Fluffy Daisy Cardigan Knitting Pattern Review

Originally published on August 12, 2024

Why I Fell in Love with Flower Embroidery

As someone who lives and breathes knitting, I always look out for new projects, even if my current one is still unfinished on my needles. But every now and then, a pattern comes along that captures my heart, and that’s exactly what happened with the Fluffy Daisy Cardigan, featuring the most intricate flower embroidery I’ve ever seen! I love flowers, I could have them everywhere. From the moment I saw this pattern, I knew it would be special - one that absolutely had to be in my wardrobe.

Testing the Brioche Stitch & Project Highlights

I was excited to test knit this pattern for TheKnitStitch! The half brioche stitch has always been a favorite of mine, with its plush texture and sophisticated look. It’s also very squishy and warm. Combining it with flower embroidery? That was a dream coming true. I could already picture myself wearing this cardigan on a chilly day, with the floral details adding a touch of elegance to the outfit.

Italian Bind-Off

Brioche and Wool: Working with We Are Knitters Petite Wool

As I worked through the pattern, I was continually impressed by how beautifully the half brioche stitch came together. I’m especially in love with those raglan increases! The soft yarn from We Are Knitters - The Petite Wool was a dream to work with, and it draped perfectly as the cardigan began to take shape! The only downside of this wool was that wet blocking stretched it so much that it was a small workout to get it back in shape. Because of the large needles, the cardigan was knitted very quickly. I finished it with an Italian bind-off to give it a polished look. What took the longest was the flower embroidery; I wanted mine to be small and scattered over the entire cardigan.

Raglan Increases

Modifications for the Perfect Fit: Tips for Knitters

The most beautiful memories are often the ones that aren’t planned, don’t you think?

I also made some slight modifications to my cardigan as I felt they were necessary to achieve the perfect fit and look for myself. I’ve listed them below in case anyone else wants to make similar adjustments. I also noted these changes on my Ravelry project page..

1. Neckline: I added an I-cord to the neckline to prevent it from stretching out. The garment’s weight caused the neckline to stretch excessively, making it slip off my shoulders. I cast on 4 stitches for the I-cord and picked up stitches in a 1:1 ratio.
2. Cuffs: I made fewer decreases for the cuffs. For size M, the pattern recommends decreasing until 22 stitches remain, but this was too tight for me. Instead, I decreased by only 8 stitches, leaving 34 stitches for the cuff.
3. Buttonband: I knitted 7 rows in a ribbing pattern for the buttonband. Since I used 2.5 mm buttons, I needed a wider buttonband. I created a one-row horizontal buttonhole by binding off 3 stitches.
   

I-Cord Edging

How to Embroider Flowers on Knitwear

Embroidering flowers on your knitted pieces is a wonderful way to add personality and a touch of whimsy to your garments. For my Fluffy Daisy Cardigan, I chose classic straight stitch daisies and scattered them across the fabric for a soft, garden-inspired look. This simple technique allows the flowers to blend beautifully with the brioche stitch, creating a playful effect that feels both elegant and cozy.

To get started, you’ll need a tapestry needle and a few strands of contrasting yarn or leftover mohair. Begin by deciding where you want your flowers to bloom, marking gentle guidelines with stitch markers can help keep your design balanced.

For basic daisies:

• Thread your needle with your chosen petal color.

• Bring the needle up through your knitting where you want the flower’s center.

• Create straight stitches, radiating out from a single point to form petals (usually five or six petals per flower).

• Switch to a yellow or orange yarn for the center, and use a few small satin stitches or a French knot to finish.

Take your time, and don’t be afraid to practice on a swatch before embroidering directly on your garment. If you’re new to embroidery, there are wonderful step-by-step video tutorials, search for “how to embroider daisies on knitting” for extra guidance.

Embroidered flowers not only make your knitwear unique, but each one is a chance to express your style and make your cardigan truly special!

Flower embroidery

Wearing an Unfinished Cardigan? My Experience

Now, here’s where things got interesting. We’ve all been there, right? You’re halfway through a knitting project, and suddenly, the weather takes a turn. That’s exactly what happened to me. As I was working on the flower embroidery, we experienced an unexpected cold snap. The temperature dropped, and I found myself eyeing the almost-finished cardigan longingly. It wasn’t ready, but neither was I willing to endure the cold without it.

I was on a business trip and didn’t think it would suddenly get so cold. The weather forecast hadn’t mentioned anything about it, so I hadn’t packed a jacket for the week. So, I did what any dedicated knitter might do - I wore it unfinished. Yes, a few threads were hanging loose, and half of the flower embroidery was missing. But you know what? It was perfect! The brioche stitch provided the warmth I needed, and even in its incomplete state, the cardigan drew compliments. People were intrigued by the design, the lushness of the fabric, and, of course, the beautiful flower embroidery that was already starting to make its mark.

Final Thoughts: The Fluffy Daisy Cardigan Journey

The Fluffy Daisy Cardigan has been a rewarding journey, from its intricate flower embroidery to the cozy brioche stitch. Despite the unexpected cold snap that had me wearing it unfinished, the project turned out beautifully and has quickly become a favorite. If you’re inspired to knit your own version, I’ve shared some modifications and tips that might help. I’d love to hear about your own knitting adventures and any tweaks you make to your projects. Feel free to share in the comments.

Until then, happy knitting!

A Little Way to Say Thanks