May Flowers Stitches
May Flowers Stitches
This week on Ask Me Monday, April showers bring May flowers stitches! We’ll learn how to knit the flower stitch and crochet the tulip stitch, both of which would be great additions to the hem of a baby sweater, included in a blanket, or, as I’ve done, applied to a flower pot cozy. These stitches are a great pick-me-up for the state of ennui that our world is currently in, as well as a sweet step towards making a Mother’s Day gift. Watch the episode, work up the practice swatches below, then put your new, flowery skills to work.
Don’t forget to tag @vickiehowell with hashtag #askmemonday with your May Flowers Stitches projects!
This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by Knitter’s Pride/ KnitPro
See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!
Featured Knitter’s Pride Products: Waves Crochet Hooks, SmartStix Circular Needles, Ginger Circular Needles
Get the Vivid Valentine Scarf kit HERE.
Flower Stitches Swatch Practice
Knit Flower Stitch Swatch
(Worked in multiples of 6 + 1)
MATERIALS
2 colors of desired yarn (A, B)
Corresponding size needles
SPECIAL STITCH
Flower Stitch (FS)
With yarn in back, slip next 5 stitches (1 stitch at a time) purlwise while letting the extra yarn-overs drop off. Bring yarn forward so it’s wrapping around the back of all 5 loops; slip stitches back to LH needle; bring yarn backward so it’s wrapping around the front of loops; slip stitches back to RH needle; bring yarn forward; slip yarn back to LH needle; bring yarn backward; slip stitches back to the RH needle for the last time.
With A, CO 19 sts.
Rows 1-2: Knit.
Rows 3 & 5: Knit.
Rows 4 & 6: Purl.
Cut A; join B.
Row 7 (RS): With B, knit.
Row 8: K1, *[k1 wrapping yarn around the needle 3 times] 5 times, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 9: P1, *FS, p1; rep from * to end.
Row 10: Knit.
Cut B; rejoin A.
Rows 11 & 13: Knit.
Rows 12 & 14: Purl.
Rows 15-17: Knit.
BO.
Crochet Tulip Stitch Swatch
(Worked in multiples of 2 + 3)
MATERIALS
3 colors of desired yarn (A, B, C)
Corresponding size crochet hook
With A, Ch 19.
Row 1: With A, dc in 4th ch from hook, and in every ch to end. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in next st and every st to end. Turn.
Cut A; join B.
Row 3: With B, ch 3 (counts as dc), sk 1, *(dc, ch1, dc) in next st, sk 1; rep from * to last st, dc. Turn.
Cut B; join C.
Row 4: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch-1), *(dc4tog, ch1) in next ch-1 sp; rep from * to last st, dc. Turn.
Cut C; rejoin A
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in next st and every st to end. Turn.
Row 6: Ch 3, dc in next st and every st to end.
Fasten off.
May Flower Stitches: Put your skills to work!
Flower Pot Cozy Recipe
- After you’ve knit or crocheted your swatch, measure your stitch gauge (how many stitches per inch you’re getting using the yarn and needles you’ve chosen.
- Measure the circumference of your pot. Subtract 1/2″-1″ from that measurement for negative ease (so your cozy will fit snuggly around your pot.)
- Multiply your pot measurement number by your stitch gauge. Adjust the number to accommodate the multiples required for the stitch pattern. This is your cast-on number if you’re knitting, this is your chain number minus 3 for the crochet version.
- Follow instructions for the May Flowers swatches, adding or subtracting plain rows to adjust the height of the piece to fit your pot height.
- Once you’ve finished stitching your piece, fasten/bind off leaving a long tail for seaming. Weave in other ends. Using the tail and tapestry needle, seam ends together. You’re done!
May Flowerpot Cozy (knit) Example
Here’s the pattern for a version of a May Flowers Stitches pot cozy. Use this has is, or, along with the above recipe, alter it to make it your own by changing the gauge and size of the project. Have fun!
MATERIALS
Valley Yarns Superwash Super Bulky (100 % Superwash Merino; 55 yds), colors by Vickie Howell in (A) 1 ball Moontower Mustard, and (B) Pink Flamingo
Size U.S. 13/9mm Knitter’s Pride Ginger Needles
Large-Eyed Wool Needle
GAUGE
Approx. 2 sts per inch
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Stretches to fit 20″ pot
DIRECTIONS
With A CO 37 sts.
Rows 1-2: Knit.
Rows 3 & 5: Knit.
Rows 4 & 6: Purl.
Cut A; join B.
Row 7 (RS): With B, knit.
Row 8: K1, *[k1 wrapping yarn around the needle 3 times] 5 times, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 9: P1, *FS, p1; rep from * to end.
Row 10: Knit.
Cut B; rejoin A.
Rows 11: Knit.
Rows 12: Purl.
Rows 13-15: Knit.
BO.
Looking for more flower-inspired stitch projects? Try these from The Knit Show!
