The Knitted Poppy

Handmade Knitted Poppy Garter Finished Side View Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Traditional Knitted Poppy
Handmade Knitted Poppy Wavy Completed Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Wavy Edge Knitted Poppy

How to Knit a Poppy

Complete Size – Traditional Knitted Poppy - 7cm width x 7cm height (including leaves)

Complete Size – Wavy Edge Knitted Poppy -  5.5cm width x 5.5cm height

Complete Size – Floppy Knitted Poppy - 8cm width x 8cm height

What you will need...

Total time - From 1 Hour to 1 Hour 20 Minutes Each Knitted Poppy

3.25mm knitting needles (UK 10, US 3)

Double knitting yarn - red, light green, and black. Optional bright green for stem.

Sewing up needle

Scissors

Optional pin badge or plain hairband to sew onto the back of your knitted poppy.

Handmade Knitted Poppy Stocking Completed Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Traditional Knitted Poppy
Handmade Knitted Poppy Large Inside Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Floppy Knitted Poppy

Before You Start...

Abbreviations

K = Knit   P = Purl   St = Stitch   Sts = Stitches

Cast On - I use the thumb method.

St-st = stocking stitch. Alternating a row of knit stitches (right side), with a row of purl stitches (wrong side).

G-st = Garter stitch. Every row knit (no purl stitches).

K2tog = Decrease by knitting two stitches together, making one stitch from two.

Inc = Increase - by knitting into the front and the back of the same stitch, to make two stitches out of one.

Yrn = 'Yarn Over' - Loop the yarn around the end of your needle (under and over) to create a new stitch.

Cast off - P wise. US - bind off.

B&t tightly - Break off yarn and thread yarn through the remaining stitches on needle, pull up tightly and fasten off.

TOP TIP

Depending on the style you would like or the amount of time you've got, have a look at the variations and mix and match.

Let us Remember - Use this pattern to raise as much money as you like for the Poppy Foundation. Try a knitathon! Knit as many as you can and as well as getting sponsorship, you could sell all of your poppies to raise some more.

Handmade Knitted Poppy Wearing Zip Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Wear Your Poppy with Pride
Handmade Knitted Poppy Hairband Wearing 2 Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Poppy Hairband

How to Make it...

There are three different patterns here for the main flower - one for the Traditional Knitted Poppy based on the traditional style paper version, a different Wavy Edge Knitted Poppy, and a Floppy Poppy style.

The Traditional style poppy can be made in two different ways. Garter stitch may be used for a single piece, or stocking stitch may be used for a smoother finish. If wishing to do stocking-stitch, two main pieces should be made to place together, for a neater and more sturdy finished piece.

Made from one or more knitted main pieces, a knitted centre piece, a knitted leaf piece, and a finger-knitted stem. All pieces are sewn together, with or without a pin badge or hairband sewn at the back.

** PDF Download Now Available! **

Wavy-edge Poppy - Add to Basket or Click on Link in Ravelry to buy now...

Knitted poppy pattern fitting-in-knitting
Wavy Edge Poppy

Traditional Poppy - Add to Basket or Click on Link in Ravelry to buy now...

Handmade Knitted Poppy Garter Finished Side View Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Traditional Knitted Poppy

Floppy Poppy - Add to Basket or Click on Link in Ravelry to buy now...

Handmade Knitted Poppy Large Inside Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Floppy Knitted Poppy

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Wavy Edge Poppy Knitting Pattern PDF Download

Traditional Poppy Knitting Pattern PDF Download

Floppy Poppy Knitting Pattern PDF Download

 

Traditional Style Main Piece

Handmade Knitted Poppy Garter Main Piece Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas

Make 1 or 2 Depending on Your choice of G-St or St-st style

Time - 20 Minutes each Piece

Size 4 cm x 5 cm

Needles 3.25 mm

Yarn Red

Quickest, simplest garter-stitch style pattern as follows... Make 1

Cast on 5sts

Row 1 - K1, Inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1 (7sts)

For Row 2 and every following alternate row, K

Row 3 - K1, Inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1 (10sts)

