Frankie's Knitted Stuff
Bright yellow daffodils are a sure sign of Spring and these knitted ones could be used to decorate all kinds of things. They are about 5 cm / 2" across and would also make good brooches. I knitted my daffodils with Sirdar Snuggly DK (165 m / 50g) and 3.25 mm / US size 3 needles. I used two shades of yellow, Gold (426) for the centres and a lighter shade (418, now discontinued) for the petals. As you can see, I made twelve daffodils for my Wreath.
The Centres
These are knitted with the darker shade of yellow. Using the long tail method, cast on six stitches. Row 1: Purl. Row 2: K1, (m1, K2) twice, m1, K1 (9 sts). ork five rows in stocking stitch, beginning with a purl row (kf&b) nine times (18 sts). Cast off knitwise, leaving a long tail. Darn in the cast on tail. Use the cast off tail to join the side edges and gather the cast on edge. You should now have a bell shape. Leave the tail of yarn for sewing the daffodil to the wreath.
The Petals
These are knitted with the lighter shade of yellow. Cast on one stitch and knit into the front and back of it (2 sts). Row 1: Kf&b, K1 (3 sts). Row 2: Knit. Row 3: Knit. Row 4: Kf&b, K2 (4 sts). Row 5: Kf&b, K3 (5 sts). Row 6: Knit. Row 7: Knit. Row 8: Cast on 5 sts, K10. Row 9: Cast on 5 sts, K to last 2 sts, K2tog (14 sts). Rows 10-14: K to last 2 sts, K2tog (9 sts). Rows 15-20: Kf&b, K to end (15 sts). Row 21: Cast off 5 sts, K to end (10 sts). Row 22: Cast off 5 sts, K to end (5 sts). Row 23: Knit. Row 24: Knit. Row 25: K3, K2tog (4 sts). Row 26: K2, K2tog (3 sts). Row 27: Knit. Cast off with the double decrease cast off: sl 1 kwise, K2tog and psso. Darn in the cast on tail but leave a long cast off tail.
This is what your two knitted shapes should look like. I know the petals are in fact a flat star but don't worry, a bit of gathering will turn the points of the star into six petals. Thread the tail of yarn down the side of the point and make a small stitch to secure it. Now work gathering stitches round the base of the six petals. Take a small stitch from just below where the petals meet and from the base of each petal. Gather them until a cup is formed to take the centre of the flower.
Now thread the tail on the centre of the flower through the middle of the petals and secure it with a few small stitches. Leave the tail for sewing the daffodil to the wreath. Pin the daffodils in place on the wreath and then sew them down; you will only need to stitch down the centre of the flowers.
A Bunch of Daffodils
I couldn't resist adding stalks to a few daffodils so that I could admire them on their own. I used Sirdar Snuggly DK in Kelly Green (198) and 3.25 mm needles. Using the long tail method cast on 30 stitches. Work three rows in stocking stitch, beginning with a purl row. Cast off knitwise. Sew the strip of knitting round two 15 cm / 6" thin pipe cleaners (or perhaps one thicker one) with the purl side of the knitting facing out. The pipe cleaners will be longer than the knitting but it's easier to trim them after you have done the sewing. Cut the pipe cleaners to size and close the ends before sewing the finished stalk to the centre of the daffodil. The trick to arranging knitted flowers in a vase is to tie the stalks together with an elastic band. That way you can position them as you like and they will stay in place.
Abbreviations
st / sts stitch / stitches K knit m1 make 1 by lifting the thread before the next stitch and knitting into the back of it kf&b knit into the front and back of the stitch K2tog knit two stitches together Frankie Brown, 2014. My patterns are for personal use only and should not be used to knit items for sale. Please do not use them for teaching purposes without my permission.
