March 27, 2011

Yarn: King Cole Merino Blend DK - 100% Superwash Wool, in French Blue, and Wendy Fusion Bulky, 50% Wool/ 50% Acrylic, in Saffron

Needles: 4 mm / 6 US

Gauge: 6 stitches and 7 rows per inch (after a tight blocking)

Stitch Pattern: Daisy Stitch

Source: KnittingFool.com, as well as most other stitch collections

Comments:  I really like this stitch.  Last spring, I used it in a baby cardigan, working the daisies in a 3-row, 2-row, 3-rows colour change pattern.  This time, I thought I'd mix it up and use this virbant blue and orange combination, although the pattern is equally effective in a solid colour.  The secret to this one is to block it quite hard, and use a larger needle size than normal (although I didn't use larger needles here) - this opens up the flowers a little, and improves the overall effect.  If you're using it as a design accent, try to add a few stitches in the row before you start the daisies - they pull in tightly, and can warp your overall dimensions.