Curly Flower Pins

Knitting Basics

Posted by Ryland Peters & Small

About

A very simple, quick-to-work project that lends itself to a host of uses. These clusters of flowers and twists are made in chunky yarn and in DK, but also with 2 strands of yarn twisted together to create a thicker yarn and mix colors in an interesting way. You can make the flowers in any thickness yarn with appropriate needles.

techniques used
Increasing using inc 1
Increasing twice into a stitch
Stockinette (stocking) stitch
Using the same instructions with varied
gauges of yarn and needles
Combining yarns to create thicker yarn
Working with composite yarn and
managing ends

finished measurements
Varies according to the yarn and needles used.

gauge (tension)
Varies according to the yarn and needles used.

abbreviations
inc increase
k knit
st(s) stitch(es)

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You Will Need (15 things)

  • yarn

  • Chunky curly roses pin:

  • Lion Brand Baby's First (55% acrylic, 45% cotton) Yarn Scraps each of shade 099 Pixie Dust A), shade 146 Sea Sprite (B), and shade 100 Cotton Ball (C)

  • Pink and white twists:

  • Rowan Baby Merino Silk DK (66% wool 34% silk) Yarn Scraps of shade 670 Snowdrop and shade 695 Candy

  • Multi-stranded roses with spirals:

  • Scraps of Yarn in different weights and colors

  • needles

  • Pair of US size 10½ (6.5 mm) Knitting Needles
  • Pair of US size 6 (4 mm) Knitting Needles

  • other materials

  • Blunt Darning Needle
  • Scraps of felt or other firm Fabric
  • Sewing Needle and thread to match felt
  • Medium-sized Safety Pins

Steps (3 steps, 120 minutes)

  1. 1

    Chunky curly roses pin
    This version is made from three colors of chunky yarn.

    Using US size 10½ (6.5 mm) needles and yarn A, cast on 20 sts.
    Row 1: K to end.
    Curl row: K into front, back, and front again of each st
    before slipping it off the needle. (60 sts)
    Bind (cast) off.
    Make two more identical roses from yarns B and C.

    Making up
    Thread up the darning needle and weave the loose yarn tails down to secure the curl into a spiral rose and close up the center. Allow the spiral to curl naturally and sew where it seems to want to fall. Arrange the three roses on a 2-in. (5-cm) diameter felt circle and use the small sewing needle and thread to secure each one. Sew a safety pin onto the back of the circle, stitching over the straight bar and not the bar that opens and closes.

  2. 2

    Pink and white twists
    This pin uses the same technique but does not have the base knit row, so the curl is very defined and becomes a curlicue rather than a spiral disc. We have grouped several of these together for our pin; make as many as you wish and stitch them into a pleasing arrangement.

    Using US size 6 (4 mm) needles and first yarn, cast on 25 sts.
    Curl row: K into the front, back, then front again of every st.
    (75 sts)
    Bind (cast) off.
    Repeat for as many curls as you wish to make—we made 1 in Snowdrop and 7 in Candy.

    Making up
    Arrange the twists on a 2 in. (5 cm) felt circle. Stitch down
    and add the safety pin to the reverse, as for the Chunky
    Curly Roses Pin.

  3. 3

    Multi-stranded roses with spirals
    For the roses we have combined more than one strand of yarn to produce a thicker, multi-colored yarn. The spirals are made from leftover scraps of light worsted (DK) yarn.

    Multi-stranded roses
    Make 3 roses following the instructions for the Chunky Curly Roses Pin, combining a different color with cream for each.

    Spirals:
    With a single yarn, make 3 curls following the instructions for Pink and White Twists, using a different color for each. Allow one of the curls to spiral in the same way as the roses, and secure with a few stitches.

    Making up
    Arrange the roses and spirals on an oval of felt and sew in place. Add a safety pin to the reverse, as for the Chunky Curly Roses Pin.

    Other applications
    Besides grouping the flowers together to make these pretty pins, they can be attached to other items such as ballerina pumps, purses, and the hems or collars of sweaters or shirts—use your imagination! As they are all made in one piece, they are also suitable to attach to baby or children's clothing or blanket.s