Knit A Corsage

Here's something a little bit different. Need ideas for interesting items to knit, that people would pay for to raise money for your favourite charity?

CORSAGE

Designed for Oxfam by: Tina Egleton

Materials

Small amount of double knitting yarn.
No. 9 (33/4 mm) knitting needles;
brooch backing
or
safetypin.

Abbreviations
K, knit;
p, purl;
st, stitch;
ss, stocking st (k on right side and p on wrong side).

Petals

With No. 9 (33/4 mm) needles, cast on 114 sts.
K 1 row.
Next row: K2, [cast off 12, k1 st more] 8 times – 18 sts.
Next row: K2, [cast on 1 st, k2] 8 times – 26 sts. K 1 row.
Cast off in kwise.

Centre

With No. 9 (33/4 mm) needles, cast on 5 sts.
K 1 row.
Continue in ss, increasing 1 st at each end of next 4 rows and following alternate row – 15 sts.
Ss 5 rows.
Dec 1 st at each end of next row.
P 1 row.
Dec 1 st at each end of next 4 rows – 5 sts.
Cast off.

Ribbon

With No. 9 (33/4 mm) needles, cast on 54 sts.
Cast off kwise.


Spiral

With No. 9 (33/4 mm) needles, cast on 30 sts.
K 1 row, working twice in every st – 60 sts.
Next row: [K1, k twice in next st] to end – 90 sts.
Cast off kwise.
To make up

Run a gathering thread around centre piece and stuffing it slightly with few metres of yarn, pull up tightly and secure.
Run a gathering thread around cast off edge of petal piece, pull up so that centre ring fits around centre piece and secure,
then sew to centre piece.
Sew one end of spiral to back of flower.
Make twisted cord and tie each end securely.
Tie knots at each end of ribbon. Fold ribbon and cord unevenly and sew folded end to back of flower.
Attach brooch backing or safety-pin to back of flower.