Patterns, projects and techniques
If you want to add a handmade touch to your Christmas tree, why not knit a tree skirt?
This design from Handy Little Me is as easy a knit tree skirt could possibly be because it’s a rectangle that you knit to the size you need for your tree or how much drape you want. Then you just gather it around your tree in a festive way (pompoms are adorable but optional).
Head to her website for all the details on yarn and how to make this sweet Christmas tree skirt.
[Photo: Handy Little Me.]
Sometimes I feel like knitters get intimidated to try new things because they think they need to start with a big project. Your first time working in the round doesn’t need to be a sock, and your first colorwork doesn’t need to be a sweater, for example. You can find little projects that use the skills you want to learn to build your confidence before you move on to something that requires more time commitment.
This adorable knit bunny, for example.
The colorwork bunny from Knit Picks was designed by Amy Munson and is a kind of bowling pin shaped bunny complete with a knit hat, contrasting inner ears and a little stranded colorwork on its body. Note that the ears are attached the the hat not the bunny, but you could stitch them to the bunny if you’d rather.
It’s worked from the bottom up and also has a tiny pompom tail you can’t see in the picture but it’s a really cute touch. There are a variety of little fair isle patterns to choose from to make the best bunny for you.
The bunny comes out about 8 inches tall (or just over 20 cm) and use several colors to complete the colorwork, depending on the design you choose.
You can purchase the pattern by itself from Knit Picks, or make a kit that includes sport weight yarn in all the colors you need for your creation. There are gray and brown options for the main body of the bunny, but of course if you’re using your own yarn you can make it whatever color you like.
Once you’ve tried colorwork (maybe also working in the round and shaping if those are skills you haven’t used before) in a little project like this you’ll be ready to take on something bigger in no time.
Check out the pattern on Knit Picks.
[Photo: Knit Picks]