Free Knit & Crochet Poppy Patterns for Memorial Day

Each Memorial Day, many people wear or display red poppies as a symbol of remembrance and gratitude for those who served and sacrificed. The tradition began after World War I, inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. In the years following the war, bright red poppies became a lasting symbol of memory, resilience, and honor.

For makers, knitting or crocheting a poppy can be a small but meaningful way to pause, reflect, and create something with intention.

Here are two free patterns to try this Memorial Day weekend.

Knitted Poppy by Susan Sims

Abbreviations
K: knit | P: purl | K2tog: knit 2 together | (Sl1, K2tog, psso): Slip 1 purlwise, 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.
Sew sides up with black, then with red. There should be no seams
showing.
Leave two ‘tails’ of about 3” so that poppy can be tied on.

Crocheted Poppy by Hania Wojtowicz

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 leave about 3” so that poppy can be tied on.

Memorial Day Hours at The Yarny Way

The Yarny Way will be closed Monday for Memorial Day. Beginning Tuesday, we’ll be open 7 days a week for the summer from 10 AM–6 PM ☀️

June classes and KALs are now on the calendar.

We hope you have a peaceful and meaningful Memorial Day weekend. 🌺