Knitted Daffodil Free Pattern: Bring the Joy of Spring to Your Needles
There is something quietly magical about knitting a flower. Unlike a scarf or a sweater, a knitted bloom carries no practical purpose beyond pure delight — and perhaps that is exactly what makes it so satisfying to create. Among all the flowers a knitter might choose to craft, the daffodil holds a special place. It is the universal symbol of spring, the first bright pop of yellow after months of grey, and a flower that carries a kind of cheerful stubbornness in its character. This free knitted daffodil pattern will walk you through everything you need to know to create your own, from choosing your yarn to finishing the last petal.
Whether you are a beginner looking for a small, manageable project or an experienced knitter wanting to add handmade floral accents to your home, this pattern is designed to be accessible, clear, and genuinely enjoyable to follow. Let’s dive in.
Why Knit a Daffodil?
Before we get into the pattern itself, it’s worth pausing to appreciate why knitted flowers, and daffodils in particular, are such a beloved project in the knitting community.
Knitted daffodils are wonderfully versatile. A single bloom can be stitched onto a plain hat to transform it into something charming and unique. A small bunch can be arranged in a vase for a springtime centerpiece that will never wilt. They make beautiful embellishments on bags, cardigans, and cushion covers. They are perfect as brooch pins, corsages, or hair accessories. And because they work up relatively quickly — most knitters can complete a single daffodil in an evening or two — they are a satisfying project when you want to feel that sense of accomplishment without committing weeks to a large piece.
There is also something deeply meditative about knitting small, self-contained objects. When your project is portable and finite, you can carry it anywhere, pick it up and put it down, and make steady progress without needing long stretches of uninterrupted time. For busy crafters, this matters enormously.
Materials You Will Need
One of the best things about this free knitted daffodil pattern is that it requires very little yarn — which means it is an ideal stash-buster project. If you have been saving those leftover balls from previous projects, this is the time to put them to good use.
Yarn: You will need a small amount of DK weight yarn (approximately 8–10 grams) in daffodil yellow for the petals, a slightly deeper golden yellow or orange for the trumpet, and a small amount of green for the stem and leaves. If you want to add textural interest, a slightly fuzzy or halo yarn can give the petals a lovely softness, though smooth DK works beautifully as well.
Needles: A pair of 3.5mm (US 4) knitting needles. Double-pointed needles (DPNs) in the same size are useful for the trumpet, though you can work on two regular needles using a technique described below.
Additional materials: A tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, a small amount of polyester fiberfill or cotton stuffing for the trumpet, a length of floral wire (approximately 20–25cm) for the stem if you want your daffodil to stand upright, wire cutters and pliers if using floral wire, and a small amount of green florist tape if desired.
Gauge: Approximately 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm in stockinette stitch on 3.5mm needles. Gauge is not critical for this project — small variations will simply give you a slightly larger or smaller flower.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
CO — cast on
K — knit
P — purl
K2tog — knit two stitches together (a right-leaning decrease)
SSK — slip, slip, knit (a left-leaning decrease)
KFB — knit into the front and back of a stitch (an increase)
PM — place marker
SM — slip marker
BO — bind off
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
St(s) — stitch(es)
Rep — repeat
Pattern Notes
This daffodil is worked in separate pieces — six petals, one trumpet, one stem, and two leaves — which are then assembled. The petals are each worked flat and then joined. The trumpet is worked in the round on double-pointed needles or with the magic loop method. The stem is a simple I-cord.
If you are new to knitting in the round or working with double-pointed needles, do not let that deter you. The trumpet is a small piece and provides wonderful practice on a low-stakes item. You can also work it flat and seam the side if you prefer — the result will be virtually identical.
The Petals (Make 6)
Daffodils have six petal-like structures — technically three petals and three sepals, though for our purposes we are making them all identical. Each petal is worked flat from the base upward.
Using your yellow yarn and 3.5mm needles, cast on 5 stitches.
Row 1 (WS): Purl to end.
Row 2 (RS): KFB, K3, KFB. (7 sts)
Row 3: Purl to end.
Row 4: KFB, K5, KFB. (9 sts)
Row 5: Purl to end.
Row 6: KFB, K7, KFB. (11 sts)
Row 7: Purl to end.
Row 8: Knit to end.
