How to Knit a Fuchsia
What you will need...
Total time - 1 Hour 50 Minutes each Fuchsia
(9 parts 5-25 minutes each, 60 minutes sewing up)
3.25mm knitting needles (UK 10, US 3)
Double knitting yarn - any desired colour
Sewing up needle
Scissors
Tiny amount of stuffing/toy filling
Before You Start...
Abbreviations
K = Knit P = Purl St = Stitch Sts = Stitches
St-st = stocking stitch. Alternating a row of knit stitches (right side), with a row of purl stitches (wrong side).
Inc = Increase - by knitting into the front and the back of the same stitch, to make two stitches out of one.
K2tog = Decrease by knitting two stitches together, making one stitch from two.
Sl2tog - Slip two stitches together from the left needle to the right
psso - pass slipped stitches over (over the knitted stitch)
Cast On - I use the thumb method
Cast off - P wise. US - bind off.
TOP TIP
Choose your fuchsia variety - Planning ahead by googling your desired colour/design will allow you to make any amendments to the following patterns.
Care when sewing up - Sewing up in the particular order will allow a neater finish.
Finishing Touch - The desired end-shape may be achieved more easily by pressing or 'blocking' any separate parts - particularly the sepals. This will vary according to your yarn type, but may include using a damp cloth or steam.
How to Make it...
This design is made up of 9 knitted pieces oversewn together, with 9 extra finger knitted lengths to form the stigma and stamen.
Stem & Upper Pole
Make 1 for Each Fuchsia
Time - 25 Minutes Each
Size 5 cm
Needles 3.25mm
Yarn Pink/Green
Using pink, cast on 8sts
Beginning with a K row st-st 4 rows
Next row K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog (5sts)
Next row P
Next row K2tog, K1, K2tog (3sts)
**Now join on and switch to green yarn**
Next row P
In Kwise into every st (6sts)
Beginning with a P row st-st 3 rows
Next row K2tog to end (3sts)
P all three stitches together (1stitch)
Continue to finger knit the stem to your desired length
Sepals
Make 4 for Each Fuchsia
Time - 5 Minutes Each
Size 4.5 cm
Needles 3.25mm
Yarn Pink
Cast on 6 sts
Beginning with a K row st-st 8 rows
Next row K2, K2tog, K2 (5 sts)
next row P
next row K2tog, K1, K2tog (3sts)
next row P
sl2tog, K1, psso
Fasten off
Lower Petals
Make 4 for Each Fuchsia
Time - 5 Minutes Each
Size 2.5 x 3 cm
Needles 3.25mm
Yarn Purple
Cast on 5sts
Next row P
Next row Inc Kwise, K2, inc Kwise, K1 (7sts)
St-st 3 rows
Next row K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 (5sts)
Next row P
Next row K2tog, K1, K2tog (3sts)
Next row P
Cast off Kwise
Stigma & Stamen
Make 1 Stigma and 8 Stamen for Each Fuchsia
Time - 5 Minutes Each
Size 6 cm Stigma & 4 cm Stamen
Needles not Needed
Yarn Pink
Finger knit a single length of yarn to the desired length. This may vary according to the variety of fuchsia you wish to achieve. The number may also vary according to your design or desire for the overall look.
To make the anther (small bulge at the end of the stamen), tie 2-3 small knots at the start of every piece.
Piece it Altogether
Upper Pole - With right side of stocking stitch on the outside, oversew row ends of the upper pole and very lightly stuff as you work along.
Sepals - With right side of stocking stitch on the outside, fold over sepal pieces vertically and oversew row ends and across cast on edge.
Attach all four sepals evenly to the base of upper pole as pictured.
Petals - With right side of stocking stitch on the outside, sew together all four pieces at the cast off edge, and continue to work down while overlapping the row ends of one piece to be above the row ends of another piece. Turn this inside out to allow easier attachment of the stamen.
Stigma & Stamen - When all stamen pieces are complete, string them altogether by threading through the bottom (cast off) stitch of the next piece (as shown). When fastened off, attach this 'bundle' to the inner centre of the petals.
When fastening off loose ends, a neat finish may be achieved by threading the end into the filament (long stick bit) of the stamen as shown.
Attach the upper part of the petal bundle to the underside of the sepals.
Make it Different!
Make your stem length to fit the desired purpose or use of your fuchsia - a longer length will allow it to be tied more easily.
Try a few different colours and vary the petal shape and stamen size to fit your particular variety of fuchsia.
As well as looking great on the top of a tea cosy - fix these onto a window/door handle, curtain tiebacks, or any other desired object!
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!