Wildflower Wander Crochet Motif – A Textured Crochet Square for Your Next Project!

If you love crochet motifs that are full of texture and color, you’re going to adore the Wildflower Wander Crochet Motif! This beautiful square is the star of the Wildflower Wander Shawl by Mary Lane, available in a kit at Herrschners. With its combination of stitches, vibrant colors, and versatility, this motif can easily transform into a cozy blanket, a pillow cover, or any other project you can dream up.

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The motif uses three different colors of worsted weight yarn—specifically, Herrschners Worsted 8 Wildflowers (shop here)—but don’t let that limit you. This is a fantastic stash buster project where you can mix and match as many colors as your heart desires!

In this post, I’ll cover everything you need to know about the Wildflower Wander Motif, including:

• The difference between puff stitch, popcorn stitch, and cluster stitch.
• How to join squares, including the crochet mattress stitch and join-as-you-go techniques.
• Tips for reading crochet stitch diagrams.
• Inspiration from other motif patterns on my website.

Grab your hooks and let’s dive into this intermediate-level pattern packed with texture and creativity!

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Skill Level: Intermediate

To tackle this motif, you should be confident in your crochet terminology and skills. You’ll need to know how to:

• Chain (ch) : With slip knot or free loop on hook, yarn over hook and pull through loop on hook.
• Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop and draw through loop on hook.
• Half Double Crochet (hdc): Yarn over, insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
• Double Crochet (dc) : Yarn over hook, insert hook into indicated st, yarn over and pull up a loop, [yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook] twice.
• Puff Stitch: Yarn over, insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, [yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop] 3 times, yarn over and draw through all loops on hook.
• Third Loop: Also known as middle or back bar. Horizontal strand located under the top 2 loops, created by the yarn over when making taller stitches. When working in turned rows the third bar is on the front side of the fabric facing you.
• Back Post Double Crochet (BPdc) : Yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back around the post of the stitch indicated, yarn over and pull up a loop, [yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook] twice.
• Treble Crochet (tr): Yarn over hook twice, insert hook into indicated st, yarn over and pull up a loop, [yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook] 3 times.

This square is a textural delight, combining all these stitches for a rich, eye-catching design.

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🌼 What’s the Difference Between Puff Stitch, Popcorn Stitch, and Cluster Stitch in Crochet?

If you’ve been confused about these stitches before, you’re not alone! Here’s a quick rundown:

Puff Stitch

• Made by yarn over and pulling up loops multiple times in the same stitch before closing them together.
• Creates a soft, rounded puff.
• Popular in patterns like the Puff Stitch Cowl.

Popcorn Stitch

• Worked by making multiple double crochets in the same stitch, then removing the hook, inserting it into the first dc, and pulling the last loop through.
• Has a more defined, bobble-like appearance.
• Check out my Confetti Dots Granny Blanket for a great example!

Cluster Stitch

• Involves partially completing several stitches (like double or treble crochets) before pulling through all loops on the hook at once.
• More flat compared to puff and popcorn stitches.

Each of these stitches brings a different kind of texture and depth to your project, so don’t be afraid to experiment!

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🌿 Shallow Back Post Stitch vs. Third Loop Stitch – What’s the Difference?

Both stitches add texture but in different ways:

Shallow Back Post Stitch

• Involves inserting your hook under the top 2 loops on one stitch from the back, around the post, and back out under the top 2 loops of the next stitch.
• It is not as deep as a regular back post stitch.
• Adds a subtle ridge and is great for borders or textured sections.
• Example: Check out my tutorial here!

Third Loop Stitch

• Made by inserting the hook into the third loop (as above for description).
• Lets the top loops lay to the front of your work, creating a beautiful line.
• For more on stitch anatomy, visit my blog post: Crochet Stitch Anatomy.

Both techniques could be used in the Wildflower Wander Motif to build an even more special motif!

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🧶 How to Join Crochet Squares – Tips and Tricks

The Wildflower Wander Shawl uses the crochet mattress stitch for a clean, nearly invisible seam. It’s a simple yet effective way to join squares without adding bulk.

• Watch my video tutorial: How to Seam Together Crochet.

Want a faster method? Try one of the join-as-you-go techniques! It’s perfect for turning these motifs into a blanket or table runner without having to sew them together later.

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📊 Why Crochet Stitch Diagrams Are a Game-Changer

If you’re a visual learner, crochet stitch diagrams are about to become your new best friend. They show you exactly:

• Where to place each stitch.
• What type of stitch to use.

We’ve created a detailed stitch diagram for the Wildflower Wander Motif available to download with any GROW subscription (scroll to bottom of post for stitch diagram). If you’re new to diagrams, you can check out our quick tutorial with tips on how to read them.

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🌸 Other Motif Patterns You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of motifs, you’ll definitely want to check out these patterns on my blog:

• Byars Baby Blanket
• Join-As-You-Go Blanket Patterns
• Blooming Granny Square Baby Afghan
• Ivy’s Poppy Blanket

For more square patterns:

• Diamond Mosaic Crochet Square
• Faux Cable Square

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📏 Planning a Blanket? Check Out My Guide to Blanket Sizes!

If you’re inspired to turn the Wildflower Wander Motif into a full-sized blanket, make sure to read my blog post on blanket sizes. It’s packed with tips to help you choose the perfect size for your next project.

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🌼 Get Your Kit and Yarn!

Ready to start? Grab the Wildflower Wander Shawl Kit from Herrschners here: Shop Now. Don’t forget to pick up the gorgeous Herrschners Worsted 8 Wildflowers Yarn: Shop Now.

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Wildflower Wander Crochet Motif Stitch Diagram

Get a visual of this amazing motif with the downloadable stitch diagram for the Wildflower Wander Crochet Motif square when you join GROW (learn more about GROW here).

I hope you’re excited to try the Wildflower Wander Motif! Share your projects with me using #marlybird and #mmmdi on social media—I can’t wait to see what you create! 🧶💖