Row 9: Purl to end.
Row 10: Knit to end.
Row 11: Purl to end.
Row 12: Knit to end.
Row 13: Purl to end.
Row 14: SSK, K7, K2tog. (9 sts)
Row 15: Purl to end.
Row 16: SSK, K5, K2tog. (7 sts)
Row 17: Purl to end.
Row 18: SSK, K3, K2tog. (5 sts)
Row 19: Purl to end.
Row 20: SSK, K1, K2tog. (3 sts)
Row 21: P3tog. (1 st)
Break yarn and pull through remaining stitch. Weave in ends.
Repeat until you have six petals total. Once completed, lay them flat and press gently with a damp cloth if needed to help them lie flat and define their shape.
The Trumpet
The trumpet — that distinctive central cup that makes a daffodil immediately recognizable — is the most characterful part of the flower. It is worked in the round from the open rim downward, then gathered at the base.
Using your orange or deep golden yellow yarn and double-pointed needles (or a short circular for magic loop), cast on 30 stitches. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
Rounds 1–3: Knit all stitches.
Round 4: (K2tog, K3) repeat to end. (24 sts)
Rounds 5–6: Knit all stitches.
Round 7: (K2tog, K2) repeat to end. (18 sts)
Rounds 8–9: Knit all stitches.
Round 10: (K2tog, K1) repeat to end. (12 sts)
Round 11: Knit all stitches.
Round 12: (K2tog) repeat to end. (6 sts)
Break yarn, leaving a tail of approximately 15cm. Thread the tail onto your tapestry needle and draw it through the remaining 6 stitches, pulling tight to close the base. Do not fasten off yet — use this tail to gather and close, then use it to attach the trumpet to the centre of the petals later.
If you want the trumpet to hold its shape and have a little dimension, use the tapestry needle and some fiberfill to lightly stuff it before closing entirely. Do not overstuff — you want a gentle, rounded cup, not a lumpy ball.
To give the rim of the trumpet that characteristic ruffled, slightly frilled edge that real daffodils have, you can add a picot bind off on the cast-on edge. Simply pick up stitches along the cast-on edge and work as follows: bind off 2 sts, slip remaining stitch back to left needle, CO 2 sts, BO 4 sts — repeat from to all the way around. This creates a delicate, wavy edging that really elevates the finished flower.
The Stem (I-Cord)
The stem is worked as an I-cord, which is a neat tube of knitting produced on double-pointed needles. It gives a sturdy, rope-like result that can be shaped and, if needed, reinforced with floral wire.
Using your green yarn and two double-pointed needles, cast on 4 stitches. Do not turn your work. Slide the stitches to the right end of the needle. Pull the yarn tightly across the back of the work and knit all 4 stitches again. Repeat this process — slide, pull yarn across, knit — until the cord measures approximately 15–18cm, or your desired stem length. Bind off and weave in ends.
If you want a freestanding flower that can be placed in a vase, insert a length of floral wire through the centre of the I-cord before binding off. Bend the bottom 2cm of wire into a small loop (to prevent it from poking through) using pliers, and wrap the stem in green florist tape if you want a more polished look. The wire will hold the stem upright and allow you to gently curve it into a natural arching shape.
The Leaves (Make 2)
The leaves of a daffodil are long, strap-like, and upright. These knitted versions are simplified but capture that character nicely.
Using green yarn and 3.5mm needles, cast on 3 stitches.
Row 1: K1, P1, K1.
Row 2: KFB, P1, KFB. (5 sts)
Rows 3–30: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1. (Maintain this seed stitch pattern throughout.)
Row 31: SSK, K1, K2tog. (3 sts)
Row 32: K1, P1, K1.
Row 33: Slip 1, K2tog, pass slipped stitch over. (1 st)
Break yarn and pull through. Weave in ends.
The seed stitch texture here gives the leaves a pleasingly natural, slightly ribbed look that distinguishes them from the smooth petals and adds tactile interest to the finished piece.
Assembly
This is the stage where your separate pieces come together into something recognisably floral, and it is genuinely satisfying.
Begin by arranging the six petals face-down in a circle on a flat surface, with their bases meeting at the centre. Using your tapestry needle and yellow yarn, stitch the bases together, working around the circle and drawing them into a unified disk. The stitching does not need to be invisible at this stage as it will be hidden by the trumpet.
