Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Tutorials

Escama Studio - Do-it-Yourself Flower Tutorial

Over the past few years we have received numerous emails from crafters who want to know how to crochet-with-tabs. This DIY Tutorial will should get you started on a long (and hopefully rewarding) project - a tab flower. As an ornamental piece, the flower can be used as a 'snowflake' to adorn a Christmas tree or can be incorporated into more elaborate projects .

Step 1: Materials:

Figure 1

6 tabs, (If you need lots of tabs, ask friends to collect the tops of soda cans for a few weeks for your project)
Crochet thread (1 or 2 colors). We recommend a strong synthetic fiber that is resistant to abrasion
No 3 crochet needle
Wire cutters
Cigarette lighter

Step 2

Figure 2

Choose tabs that are in good condition. Then wash them until they are nicely polished. Use the wire cutters to cut any internal sharp edges of the tabs.

Step 3

Begin crocheting the center of the flower, use a Single stitch to cover the 'thin side' of the tab (figure 3) (the side that's pulled when a can is opened). Repeat this step with all 6 of the tabs joining them in a line until all are connected. (figure 4)

Figure 3

Figure 4

Step 4

Pull the line of tabs into a circle and crochet them together (figure 5). Fill-in the middle space with single stitches, until it forms the center of the flower (figure 6). Cut and burn the edge of the thread that is left-over.

Figure 5

Figure 6

Step 5

Figure 7

Add color to the 'petals' of the flower, work with a Double stitch, to cover the outer ring of the tab (figure 7). There are 22 Double stitches to each tab.

Step 6

Figure 8

Cover all tabs in this same manner, connecting each of the 'petals' together. (figure 8)

Step 7

Figure 9

When the last tab is covered, join it to the first one with a Single stitch. Finish it off by burning the end of the thread, as it was done to the center of the flower. (figure 9)

You're Done

Figure 10

The flower is done!

Acknowledgements:

Eumary Moura

Artisan: Eumary Moura Alves Novaes Pinto, representing Cia do Lacre and As Panteras do Lacre. Design: Renato Ambroise

Some things you can do with your flower:

Attach a pin on the back to create a broach or decoration
Use it as a coaster
Crochet many flowers together to form
1. Wall hangings
2. Scarf