How to make a Dandelion Flower Crown – DIY

Making a dandelion flower crown  in the midst of a pandemic, seems so rebellious! Playing and finding beauty all around, feels loving. Especially towards our inner child. We deserve to play more. Feeling the sun on our skin, playing in-between the yellow flowers and picking some to make a beautiful head accessory, feels like we are remembering our wild loving selves.

Love ’em or hate ’em, dandelions are everywhere. And they stand big and tall with their flowery faces towards the sun. I have big respect for weeds. They bloom in the midst of diversity. They are gardeners worst nightmare. But they serve such a purpose and seeing a sea of them in a field, is immensely satisfying.

The flowers I used  are actually called catsears. Even though they look the same as dandelions.

Hypochaeris radicata – also known as catsear, flatweed, cat’s-ear, hairy cat’s ear, or false dandelion – is a perennial, low-lying edible herb often found in lawns.

Why you should love dandelions

• They are completely edible and delicious (some varieties might be toxic for animals)
• They are survivors
• They bring nutrition (like calcium) from their taproots from deep in the soil to other plants
• They help reduce erosion
• They just look so darn happy
• Lifts your mood
• You can make coffee from them!
• And pesto
• You can make wishes by blowing on their big ball of seeds

Weeds are oh so beautiful. We just need to learn to look more closely.

What you need to make a dandelion flower crown?

• Dandelions (or catsears)
• Scissors

But more than that, you need:

1. A deep longing to slow down

Bring calm to a busy world by slowing down and connect with nature. All around us, nature is working wonders. Every day, hour by hour, magical transformations happen right in front of you. But it’s not always easy to see them . Re-awaken the need to slow down and to find moments in nature to pause and watch nature in detail. Go outside, and explore, and see what you find when you take the time to slow down. Watch the bee fly from flower to flower to pollinate each flower!

A poem by Mary Oliver:

“Yes! No!”

How necessary it is to have opinions! I think the spotted trout
lilies are satisfied, standing a few inches above the earth. I
think serenity is not something you just find in the world,
like a plum tree, holding up its white petals.

The violets, along the river, are opening their blue faces, like
small dark lanterns.

The green mosses, being so many, are as good as brawny.

How important it is to walk along, not in haste but slowly,
looking at everything and calling out

Yes! No!

The swan, for all his pomp, his robes of grass and petals, wants
only to be allowed to live on the nameless pond. The catbrier
is without fault. The water thrushes, down among the sloppy
rocks, are going crazy with happiness. Imagination is better
than a sharp instrument. To pay attention, this is our endless
and proper work.

 

2. Wait for dandelion season

When is dandelion season? It’s hard not to notice, dandelions are everywhere. While they are around all summer, late spring and early summer is when they are most visible.

3. Find a big open field with abundant dandelions

Finding a big open field is key, as you don’t want to pick all the dandelions in an area as dandelions are very important for bees! Save some dandelions for the bees. So, find an area where there are more than enough dandelions!

4. Cut the flowers from the plant, leaving a long stem

Cut the flowers from the plant, but leave a very long stem, so that it is easier to create you crown.

5. Make your crown

• Take two flowers in your hands
• Place the one flower vertically accross the other flower
• Wrap the stem of the top flower backwards and over in-between the two flowers
• And place the two stems next to each other in the same direction
• Now add another flower next to the second flower
• Wrap the third flower’s stem underneath and over in-between the second and the third flower
• And carry on like that
• When your crown is long enough, bring the stems around and join it with the first flower
• Use another flower and put it in-between the first and second flower and wrap around the long stems
• Tuck the loose ends in-between the braiding
• And use extra flowers in-between where it feels weak
• Carry on until your crown feels secure

Pin it!