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Get a Jump on Christmas Knitting with this Wee Bear Tree Ornament Pattern

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knit this sweet bear for your tree and beyondI don’t even want to think about this sort of thing, but Kat over at Just Crafty Enough reminds us that there are 24 weeks until Christmas. With that in mind she’s starting her advent calendar project, which will include one little project a week for the next 24 weeks that can be used on the tree, to decorate gifts or otherwise to make things merry around your home.

First up is a little knit bear that’s perfect for hanging on the tree.

You just need a little bit of yarn to make its peanut shaped body, so work it in brown, black or white for an authentic bear look, or use little bits of your stash on this project. Or knit a bunch in a bunch of different colors and give them as part of the gift this year.

Are you thinking about Christmas yet? If you are, I’m not sure I want to hear it! (I can’t get past Sept. 1, when my book is due!)

[Photo via Just Crafty Enough.]

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

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Comments

  1. Thanks Sarah for showing off my little bear! By the way, it’s only 24 weeks until December 1st if that makes you feel any better….

  3. somebody finally gets what how far in advance holiday knitting projects need to be for me!

Have you read?

Stitch Some Seagulls on Your Sweater

It’s been well documented that I love a knitting pattern with a bit of whimsy, so when I saw the Mine! Pullover from Sarah L. Kelly recently I knew I had to share it with you.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to knit a sweater with a yoke full of seagulls? And another seagull at the waist? Chasing little crabs?

The story behind the sweater (and you knew there had to be one, right?) is that while Sarah was traveling around Europe there were a lot of cheeky seagulls about. They reminded her of the scene in Finding Nemo where the seagulls say “mine, mine, mine” and thus the Mine! series of patterns was born. 

Oh yes, there’s a whole set. It was the sweater I saw first but there’s also a pair of socks (and the pattern says there’s a cowl, too, but I couldn’t find it as of this writing. If you see it let me know and I’ll add the link here!) so you can totally deck yourself out in pesky seabirds if you want.

But back to the sweater for now. This is worked in DK weight yarn from the top down in the round. The yoke and a section at the bottom are worked in stranded colorwork, with stripes on the body, though you could make the body a single color if you wanted. Details like the beaks and eyes are added with duplicate stitch to make the knitting a little easier.

The colorwork sections are charted. The pattern comes in 10 sizes, with a finished chest circumference ranging from 32 to 68 inches, or 80 to 170 cm.

The socks are worked in sock yarn and come in three sizes. There worked from the cuff down and change needle sizes to accommodate the less stretchy nature of stranded colorwork. You can choose from a side profile or a seagull that’s looking out from the sock. Make a matching pair or mix it up.

Both patterns are available on Ravelry: sweater and socks. If you make them I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Sarah L. Kelly]