Tips & Tricks

Dandelion Stitch

The Upsala Hat from our Year of Bulky Hats features a fun floral motif commonly referred to as the Dandelion Stitch. Like most stitch patterns, it is quite easy once you get the hang of it, but it is much easier to work if you can visualize the individual steps.

Working this stitch is a two round process. The first round, you will make the petals, and in the second round, you will knit the petals together to secure them to the fabric. Three stitches are increased after working each dandelion, but they are not included in the stitch count, as they are decreased again on the second round.

Round 1: Make Petals

Step 1 / Identify the space that will be the center of the dandelion by counting 2 rounds below the 2nd st on the left hand needle. This is the stitch that all three loops will come out of.

Note: Some patterns have you count down three rounds below the needle, but I found the stitch worked best in the bulky weight counting three rows down with the needle included.

Step 2 / Insert your right hand needle into the stitch you identified in Step 1, wrap working yarn around your needle, and pull through the stitch and up to create a long loop. This is your first petal.

Step 3 / Knit 2.

Step 4 / Insert your right hand needle into the stitch you identified in Step 1, wrap working yarn around your needle, and pull through the stitch and up to create a long loop. This is your second petal.

Step 5 / Knit 2.

Step 6 / Insert your right hand needle into the stitch you identified in Step 1, wrap working yarn around your needle, and pull through the stitch and up to create a long loop. This is your third petal. Note: It gets a little awkward putting the needle into the stitch as you have to moved it back to insert it into the stitch. Once you get the hang of it, future petals won't be so difficult. 

Round 2: Knit Petals Together

Step 7 / Knit until 1 stitch before the first petal. Knit 2 together - the stitch to the right of the first petal and the first petal. This secures the petal to the front of your knitting.

Step 8 / Knit 1.

Step 9 / Knit 2 together - the stitch to the right of the second petal and the second petal. This secures the petal to the front of your knitting.

Step 10 / Knit 1.

Step 11 / Knit 2 together - the stitch to the right of the third petal and the third petal. This secures the petal to the front of your knitting. And that's it!

The Dandelion stitch is featured in the (free!) Upsala hat from our Year of Bulky Hats and also on Kate's Dandelion Sweater knit in Navia Brushed Tradition.