Knitted flower
A free pattern for you
Today I’m publishing a simple pattern for a knitted flower. I designed this flower for Woollen Woods. As several workshop participants asked for a copy, I’ve edited the pattern instructions, added some extra information and translated it for those who knit left-handed.
The petals and centre of this pretty knitted flower are shaped using left- and right-slanting increases followed by decreases. By working mirrored increases and decreases (one left- slanting and one right-slanting increase or decrease per row) you will knit fully-fashioned petals. Great practice for knitting fully-fashioned garments and accessories.
The pattern includes instructions for the various increases and decreases.
I knitted my flower using a smooth double knit merino yarn on 4.00 mm | UK 8 | US 6 needles. My flower is about 10 cm diameter; the size of your flower will depend on the yarn you choose and your tension.
Knitted Flower is worked in rows, so you can use straight, double pointed or circular needles. Choose a needle size appropriate to your yarn. You’ll also need a yarn needle for joining the petals to the flower centre.
The pattern for Knitted Flower is available to download, for free, in versions for left- or right-handed knitters from my web shop or my Ravelry store (soon).
Flowers for Memories
Shortly after I started editing the Knitted Flower pattern, I read a blog post about Yarndale. Each year the Yarndale organisers create a large display from crocheted and knitted items donated by people from around the world. The impact of so many colourful items is stunning and joyful! The first year, they asked for bunting; last year they asked for mandalas. This year they are asking for knitted or crocheted flowers. These will be displayed during Yarndale, then raffled or sold to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. This project is called “Flowers for Memories” and was started by Sheila Metcalfe.
This project resonates for me, as like so many of you, I have a relative with Alzheimer’s. Someone who loves gardening.
So, I’ll be sending some knitted flowers to the Flowers for Memories project. I’d love it if some of you could do so as well.
Other crocheted and knitted flowers
You can knit or crochet flowers of any design for the Flowers for Memories project. Ideally, flowers for the Yarndale display should be approximately 8–10 cm (bigger rather than smaller). Smaller flowers can be joined together to make a posy. It would be great if you could stitch a safety pin or brooch pin to the back of your flower to help when mounting the display. Yarndale are planning a rainbow of flowers, so they would prefer flowers made using single colours or similar colours, e.g. red and orange or blue and purple.
Where to send your Flowers for Memories
Please send your flowers (in recyclable packaging: no plastic) to:
Sheila’s Flowers
PO Box 97
Skipton
North Yorkshire
BD23 9EN
Please include your name, along with your town/county/state/province and country, so that the Yarndale organisers can compile a list of contributors, along with their origin.
The closing date for flowers to arrive is Friday 11 September.
You can find out more details here.
