Mini Christmas Stocking

Perfect for your tree, to give as a gift, or as a cute gift tag, this adorable mini stocking ornament makes good use of those odds and ends of yarn. It’s a fun, quick knit that can be whipped up in an hour or two by most knitters.

I  worked it on double pointed needles because during heel shaping you need to switch from working one side to the other. You can knit it on regular needles but slide the work across onto a second needle at appropriate time. Apart from the stocking top it is worked in stocking stitch (knit on right side and purl on reverse)
Materials:
oddments of yarn. I prefer to knit these on 3.50 mm needles with double knit type yarn but the pattern will knit up with whatever you prefer.
Note, obviously the larger the needle size and thicker the yarn, the larger the finished stocking. Before you start, decide which colour you are going to knit the heel in and cut a length at least 110cm (44”) keep to one side for second heel shaping*.
Instructions:
 With green Cast on 25 sts,
rows 1 – 3: knit
row 4: (right side) begin pattern  in St st alternate 2 rows white 2 rows red
work a total of 14 rows of pattern ending with a wrong side row.
Heel shaping:
I like to use different coloured yarn to accentuate heel. The heel is worked in 2 halves.
row 18: with right side facing, k7 and turn leaving remaining stitches on needle
row 19: slip 1, p6
repeat these 2 rows 3 more times until 8 rows of heel have been worked
row 26: k3, k2tog through the back, k1, turn leaving 1 remaining stich of heel on needle

row 27: slip 1, p4
row 28: k2, k2tog through the back, turn leaving remaining 2 stiches on needle
row 29: slip 1, p2
row 30: k2, k2tog through the back, k1, turn
row 31: slip 1, p3
leaving these 4 stitches on needle with the main part of the stocking, slide all the work along needle, turn with wrong side facing and resume working the other side of the heel.

reverse row 18: with wrong side facing and using 110cm length of yarn cut earlier*, p7 and turn leaving remaining stitches on needle
reverse row 19: slip 1, k6
repeat these 2 rows 3 more times until 8 rows of heel have been worked
reverse row 26: p3, p2tog, p1, turn leaving 1 remaining stich of heel on needle
reverse row 27: slip 1, k4
reverse row 28: p2, p2tog, turn leaving remaining 2 stiches on needle
reverse row 29: slip 1, k2
reverse row 30: p2, p2tog, p1, turn
reverse row 31: slip 1, k3
row 32: with right side facing rejoin main colour of pattern (red) and begin knitting across first 4 stitches of heel shaping, pick up 5 stitches from inside edge of heel

 knit 11 stitches across main part of stocking, pick up 5 stitches from inside edge of 2nd heel half and knit final 4 stitches (29 stitches on needle)

keeping to stripe pattern
row 33: purl
row 34: K8, k2tog, k9, k2tog through the back, k8
row 35: p7, p2tog through the back, p9, p2tog, p7
row 36: K6, k2tog, k9, k2tog through the back, k6 (23 stitches)
row 37: purl
work 8 rows
row 46: with right side facing change colour for toe cap and work 2 rows

row 48: K3, K2tog through the back, k4, k2tog, k1, k2tog through the back, k4, k2tog, k3
row 49: purl
row 50: K3, K2tog through the back, k2, k2tog, k1, k2tog through the back, k2, k2tog, k3 (15 stitches)
row 51: purl
Making Up:
Cut work from the ball leaving a long end for sewing up. Thread end through 15 stitches on needle  and pull up tight.

Join seam running up bottom and back of stocking using mattress stitch.
Turn inside out and tie up all ends securely and trim – no need to sew them in. Turn right side out.
Hanging loop:  with crochet hook make chain stitch or cast on 35 stitches and then cast them off. Double strip over to make a loop and sew to back of stocking.

Snowman Tree Ornament

Twelve Days Of Christmas Ornaments.
Day Twelve: Snowman Tree Ornament.

Use up your stash and knit this clever little snowman just in time for the holiday season. Knit as tree ornaments, gift toppers, or just to decorate your house this season.

