Felted Flowers Corsage

This felted corsage was made to decorate the Soft Tweed bag I designed. The felting process means that it becomes rather heavy so you may find it is not suitable for pinning on a jacket.

However,you don't have to use a yarn that felts. If you do want to make a lighter corsage the pattern will work with any yarn you have available in your stash. Simply choose an appropriate needle size for the yarn you are using.

Materials

Rowan Soft Tweed in the following quantities:
50g Antique (Shade 002)
50g Bramble (Shade 004)
50g Sprig (Shade 006)
8mm (US 11) Needles
Bead or button for the flower centre


Tension

12 sts x 16 Rows = 10 cm x 10 cm measured over St St BEFORE felting. After felting my tension square measured 7cm x 7 cm

Leaves (Make 2)

Cast on 24 sts

Work 1 row Garter St.

1/ K 21, turn
2/ K 18, turn
3/ K 15, turn
4/ K 12, turn
5/ K 9, turn
6/ K 6, turn
7/ K 9
8/ K 12
9/ K 15
10/ K 18
11/ K 21
12/ K 24

Work one row Garter St.

Cast off

The Petals

Instructions for the small petals are given first with the larger size in brackets. Make 5 of each.

Cast on 3

1/ K1, M1, K to last st, M1 K1
2/ P

repeat rows 1 & 2 until 7 (9) sts

Work 4 (6) rows st st

1/ SKP, K to last 2 sts, K2tog
2/ P2TOG, P to last 2 sts, P2tog tbl

repeat rows 1 & 2 until 3 sts remain

Cast off 3.

Making up

Using picture as a guide, sew petals in to flower shape. Place smaller flower on top of larger flower and secure by taking thread through both layers of knitting.

Place leaves on back of flowers in desired position, and sew in place. Weave in any loose ends.

To felt the piece wash at 40 degrees with some heavy laundry items such as jeans or towels. Leave to dry naturally. Once dry use a strong matching thread to sew a button or bead in to the centre of the flower. Add a safety pin or brooch clip to the back of the corsage to pin it in place.