Knit Floral Block: Seventies Daisy

This generic pattern can be used with whatever yarn and hook/needle size you prefer.

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This is a real flower-power design made using applique and fairly straightforward knitting techniques. The center of the daisy is striped with turning rows, and the petals are knitted in a continuous strip.

METHOD
Yarn DK wool in pea green (A), yellow-green (B), cream (C), and deep turquoise (D)

Equipment A pair of knitting needles

CENTER
Using A, cast on 9 sts by the thumb method.
Note Do not break yarn between colors.
1st row (RS) Using B, k7, turn, wyab slip 1 purlwise, k6.
2nd row (RS) K5, turn, wyab slip 1 purlwise, k4.
3rd row (RS) Using A, k all 9 sts.
4th row (WS) Slip 1 knitwise, k to end.
Repeat 1st-4th rows 14 times more, then work 1st and 2nd rows again.
Using A, bind off knitwise.

PETALS
Using C, cast on 4 sts.
Note Slip all slip stitches knitwise.
1st row (RS) Slip 1, kfb, k2. 5 sts.
2nd row Slip 1, k2, kfb, k1. 6 sts.
3rd row Slip 1, kfb, k4. 7 sts.
4th row Slip 1, k4, kfb, k1. 8 sts.
5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th rows Slip 1, k7.
9th row Slip 1, k2tog, k5. 7 sts.
10th row Slip 1, k3, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
11th row Slip 1, k2tog, k3. 5 sts.
12th row Slip 1, k1, k2tog, k1. 4 sts.
13th row Slipping first st, bind off 2 sts, k remaining one st. 2 sts.
14th row Slip 1, k1, turn, cast on 2 sts by knitting-on method. 4 sts. Do not turn.
Repeat 1st-14th rows 7 times more, then work 1st-13th rows again.
Bind off remaining 2 sts.

BLOCK
Using D, cast on 31 sts.
1st row (RS) K1, [p1, k1] 15 times.
2nd row As 1st row. Repeat these 2 rows until 51 rows have been completed or until block is square.
Bind off knitwise.
To neaten the sides, RS facing and using D, pick up and k31 sts along one edge, then bind off knitwise. Do the same along the second edge.

Making up
Seam the center, using A and taking in the chain edge of the bind off and the single back strand of the cast on. Gently stretch the outer edge and gather the inner edge lightly. Seam the petals by joining the 2 bound-off stitches and the inner 2 cast-on stitches. Attach the center to the block by over-sewing the outer edge. Set the petals on top and, using C, back stitch on RS around slip stitch edge. Press the nose of the iron into each petal to make it concave.

ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES

k= knit k2tog = knit two together
Kfb = knit in front and back of st p = purl
RS = right side st(s) = stitch(es)

Excerpted with permission from 75 Floral Blocks to Knit by Lesley Stanfield, St. Martin's Griffin, 2013.