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What you need
Small amount of red yarn
Small amount of black yarn
4 mm knitting needles
Yarn needle
Scissors
Optional: safety pin, brooch back, or sewing pin
Finished Size
Approx. 5–6 cm across, depending on yarn and tension.
Abbreviations
K – knit
P – purl
K2tog – knit 2 stitches together
st/sts – stitch/stitches
Instructions
Before You Begin
All pieces are worked flat. Turn your work at the end of every row.
The broad cast-on edge of each red piece forms the outside edge of a petal. The narrow gathered end sits underneath the black centre.
Gauge is not critical for this decorative project, but yarn and tension will affect its size. The fabric should feel soft enough to shape while being firm enough to hold the sewing stitches.
Abbreviations
- K: Knit.
- P: Purl.
- K2tog: Knit the next two stitches together. This decreases one stitch.
- K3tog: Knit the next three stitches together. This decreases two stitches.
- M1L: Lift the strand between the needles from front to back with the left needle, then knit into its back loop. This increases one stitch.
- SSK: Slip the next two stitches individually knitwise onto the right needle. Insert the left needle into the fronts of those two stitches and knit them together through their back loops. This decreases one stitch.
- St/sts: Stitch/stitches.
1. Knit the Red Petals
Make four identical petals.
Using red yarn, cast on 12 stitches, leaving a tail of approximately 15 cm.
Rows 1–6: Knit every stitch.
12 stitches remain.
Row 7: K2tog six times.
6 stitches remain.
Row 8: Knit every stitch.
6 stitches remain.
Row 9: K2tog three times.
3 stitches remain.
Cut the yarn, leaving a tail of approximately 20 cm.
Thread this tail through a yarn needle. Pass it through the three remaining stitches, then slide them off the knitting needle. Pull snugly to gather the narrow end and secure with a small stitch.
Leave this tail attached for assembly.
Do not sew the side edges together. Each piece should remain an open petal with a broad outer edge and a gathered base.
Repeat until you have four petals.
2. Knit the Black Centre
Using black yarn, cast on 8 stitches, leaving a tail of approximately 15 cm.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K2tog four times.
4 stitches remain.
Cut the yarn, leaving a tail of approximately 25 cm.
Thread the tail through the four remaining stitches, remove the knitting needle and pull snugly.
Fold the piece with its smooth knitted surface facing outwards. Bring the two row-end edges together and sew them from the gathered end towards the cast-on edge. This creates a small pouch.
Use the cast-on tail to work a running stitch around the remaining open edge. Draw it closed, tuck the yarn ends inside and secure them.
No stuffing is needed. Gently flatten the pouch into a small padded disc. Keep the closing stitches on the underside.
3. Arrange the Petals
Place the four red petals on a table.
Position their gathered ends together in the middle, with the broad cast-on edges facing outwards.
Arrange one petal towards the top, one towards the bottom and one on each side. Slightly overlap their inner edges so there is no open hole in the middle.
Use the gathering tails to sew the petal bases together. Pass through neighbouring petals several times to secure them.
Keep these stitches close to the centre. Leave the outer edges free so the petals retain their shape.
4. Attach the Black Centre
Place the black disc over the joined petal bases, with its closing seam underneath.
Sew around its edge, catching both the black centre and the red fabric beneath it. Make sure every petal is secured underneath the centre.
Check the back and weave in any remaining red and black tails.
5. Knit the Optional Green Leaf
Using green yarn, cast on 7 stitches, leaving a sewing tail of approximately 20 cm.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K1, M1L, K5, M1L, K1.
9 stitches.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K1, M1L, K7, M1L, K1.
11 stitches.
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K2tog, K7, SSK.
9 stitches.
Row 8: Purl.
Row 9: K2tog, K5, SSK.
7 stitches.
Row 10: Purl.
Row 11: K2tog, K3, SSK.
5 stitches.
Row 12: Purl.
Row 13: K2tog, K1, SSK.
3 stitches.
Row 14: Purl.
Row 15: K3tog.
1 stitch.
Cut the yarn and draw the tail through the remaining stitch. Pull snugly to secure and weave in this tail.
The cast-on edge is the broad base of the leaf. Using the reserved cast-on tail, sew this base behind the poppy so the pointed end extends beyond the petals.
A little curling is normal with stocking stitch. If needed, dampen the leaf, gently shape it and allow it to dry flat before attaching.
6. Finish Your Poppy
Gently spread and shape the petals with your fingers. Keep their outer edges loose rather than pulling them tightly around the centre.
For a brooch, sew a small felt backing over the central joins on the back. Attach a brooch clasp securely through the felt and into the knitted fabric beneath it, keeping the stitches hidden from the front.
For a wreath or bag decoration, leave off the clasp and sew the poppy directly into place.
Helpful Tips
- Make all four petals before assembly. Matching yarn, needles and tension will help them sit together.
- Keep the cast-on edges loose. A tight edge restricts the shape of the petals.
- Gather only the narrow ends. The broad edges stay open around the outside of the flower.
- Adjust the overlap before sewing firmly. A few temporary stitches make it easier to check the arrangement.
- Keep the stated stitch counts. Casting on extra stitches requires a revised decrease sequence.
The petals do not need to sit with perfect symmetry. A little overlap and gentle variation give your poppy its handmade character.
Thank you for this pattern. I have not made it up yet, but your instructions are very clear ,and I fully understand how to do it. I will be knitting these for my sisters back in the UK
Poppy pattern is lovely but can’t understand how to put petals together to make it look like 4 petals