Row 5 - K1, Inc Kwise twice, K4, Inc Kwise twice, K1 (14sts)

Row 7 - K1, K2tog twice, K4, K2tog twice, K1 (10 sts)

Row 9 - K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 (7sts)

Row 11 - Knit

Row 13 - K1, Inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1 (10sts)

Row 15 - K1, Inc Kwise, K6, inc Kwise, K1 (12sts)

Row 17 - K1, K2tog, K6, K2tog, K1 (10sts)

Row 19 - K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 (7 sts)

Row 21 - K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K 1 (5sts)

Cast off

For smoother stocking-stitch style, pattern as follows... Make 2

Cast on 5sts

Row 1 - K1, Inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1 (7sts)

For Row 2 and every following alternate row, P

Row 3 - K1, Inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1 (10sts)

Row 5 - K1, Inc Kwise twice, K4, Inc Kwise twice, K1 (14sts)

Row 7 - K1, K2tog twice, K4, K2tog twice, K1 (10sts)

Row 9 - K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 (7sts)

Row 11 - K1, Inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1, inc Kwise, K1 (10sts)

Row 13 - K1, Inc Kwise, K6, inc Kwise, K1 (12sts)

Row 15 - K1, K2tog, K6, K2tog, K1 (10sts)

Row 17 - K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 (7sts)

Row 19 - K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 (5sts)

Cast off

Leaf

Handmade Knitted Poppy Leaf Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas

Make 1

Time - 15 Minutes Each

Size 3 cm x 6 cm

Needles 3.25 mm

Yarn Light green

Cast on 6sts

G-st 6 rows

Inc Kwise, K4, Inc Kwise (8sts)

G-st 3 rows

K2tog, K4, K2tog (6sts)

K 1 row

K2tog, K2, K2tog (4sts)

G-st 2 rows

Inc Kwise, K2, Inc Kwise (6sts)

G-st 3 rows

K2tog, K2, K2tog (4sts)

K 1 row

K2tog twice

K2tog and fasten off

Traditional Style - Centre Piece

Handmade Knitted Poppy Centre Piece Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas

Make 1

Time - 5 Minutes Each

Size 1 cm x 1 cm

Needles 3.25 mm

Yarn Black

Cast on 2sts

Inc Kwise into both sts (4sts)

P 1 row

K2tog twice

P2tog and fasten off

Stem

Handmade Finger Knitted Four Leaf Clover Stem Fitting in Knitting Children Quick Craft Ideas

Make 1

Time - 5 Minutes Each

Size 5cm

Needles 3.25 mm

Yarn Bright Green

Use a single length of yarn, or for a thicker stem, work two lengths of yarn together

Finger knit a length of approximately 5cm.

Wavy Edge Poppy

Handmade Knitted Poppy Wavy Main Piece Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas

Make 1

Time - 30 Minutes Each

Size 11 cm x 3 cm

Needles 3.25 mm

Yarn Red

Cast on 27sts

Beginning with a P row st-st 3 rows

Next row K1, (yrn, K2tog) to end

Beginning with a P row st-st 3 rows

* Next row (K1,K2tog) to end (18sts)

P 1 row

Break off red yarn and join on black to form poppy centre

Next row K2tog to end (9sts)

P 1 row

B&t tightly

If you have a bit more time and want to make a larger version of the Wavy Edge Poppy, begin with the following larger cast on edge.

Cast on 45sts

Beginning with a P row st-st 3 rows

Next row K1, (yrn, K2tog) to end

Beginning with a P row st-st 3 rows

Next row (K3, K2tog) to end (36sts)

P 1 row

Next row (K2, K2tog) to end (27sts)

P 1 row

Next row (K1, K2tog) to end (18sts)

P 1 row

Break off red yarn and join on black to form poppy centre

Next row K2tog to end (9sts)

P 1 row

B&t tightly

Floppy Poppy

Handmade Knitted Poppy Large Inside Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas

If you don't fancy the 'yrn' stitching, or fancy a quicker version, try this floppy poppy variation.