Gauge:Not vital use larger needles and bulky weight yarn for a bigger ornament or smaller needles and double knit type yarn for a smaller one.

Gauge:
Not vital

Materials:
Small amount of red and white double knit type yarn
Needles appropriate to the yarn

Instructions

With White, CO 6 sts.
Row 1: K
Row 2: K1, k into front and back of next st, k2, knit into front and back of next st, k1 – 8 sts
Row 3: K
Row 4: K1, k into front and back of next st, k4, knit into front and back of next st, k1 – 10 sts
Row 5: K
Row 6: K1, k into front and back of next st, k6, knit into front and back of next st, k1 – 12 sts
Rows 7-13:K
Row 14: K1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1 – 10 sts
Row 15:K
Row 16: K1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1 – 8 sts
Row 17:K
Row 18: K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1 – 6 sts
Row 19:K
Row 20: k1, k into front and back of next st, k2, k into front and back of next st, k1 – 8 sts
Row 21: K
Row 22: k1, k into front and back of next st, k4, k into front and back of next st, k1 – 10 sts
Rows 23-27: K
Row 28:K1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1 – 8 sts
Row 29: K
Row 30:K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1 – 6 sts
Row 31: K
Row 32:K1, ssk, k2tog, k1 – 4 sts
Row 33: K
Row 34: K1, k into front and back of next 2 sts, k1 – 6 sts
Row 35:K
Row 36: K1, k into front and back of next st, k2, k into front and back of next st, k1 – 8 sts
Rows 37-39: K
Row 40: K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1 – 6 sts
Row 41: K
Row 42: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1 – 4 sts
Row 43: ssk, k2tog – 2 sts
BO. Leave long tail and use to make loop for hanging.

Scarf
With Red, CO 45 sts. BO.

Hat

With Red, CO 8st knit 2rows,

BO 2 sts begning of next 2 rows

Knit 4 rows and BO.

Finishing
Make two french knots for eyes, one for nose, and 4 down center of body for buttons. Use a running stitch to make mouth. Sew hat in place. Wrap scarf around neck.

<><><>

<>I made a little SNOWMAN;
He had a cheery smile.
I dressed him in a hat and scarf,
then went inside a while.
A STORM came up,
the wind was fierce;
My snowman was so CHILLY!<><>He said he’d love to come inside,
but wouldn’t that be SILLY?
I told him he was made of snow,
and though he felt BEFUDDLED,
If I agreed and brought him in,
he’d turn into a PUDDLE!

<>

Mini Christmas Stocking

Twelve Days Of Christmas Ornaments.
Day Eleven: Mini Christmas Stocking.

Perfect for your tree, to give as a gift, or as a cute gift tag, this adorable mini stocking ornament makes good use of those odds and ends of yarn. It’s a fun, quick knit that can be whipped up in an hour or two by most knitters.

I  worked it on double pointed needles because during heel shaping you need to switch from working one side to the other. You can knit it on regular needles but slide the work across onto a second needle at appropriate time. Apart from the stocking top it is worked in stocking stitch (knit on right side and purl on reverse)
Materials:
oddments of yarn. I prefer to knit these on 3.50 mm needles with double knit type yarn but the pattern will knit up with whatever you prefer.
Note, obviously the larger the needle size and thicker the yarn, the larger the finished stocking. Before you start, decide which colour you are going to knit the heel in and cut a length at least 110cm (44”) keep to one side for second heel shaping*.
Instructions:
 With green Cast on 25 sts,
rows 1 – 3: knit
row 4: (right side) begin pattern  in St st alternate 2 rows white 2 rows red
work a total of 14 rows of pattern ending with a wrong side row.
Heel shaping:
I like to use different coloured yarn to accentuate heel. The heel is worked in 2 halves.
row 18: with right side facing, k7 and turn leaving remaining stitches on needle
row 19: slip 1, p6
repeat these 2 rows 3 more times until 8 rows of heel have been worked
row 26: k3, k2tog through the back, k1, turn leaving 1 remaining stich of heel on needle

row 27: slip 1, p4
row 28: k2, k2tog through the back, turn leaving remaining 2 stiches on needle
row 29: slip 1, p2
row 30: k2, k2tog through the back, k1, turn
row 31: slip 1, p3
leaving these 4 stitches on needle with the main part of the stocking, slide all the work along needle, turn with wrong side facing and resume working the other side of the heel.

