Free Daisy Flower Dishcloth or Afghan Square Knitting Pattern — Daisy and Storm
There is something quietly magical about knitting a small square. It is a project humble enough to carry in your bag, work on during a lunch break, or finish in an evening beside a warm drink. Yet within that modest boundary, so much is possible — texture, color, structure, storytelling. The Daisy and Storm pattern is one of those small squares that punches well above its weight, combining a raised daisy motif with the moody, rhythmic contrast of a stormy background stitch. Whether you knit it as a dishcloth for your kitchen or join dozens of them together into a sweeping afghan, this pattern is deeply satisfying to make and genuinely beautiful to look at.
This post walks you through everything you need to know to cast on and get going — yarn choices, needle sizes, the full written pattern, stitch explanations, tips for blocking, and ideas for using your finished squares. By the end, you will have a free daisy flower knitting pattern you can return to again and again.
Why Knit the Daisy and Storm Square?
Before we dive into the actual pattern, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate why this particular design is worth your time.
First, it works beautifully at multiple scales. At roughly seven to eight inches on a side (depending on your yarn and gauge), a single square makes a wonderful dishcloth or washcloth — the textured stitches are excellent for scrubbing vegetables or wiping down countertops, and the daisy center makes every mundane kitchen task feel a little more charming. Scale up by knitting multiple squares and joining them, and you have the building blocks of a sophisticated afghan or lap blanket that looks far more complex than it actually is.
Second, the Daisy and Storm pattern is a genuine skill-builder. The “daisy” stitch introduces you to a cluster technique — a beautiful method for creating three-dimensional floral shapes in flat knitting — while the surrounding “storm” texture gives you practice with a slip-stitch or seed-based background that creates visual depth. If you are a newer knitter who has already mastered knit and purl, this pattern is an excellent next step. If you are experienced, it is the kind of meditative project that rewards you with a lovely object without demanding your full attention.
Third, the finished result is genuinely versatile. Daisy dishcloths make wonderful handmade gifts — they are fast to knit, inexpensive to make, and feel both personal and practical. A collection of Daisy and Storm afghan squares in coordinating colors becomes a stunning heirloom piece. You can lean into the “daisy” spirit and choose soft yellows, creamy whites, and garden greens, or embrace the “storm” half of the title with steely grays, navy blues, and charcoal tones. The pattern holds up beautifully in almost any color palette.
Materials and Supplies
To knit a single Daisy and Storm square, here is what you will need.
Yarn: Worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn works beautifully for dishcloths. It is durable, absorbent, machine-washable, and shows the texture of the stitches with wonderful clarity. Good choices include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Simply DK (slightly lighter but lovely for texture), or any 100% cotton worsted you already have in your stash. For an afghan, a smooth worsted wool or wool-blend — something like Cascade 220 or Lion Brand Wool-Ease — will give you better drape and warmth. Plan on roughly 50 to 60 yards per square for worsted weight.
Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) straight or circular needles work well for most worsted weight yarns. If you are using a lighter cotton or DK weight, try US size 5 (3.75mm). As always, swatch first and adjust as needed to match gauge.
Gauge: Approximately 18 stitches and 24 rows to 4 inches in stockinette. The finished square, blocked, should measure about 7 to 7.5 inches square. Gauge matters more when you are joining multiple squares into an afghan — you want them all to match — but for a single dishcloth, a little variation is perfectly fine.
Other supplies: A tapestry needle for weaving in ends and joining squares, scissors, and stitch markers if you like them (optional for this pattern).
Understanding the Stitches
Before you cast on, it helps to understand the two main techniques this pattern uses.
The Daisy Stitch (also called Flower Stitch)
The daisy stitch creates a cluster of petals radiating from a central point by working multiple stitches together and then separating them again. There are several versions of daisy stitch in knitting; this pattern uses a simple and satisfying variation.
To make the daisy stitch as written in this pattern: on the right side of the work, insert your needle into the stitch three rows below the current stitch on your left needle, draw up a loop (this becomes a long loop), knit the current stitch, then draw another loop from three rows below the next stitch, all creating a little gathered cluster. You then bind these together with a center knit stitch. The result is a small raised flower shape that sits beautifully against a textured background.
If this sounds complex, do not be intimidated. After your first daisy, you will find a pleasing rhythm. The pattern below gives row-by-row instructions, so you can simply follow along without needing to memorize the technique all at once.
