Yes, I know it's January and Christmas is a LONG way off (11 months today to be exact) but I am working on a plan this year to knit at least one Christmas-themed project each month. I'm hoping that by the time Christmas does roll around I'll have a box full of knitted goodies to display and/or gift to others.
This month I created a cute little ornament to hang on a door handle or on your tree. I'd seen several sewn versions of this ornament and thought it would be fun to try knitting one.
I think these would be great for a secret Santa gift exchange, your school or church Christmas craft fair, or a perfect hostess gift. Use my free pattern to try one yourself and be sure to let me know how it turns out!
Santa in the Middle
Materials Required:
U.S. #4 straight needles
U.S. # 5 dpn's (2)
Crystal Palace Chenille (Red)
Berroco Plush (White)
3/4'" wide black velvet ribbon (length approx. 5")
1 miniature belt buckle or square metal button (I purchased mine at Windsor Buttons in Boston)
Fabric Glue
Tapestry needle for seaming
Begin:
Using red chenile yarn and #4 needles cast on 23 stitches
Knit 9 stitches, join white plush yarn and knit 5 stitches carrying red yarn behind, knit last 9 stitches in red.
Continue knitting in stockinette with center white panel of 5 stitches until piece reaches approx. 4"
Next row, knit across all stitches with red yarn (break white yarn)
Continue to knit in stockinette using red yarn only for approx. 4".
Fold knitted fabric in half using the top of the white panel as your center guide. Front and back should be equal in length. Bind off.
Pin side seams, then sew using mattress stitch.
With US #5 dpns, cast on 2 stitches in red and knit 10" of I-cord leaving a 3-4" tail at both ends.
Use the tails of i-cord to seam i-cord ends, one to each inside corner, of open end.
Stuff body with a small amount of polyester stuffing.
Seam top closed making sure that i-cord hangs out freely.
Lay black ribbon horizontally across middle of the piece . Attach buckle or a metal button to the middle of the ribbon which should fall on white plush panel.
Using fabric glue, paste the belt buckle portion of the ribbon to the white middle section. Making sure your ribbon is straight, continue to glue in place from side to side. Trim any excess ribbon that extends past the side seam. (alternately you could use a longer piece of ribbon to wrap belt around the entire square).
Hang on a door handle, from a Christmas tree branch, or use as a gift topper.
(Finished size is approx. 4" x 4")
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good knit!"
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