Shamrock and Four Leaf Clover
Complete Size Shamrock – 10cm width x 8cm height (excluding stem)
Complete Size Four Leaf Clover – 9cm width x 9cm height (excluding stem)
What you will need...
Total time 2 Hours 20 minutes (for Knitted Shamrock as shown)
Total time 1 Hour 40 minutes (for Knitted Four Leaf Clover as shown)
4mm knitting needles (UK 8, US 6)
Double knitting yarn - spring green
Sewing up needle
Scissors
Before You Start...
Abbreviations
K = Knit P = Purl St = Stitch Sts = Stitches
Cast On - I use the thumb method.
Inc = Increase - by working into the front and the back of the same stitch, to make two stitches out of one.
Dec = Decrease - Knit (or Purl if on the wrong side of stocking stitch) two stitches together, making one stitch from two.
G-st = Garter stitch. Every row knit.
St-st = Stocking stitch. Alternating a row of knit stitches (right side), with a row of purl stitches (wrong side).
Cast off - K wise unless otherwise stated. US - bind off.
TOP TIP
You may choose garter stitch or stocking stitch for either clover.
Stocking stitch will result in a thicker, more sturdy leaf, but will also make the finished pieces slightly larger.
How to Make it...
Made from four or six knitted leaf pieces, for four-leaf clover and shamrock respectively, and a finger-knitted stem. All pieces are sewn together in the centre.
Knitted Shamrock
Make 6 (2 for each Leaf)
Time - 15 minutes each piece
Size 5cm
Needles 4mm (UK 8, US 6)
Yarn Spring Green
Cast on 8sts
Beginning with k row, st-st 4 rows Inc 1 st at the start of every row (12sts)
St-st a further 2 rows
St-st 9 further rows, Dec 1 st at the start of every row until 3sts remain
Cast off
Shamrock Stem
Make 1
Time 10 minutes
Size 6cm
Yarn Spring Green
Work two lengths of yarn together.
Finger knit a length of approximately 6cm
Knitted Four Leaf Clover
Make 4 (1 for each Leaf)
Time - 15 minutes each leaf
Size 4cm
Needles 4mm (UK 8, US 6)
Yarn Spring Green
Cast on 8sts
G-st 4 rows Inc 1 st at the start of every row (12sts)
G-st a further 2 rows
G-st 9 further rows, Dec 1 st at the start of every row until 3sts remain
Cast off
Four Leaf Clover Stem
Make 1
Time 10 minutes
Size 11cm
Yarn Spring Green
Use a single length of yarn
Finger knit a length of approximately 11cm
Shaping
Sew the top length of yarn (at cast-on edge) through the cast on stitches up to the centre of this row. Sew a couple of loops through the middle stitches of the top two rows. This will pull in the top to make a more heart-shaped clover leaf.
Piece it Together...
Total Sewing-up time - 40 Minutes (for Knitted Shamrock as shown)
Total Sewing-up time - 30 Minutes (for Knitted Four Leaf Clover as shown)
Shamrock Leaves - Take two leaf pieces and with wrong sides of St-st together, oversew cast-on and cast-off edges and row ends. Do this for the remaining four leaf pieces, to make a total of three leaves from the six pieces.
Sew the three or four leaves together at the cast-off edges to make the centre, and either fasten off all loose ends, or check out 'Make it Different' below to work a centre line down the middle of the leaf before fastening off.
Sew the finger-knitted stem to the back of your leaves to allow it to dangle freely, and once again fasten off the loose end.
Put your completed piece on a greetings card, or wrap it up in some tissue paper inside a gift bag for a little pocket good-luck keepsake!
For the Shamrock, how about sewing onto the front of a hat or t-shirt to get into the St Patrick's day spirit!
Make it Different!
Consider oversewing down the centre of each leaf from the cast-on edge down towards the cast-off edge (two rows at a time looks nice). This forms a faint line down the centre of the leaf for further detailing. Backstitch would make it a more distinct line, or you could even try doing this line in a different colour yarn for added contrast.
When finger-knitting your stem, use more lengths of yarn together for a thicker stem, and adjust the overall length of your stem depending on your preference.
Behind the Scenes!
These patterns are all made up as I go along, learning from mistakes along the way. Every time I create a new pattern, I record it in the Updates part of this site (effectively my blog…) There is a story behind each creation, and this can help give you some more ideas and inspiration.
All done?
Feel free to share your successes or any other tips or suggestions by emailing me. If it's all gone swimmingly and you're ready for you next challenge, have a look at what to try next!