This stitch was also a little complicated to figure out for multiple sizes. Since it has an 8 stitch and 12 row repeat there was liable to be a noticeable difference in the size of the block if we tried to make this fit the row or stitch repeats, rather than make it play nicely with the other squares. So, with our handy dandy excel tool, we crunched some numbers and came up with repeats that will center the dandelions within the block without making the block too big. This may mean that each block looks a little different based up on the size. But with seaming in mind (and I think you guys dislike seaming as much as I do), I tried to make this closer to the other blocks. Let's get at it.
Materials Worsted Weight Yarn US size 8 knitting needles Tapestry Needle Measuring Tape
DANDELION/FLOWER STITCH
Notes
The Dandelion Stitch is a fun stitch that creates little flower shapes in your knitting. By knitting through through a stitch a few rows below your current row multiple times, you create “petals” that end up looking like tiny dandelion flowers throughout your work. Once you’ve gotten the hang of pulling the loops through your knitting, this stitch is easy to customize and make your flowers taller, shorter, wider, more or less petals, etc.
Gauge
17st x 24r =4 x 4" (10cm) This may change slightly depending on how high you pull up your loops for the flowers.
Tip: pay attention to this, especially if you are modifying the pattern.
Abbreviations
K - Knit
P - Purl
P2tog - Purl 2 together
RS - Right side
WS - Wrong Side
Special Stitches
Flower - insert right needle through the middle of the second stitch three rows down, yarn over and pull through, ensuring the loop is loose enough that the fabric lays flat - this is working one “petal”, K2, make another petal working through the same stitch three rows down, K2 and make a third and final petal
Finished Size
Do NOT measure the stockinette border. This will be used for seaming and shouldn't contribute to the finished size of the sweater.
Sizes are width x length
XS: 9 x 11.25 in (23 x 28.5 cm)
S: 10 x 11.5 in (25.5 x 29.5 cm)
M: 11 x 11.75 in (28 x 29.5 cm)
L: 12 x 11.75 in (30.5 x 30 cm)
XL: 13 x 12 in (33 x 30.5 cm)
2X: 14 x 12 in (36 x 30.5 cm)
3X: 15 x 12 in (38.5 x 30.5 cm)
4X: 16 x 12.25 in (41 x 31 cm)
5X: 17 x 12.25 in (43.5 x 31 cm)
Instructions
Cast on 43 (47, 51, 55, 59) (63, 67, 73, 77) sts
Row 1: Knit across (rs)
Row 2: Purl across (ws)
Knit 4 (4, 4, 4, 0) (0, 0, 2, 2) more rows in stockinette stitch
The st pattern from here gets a little more complicated. In order to keep the pattern centered in the swatch, there are varying rows and stitches around the dandelion pattern Find your size below and work as written.
XS / M / XL / 3X
Row 3: Knit across
Row 4: Purl across
Row 5: Knit across
Row 6: Purl across
Row 7: K8, flower, *K4, flower* repeat from * to * until 7 stitches remain, K7
Row 8: P7, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog, *P3, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog* repeat from * to * until 8 stitches remain, P8
Row 9 - 12: Repeat rows 3-6
Row 13: K12, flower, *K4, flower* repeat from * to * until 11 stitches remain, K11
Row 14: P11, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog, *P3, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog* repeat from * to * until 12 stitches remain, P12
S / L / 2X
Row 3: Knit across
Row 4: Purl across
Row 5: Knit across
Row 6: Purl across
Row 7: K6, flower, *K4, flower* repeat from * to * until 5 stitches remain, K5
Row 8: P5, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog, *P3, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog* repeat from * to * until 6 stitches remain, P6
Row 9 - 12: Repeat rows 3-6
Row 13: K10, flower, *K4, flower* repeat from * to * until 9 stitches remain, K9
Row 14: P9, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog, *P3, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog* repeat from * to * until 10 stitches remain, P10
4X:
Row 3: Knit across
Row 4: Purl across
Row 5: Knit across
Row 6: Purl across
Row 7: K7, flower, *K4, flower* repeat from * to * until 6 stitches remain, K6
Row 8: P6, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog, *P3, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog* repeat from * to * until 7 stitches remain, P7
Row 9 - 12: Repeat rows 3-6
Row 13: K11, flower, *K4, flower* repeat from * to * until 10 stitches remain, K10
Row 14: P10, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog, *P3, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog* repeat from * to * until 11 stitches remain, P11
5X:
Row 3: Knit across
Row 4: Purl across
Row 5: Knit across
Row 6: Purl across
Row 7: K5, flower, *K4, flower* repeat from * to * until 4 stitches remain, K4
Row 8: P4, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog, *P3, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog* repeat from * to * until 5 stitches remain, P5
Row 9 - 12: Repeat rows 3-6
Row 13: K9, flower, *K4, flower* repeat from * to * until 8 stitches remain, K8
Row 14: P8, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog, *P3, (P2tog, P1) twice, P2tog* repeat from * to * until 9 stitches remain, P9
Repeat rows 3 to 14 until you reach 64 (64, 64, 64, 72) (72, 72, 74, 74) (not counting the first 2 stockinette rows).
Knit 4 (6, 6, 6, 0) (0, 0, 0, 0) more rows in stockinette stitch
Row 15: Knit across (rs)
Row 16: Purl across
Bind off
If you are going to alter the pattern, the gauge for this is:
17st x 24r =4 x 4" (10cm)
Plug this into the final equations for the Bust Blocks:
Gauge st x gauge row = 4 x 4 inches
_____ (bust block width) x ( _____Gauge st / 4”) = # sts _____
_____ (bust block length) x ( _____Gauge rows / 4”) = # rows _____
Once you have your stitch and row count, use those numbers in the pattern instructions above.
Still having some trouble?
Here are two video tutorials that may help:
Post this graphic to your social media if you're taking part in the KAL, and use the hashtag #swatchitup21 so we can see your progress.
Check back here next week to learn a new stitch.