reverse row 18: with wrong side facing and using 110cm length of yarn cut earlier*, p7 and turn leaving remaining stitches on needle
reverse row 19: slip 1, k6
repeat these 2 rows 3 more times until 8 rows of heel have been worked
reverse row 26: p3, p2tog, p1, turn leaving 1 remaining stich of heel on needle
reverse row 27: slip 1, k4
reverse row 28: p2, p2tog, turn leaving remaining 2 stiches on needle
reverse row 29: slip 1, k2
reverse row 30: p2, p2tog, p1, turn
reverse row 31: slip 1, k3
row 32: with right side facing rejoin main colour of pattern (red) and begin knitting across first 4 stitches of heel shaping, pick up 5 stitches from inside edge of heel

 knit 11 stitches across main part of stocking, pick up 5 stitches from inside edge of 2nd heel half and knit final 4 stitches (29 stitches on needle)

keeping to stripe pattern
row 33: purl
row 34: K8, k2tog, k9, k2tog through the back, k8
row 35: p7, p2tog through the back, p9, p2tog, p7
row 36: K6, k2tog, k9, k2tog through the back, k6 (23 stitches)
row 37: purl
work 8 rows
row 46: with right side facing change colour for toe cap and work 2 rows

row 48: K3, K2tog through the back, k4, k2tog, k1, k2tog through the back, k4, k2tog, k3
row 49: purl
row 50: K3, K2tog through the back, k2, k2tog, k1, k2tog through the back, k2, k2tog, k3 (15 stitches)
row 51: purl
Making Up:
Cut work from the ball leaving a long end for sewing up. Thread end through 15 stitches on needle  and pull up tight.

Join seam running up bottom and back of stocking using mattress stitch.
Turn inside out and tie up all ends securely and trim – no need to sew them in. Turn right side out.
Hanging loop:  with crochet hook make chain stitch or cast on 35 stitches and then cast them off. Double strip over to make a loop and sew to back of stocking.

Here’s a photo of my tree with all knitted ornaments.

Christmas Star Ornament

Twelve Days Of Christmas Ornaments.
Day Ten: Christmas Star Ornament.

Who doesn’t love homemade christmas  crafts? You may remember the handmade ornaments that filled your grandparents’ tree. You may also have a few treasured ornaments that you made in elementary school. You probably enjoy reminiscing as you pull out the ornaments each year and hang them on the tree. It’s never too late to make new ornaments, and here is a star to add to your collection.

This is a pretty star knitted in simple lace. Make as a tree decoration, or hang in front of windows to show the world your knitting skills.
Materials:
4mm needles
Approx 10g of Double Knitting Weight Yarn
To Make:
Cast on 10 sts and K 1 row.
2nd row: Sl1, Inc1 (knit into front and back of the stitch), *yf, K2tog; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2tog.
3rd row: K to end.

Rep the 2nd and 3rd rows twice more.
Cast off.
Repeat 4 more times
Arrange all 5 pieces in star shape and sew together.
Make hanging loop and sew to one of the star points.

This star is so pretty and knits up so quick, done in barely an hour!

Hang em’ everywhere…

I-Cord Candy Cane

Twelve Days Of Christmas Ornaments.
Day Nine: Candy Cane.

Everyone loves a candy cane – especially one that can be hung year on the tree year after year without getting sticky and is sugar free!

Materials:
red yarn
white yarn (scrap yarn is fine. you will not need a lot of yardage, unless you are going to make hundreds)
two double pointed needles that are the appropriate size for yarn. (or, one circular needle that you can slide the yarn from end to end.)
wire

Gauge:  doesn’t  matter. It will differ depending on the yarn you use, thinner yarn=smaller candy canes, thicker yarn=bigger candy canes.

