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Book Review – 55 Christmas Balls to Knit: Colorful Festive Ornaments

November 9, 2020 by Shellie Wilson

Make your holidays merry with classic knitted Christmas balls from Arne & Carlos!

For nearly twenty years, Scandinavian knitting sensations Arne & Carlos have been delighting crafters around the world, using their unique sense of style to translate traditional Scandinavian designs into quirky, colorful, and endlessly fun projects of all kinds. But perhaps the most beloved example of their charm and versatility is the “Christmas ball”: a cleverly small-scale and deceptively simple pattern that can be adapted to feature any color or combination of colors, any motif?including wintry classics like snowflakes, bows, and angels, and more ornate Scandinavian-inspired designs?and just right for decorating trees, tables, windows, and more! This fan-favorite collection features fast, fun knits perfect for handmade gifts, festive décor, and sharing the holiday spirit. A great addition to your Holiday collection, You can purchase this book here. 

Looking for more Christmas themed Knitting patterns? Check out some of our favorite Knitting patterns on Etsy and

These Christmas Knitting Pattern Books on Amazon

 

Next Pattern:

  • Festive Rose Knitting Pattern
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Book Review: Knit Modern Scandi Sweaters

Scandinavia is known for its sweaters, which usually include colorwork and are worked in muted colors of wool yarn. They’re nothing if not traditional, so giving that garment a modern twist is a fun approach. 

Marita Clementz said in her book Knit Modern Scandi Sweaters that she wanted bolder, more colorful designs inspired by nature. 

The book opens with a brief overview of needed supplies (plus the yarn she used to make her sweaters, which may be difficult to find in other countries), a discussion of yarn weigh, increasing or decreasing evenly across a project, color dominance, sizing and ease and general sweater construction. All of the garments are worked in the round from the top down, and several include short rows at the neck. She also talks about reading and adjusting charts. 

The patterns follow, with lots of pictures and a large copy of the chart. Some of my favorites include Anemone, covered all over with large flowers that remind me of the 1960s; Lofoten, which features colorwork diamonds and is shown in three different colorways with three neckline options; and the cheerful zig-zagged Svalbard, inspired by the mountains and midnight sun of the island of Spitsbergen. I’m not finding the book on Ravelry as I write this but you can see some of the patterns in the preview on Amazon, linked above or the publisher’s website, linked below. 

There are lots of floral motifs and geometric designs, and the patterns don’t do a ton of hand holding, so it would be good if you’ve knit a few sweaters before you try these. The skill ratings are on a scale of one to five: six are rated three, four are four and two are level five. (None are rated one or two.) 

All the designs have seven sizes, which range in chest circumference from 34 to 53 inches, or 85 to 133 cm. Garments are shown on young adults and men and women (all the author’s family I think). 

This book is a lot of fun if you like bold, colorful designs and cozy sweaters with a Scandinavian flair. 

About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 12 patterns. Published 2025 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99.

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