiffness and durability.
2. You only need a small amount of green, so it is stash-friendly.
3. Marking every 18 chains prevents miscounting and saves time later.

Getting Started: Tripling Your Yarn and Chaining the Base

The petals start with one long chain, marked every 18 stitches. Tripling the yarn gives you instant volume.

1. Work from the center of your yarn ball. Lay it flat, place a thumb on the strand, then loop the yarn back so you are working with three strands together.
2. Make a slip knot with all three strands and place it on your 8 mm hook.
3. Pull up a big loop of triple yarn, roughly an arm’s length at a time. I like about a meter. Lay that loop along your surface so it stays tidy.
4. Start chaining. Work in sets of 18 chains.
5. After each set of 18, roll the chain so you can see the back loop (the camel bump), and mark it. Use a stitch marker or a scrap of yarn.
6. Keep going until the entire 100 g ball is chained and marked.

Feel free to settle in with a show or podcast while you chain. It is repetitive and relaxing, and you will use nearly the whole ball. Do not worry about spots where you pulled up a large loop. They disappear inside the chain once it is worked and gathered.

Handling Running Out of Yarn or Markers

DIY Stitch Marker Hack

If you do not have 70 markers, use scrap yarn instead.

• Cut several 2-inch scraps in a contrasting color.
• Right before you make chain 18, slide a scrap under the hook, then make the 18th chain.
• The scrap gets locked into that spot and pulls right out later.
• This is faster than opening and closing markers, and you can reuse scraps.

Extending Your Chain

When your big working loop shrinks, pinch the loop with your thumb and finger, pull through another arm’s length of triple yarn, and keep going. When you reach the end of the ball and cannot complete another set of 18, chain 1 to secure, pull the yarn through, and snug it down.

Gathering the Petals

Now for the magic. We will thread the marked back loops, then cinch them tight to form fluffy marigold petals.

1. Cut a 3-foot length of contrasting yarn and fold it in half. Slip the folded end through the closed marker at one end of your long chain and pull it through so that marker is leashed to the yarn.
2. Thread both tails of that contrasting yarn onto a blunt yarn needle.
3. Start at the first marker. Remove the marker, then pick up one strand of the back loop where the marker was and thread your needle through.
4. Move to the next marker. You can hook one strand onto the needle first, then remove the marker, then pull the needle through.
5. Keep the chain untwisted if you can, with the pretty side facing down and the back loops facing up. If it twists a bit, it is fine. Marigolds are forgiving.
6. Continue threading one back-loop strand at every marker, all the way to the end. Expect about 70 marked points from a 100 g ball.

When everything is threaded, pull gently on both ends to gather the chain. The petals will ruffle into a compact flower shape. Find the midpoint, then tie a double knot like you are tightening hockey skate laces. This prevents slipping while you adjust the shape. Tie a few more times to secure the gather. Using two strands here helps it cinch tight like a big pom pom.

Creating the Stem

The stem is quick and firm. We make a short chain, then slip stitch back to create a sturdy stalk.

1. Triple your green yarn just like before and make a slip knot. You do not need a long starting tail.
2. Chain 6 to 12, depending on how long you want the stem. I usually chain 10.
3. Turn the chain and work into the back loops, starting in the second chain from the hook. Slip stitch into each back loop up to the top.
4. Chain 1 to secure, cut the yarn, and pull the ends through.
5. Gather all six tails and tie a knot right at the top of the stem, snug against the last slip stitch. This creates a groove that helps the cup cinch into place.
6. If the tails are long enough, wrap and tie a second knot. Trim any ends that are much longer than the rest.

Making the Cup Base

The cup sits under the flower and gives that classic marigold look. It is made with a magic ring, a small round of double crochet, an increase round, and leaf loops around the edge.

Forming the Magic Ring

• Hold the stem tails over your non-dominant hand. Pin them against your ring finger with your thumb.
• Wrap the green yarn around your top two fingers and around your third finger, then secure it again under your thumb.
• Turn your hand so you see a short strand and a long strand. Insert your hook under the short strand and over the long strand.
• Pull the long strand under the short strand and bring it onto the fat part of your hook.
• Slide the hook under the long strand again, lift slightly, pinch the ring, turn the hook, and pull through to form a loop.
• Chain 1 to set the ring.
• Make 7 double crochets into the center of the ring, working over the tails. If the tails get short, pull them to bring more length into the ring.

Attaching the Stem

• Find the pretty side of your cup. You want those neat stitches facing outward.
• Insert the knotted end of the stem through the center of the ring so the knot sits inside the cup.
• Pull the magic ring closed, cinching tightly under the knot’s groove. Acrylic handles a tight pull well.
• Tie the ring tails to the stem tails as tight as you can.
• Slip stitch to join into the top of the first real double crochet in the round. Keep the join snug for a clean look.

Increasing for Shape

• Chain 2.
• Work around the cup by alternating 2 double crochets in one stitch, then 1 double crochet in the next stitch.
• Slip stitch to the top of the first real double crochet to join.