Instructions:

Cast on 5 white (slide)
*knit 4 white, and 1 red, (slide)
knit 3 white, 1 red, 1 white (slide)
knit 2 white, 1 red, 2 white (slide)
knit 1 white, 1 red, 3 white (slide)
knit 1 red, 4 white (slide) *
Repeat from * until you have a cane as long as you would like.
When the cane is the length that you are happy with, then cast off. The cast off stitches will look like a straight line. So you will need to weave in the tail. Take the tail, and begin by weaving in the stitch opposite of where the tail is, to form the last row into a tube. Sew through all the stitches, gathering them up. Then bury the yarn in the middle of the chord itself.
To give the cane a little structure, I took a piece of wire, and carefully stuck it into the middle of the i-chord.

These cute little ornaments knit up in a jiffy, and once you have the technique down, you can do them in as many different widths, color and stripe combinations as you want!

Have fun Knitting!

Mini Christmas Parcels

Twelve Days Of Christmas Ornaments.
Day Eight: Mini Christmas Parcels.

A cute parcel approximately 1 ½” cubed, to hang from your tree. Alternatively, make several and place in a bowl as a pretty centrepiece. Christmas ornaments make great gifts, or you can choose to decorate your mantel with classic ornaments that you’ve proudly created on your own.

Materials:
Double Knit type Yarn in main colour and small amount in contrast.
Size 3.50mm needles.
Stuffing.

Instructions:
Cast on 10 sts and work 27 rows stocking (stockinette) stitch.
Cast on 10 stitches at the beginning of the next two rows and work 11 rows stocking stitch.
Cast off 10 stitches at the beginning of the next two rows.
Work 13 rows stocking stitch.

To Make Up:
Sew up the box, leaving an opening to stuff.
Stuff the box and sew the remaining seam(s)

For the ribbon I used a crochet hook, with contrast coloured yarn and made chain stitch till required length or you could cast 140 sts, Knit 1 row and cast off. Then tie around the parcel cross at the back finishing with a bow at the front.

 Happy Knitting!

Mini Christmas Tree

Twelve Days Of Christmas Ornaments.
Day Seven: Mini Christmas Tree.

 Here’s a lovely knitted Christmas tree ornaments to hang from the Christmas tree, wear on your lapel, on key ring or use as package trims.

Materials:

small amount of  double knit type yarn, in green, or your color choice
small amount of dark color for tree trunk
small amount of any yarn for embroidery , or sew on sequins, small buttons or beads as ornaments
small amount of pillow stuffing , or cotton balls.
US size 7 ( 4.5mm) needles.

Gauge: 5 sts and 6 rows = 1 inch

Directions:

Starting at bottom of tree, with color desired for tree, cast on 15 sts.
Knit across.
Row 2 : K 1, K 2 tog, K across row.
Row 3: K 1, P 2 tog, P across to last st, P 1.
Rows 4, 5, 6, & 7: Repeat rows 2 & 3. ( 9 sts)
Row 8: Cast on 2 sts at beg of row, then K 1, K 2 tog, K across row.
Row 9: Cast on 2 sts at beg of row, then K 1, P 2 tog, P across to last st, K 1.
Rows 10, 11, 12, 13 : Repeat rows 2 & 3. ( 7 sts)
Row 14 : Repeat row 8.
Row 15: Repeat row 9.
Rows 16 & 17: Repeat rows 2& 3.
Repeat these last 2 rows until 3 sts remain. Turn, then knit these last 3 sts tog.
Fasten off.

Make another tree side in same manner.

Embroider stars, ornaments, or sew on beads , small buttons as desired, on front of tree.

Sew the 2 sides of trees tog, leaving bottom open. Stuff lightly with pillow stuffing, then sew bottom closed.

Sew on a hanging loop at top of tree ornament.