The Storm Background
The “storm” effect in this pattern comes from a simple alternating texture — essentially a variation of seed stitch or moss stitch combined with deliberate slipped stitches in places. This creates a slightly uneven, rippling surface that evokes water or weather behind the daisy motif. It also serves a very practical purpose: because it is not pure stockinette, the square will not curl at the edges, which is a major advantage for both dishcloths and afghan squares.
The background stitch is worked by alternating knit and purl stitches across certain rows, then shifting by one stitch on the following row, creating a broken, textured fabric. It is easy to work once you understand the rhythm.
The Free Daisy and Storm Knitting Pattern
Abbreviations Used:
- k — knit
- p — purl
- sl — slip stitch purlwise with yarn in back (unless otherwise stated)
- k2tog — knit two stitches together (decrease)
- yo — yarn over
- RS — right side
- WS — wrong side
- DS — daisy stitch (see instructions above and in pattern notes)
- rep — repeat
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- CO — cast on
- BO — bind off
Pattern Notes:
The daisy stitch in this pattern is worked as follows: With yarn in front, sl3 purlwise, bring yarn to back, then insert needle into the first of the 3 slipped stitches on the left needle and knit it, bringing it over the other two. This creates a gathered petal effect. Alternatively, some knitters prefer to use the “knit up from below” method: simply insert the right needle into the stitch three rows below the next stitch on the left needle, draw up a loop, then knit the stitch on the needle. Either method creates a charming textured flower; choose the one that makes most sense in your hands.
The border is built into the pattern — the first and last three stitches of every row are worked in garter stitch (knit every row) to create a neat, non-curling edge.
Cast On: Using your chosen needles and yarn, CO 39 stitches.
Rows 1–5 (Border):
Knit every stitch across all five rows. This creates the bottom garter stitch border of the square.
Row 6 (RS): k3, p1, k1; rep from to last 4 sts, p1, k3.
Row 7 (WS): k3, k1, p1; rep from to last 4 sts, k1, k3.
Rows 6 and 7 establish the “storm” background texture. You will repeat these two rows throughout the body of the square, interrupted by the daisy rows.
Row 8 (RS): k3, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1 — work 5 more sts in pattern — DS over next 3 sts, continue in established pattern to last 3 sts, k3. Work the first daisy stitch centered in the square. For a 39-stitch square with 3 border stitches on each side, your daisy center falls approximately at stitch 20 (the middle stitch of the 33 interior stitches).
For simplicity, the full daisy placement row is written as:
Row 8 (Daisy Row 1, RS): k3, work in storm pattern until you reach the center 5 stitches of the square, work DS across those center 5 stitches (treating them as a daisy cluster), work in storm pattern to last 3 sts, k3.
Rows 9–13: Continue in established storm pattern (alternating Rows 6 and 7), keeping 3-stitch garter borders at each edge.
Row 14 (Daisy Row 2, RS): k3, work 6 sts in storm pattern, DS over center of next cluster, work in storm pattern to 6 sts before border, DS over next cluster, work 6 sts in storm pattern, k3.
This second daisy row places two smaller daisy accents flanking the center, creating the illusion of a multi-petal flower spreading outward.
Rows 15–21: Continue in storm pattern.
Row 22 (Daisy Row 3, RS): Repeat Row 8 — one central daisy stitch cluster at center of square.
Rows 23–29: Continue in storm pattern.
Row 30 (Daisy Row 4, RS): Repeat Row 14 — two flanking daisy clusters.
Rows 31–37: Continue in storm pattern.
Row 38 (Daisy Row 5, RS): Repeat Row 8 — one central daisy.
Rows 39–43: Continue in storm pattern.
Rows 44–48 (Top Border): Knit every stitch across all five rows, mirroring the bottom border.
Bind Off: BO all stitches loosely knitwise on a RS row. Weave in ends.
Finished dimensions: approximately 7 to 7.5 inches square after blocking.
Tips for Getting Beautiful Results
Tension matters, especially for the daisy clusters. When you gather stitches to form the daisy, keep the tension even — not too tight or the petals will look pinched, not too loose or they will flop. A few practice rows on a swatch will help you find the right feel.
Count your stitches regularly. The storm pattern is easy to work once you are in the groove, but it is also easy to accidentally add or drop a stitch when you are working a slipped-stitch or cluster section. A quick count at the end of each right-side row will save you from the frustration of discovering an error several rows later.
