How to Create a Poppy

Materials Required:

You will need 17-20 yards of any bright poppy red worsted weight (#4) yarn and 2 yards of the same type in black.

(Something similar to Caron Scarlett, Bernat Berry or Red Heart Supersaver in Cherry Red).

Knitting Needle: - Size 5 mm

Crochet Hook - Size 5.0 mm/J *Needle or hook size may be adjusted but finished poppy should be between 4-6 inches in diameter. Don't worry if it is a little bit larger or smaller, just something to aim for!

Crochet pattern designed by Hania Wojtowicz and edited by Susan Simms

Knitting pattern designed by Susan Simms

Knitted Poppy

Knit Abbreviations

K: knit | P: purl | K2tog: knit 2 together | (Sl1, K2tog, psso): Slip 1 purl-wise, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over

With red yarn, cast on 52 stitches.

Work the next 8 rows as follows:

Right side: *K10, p3* repeat from * to * to end. Wrong side: *K3, P10* repeat from * to * to end. Cut red yarn.

Change to black yarn tying to red at needle.

Next row: K2 tog across.

Next row: P across.

Next row: *(Sl1, K2tog, psso)* repeat from * to* across to last 2 sts. K2 tog.

Cut yarn and thread through the last stitches with a darning needle. Pull tight while removing from needle.

Sew sides up with black, then with red.

There should be no seams showing.

Congratulations! You have finished your first poppy!

Crocheted Poppy

Crochet Abbreviations Ch: chain(s) | Dc: double crochet | Sc = single crochet | Sl st = slip stitch | (12)= indicates number of stitches at end of round

Row 1: With black, Ch 3, do not join. Do 11 dc into the last chain from hook. Sl st into top of Ch 3 (counts as dc). Ch 1 and pull yarn through.

Row 2: Change to red. Join to the top of any of black dc. Ch 3, work in 1 dc in same st. Work 2 dc into each dc across making sure you do not create an extra stitch out of the join from the black row. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. You have 24 dc in total. Do not turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, work 1 dc in same stitch. Work 2 dc in each of the next 3 dc, (8 dc group) *sc into each of the next 2 dc, 2 dc in each of the next 4 dc*. Repeat from * to * ending with the 2 sc and joining with a sl st into the Ch 3 at the beginning of the row. 4 sets of (8 dc + 2 sc). Do not turn.

Row 4: Ch 3, work 1 dc in same stitch. Work 2 dc into each of the next 7 dc, *sl st between the 2 sc of the previous row. Work 2 dc in each of the next 8 dc*. Repeat from * to * 3 times. Sl st between the sc of the previous row. Sl st to the top of sc 3. 4 sets of 16 dc with sl st between.

Pull yarn through loop and cut to tie off.

Congratulations! You are finished your first poppy!

Crochet Tutorial

Need help trying to crochet a poppy? Watch these step-by-step videos for help.

Right Hand How to Crochet a Poppy Video

Left Hand How to Crochet a Poppy Video

A special thank you to Rhonnda Mol from Oombawka Designs for creating and sharing these videos. Please visit her blog on creating poppies here

Mixed Media Poppies

Although we are required to follow the protocol for the poppy as set by the Canadian Legion, we would be pleased to accept poppies created in other mediums for a complimentary display. If you are a fibre artist, quilter, potter, etc. we welcome you to create a poppy that will be displayed in various locations throughout our community. We would like everyone to contribute! For more information please contact Sue Sturdy at suesturdy@rogers.com.