Tree trunk:

With dark color yarn, cast on 4 sts. K 2 rows, bind off. Sew narrow end of trunk to bottom center of stuffed tree.

Mini Candy Bags

Twelve Days Of Christmas Ornaments.
Day Six: Mini Candy Bags.

 These pretty little bags decorated with candy canes, can either be filled with candy,a suprise gift or, stuffed with tissue paper to make a pretty decoration and look lovely hanging from a Christmas tree.

I made these in red, white and green because I like my tree in the tradditional Christmas colours but you can make them in any colour. I like to fill them with candy to give to the children when they visit.
Materials:
4mm needles
Approximately 20g of DK weight yarn in the main colour and an oddment in a contrast colour for the ribbon

To Make:
Cast on 33 sts.

Knit 4 rows
Row 5: K1, *yo, K2tog; rep from * to end.
Row 6: P 1 row
Work 6 rows st st
Row 13: K2, sl1, K1, psso, yf, k1, yf, k2tog, *k3, sl1, k1, psso, yf, k1, yf, k2tog, rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.
Row 14 every alternate row: Purl
Row 15: K1 *sl1, K1, psso, yf, K3, yf, K2tog, K1; rep to end
Row 15: K4, sl1, k1, psso, yf, *k6, sl1, k1, psso, yf rep from * to last 3 sts, K3
Row 17: K3, sl1, k1, psso, yf, *k6, sl1, k1, psso, yf; rep from * to last 4 sts, K4
Row 19: K2, sl1, k1, psso, yf,*k6, sl1, k1, psso, yf; rep from * to last 5 sts, K5
Row 21: K1, *sl1, k1, psso, yf, K6; rep from * to end.
Work 6 rows st st
Cast off loosely
Fold in half and sew up the base and side, creating the bag.

Ribbon
Cast on 100 sts.
Knit 1 row.
Cast Off
   or
with crochet hook chain stitch until the required length.

Thread the ribbon through the top set of holes.

Christmas Bells

Twelve Days Of Christmas Ornaments.
Day Five: Christmas Bells

These Christmas bells can be made up quite quickly, but look lovely as a homemade ornament on the tree. As each bell takes only about fifteen minutes to create, a pair of bells can easily be made in well under an hour. This pattern has long been a favorite of mine and I am sure that it will quickly become a favorite of yours, just give the pattern a try!

Materials:
Colour and weight of yarn of your choice

size of needles appropriate to yarn this will determine the size of bells.

I used three different yarns – gold cotton type yarn, red macrame yarn, white double knit type yarn

Pattern:

1. Cast on 15 stitches (to make the bell longer, increase this by 5 stitches).
2. Knit across first row.
3. Purl 5 stitches, and knit across remaining stitches.
4. Knit across row.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until you have at least 34 rows. (You can increase the number of rows if you’d like the bell to be rounder.) Cast off.
Thread a tapestry needle with a length of yarn and sew up the short sides (with right sides together).
Then with another length of yarn and sew a gathering stitch around top edge of bell. Pull yarn tight and secure, turn right side out. Use end of yarn to form a looped hanger at the top of the bell.
With your fingers, roll the purl stitches up into a brim. They will tend to curl out and up anyway; just encourage the process with a little rolling motion of your fingers. Hang single or in pair.

Bells announce the coming or arrival of an event, activity, or occasion. They toll for good times. They toll for bad times. They ring out warnings. Bells herald in the New Year. Bells are rung to announce the union of a man and a woman. They are rung during Christmas to announce the arrival of the season, to proclaim the birth of Christ.
Ringing of bells can be traced back to pagan winter celebrations. During those times, noisemakers were used to scare away evil spirits in the night. Among those early noisemakers were bells. People had fun ringing the bells and making noise. It was too much fun to just use bells to scare demons away. So over time, bell ringing was incorporated into other events and activities. Bells are rung at churches to call people to gather, as warnings, and to bring people together to make announcements.
From these ancient roots, the ringing of bells began to be used in the Christian Christmas season. The soft, cheerful tones blended well and enhanced the sounds of the season. Today, they play an important, traditional role during the holiday.

