Knitting

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Knits for the Christmas Tree, if You’re Ready for That

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Knit some cute ball and star ornaments for the treeI have been lamenting for a while now that I’m in no way ready to think about Christmas, but that isn’t keeping it from getting any closer.

I wish we could avoid talking about it before Halloween, but if you want to do a “12 weeks of Christmas” the math just doesn’t work out any other way.

And at Red Heart, they do want to do a 12 Weeks of Christmas, so here we are, talking about knit Christmas ornaments.

These stars and balls are really cute, and great if you have bits of red and white yarn lying around, though of course you could do them in other colors, too. They’re rated easy even though there’s some colorwork involved.

Are you knitting for Christmas yet? I’m not sure I want to know, but go ahead and tell me about it!

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

 

[Photo via Red Heart.]

Comments

  1. I’m not knitting for Christmas yet, but am going to be traveling over the next several weeks, so I’m assembling some Christmas projects for flying/waiting times. I think I’ll definitely have some FO’s by Halloween.

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.