The Daffodil Meadow Tapestry Square: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Floral Motif

Introducing the Daffodil Meadow Tapestry Square

Bring the beauty of spring into your home with this stunning knitted tapestry square. The Daffodil Meadow Tapestry Square features eight raised daffodils in a meadow of textured stitches, combining intarsia and bobble techniques for a truly dimensional floral design. This free pattern is perfect for intermediate knitters looking to expand their skills with colorwork and texture. The finished square measures 12 inches by 12 inches, making it ideal for afghans, pillows, or wall hangings.

Materials Needed

To create this beautiful tapestry square, you will need the following materials:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in four colors:
  • Meadow Green (MC) - approximately 50g
  • Sunshine Yellow (CC1) - approximately 50g
  • Cream (CC2) - approximately 50g
  • Sky Blue (CC3) - approximately 50g
• Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving ends, stitch markers (optional)

Gauge

20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always check your gauge to ensure your square measures 12 inches x 12 inches.

Abbreviations

• K: knit
• P: purl
• K2tog: knit two together
• M1: make one (increase)
• BO: bind off
• MC: Main Color (Meadow Green)
• CC1: Contrast Color 1 (Sunshine Yellow)
• CC2: Contrast Color 2 (Cream)
• CC3: Contrast Color 3 (Sky Blue)
• Bobble: (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1) into same stitch, then pass 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th stitches over the first

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cast On

With MC (Meadow Green), cast on 60 stitches using your preferred method.

Border (Rows 1-4)

Work a garter stitch border to frame your square:

• Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Row 3: Knit all stitches.
• Row 4: Purl all stitches.

Main Pattern (Rows 5-56)

Work in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) while following the intarsia chart below. Each daffodil is worked over 12 stitches and 16 rows. The chart shows one daffodil; repeat across row for 8 daffodils, spacing them with 2 MC stitches between each.

Daffodil Motif Chart (per flower)

Rows 5-8: With MC, work 2 stitches, then with CC1 work 8 stitches (petals), then with MC work 2 stitches.

Row 9: With MC, work 2, with CC1 work 2, with CC2 work 4 (center), with CC1 work 2, with MC work 2.

Row 10: With MC, work 2, with CC1 work 2, with CC2 work 4, with CC1 work 2, with MC work 2.

Row 11: With MC, work 2, with CC1 work 2, with CC2 work 4, with CC1 work 2, with MC work 2.

Row 12: With MC, work 2, with CC1 work 2, with CC2 work 4, with CC1 work 2, with MC work 2.

Row 13: With MC, work 2, with CC1 work 8, with MC work 2.

Row 14: With MC, work 2, with CC1 work 8, with MC work 2.

Row 15: With MC, work 2, with CC1 work 8, with MC work 2.

Row 16: With MC, work 2, with CC1 work 8, with MC work 2.

Row 17: With MC, work 2, with CC1 work 8, with MC work 2.

Row 18: With MC, work 2, with CC1 work 8, with MC work 2.

Row 19: With MC, work 2, with CC1 work 8, with MC work 2.

Row 20: With MC, work 2, with CC1 work 8, with MC work 2.

Bobble Details

On Row 9, work a bobble in the center of each daffodil (the 4 CC2 stitches). To do this, on the RS row, work the 4 CC2 stitches as: K1, bobble in next stitch, K2. On WS rows, purl all.

Repeat

Repeat the 16-row daffodil pattern 3 times total (48 rows), then work 4 more rows of stockinette with MC.

Border (Rows 57-60)

Complete the square with a matching border:

• Row 57: Knit all stitches.
• Row 58: Purl all stitches.
• Row 59: Knit all stitches.
• Row 60: Purl all stitches.

Finishing

Bind off loosely to maintain flexibility. Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle. Block square to 12x12 inches, pinning daffodils to open up petals for maximum dimension.

Tips for Success

• Use separate bobbins or small balls of yarn for each color section to avoid tangling.
• Twist yarns at color changes to prevent holes.
• Blocking is essential to open up the bobbles and flatten the intarsia work.
• Practice the bobble stitch on a swatch before starting the square.

Your Daffodil Meadow Tapestry Square is now complete! Enjoy the rich texture and vibrant colors of your handmade floral masterpiece. Share your creation with the crafting community and inspire others to try this beautiful pattern.