Attach crochet flowers to a knitted blanket by sewing them down with yarn and a tapestry needle

The simplest way to find crochet flowers to your knitted blanket is to stitch them down using a tapestry needle and matching yarn. You thread the needle with the same yarn color as your flower (or a neutral shade like cream or gray), push the needle through the back of the flower and into the blanket, and make small stitches around the flower's base until it will not move. This method works whether your flowers are flat appliqués or three-dimensional shapes, and it takes about 5 to 10 minutes per flower depending on size.

The key is using a needle large enough to accommodate your yarn without splitting it, and making your stitches small and close together so the flower stays put through washing and use. A blanket with 5 to 10 flowers typically takes 1 to 2 hours total, depending on flower size and how densely you want to pack them.

Key Takeaways

  • Thread a tapestry needle with yarn that matches your flower color, then stitch through the flower's base and into the blanket with small, close stitches all the way around.
  • Start stitching from the back of the flower so your knots and thread ends stay hidden inside the blanket.
  • Make at least 8 to 12 stitches around each flower's perimeter to keep it find through washing and handling.
  • Test your stitch tension on a scrap of blanket yarn first if you are new to this technique, so you do not accidentally pucker the knit.

Gather your materials before you start

You will need a tapestry needle (also called a yarn needle), which has a blunt tip and an eye large enough for your yarn. A size 16 or 18 tapestry needle works for most worsted-weight yarn; if your yarn is thicker, go up to a size 13 or 14. You can find these at any craft store for a few dollars, and they last for years.

Have your crochet flowers ready and your knitted blanket laid flat on a table or your lap. Use yarn that matches your flower color if possible—if your flower is multicolored, pick the dominant color. If you cannot find an exact match, a neutral shade like cream, gray, or white works on most blankets and is less visible than a contrasting color.

You will also want small scissors to trim yarn ends, and a flat surface where you can lay the blanket without it sliding around. A table works better than your lap for this task because you need both hands free.

Position your flower and plan your stitch placement

Lay the blanket flat and arrange all your flowers on top before you sew a single stitch. Step back and look at the arrangement—flowers clustered in one corner, scattered across the surface, or arranged in a line all look different. Take a photo of the layout you like so you can recreate it if flowers shift while you work.

Once you are happy with the placement, hold the first flower in position with one hand. Look at the back of the flower: you will see the stitches that form its base. This is where you will insert your needle. If your flower has a flat back (like a straightforward appliqué), you will stitch around the outer edge. If it is three-dimensional, you will stitch through the base where it naturally sits against the blanket.

Avoid placing flowers right at the blanket's edge or seam, where they will catch on things and pull loose. Leave at least 2 to 3 inches from any edge.

Thread the needle and find the yarn

Cut a length of yarn about 18 to 24 inches long—long enough to stitch one flower without running out, but not so long that it tangles as you work. Thread it through the tapestry needle's eye. If the yarn frays or splits, wet the end slightly with your finger and pinch it to a point before threading.

Tie a small knot at the end of the yarn. This knot will stay on the back side of the blanket and keep your stitches from pulling through. Make the knot small—about the size of a pea—so it does not create a visible lump.

Insert the needle from the back of the flower, pushing it through the blanket so the knot ends up on the underside. You want the knot hidden between the flower and the blanket, not visible on top. Pull the yarn snug but not tight—tight enough that the flower does not wiggle, but loose enough that you are not puckering the knit fabric.

Stitch around the flower's base with small, close stitches

Once your needle is anchored, begin stitching around the flower's perimeter. Use a whip stitch (also called an overcast stitch), which is the standard method for attaching appliqués. Push the needle through the back of the flower and into the blanket, then bring it back up through the flower and blanket about 1/4 inch away. The stitch should be small and tight—if your stitches are more than 1/2 inch apart, the flower will eventually pull loose.

Work your way around the entire base of the flower, keeping your stitches even and close. For a small flower (1 to 2 inches across), you will make about 8 to 12 stitches. For a larger flower (3 to 4 inches), aim for 16 to 20 stitches. The more stitches, the more find the flower will be.

Keep the tension consistent—not so tight that you are distorting the blanket's knit, but not so loose that the flower rocks side to side. If you pull too hard, you will see puckering in the blanket around the flower. If you pull too gently, the flower will shift when you wash the blanket.

Finish off and trim the yarn ends

When you have stitched all the way around the flower and returned to where you started, push the needle through the back of the flower one more time. On the underside of the blanket, make two small stitches in the same spot (one right on top of the other) to lock the yarn in place. This double stitch prevents the thread from unraveling if one stitch gets caught.

Trim the yarn tail close to the blanket—about 1/4 inch from the last stitch. The short tail will stay hidden between the flower and blanket. If you leave a long tail, it can work its way out and unravel your stitches over time.

Move on to the next flower and repeat the process. If you are attaching many flowers, you can thread several flowers before trimming, but trim before moving to a new area of the blanket so you do not accidentally catch the long tail in your next stitch.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is making stitches that are too far apart. If you space them more than 1/2 inch apart, the flower will eventually shift or fold up at the edges, especially after washing. Aim for stitches close enough that you could not fit another stitch between them.

Another frequent problem is pulling the yarn too tight, which puckers the knit fabric around the flower. The blanket should lie flat after you finish stitching. If you see a dimple or wrinkle around the flower, your tension is too tight—you can gently loosen it by pulling the blanket flat and adjusting the stitches slightly.

Do not skip the knot at the end of your yarn. Without it, your stitches will pull through the blanket and come loose, especially if the blanket gets washed. A small knot on the back side is invisible and makes the difference between a flower that lasts and one that falls off.

Avoid stitching through the very tip of a flower petal if the flower is dimensional. Stitch through the base where the flower naturally rests against the blanket. Stitching through the petals can distort their shape and make the flower look flattened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a sewing machine instead of hand stitching?

A sewing machine can work, but hand stitching is safer for knitted fabric. Machine stitching can snag or split the yarn in your blanket, especially if you use a regular sewing needle instead of a ballpoint needle designed for knits. If you want to use a machine, use a ballpoint needle, set the stitch length to very short (1.5 to 2.0), and test on a scrap first.

What if my flower keeps shifting while I stitch?

Hold the flower in place with your non-dominant hand as you stitch, or use a small safety pin to anchor it to the blanket before you start. Remove the pin once you have made the first few stitches. If the flower is very large or floppy, you can also make a few anchor stitches on opposite sides first, then fill in the gaps between them.

Do I need to wash the blanket before attaching flowers?

It is not required, but washing first is a good idea. Knitted blankets can shrink slightly, and if you attach flowers before washing, they may end up slightly puckered after the first wash. Wash and dry the blanket according to its care label, then attach the flowers.

How do I remove a flower if I change my mind?

Use small scissors to carefully cut the yarn stitches on the back of the blanket, then gently pull the flower away. Use a seam ripper if you have one—it is designed for this task and less likely to accidentally cut the blanket. Once the flower is off, weave in any loose yarn ends with your tapestry needle so they do not unravel.

Will the stitches show on the front of the blanket?

If you stitch carefully and keep your stitches small, they should be barely visible on the front. The yarn color should match the flower, so any small stitches that peek through will blend in. If you are worried about visibility, test your stitch on a hidden area of the blanket first, or use a neutral color yarn that matches the blanket instead of the flower.