Fleur De Lys Stitch Knitting Pattern

This Fleur de Lys stitch knitting pattern creates a vibrant tapestry of colors coming together to form an elegant and timeless motif. The stylized French Lily design emerges beautifully within a smooth stockinette texture using stranded colorwork to create the little upsidedown “Vs” of the stitches.

Get your free printable written pattern instructions, video, and knitting chart below.

Fleur de Lys knit stitch pattern in blue and white color yarn on knitting needle.

About the Fleur de Lys Stitch

Fleur de Lys Symbol

The fleur de lys means “lily flower” in French. This design has been a symbol of royalty, goodness, and grace for ages because its three petals stand for faith, wisdom, and chivalry. Whether on royal flags, fancy buildings, or beautiful fabrics, this colorwork flower design inspires with its timeless beauty and meaning.

Fleur De Lys Stitch Knitting Pattern texture in blue and white colors of yarn.

Knitting Level: Intermediate

A series of easy knits and purls and colorwork in two yarn colors create this design. This is a good project for knitters comfortable with carrying yarn floats.

Row Repeat

Knit up this Fleur de Lys Stitch in a simple 6-row repeat with two different yarn colors.

Knitted Top-Down

Most knit stitch patterns are bottom-up, however, we are knitting this design top-down. The “Vs” of the stockinette stitch creates the classic flower design when viewed upside down. When knitting hats or other items that have a clear vertical direction, please keep this unique directional change in mind.

Can stranded colorwork stitches be knit in the round on circular needles?

Yes, with a simple adjustment to the even-numbered rows, this pattern includes written instructions to knit it in the round. Try it out with either circular or double-pointed needles.

Fleur de Lys knit stitch pattern in purple and white color yarn on circular knitting needle.

Not Reversible

This is not a reversible pattern, because both sides of your work, the right and wrong sides, are not identical.

Right and Wrong sides of the Fleur de Lys knit stitch pattern in blue and white color yarn on knitting needle.

Curls Slightly

This is a smooth stockinette stitch, which famously curls. As such, I suggest you consider blocking or adding a border to your piece to help it lay flat. My favorite border stitches are Garter and Seed stitches. Both adding a border and blocking your piece helps it lay flat the best!


Stranded Colorwork

Stranded Colorwork patterns use two or more colors of yarn in a single row to create beautiful patterns. Whether you’re knitting a cozy sweater or a stylish accessory, this design adds that extra splash of pizzazz that turns your project into a work of art.

Close-up of Fleur de Lys knit stitch pattern in blue and white color yarn by Studio Knit.

Knitting Techniques

This is an easy combination of simple knit and purl stitches with the added touch of colorwork. Find my entire library of Knitting Techniques to help knit up this project.

Printable Knitting Instructions

Fleur De Lys Stitch Knitting Pattern texture in blue and white colors of yarn.

Printable Knitting Pattern

This Fleur de Lys Stitch is a two-color stranded piece in a stockinette texture. 

Makes: Fleur de Lys Stitch
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 2 hours
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate

Materials

  • Yarn - Any Gauge

Tools

  • Knitting Needles - Appropriate Size for Yarn
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Scissors

Instructions

FLAT ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES

Cast On in Multiples of 6

  1. ROW 1 (right side): * K1 (A), K1 (B), K4 (A) *
  2. ROW 2 (wrong side): * P3 (A), P3 (B) *
  3. ROW 3: * K1 (A), K1 (B), K4 (A) *
  4. ROW 4: * P1 (A), P1 (B), P4 (A) *
  5. ROW 5: * K3 (A), K3 (B) *
  6. ROW 6: * P1 (A), P1 (B), P4 (A) *

_____

IN-THE-ROUND ON CIRCULAR NEEDLES

Cast On in Multiples of 6

  1. ROW 1 (right side): * K1 (A), K1 (B), K4 (A) *
  2. ROW 2: * K3 (B), K3 (A)*
  3. ROW 3: * K1 (A), K1 (B), K4 (A) *
  4. ROW 4: * K4 (A), K1 (B), K1 (A) *
  5. ROW 5: * K3 (A), K3 (B) *
  6. ROW 6: * K4 (A), K1 (B), K1 (A) *

_____

KNITTING CHART

Color chart to knit the Fleur de Lys stitch pattern by Studio Knit.

Notes

Repeat Pattern between * *

Repeat Rows 1 – 6 until your piece is the length you desire and then Bind Off.

Non-Reversible Knit Stitch Pattern.

_____

KNITTING TECHNIQUES AND ABBREVIATIONS

  • A = Color A
  • B = Color B
  • CO = Cast On Long Tail Method
  • K = Knit Stitch 
  • P = Purl Stitch
  • BO = Bind Off
  • Weave In Ends

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Kristen McDonnell
Author & Designer

After publishing her first knitting tutorial video, Kristen founded StudioKnit LLC. Enamored with teaching online, she films knitting lessons and designs from her vibrant production studio on Half Moon Bay’s California coast.

Kristen McDonnell is the author of the highly acclaimed book Knit Stitch: 50 Knit + Purl Patterns featuring vintage and unique designs.

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