Are you looking for a relaxing and creative hobby you can try over a long holiday? Then, you are just in the right place! Here, we will learn how to knit a flower, the basics, as well as different kinds of flowers most easily!
What is knitting? It is a method to create fabric by interlocking loops of yarn with needles. These loops are the most important thing in knitting. They decide the texture and pattern you want to create!
So then, what are we waiting for? Let’s loop in!
1. Knitting Process
To knit anything, even a flower, one must know the basic steps required in the process of knitting. Those are:
1.1. Casting On
The first step to knit is to decide the number of loops or stitches that will be needed to create the pattern. Take one needle and set a number of loops of yarn on it.
1.2. Knitting
Now get another needle, also called the working needle, and insert through the needle with loops through the front loop. Your yarn should be wrapped around the working needle, and the loop should be pulled through to create the stitch. Continue doing this across the row.
1.3. Purling
Purling is used to get a texture on the stitch. To do so, the working needle needs to be inserted through the back of the needle with loops.
When there is a combination of knitting with purling, intricate patterns and textures can be achieved.
1.4. Binding Off
Once the length, as well as the pattern that is wanted, is reached, the stitches need to be bound off to secure the fabric. To do so, you can knit or purl two stitches together and pass the resulting stitch over the other until only one stitch remains.
2. How To Knit A Flower
Before looping into the specifics of how to knit a flower, the first step is to know about the materials required.
2.1 Materials Needed
Yarn – Choose the colour of the yarn that you want your flower to be of.
Green Yarn – This yarn needs to be there to represent the stem and leaves of the flower.
Needles – Knitting needles should be chosen based on the weight of the yarn.
Tapestry needle – The needles have a dull tip to avoid splitting the yarn fibres.
Scissors – If needed, cut yarn.
Stitch Markers – It is used if you want to mark specific points in your piece.
3. How To Knit Flowers
To create a flower, decide the size you need. To knit a small and simple flower, you will need light or medium-weight yarn and knitting needles.
Then, you tie a slip knot or garter stitch. To do the same, loop the yarn around your index and middle finger twice. Pull the second loop over the first. Then, slip it onto the knitting needle and pull it tightly around the needle.
You will also be using a stockinette stitch, which is knitting alternate rows of knit and purl stitches.
Now let us explore the steps on how to knit a flower:
3.1. Cast On
The foundation step of casting on the number of loops on a needle is the first thing to do. Depending on the size of the flower you want, cast the number of loops of yarn on the needle.
But how do you cast? Take the needle with the slip knot in your dominant hand and then wrap the working yarn over the other needle in your non-dominant hand. Insert the slip knot needle into a new loop from front to back and then pull the yarn tail through.
Keep repeating this until you have achieved the number you want to cast on the needle. Around 5-8 loops can be cast for a small-sized flower.
3.2. Knit It
The cast number is what will form the centre of the flower. Once the cast is done, knitting is done. Knit the first and second rows. Increase the stitches by knitting into the front and back of each stitch.
Keep doing this until a desired size for the centre of the flower is achieved.
3.3. Purl It
Now that we have the centre of the flower, the next step is to get the petals. To stitch the petals, we use the other fundamental stitch technique, which is purling.
The left-hand needle will be the spotlight in this step. It should be inserted into the first stitch on the right-hand needle, then wrap the working yarn over the tip of the right-hand needle. Pull the yarn tail through using the left-hand needle, leaving a newer stitch on the older one.
This new stitch should be put back onto the right-hand needle.
The left-hand needle will then continue going into more stitches and should be pulled up and over the original stitch.
After 8 stitches are pulled up and over the original stitch, you shall have 9 stitches on the first loop. Keep repeating these steps for each loop until you work the entire row.
3.4. Bind Off
At last, when you have reached the desired number of stitches, do not forget to bind off! Cut the yarn end using scissors, which will leave a long tail for final sewing.
3.5. Finalizing the Flower
The petals should be folded together, and the long yarn tail should be utilized to sew the edges, which will leave you with a flower shape.
3.6. The Steam and Leaves
To add the stem and leaves to your flower, the green yarn will be knitted into a narrow strip for the stem, and rows shall be stitched for the leaves. You can finally sew them at the back of the flower.
Here is a video tutorial on how to knit flowers tutorial –
4. Different Flowers Knitting
Yarn can be turned into beautiful knitted flowers for a unique gift or used to adorn your favourite accessories. Whichever you choose, knowing how to knit a flower is definitely a reward.
Let us explore four more types of flowers that you can knit using colourful yarns.
4.1. Daisy
For a small daisy flower, you can either use white or pink coloured yarn for the petals and yellow coloured yarn for the centre. Then, cast on four stitches.
