Knitted Dogwood Blossoms by Linda Thach is a charming flower knitting project inspired by the distinctive shape of real dogwood blossoms. Each flower is created from individually knitted pieces that are assembled together to form a decorative bloom approximately 5 inches across.
The project uses worsted-weight yarn and 5 mm needles, making it a relatively quick way to practice shaping, increases, decreases and simple finishing techniques without committing to a large garment.
These knitted flowers can be used as brooches, hat or scarf embellishments, gift decorations, bouquet elements or seasonal home décor.
Design and original pattern © Linda Thach / Purl Avenue.
Knitted Dogwood Blossoms Pattern Overview
- Designer: Linda Thach
- Pattern: Knitted Dogwood Blossoms
- Original source: Purl Avenue
- Craft: Knitting
- Category: Ornamental flower / embellishment
- Published: May 2014
- Finished size: Approximately 5 in / 12.7 cm across
- Yarn weight: Worsted
- Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted
- Needles: US 8 / 5 mm DPNs
- Construction: Individual knitted pieces assembled into a flower
- Main techniques: Knitting flat, shaping, increases, decreases, I-cord and seaming
- Language: English
A Knitted Flower Inspired by Dogwood Blossoms
Dogwood flowers have a recognizable open shape with broad petals surrounding a compact center. Linda Thach's knitted version translates that shape into yarn using individually formed petals and a small central detail.
The result is more dimensional than a simple flat flower applique, while still remaining lightweight enough to attach to clothing, accessories or decorative projects.
How the Flower Is Constructed
The flower is not knitted as one continuous circular piece. Instead, the individual components are made separately and then assembled.
This construction gives the petals more definition and allows you to position them carefully during finishing.
The project also includes a small I-cord element used as part of the flower's center construction.
Why This Is a Good Small Knitting Project
Knitted Dogwood Blossoms are useful when you want to practice shaping without making a large garment.
The project introduces several techniques in a very small format:
- Increasing stitches to widen a petal
- Working stockinette fabric
- Decreasing stitches to shape the petal tip
- Making a short I-cord
- Using yarn tails for assembly
- Arranging knitted pieces into a finished decorative shape
Yarn for Knitted Dogwood Blossoms
The original pattern recommends Knit Picks Brava Worsted, a worsted-weight yarn.
Because this is a small decorative project, it can also be a practical way to use leftover worsted-weight yarn from larger projects.
A smooth yarn with good stitch definition is especially helpful because it allows the shaping of each petal to remain clearly visible.
Choosing Colors
Traditional dogwood-inspired colors such as white, cream, pale pink and green can create a botanical look, but the pattern can easily be adapted to other color combinations.
You can make several blossoms in coordinating shades for a decorative bouquet, or use a contrasting center to emphasize the structure of each flower.
Needles and Materials
- Worsted-weight yarn
- Two US 8 / 5 mm double-pointed needles
- Yarn or tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Optional pin or brooch backing for wearable flowers
Although double-pointed needles are listed, the flower components themselves are small, so the project does not require managing a large number of stitches.
Finished Size
The original Knitted Dogwood Blossoms pattern produces a flower approximately 5 inches / 12.7 cm across.
The final dimensions can vary slightly depending on yarn choice, needle size and individual tension.
If you want a smaller flower, Linda Thach later published a separate Small Knitted Dogwood Blossoms version measuring about 3.5 inches / 8.9 cm.
Skills You'll Use
- Casting on
- Knit stitches
- Purl stitches
- Stockinette stitch
- Increasing stitches
- Decreasing stitches
- Working small flat pieces
- Making I-cord
- Using a tapestry needle
- Assembling knitted components
- Weaving in ends
Is This Beginner Friendly?
Knitted Dogwood Blossoms can be a good project for an advanced beginner who already knows the basic knit and purl stitches.
The individual pieces are small, so mistakes are inexpensive to fix, and the project provides useful practice with increases and decreases.
The finishing stage requires a little patience because the separate pieces must be positioned and joined neatly, but it is also a good introduction to assembling knitted decorative items.
Ideas for Using Knitted Dogwood Blossoms
These flowers can be used in many ways beyond simply displaying them on their own.
- Brooches: attach a pin backing for a removable accessory.
- Hats: add one flower to a plain knitted hat.
- Scarves: use a blossom as a decorative accent.
- Gift wrapping: replace a traditional bow with a reusable knitted flower.
- Bouquets: combine several blossoms with knitted or wrapped stems.
- Home décor: attach flowers to wreaths, cushions or seasonal displays.
- Hair accessories: securely attach a flower to an appropriate clip or band.
Tips for Neater Petals
Keep your tension consistent. Uneven tension can make one petal noticeably larger than the others.
Compare the petals before assembly. Lay all the pieces beside each other before joining them and check that their overall proportions match.
Do not pull assembly yarn too tightly. The center should be secure without causing the petals to bunch excessively.
Shape the flower before weaving in every end. Leaving some tails available during assembly makes it easier to adjust the final positioning.
Making a Bouquet
Because each blossom is relatively small and uses little yarn, it is practical to make several flowers for a knitted bouquet.
You can vary the colors slightly while keeping the center consistent, or make all of the blossoms in one shade for a more realistic botanical arrangement.
If creating stems, make sure any internal wire or structural material is fully covered and securely finished, particularly if the decoration will be handled frequently.
Original and Small Versions
Linda Thach later created a smaller version of the design called Small Knitted Dogwood Blossoms.
The original flower measures approximately 5 inches across, while the smaller version measures about 3.5 inches / 8.9 cm.
This gives knitters two useful scales depending on whether the finished flower will be used as a larger decorative piece or a smaller embellishment.
Is Knitted Dogwood Blossoms a Free Knitting Pattern?
The original Knitted Dogwood Blossoms pattern was published by Linda Thach on Purl Avenue and is listed through its original Purl Avenue source.
Amazing Knitting directs readers to the designer's original website whenever possible rather than reproducing or linking to copied instructions.
View Knitted Dogwood Blossoms at Purl Avenue →
Want a Smaller Dogwood Flower?
Linda Thach also offers the later Small Knitted Dogwood Blossoms pattern, which creates a flower approximately 3.5 inches / 8.9 cm across.
That version is currently available free on Purl Avenue and includes a video tutorial.
View the Free Small Dogwood Blossoms Pattern →
Why This Flower Is Worth Knitting
Knitted Dogwood Blossoms are a good example of how a small amount of yarn can be transformed into a detailed decorative project.
They are quick compared with garments or blankets, easy to customize with different colors and useful for practicing shaping and finishing techniques.
The finished flowers are also versatile enough to be reused across many different projects, from accessories and gifts to seasonal decorations.
Pattern Availability
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Amazing Knitting is an independent pattern discovery and project-guide site. The Knitted Dogwood Blossoms design and original pattern remain the intellectual property of Linda Thach / Purl Avenue. This guide does not reproduce the designer's complete row-by-row knitting instructions.