Orbital Tulip Bud Knit Free Pattern

Introduction

Meet the Orbital Tulip Bud, a plump little egg-shaped bud that looks like a flower drifting through space. It's a wonderful project for knitters who know their knit and purl stitches and are ready to try simple shaping and bobbles for the first time. Worked seamlessly in worsted cotton, the bud is soft, squishy, and satisfyingly quick to finish. The oatmeal body is dotted with charcoal "star-flecks" — six tiny bobbles arranged in two staggered rings — that give it a playful, space-age charm.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton. Main color (MC) oatmeal: about 50 yd. Contrast color (CC) charcoal: about 15 yd.
• Needles: 3.75 mm (US 5) double-pointed needles (set of 4 or 5).
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.
• Finished size: Approximately 4 inches tall and 3 inches wide.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on — make the starting stitches.
• k: knit stitch.
• p: purl stitch.
• kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch — increases by one stitch.
• k2tog: knit two stitches together — decreases by one stitch.
• yo: yarn over — wrap the yarn to create an extra stitch.
• st(s): stitch(es).
• MC / CC: main color / contrast color.

Gauge

22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Knit a small swatch in the round and measure it; if you have more stitches than 22 per 4 inches, go up a needle size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Work the bobbles loosely — tight bobbles are hard to close and can pull the fabric in.
• Count your stitches at the end of every increase and decrease round so the shaping stays even.
• Keep the CC yarn attached only while you knit the bobble rounds, then carry it loosely up the inside of the bud.
• Stuff or shape the bud lightly as you close the top so the egg silhouette stays plump.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bud (MC)

Set-up: CO 6 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker at the start of the round.

Rnd 1: kfb in each st (12 sts).

Rnd 2: [k1, kfb] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 3: [k2, kfb] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 4: [k3, kfb] x6 (30 sts).

Rnd 5: [k4, kfb] x6 (36 sts).

Rnd 6: k5, bobble, k10, bobble, k10, bobble, k5 (36 sts).

Rnd 7: k all (36 sts).

Rnd 8: k10, bobble, k10, bobble, k10, bobble, k10 (36 sts).

Rnd 9: [k4, k2tog] x6 (30 sts).

Rnd 10: k all (30 sts).

Rnd 11: [k3, k2tog] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 12: k all (24 sts).

Rnd 13: [k2, k2tog] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 14: k all (18 sts).

Rnd 15: [k1, k2tog] x6 (12 sts).

Rnd 16: k all (12 sts).

Rnd 17: k2tog x6 (6 sts).

Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 6 sts and pull tight to gather the top closed.

Bobbles (CC)

Make 6 bobbles total (3 on each side of the bud, worked into Rnds 6 and 8 as written above). Each bobble is worked as follows:

Bobble: [k1, yo, k1, yo, k1] into the same st (5 sts).

Next row: Turn, p5.

Next row: Turn, k5.

Next row: Turn, p5.

Next row: Turn, k5.

Next row: Turn, pass the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th sts over the first st (1 st).

Bobbles are worked on the right side; on the wrong side, purl all stitches.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the inside of the bud. The top is already gathered closed with the threaded tail, and the bottom is closed by the cast-on. Shape the bud lightly with your fingers to plump the egg silhouette and even out the bobbles. If desired, spritz lightly with water and let it dry in shape — no aggressive blocking needed for cotton toys.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the charcoal bobbles for a bright contrast color, like coral or lime, for a bolder star-fleck look.
• Add a short crochet chain loop at the gathered tip so the bud can hang as an ornament.
• Work the body in a self-striping cotton for a swirling, planet-like effect.