Angel Tree Ornament

Twelve Days Of Christmas Ornaments.
Day Four: Angel Tree Ornament.

Knit a little angel to adorn your Christmas tree or decorate your packages.

Materials:
Double knit type yarn
Needles  size  2 (2.75mm) for smaller Angel approx 2.5 x 3 ins (6 x 7.5cm)
               size 8 (5mm) for larger Angel approx 3.5 x 4 ins(9 x10 cm)
Length of tinsel colour of your choice
bead for head 16mm (18-20mm)
cord or thread for hanging.
Abbreviations:

ssk – Slip, Slip, Knit – slip one stitch as if to knit, slip another stitch as if to knit, stick point of left needle in two slipped stitches in front of the right needle and knit. This is a decrease similar to psso.
p2sso means that you should pass 2 slipped stitch over the knitted stitch

Instructions:
Body
Cast on 6 sts
Row 1, (k1,yo) 5 times, k1 -11sts
Row 2 and all alternate rows, purl
Row 3, ssk, (yo,k2) 7 times, yo, k2tog – 17sts
Row 5, (ssk, yo) 3 times, k1,sl2 tog knitwise, k1, p2sso, k1, (yo, k2tog) 3 times- 15sts
Row 7, (ssk,yo)3 times, sl2 tog knitwise, k1,p2sso, (yo,k2 tog) 3times – 13sts
Row 9, (ssk,yo) 2times,k1,sl2 tog knitwise,k1,p2sso,k1,(yo, k2tog) 2 times – 11sts
Row 11, (ssk,yo) 2 times, sl2 tog knitwise, k1, p2sso, (yo, k2tog) 2 times – 9 sts
Row 13, ssk, yo, k1, sl2 tog knitwise, k1, p2sso, k1,yo, k2tog – 7sts
Row 15, ssk, yo, sl2tog knitwise, k1, p2sso, yo,k2tog – 5sts
Row 17, k1, sl2tog knitwise, k1, p2sso, k1 – 3 sts

Cast off purlwise. Fasten off, cut yarn leaving long tail.

Wings ( make 2)
Cast on 4 sts
Row1, (k1,yo) 3 times, k1, – 7sts
Row 2, 4, 6, & 8, purl
Row 3, ssk, (yo, k1) 3 times, yo, k2tog -9sts
Row 5, ssk, yo, k1,  sl2tog knitwise, k1, p2sso, k1, yo, k2tog – 9sts
Row 7, ssk, yo, sl2tog knitwise, k1, p2sso,yo, k2tog – 5 sts
Row 9, k1, sl2tog knitwise, k1, p2sso, k1, – 3sts
Cast off purl wise. Fasten off, cut yarn.

Finishing
Overlap the cast off edges of wings and sew into place. Bend the tinsel in half and twist to form a circle in center for halo. Insert both ends through hole in bead. Place angel body with wings attached, on top off the tinsel centering it under the bead. Working each end of tinsel seperately, bring from behind and under 1 wing, crossing in front to bring over opposite shoulder to back, then weave in and out through eyelets along edge of body. Repeat with other end of tinsel for opposite side. Attach cord for hanging.

“The Christmas Angels”

If you see some different lights
Around your Christmas tree
It could be Christmas Angels
Hiding there to see.

The fun and joy of Christmas
As they watch the children play.
And as they watch you celebrate
This very special day.

But there’s another reason that
The Christmas angels appear,
They’re here to remind us why
It’s a special time of year.

This is the day that Christ was born
Years ago in Bethlehem
He’s the one who is our Savior
He is King of all the land.

So celebrate His birthday
With your presents, cheer and love
And let Him know you’re glad He is
Our Savior up above.

Then the Christmas Angels
Will be happy they were here
And they can leave, but don’t you fret
They’ll be back again next year.

–Ron Lantz

angel designed by Cindy Polfer.