Once the petals are joined, turn the piece over so the right side faces upward and gently fan out the petals so they are evenly spaced — you should have two layers of three petals each, with the outer layer visible between the inner layer if you alternate them. In real daffodils, the sepals and petals alternate in two rings, so achieving this look is closer to botanical accuracy.
Take your completed trumpet and position it at the centre of the petals. Use the long tail from the base of the trumpet to stitch it firmly in place, working all the way around its base so it sits securely. This joining stitch also helps the trumpet stand upright rather than flopping to one side.
Attach the stem to the back of the flower, stitching it to the centre back where the petal bases are joined. If using floral wire, make sure it runs through the I-cord stem and into the flower structure for maximum stability.
Finally, attach the leaves. Stitch each one to the base of the stem, spacing them so they angle outward naturally from either side of the stem. If you want, you can wire the leaves as well, tucking a shorter piece of wire along the centre of each leaf for posability.
Finishing Touches and Customisation
Once your daffodil is assembled, take a moment to adjust the petals. Gently curve them with your fingers — a slight backward sweep is realistic, while forward-curving petals give a different, more cupped character. If the petals feel too flat and stiff, lightly steam them with an iron (check your yarn’s care label first) to relax the fibres and make them more shapeable.
You have a lot of room to personalise this pattern. Using a bright white yarn for the petals and a soft orange or peachy coral for the trumpet creates a “Paperwhite” or “Barrett Browning” variety character. An all-yellow version is the classic daffodil. For a wild daffodil feel, use a pale lemon yellow and a deeper egg-yolk yellow. A creamy white petal with a pale citrus trumpet suggests many of the elegant named varieties found in garden centres in late winter.
You can also vary the size by changing your yarn weight and needle size. Fingering weight on 2.5mm needles will give you a dainty miniature version, perfect for jewellery or card making. Aran weight on 5mm needles creates a large, dramatic statement bloom for a centrepiece arrangement.
Project Ideas Using Your Knitted Daffodils
A single knitted daffodil is lovely on its own, but a small group becomes something truly special. Here are some ways to use the flowers this pattern produces.
A trio of daffodils with varying stem lengths, arranged together and tied with a ribbon, makes a heartfelt and lasting gift. Unlike cut flowers, these will never droop or fade, and they carry the added value of being handmade with care.
Stitched onto a simple knitted or crocheted wreath base, a ring of daffodils alongside some knitted ivy makes a gorgeous spring door decoration that can be stored and brought out year after year.
Adding a single daffodil to the brim of a sun hat or the crown of a child’s beanie is a quick way to give a plain item charm and individuality. Use a brooch pin on the back of a felt circle stitched to the flower base so it can be removed for washing.
For the home, a vase of knitted daffodils on a windowsill, mantelpiece, or dining table brings a gentle, cheerful note of the season indoors without the commitment of maintaining real plants. Many knitters find that guests are genuinely surprised to learn the flowers are handmade.
Caring for Your Knitted Daffodils
If made in a superwash wool or acrylic DK, these flowers can be gently hand-washed and laid flat to dry if they become dusty. For flowers that contain floral wire, spot cleaning with a barely damp cloth is safer. If the petals lose their shape over time, a gentle steam from a safe distance can refresh them.
Storing knitted flowers flat or loosely in a box, rather than compressed in a bag, will help them keep their shape between uses.
A Few Notes for Beginners
If you are new to knitting and this is one of your first pattern attempts, a few reassurances: the increase and decrease rows in the petal pattern are simpler than they look on paper. Work slowly through the first petal, reading each row carefully before you start it, and by the second petal you will find the rhythm comes naturally. The I-cord stem is an excellent technique to learn and will feel very unusual the first time — it seems like nothing is happening — but slide the stitches, pull the yarn across, and knit, and after a few repeats you will see the tube forming and it becomes almost meditative.
The trumpet in the round may feel fiddly on double-pointed needles if you have never used them, but with only 30 stitches distributed across three or four needles, it is a manageable introduction. Take your time, do not rush, and enjoy the process.
There is a particular satisfaction in making something with your hands that the world tends to produce and discard quickly. A knitted daffodil will last for years. It will sit on a shelf or in a vase and catch the light and make someone smile. It is
