Free cherries knitting pattern from fluff and fuzz

I have added a touch of colour to my vintage bag with a knitted cherry brooch.     

If you would like to knit your own cherries, here is the knitting pattern and making up instructions.  As the cherries only use small amounts of yarn, this is an ideal project for using ends of balls of wool.  You could make your cherries as a brooch or pin, as a hanging decoration, or for toy boxes and dolls houses.    

     

     

Tension    

Tension (or gauge) is not important. However, stitches should be close together so that when the finished cherry is stuffed, the stuffing does not come out through gaps in the stitches.  It is advisable to knit a test square before starting to ensure the correct needle size and tension is used.  If the test square shows stitches are loose, try adjusting the tension or using a smaller needle size.    

Abbreviations    

The cherry is knitted using stocking stitch (knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side).   All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles, except the stalks which are made from i-cord using two double pointed needles.  Please note that the instructions below are for right-handed knitters.    

• CO = Cast on 
• K = Knit
• P = Purl
• K2TOG = Decrease – Knit two stitches together through the front of the loops.
• P2TOG = Decrease – Purl two stitches together.
• KFB = Increase – Knit twice into the front and back of the stitch.  
• SSK  = Decrease – Slip the next stitch on the left needle knitwise, then slip the next stitch on the left needle purlwise.  Take the left needle and knit through the front of the two slipped stitches on the right needle. 
• […] = Repeat the stitches in square brackets by the number indicated.
• (…) =  The number in round brackets indicates number of stitches per row.

Finished Size    

 Approximately 8cm high; 8cm wide including leaves and stalks.    

Wool    

• 20g pure wool DK – red for cherries
• 20g pure wool DK – green for stalks and leaves
• Length of black wool for decoration

This is an approximate amount, but should be sufficient to knit all the pieces and sew your cherry together.     

Needle Size    

• 3 mm straight needles.
• Two 3 mm double pointed needles (DPNs) for i-cord stalks.

Other materials and equipment    

• Toy filling/stuffing (approximately 20g).
• Tapestry needle (to sew the pieces together).
• Safety pin or brooch pin (optional).

Knitting Pattern    

Cherry    

Make 2.  Start at the top of the cherry.  Knit in red.    CO 6    

1. P (6)
2. [KFB] X 6 (12)
3. P (12)
4. [KFB, K1] X 6 (18)
5. P (18)
6. [KFB, K2] X 6 (24)
7. P (24)
8. K (24)
9. P (24)
10. [K2TOG, K2] X 6 (18)
11. P (18)
12. [K2TOG] X 9 (9)

Break the yarn leaving a tail.  Thread the yarn through the remaining stitches and pull tight to gather at the base of the cherry.  Secure the thread.    

Leaf and Stalk    

Make 2.  Start at the tip of the leaf.  Knit in green.   CO 3    

1. P (3)
2. K1, KFB, K1 (4)
3. P (4)
4. [KFB] X 4 (8)
5. P (8)
6. K1, [KFB] X 2, K2, [KFB] X 2, K1 (12)
7. P (12)
8. K2, [KFB] X 2, K4, [KFB] X 2, K2 (16)
9. P (16)
10. K (16)
11. P (16)
12. K (16)
13. P (16)
14. K2, K2TOG, SSK, K4, K2TOG, SSK, K2 (12)
15. P (12)
16. K1, K2TOG, SSK, K2, K2TOG, SSK, K1 (8)
17. P (8)
18. [K2TOG] X 4 (4)
19. P2TOG, P2 (3)

Transfer the 3 stitches to double pointed needles (DPNs) to knit the i-cord stalk.   Start with the right side facing you.  Knit i-cord on 3 stitches for a length of 4cm.   Cast off all stitches.    

Making up    

Use the same yarn used to knit the cherry or leaf to sew all seams.  Tie any knots on the inside (as these will not be seen when the cherry is completed), and bury any loose ends from sewing in the stuffing.  Use mattress stitch to sew the seams together unless otherwise specified.     

Using the cast off tail at the base of the cherry, sew the seam towards the top of the cherry (the cast on edge).  Add stuffing as you sew.    [See picture 1]

Picture 1 – Stuff the cherry as you sew the seam closed.

 

Gather the cast on stitches at the top of the cherry and secure the thread.     

If you wish, you can embroider small stitches for decoration on the base of the cherry using black wool.      

When making the leaves, note that the leaf seam runs down the centre of the back of the leaf.  

Sew the leaf seam using mattress stitch from the tip, ending at the beginning of the i-cord stalk.  Secure the thread.  [See picture 2]     

Picture 2 – Sewing the leaf seam.

 

Place the two finished leaves side by side, seams facing downwards.  Sew through the top of the stalks to attach the two leaf pieces together.   [See picture 3]     

Picture 3 – Attach the two leaves together at the tops of the stalks.

 

Sew the i-cord stalk to the top of each cherry.  [See picture 4]  

Picture 4 – Sew the i-cord stalk to the top of each cherry.

 

Add a brooch pin or safety pin on the back of the leaves.  [See picture 5]  

Picture 5 – Sew a safety pin or brooch pin on the back of the leaves to finish.

 

Pin to your bag, jacket, or whatever you like, and you’re ready to spread some fluffy fuzzy cherry happiness!    

The finished cherry decoration

 

 About the pattern, and some notes on safety  

• The finished size will depend on the choice of yarn and needle size.    Try using different yarns and a suitable needle size for your chosen yarn to make smaller or larger decorations. 
• You do not have to add a pin, you can sew the decoration in place if you prefer.  
• You could make your cherries as a hanging decoration by adding a length of ribbon or braided wool.
• If you are making these cherries to give to a baby or child, please ensure you have no loose parts (loose threads, etc) which can be potential choking hazards. Also be cautious about the type of yarn, as fluffy brushed mohair yarns can have small fibres that can be swallowed by children. 
• For safety, do not add a pin if this is to be used by a baby or child. 
• Please make a note of the washing instructions provided with the chosen wools and stuffing. 

If you are a Ravelry member, the pdf of this pattern is available as a free download from my Ravelry pattern store.  

Copyright © 2010 Amanda Berry    

All patterns offered by fluff and fuzz (designed by Amanda Berry) are protected by international copyright laws. These patterns are intended for personal use only. Other uses are strictly prohibited. Any unauthorised copying will constitute an infringement of copyright.  All rights reserved.  

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