Adding Leaf Loops

• Chain 4.
• Slip stitch through the front loop of the next stitch, skipping one stitch between each leaf loop.
• Repeat chain 4, skip one, front-loop slip stitch all the way around.
• For the last loop, chain 4 and slip stitch into the same stitch to finish.
• Chain 1 to secure, cut the yarn, and leave one long strand for sewing. Pull through and snug down.

Tuck all the other green tails inside the cup to help it hold its shape. Three strands make the cup fairly stiff, so you usually do not need extra stuffing. If you want more structure, a small ball of scrap yarn inside works well.

Attaching the Cup to the Flower

Here is how to anchor everything together so your marigold holds up on doors, walls, and garlands.

1. Thread the single long green tail onto your yarn needle.
2. Place the cup over the gathered center of the flower. All the flower’s tails should be tucked into the cup for a neat back.
3. Sew down through a slip stitch on the cup’s edge, then into the flower center. Come up through the next slip stitch along the cup edge.
4. Continue around the cup, catching a bit of the gathered petals each time. The goal is to secure the cup while keeping the petals fluffy and even.
5. Go around twice if you can. This creates a firm bond.
6. When you reach the starting point, make sure all tails are enclosed.
7. To finish, take a few stitches back and forth across the stem area to hide the tail. Give the yarn a gentle pull and snip. The tail will pop back inside and disappear.

That is it. Your cup is tidy, the stem is solid, and the petals are full and secure.

Final Touches and Display Ideas

I love these for Diwali, but they look great any time. Try:

• Classic orange and yellow for festival decor.
• Pink, purple, or white for bedrooms and living spaces.
• Grouping several on a garland or toran for a dramatic doorway.

If you want a festive banner to go with your marigolds, you can try my step-by-step toran guides: Simple Crochet Toran Assembly for Diwali and Easy Marigold Crochet Toran for Diwali 2025.

For inspiration and style ideas, you might also enjoy browsing a few variations of marigold decor on Etsy under crochet marigold garlands. If you prefer left-handed instruction, I also filmed a left-handed version of this tutorial.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Petals look uneven: Work the gather tighter, then rotate the flower in your hands to even out the ruffles.
• Cup feels loose: Add a second pass of sewing around the slip stitches and catch more of the gathered center.
• Chain twists while threading: It is fine. Marigolds are textured. If it bothers you, straighten as you go and keep the pretty side facing down while threading.
• Not enough markers: Use the scrap-yarn marker trick. It is faster anyway.
• Stem too floppy: Add a few more slip stitches by chaining 12 instead of 10, or use a slightly firmer acrylic.

Care and Storage

These flowers are reusable and sturdy. Dust them gently in a mesh bag on the cool air setting of a dryer, or spot clean with a damp cloth. Store them flat, or tuck each flower into the cup of another to save space.

Left Handed?

Wrapping Up Your Giant Marigold

Big flowers bring big joy. These giant crochet marigolds are perfect for doors, walls, and garlands, and they will last for many seasons. If you want more Diwali-friendly ideas that coordinate with these flowers, take a look at my guide to DIY Crochet Toran for Diwali Festivities and this list of quick crochet gifts for Diwali season.

Ready to crochet along with me each week? Subscribe for new tutorials on YouTube, and grab my free crochet cheat sheet to keep your stitches stress-free. Stay hooked!

Frequently Asked Questions

What yarn should I use? Acrylic works best. It is stiff, durable, and holds the ruffles. Use yellow or orange for petals, green for stem and cup.

How much yarn do I need? About 100 g for petals and 15 g for the stem and cup when worked triple-stranded.

How do I make the petals look full? Chain in sets of 18, mark each set, then thread and gather the back loops. Tie tightly like a pom pom.

What if I do not have 70 stitch markers? Use scrap-yarn markers. Slide a 2-inch scrap under the hook before chain 18, then make the chain. It locks in and pulls out later.

My chain twisted while threading. Is that a problem? No. A little twist adds texture. Keep the pretty side down as you thread if you want it neater.

How do I make the stem sturdy? Slip stitch back along a short chain with triple-stranded yarn. Tie the tails at the top to create a groove. You can chain 12 instead of 10 for more firmness.

How is the cup made and attached? Make a magic ring, work double crochets, add an increase round, then chain-4 leaf loops. Insert the stem knot into the ring, cinch tight, and sew the cup to the flower center.

Can I adjust the size? Yes. Add or remove sets of 18 chains for more or fewer petals. Adjust stem length by changing the starting chain.

Do I need stuffing in the cup? Usually no. Triple strands make it stiff. You can tuck a small ball of scrap yarn inside if you want more structure.

Christa Patel is the maker behind Secret Yarnery. She designs simple, joyful crochet patterns that look impressive yet are easy to follow. Her tutorials focus on clear steps, smart shortcuts, and beginner-friendly techniques, helping makers relax and enjoy the stitch. She shares weekly videos on YouTube, free patterns on her blog, and printable PDFs for those who love to highlight and take notes. When she is not filming, she is color-testing yarn, sipping chai, and dreaming up festive decor like marigolds and torans. Join her to keep projects fun and stress-free.