Smiley Flower Free Knitting Pattern. Designed by Sue Stratford.

Skill Level: Easy

“This little flower pattern was designed in support of the charity ‘A Place to be’, who are the chosen charity of Unravel Festival in Farnham this year.

Donate a knitted or crocheted flower and see them displayed at the show!

This flower is knitted flat using an applied i-cord for the edge of the petals. Everything is explained in the pattern and if you have never worked an applied i-cord, don’t worry, follow the instructions and it will work!”

Abbreviations:

• P Purl
• P2tog Purl two stitches together
• P2togtbl Purl two stitches together, through the backs of the loops
• sl slip a stitch (purlwise)
• SS Stocking Stitch
• ssK slip two stitches knitwise one at a time,pass the two slipped stitches back to the
  left hand needle, knit both stitches together through the back of the loop
• st(s) stitch(es)
• wyif with yarn in front (towards you)
• K Knit
• K2tog Knit two stitches together
• Kfb Knit into the front and back of the stitch,
• making 1 extra stitch
• M1 Make 1 stitch (see techniques)

Materials:

• Small amount of Double Knitting yarn (I used Skein Queen ‘Crush DK’)
• Toy filling
• Two small black beads
• Black sewing cotton
• Needles: These flowers can be knitted using any yarn, here is a guide
• of which size of needle to use, depending on the yarn you choose:
• 4-ply yarn – 2.75mm (UK12, US2) knitting needles
• DK yarn – 3mm (UK11, US2 or 3) knitting needles
• Aran yarn – 3.75mm (UK9, US5) knitting needles
• Chunky yarn – 5mm (UK6, US8) knitting needles
• Notions:
• Darning needle
• Fine sewing needle
• Pins

Techniques:

Make one stitch (M1):
Work to the point where you want to make a stitch. With
your right hand needle, pick up the ‘bar’ of yarn between
the stitches on your left and right hand needles. If on a knit
row, knit the stitch through the back of the loop. If on a purl
row, purl the stitch through the back of the loop. This
tightens the stitch and makes it neater.
Notes:
The edges of the petals are worked as an applied i-cord.
This is really easy to do, just follow the insructions and it will
work, I promise!

Petals

Using your chosen size of knitting needles, cast on 4 sts and knit 1 row.

Work as follows:

1. Next row: Kfb, sl3 wyif, turn. (5 sts)
2. Knit 1 row.
3. Next row: Kfb, K to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif, turn. (6 sts)
4. Knit 1 row.
5. Repeat the last two rows twice more. (8 sts)
6. Next row: Kfb, K to last 3 sts, sl3 wyif, turn. (9 sts)

Now shape the petal tip:

7. Next row: K4, turn.
8. Next row: Sl4 wyif, turn.
9. Next row: K5, turn.
10. Next row: Sl1, K1, sl3 wyif, turn.
11. Next row: K6, turn.
12. Next row: Sl1, K2, sl3 wyif, turn. (9 sts)
13. Next row: K2, K2tog, slip sts back onto left-hand needle. (8 sts)
14. Repeat last row five more times. (3 sts)

Slip sts back onto left-hand needle.

15. Next row: K2, Kfb. (4 sts)

Repeat instructions from * to * three more times. Then work from * to ** once more — making a total of five petals.

Finish:
Thread yarn through remaining 3 sts and fasten off, leaving a length for sewing up.

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Centre

Using your chosen size of knitting needles, cast on 8 sts.

1. Next row: (K2, Kfb) twice, K2. (10 sts)
2. Next row: P2, M1, P1, M1, P4, M1, P1, M1, P2. (14 sts)
3. Next row: K3, M1, K1, M1, K6, M1, K1, M1, K3. (18 sts)
4. Next row: P4, M1, P1, M1, P8, M1, P1, M1, P4. (22 sts)
5. Starting with a knit row, work 2 rows in stockinette stitch (SS).
6. Next row: K3, ssk, K2tog, K8, ssk, K2tog, K3. (18 sts)
7. Next row: P2, P2tog, P2togtbl, P6, P2tog, P2togtbl, P2. (14 sts)
8. Next row: K1, ssk, K2tog, K4, ssk, K2tog, K1. (10 sts)
9. Next row: (P2, P2tog) twice, P2. (8 sts)

Cast off remaining sts, leaving a yarn tail for sewing.

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Making Up

1. Take the flower center and start sewing the long seam from the cast-off edge — this becomes the back seam of the flower.
2. Sew the cast-on edges together from side to side so the back seam sits in the center.
3. Lightly stuff the center with toy filling.
4. Sew the cast-off edges closed.
5. Using a darning needle and yarn, thread through the purl “bumps” along the inside edge of the petals.
6. Gather slightly and pin the petals evenly around the center.
7. Sew each petal securely in place.
8. For the finishing touch, sew on beads for eyes and embroider a small smile — or create French knots using embroidery thread or black yarn.

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🌼 Tips

• Try metallic or gradient yarn for a more dimensional flower.
• Mix and match petal and center colors for a bold, fun effect.
• Perfect for attaching to hats, headbands, or as a brooch.