Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Have You Knit Your Christmas Sweater Yet?

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Did you know that Dec. 8 is Christmas Jumper Day? What better reason to start knitting a holiday sweater (even if you might not be finished with it in time for the holidays this year?) I’ve never knit a Christmas sweater but I did once knit and ugly Christmas sweater bra, which is a story you might want to know.

You can choose your own adventure when it comes to your Christmas sweater with the Winter Doodle Sweater from Jamie Lomax. Jamie provides lots of different motifs that you can add to your garment — 51, in fact, ranging from holly and snowflakes to reindeer, coffee cups and pine cones. You can add designs just to the yoke or all over your sweater as you like. It’s worked in DK weight yarn and has sizes with garment chest circumference ranging from 30 to 72 inches (76 to 183 cm) and is meant to be worn with 2-6 inches/5-15 cm of positive ease. You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Knitting Pattern World on Etsy has another cute option with a range of little motifs to knit, though the pattern picks the designs for you. This one includes trees, Santas, snowmen and hearts. Finished measurements range from 96-144 cm or 37.75 to 56.5 inches, with six sizes available.

Make sweaters for the whole family with the Merry Christmas Sweater from Hobbii. This one has six sizes for women, as well as options for men and children, so you can make one for most everyone on your list (two years up to a chest measurement of 59 inches/150 cm). They’re worked from the top down using worsted weight yarn and rated for intermediate knitters. The design by Intreccidiceci is free on the Hobbii website.

This holiday lights pullover from Grey Owl Knits by Sarah on Etsy is so cute and a great way to use brightly colored leftovers from other projects. The retro lights are so cute and an easy shape to knit. It uses DK weight yarn and has a finished chest size ranging from 32 to 68 inches, or 80 to 170 cm, and should be worn with 2-4 inches/5-10 cm of positive ease.

Decorate your Christmas sweater with beads (or real ornaments if you want to go uglier) with the O Christmas Tree sweater pattern from Yas Knits. The muted colors give this one a retro look, but you can use bolder colors if you like. It’s worked in chunky yarn and the beads are worked in as you knit. Instructions for doing that are included. The pattern comes in three sizes, ranging from 98 to 122 cm/38.5 to 48 inches and is meant to have a roomy fit.

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.