Victorian Sunflower Pincushion by Vicki Monthei

Victorian Sunflower Pincushion

Knitting
June 2023
Thread ?
11 stitches and 22 rows = 1 inch
in garter stitch
US 0 - 2.0 mm
100 - 110 yards (91 - 101 m)
NA
English
This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download

This 1890s pincushion from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 3 is worthy of the drawing room! Using the original needle size and number of stitches, my project has a 2” diameter center and is about 5” across with 2 petal layers. Use larger thread/yarn and knitting needles, if you’d prefer a larger pincushion.
The moss-stitch flower center is worked in a square and sewn around a plastic canvas disk and stuffing. The 2 garter-stitch petal strips are sewn around the flower center. A smaller version could be used as a hat accent or even jewelry! Any yarn and needle size will work. Consider making this flower in different colors and sizes.
Skills needed: long-tail cast on, knit, purl, slip, kf&b, SKP (slip 1, knit 1, PSSO) and bind off in knit stitch.

Gauge is not important in this pattern. Any yarn/thread will work. Make a swatch to check size and appearance.

100 yards of #8 pearl cotton will make 1 flower in the stated gauge:
16 yards for flower center - DMC #111
32 yards for smaller petal strip (14 petals) – DMC #727
52 yards for larger petal strip (11 petals) – DMC #742