Swatch and block before joining for an afghan. If you are making multiple squares to join into a blanket, it is worth taking the time to block each square before seaming. Blocking (wetting the finished square, gently squeezing out the water, and pinning it to dimensions while it dries) evens out the stitches beautifully, makes the daisy motifs pop with greater definition, and ensures all your squares will be the same size when you go to join them.
Choose your yarn color deliberately. The storm texture is most visible in solid or heathered yarns. Variegated or self-striping yarns can work, but they tend to compete with the daisy motif and the background texture, making both harder to read. If you want color interest, consider using two coordinating solids — one for the daisy squares and a slightly darker or contrasting shade for alternate squares in an afghan arrangement.
For dishcloths, pre-wash your cotton. Cotton yarn can shrink slightly on its first wash. To make sure your dishcloth stays the size you intended, either pre-wash your yarn before knitting, or wash and block the finished cloth before gifting it. Cotton also softens beautifully with washing, which is a lovely bonus.
Joining Squares for an Afghan
If you want to use this pattern to make an afghan, you have several options for joining the finished squares.
The mattress stitch seam gives a nearly invisible join and is worked with the right sides of both squares facing you. Thread a tapestry needle with a length of your yarn, and working one stitch in from the edge, weave the needle under the horizontal bar between the first and second stitch on one square, then under the corresponding bar on the adjacent square. Pull gently to draw the edges together, and continue across the entire seam. Block the joined piece when you are done.
The single crochet join is faster and creates a visible ridge on either the right or wrong side, depending on which way you hold your squares. Many knitters actually prefer the look of a wrong-side crochet join shown on the right side — it creates a raised grid between squares that looks intentional and lovely.
For a purely knitted join, you can use a three-needle bind off: place both squares on needles with right sides together, and knit through one stitch from each needle simultaneously, binding off as you go. This creates a tidy seam on the wrong side.
A classic arrangement for a throw-sized afghan is a 7 by 9 grid, giving you 63 squares and a blanket roughly 49 by 63 inches. For a baby blanket, a 4 by 5 arrangement (20 squares) works beautifully. A bed-sized afghan might use a 10 by 12 grid.
Color Ideas and Variations
Once you have the basic Daisy and Storm square mastered, the creative possibilities multiply.
Classic Garden: Work the square in a soft butter yellow with the daisy clusters in cream. Join with a moss green border for an afghan that truly evokes a summer garden.
Coastal Storm: Lean into the “storm” half of the name with a palette of navy, slate gray, and stormy blue-green. A charcoal background with pale silver daisy clusters has a dramatic, moody quality that looks stunning in a modern living room.
Cottage White: A simple all-white or natural cream dishcloth in crisp cotton is endlessly charming and easy to keep clean. The texture does all the work.
Autumn Warmth: Pumpkin orange, russet red, and golden ochre squares arranged in a random mix create a cozy, harvest-season throw that would be a treasured seasonal decoration.
High Contrast Drama: True black yarn with bright white daisy clusters is graphic and bold — a great choice for a knitter who wants something that feels more contemporary than cozy.
Gifting Daisy Dishcloths
A set of three or four Daisy and Storm dishcloths tied together with a ribbon and a handwritten tag is one of the most warmly received handmade gifts imaginable. They are practical, beautiful, clearly handmade with care, and suitable for almost any recipient — housewarming gifts, hostess gifts, teacher appreciation, holiday giving, or just a simple “thinking of you.”
For a more elevated presentation, pair a set of dishcloths with a bar of handmade soap, a wooden dish brush, or a small bottle of dish soap in a pretty bottle. Tuck them into a small woven basket or a linen bag. The total cost is minimal but the impression is generous and thoughtful.
You can also personalize the color scheme to the recipient — earthy neutrals for a farmhouse-style kitchen, bright cheerful colors for a friend who loves maximalist décor, or muted sophisticated tones for someone with a minimalist aesthetic. The Daisy and Storm square adapts to all of them.
A Note on Scaling the Pattern
This pattern is written for 39 stitches, which gives a roughly 7-inch square in worsted weight at the gauge described. If you want a smaller square — for instance, a 5-inch dishcloth or a smaller gauge afghan square — you can cast on fewer stitches. Keep your border stitches at 3 on each side and work the storm pattern across the interior, adjusting the placement of your daisy clusters to fall at the center of the remaining interior stitches.
For a larger square, simply add stitches in multiples of 2 to maintain the pattern repeat of the storm background. A 49-stitch cast-on will give you a slightly larger square, and you can add additional daisy clusters to fill the wider interior if you like.