After casting, start knitting the first row and purling the next. Repeat these two rows. Then, add the stitches. For every knit row, increase one stitch at the start and one at the end, which will result in 10 stitches. Do not forget to bind off the row once done.
Depending on the number of petals you want in your flower, repeat the process.
To make the centre of the flower, cast on six stitches. Knit one row, purl one row, and knit one row before binding it off. Finally, sew the petals around the centre. Weave in any loose ends.
4.2. Rose
Knitting a rose is a level higher than knitting a daisy. However, let us look at a beginner-friendly pattern.
For a rose, get a red-coloured yarn for the flower. Then, start by casting on 60 stitches.
In the first row, knit all the stitches. Next row, purl all the stitches. In the third row, knit 1 and 2 together, then turn the yarn over and repeat this until the last stitch. And lastly, for the fourth row, purl the stitches.
Repeat the third and fourth rows until 15 stitches are left on the needle. At last, bind them off.
For a rose, you also need to roll the petals. To do so, start at one end and roll the piece until you see the center of the rose form.
4.3. Poppy
To knit a poppy is to knit like a rose. What makes them different is the number of stitches and colour, of course!
Poppy will also have a center that needs to be stitched. For the center, you can choose a black yarn, and for the petals, a red yarn.
To stitch pretty petals, start by casting. But cast 80 stitches. The remaining 4 rows are stitched the same.
For the first row, you knit the stitches. For the second row, you purl the stitches. For the third row, you knit one stitch, knit 2 stitches together, and then turn the yarn over and repeat until the last stitch. Consequently, for the final row, you purl all the stitches.
The repetition of the third and fourth rows occurs until 20 stitches are left on the needle. Then, bind them off.
A poppy flower knitted is also rolled, just like the rose flower.
However, a poppy flower will also require stitching the centre. Using the black yarn, cast on 5 stitches. Knit every row until there is a small strip of it. Finally, roll the strip into a coil to get the centre of your flower.
Do not forget to sew them together!
4.4. Daffodil
To knit a daffodil, a trumpet-shaped centre and the petals are needed to be stitched.
Choose a yellow yarn for the centre and a white yarn for the petals.
To knit the centre, you use the same procedure as knitting the poppy. The difference is there will be 12 stitches that need to be cast on. At the end of knitting and purling rows third and fourth, you should have 6 stitches left on your needle.
To knit the petals, start by casting on 36 stitches. For the first row, knit all the stitches, and for the second row, purl all the stitches. For the third row, 2 stitches need to be knitted together across the row. At last, purl the stitches for the fourth row before binding off.
The petals need to be rolled up and sewn with the trumpet centre.
5. Free Knitting Patterns
A favourite among crafters is the temptation of producing delicate and adorable knitted flowers in the world of knitting. When you discover the world of free patterns, it will open the door to creative possibilities, regardless of your level of experience with knitting.
Many talented knitters have shared their expertise by offering free knitting flower patterns through websites, blogs, and forums.
Let’s delve into a few of these patterns:
5.1. In Bloom Knit Wreath
This free knitted flower pattern can be used to make an absolutely gorgeous floral wreath. It can be used to add that pop-up color to your beautiful home.
5.2. Floral Tea Cosy
A tea cosy knit is used to keep your teapot warmer. Not only that, but you can also use it as a centrepiece for your dining table, which will give a fabulous look to your tea party!
5.3. Fantasy Garden
Knitting the fantasy garden may seem a little trickier than usual. However, it can be used as a beautiful decorative piece for your room to give you a feel of nature!
5.4. Flowered Purse
Knitting a purse with a flowered pattern is just what you need! It is literally a bag made out of yarn to carry all your necessary items!
5.5. Cabbage Roses
A knitted cabbage rose can be attached to your handbags, scarves, or bags to give them a creative look. You may also use it to enhance your other knitting projects!
6. Decorate It!
Knitted flowers are a charming addition to your home decor. Let’s explore a few ways your knitted flowers can illuminate the room:
- Throws/ Blankets – Once you have knitted your flower, sew it to your blankets or throws to give it a warm look.
- Wall Hangings – You can try knitting a flower wall hanger or even a bloom knit wreath to give your wall a decorative look.
- Frames – Embellish your picture frames by knitting a border of flowers to add a touch of personality and warmth.
- Vases – It is never too flowery to give your flower vase a knitted flower decor!
- Bedding – Add the knitted flowers into the design of your bedspreads or duvet covers for a cozy accent.
There are many more ways to incorporate these knitted flowers into your decor. All you need is just yarn, needles, and creativity!
Now that we know how to knit a flower, how about you try on this delightful journey to express your creativity and show off this useful skill!
Don’t forget to add a touch of your own taste and find joy in crafting these charming flowers.
Last Updated on March 3, 2024 by Anuja.V