Make 1

Time - 30 Minutes Each

Size 10 cm diameter

Needles 3.25 mm

Yarn Red

Cast on 45sts

Beginning with a K row st-st 4 rows

Next row (K3, K2tog) to end (36sts)

P 1 row

Next row (K2, K2tog) to end (27sts)

P 1 row

Next row (K1, K2tog) to end (18sts)

P 1 row

Break off red yarn and join on black to form poppy centre

Next row K2tog to end (9sts)

P 1 row

B&t tightly

Piece it Together...

Sewing up time - Total of 15-20 Minutes

Handmade Knitted Poppy Stocking Sewing on Centre Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Sew on Centre
Handmade Knitted Poppy Stocking Sewing Main Piece Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Sewing Across Row Ends

Traditional Style

Centre - Pin the knitted centre piece to the centre of the poppy main piece, and sew into place. Fasten off loose ends.

Main Pieces - For the st-st traditional style, place your two pieces together, with right side of st-st on the outside. Sew across the cast on and cast off edges, and row ends.

Leaf - Turning your poppy main piece over, and pin the leaf to the centre of the back.  Sew in place, and either fasten off loose ends or leave a length to be able to sew on the hairband or pin badge if desired.

Handmade Knitted Poppy Stocking Sewing Leaf Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Pinning Leaf
Handmade Knitted Poppy Garter Finished Back View Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Sewing Stem
Handmade Knitted Poppy Wavy Sewing Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Pinning Edge
Handmade Knitted Poppy Wavy Sewing Up Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Sewing Edge

Wavy Edge Poppy

Continue from ‘B&T’ (pulling up tightly), and begin to oversew row ends. Working from the right (knit) side of st-st in mattress stitch will leave a nice neat finish. Continue to work from the centre of the poppy to the outside edge.

Fold over the cast-on edge towards the purl side of st-st and pin into place to form the wavy edge.

Oversew this cast-on edge in place, and fasten off all loose ends.

Pin leaf to the centre at the back of your poppy and then sew into place. Fasten off this loose end or leave long and proceed to sew on a hairband or pin badge, if desired, before fastening off.

Handmade Knitted Poppy Wavy Sewing Leaf Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Sewing on Leaf
Handmade Knitted Poppy Wavy Completed Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Wavy Edge Knitted Poppy

Floppy Poppy

Similar to the Wavy Edge Poppy above, continue from ‘B&T’ (pulling up tightly), and begin to oversew row ends. Working from the right (knit) side of st-st in mattress stitch will leave a nice neat finish. Continue to work from the centre of the poppy to the outside edge. Fasten off loose ends.

I feel that this particular style of poppy looks better without a leaf, but if desired, you may pin a leaf to the back of your poppy and then sew into place. Fasten off this loose end or leave long and proceed to sew on a hairband or pin badge, if desired, before fastening off.

For all poppies, ensure any pins are all removed when complete.

Handmade Knitted Poppy Hairband Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Sewing On a Band

Making a Hairband

Sew the hairband so it lies horizontally across the back of the poppy. This will allow the poppy to rest in the upright position in the hair.

Oversew several times to give it strength and longevity. Ensure you sew the band into the main piece as well as the leaf, so that the leaf itself doesn't pull off with repeated use.

Handmade Knitted Poppy Hairband Front Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Poppy Hairband

Make it Different...

As well as trying out the different styles above, you may wish to use larger needles to make them a bit bigger without adding any extra time. When using st-st you may also wish to use the purl side as the front. It makes a nice pattern for the centre piece.

If not knitting your poppy for remembrance day, try one in a different colour! Start your own little floral collection - as well as a few different poppies, you can knit some other flowers to go alongside it such as the daisyfuchsia, primrose, or daffodil. Bring the outdoors inside and keep some of those summer memories going!

Handmade Knitted Poppy Large Inside Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Floppy Knitted Poppy
Handmade Knitted Poppies Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Poppies
Handmade Knitted Poppy Wavy Completed Fitting in Knitting Children Craft Ideas
Wavy Edge Knitted Poppy

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 encouragement.

All done?

Feel free to share your successes or any other tips or suggestions by contacting me. If it's all gone swimmingly and you're ready for your next challenge, have a look at what to try next!