Garter Stitch Appliqué Flower

As an extra touch to my Rambling Rows Afghan,

 I added this simple garter stitch flower.

Worsted weight yarn, size 8 needles.

Each petal measures 2 1/8” across at the widest points. Each leaf measures 1 ½”.

Flower is made up of five petals and a flower center, each sewn separately to a knitted base.

Flower Center:

CO 15. Knit 2 rows garter stitch. Pull all stitches over the first stitch on needle. Pull yarn through this stitch and cut. The stitches will form a circle with a pie shaped piece missing. Use your tail to sew up the gap and make a complete circle.

Petals:

Make 5

The basic pattern is to knit the front stitches, making a Center Decrease on 3 center stitches; and to knit all stitches on the backside except the center stitch, which is purled. There is an increase in row 2.

CO 13

Rows 1 & 3: K5, CD over 3 stitches (Slip 2 as to knit, K1, PSSO) K5

Row 2: K1 M1, K4, P1, K4, M1, K1

Row 4: K5 P1 K5

Row 5: K4, CD3, K4

Row 6: K4, P1, K4

Row 7: K3, CD3, K3

Row 8: K3, P1, K3

Row 9: K2, CD3, K2

Row 10: K2, P1, K2

Row 11: K1 CD3, K1

Row 12: P3 tog

Pull yarn through remaining stitch.

Leaves:

Make 2 or 3

CO 9

Rows 1 & 3: K3, CD3, K3

Row 2: K1, M1, K2, P1, K2, M1, K1

Row 4: K3, P1, K3

Row 5: K2, CD3, K2

Row 6: K2, P1, K2

Row 7: K1, CD3, K1

Row 8: P3 tog

Pull yarn through remaining stitch.

Arrange 5 petals in a circle with final tail pointing out and cast on tail pointing to the side. Sew to base. Place flower center on top of the inner points of the petals and sew down. Sew leaves wherever desired in the vicinity of the flower.

Variation: Make another set of 5 smaller petals from the leaf pattern and sewn them over the seams between the larger petals. These may be from a contrasting color.

Get the pattern for the afghan here.