The last few days have been so busy and full, visiting markets, singing Christmas carols in the park with friends and our community. We have also started helping my mom to pack up her home and sort through my dad’s things. I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for her, to take his clothes out of the cupboards and let them go… It seems so final and hard… She is thinking about this for now, we have cleared a few items so far but I think his clothes will be the most difficult for all of us.
I have been thinking about Christmas decorations and the season and a few Christmas tree ornament designs. It’s so amazing when an idea enters your mind, like a light going on. When I knitted up this little ornament, I was thinking about the English country gardens in the time of Jane Austen. I love topiary trees and then I though, perhaps a topiary Christmas tree ornament! I have added the pattern here for you if you would like to knit one:)
Topiary Christmas Tree Ornament:
Materials:
Small amount of brown variegated yarn for the tree trunk, aran weight
SMall amount of variegated yarn for the tree, aran weight
3.5mm circular needles
Stuffing
Sewing needle
Scissors
Dark cotton
Beads
Abbreviations and Tutorial Video Links:
kfb: Knit into the front and the back of a stitch to increase a stitch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILcTB5hc0XM
Pattern:
Cast on 4 stitches and join for knitting in the round with the magic loop or use dpns
Round 1:kfb into each stitch (8 stitches)
Rounds 2-6: Knit
Join the green yarn for knitting the tree.
Round 7: kfb into each stitch (16 stitches)
Round 8: kfb into each stitch (32 stitches)
Round 9: knit
Round 10: Knit 1, kfb across the round (48 stitches)
Round 11: knit knit 1, knit 2 together across the round (32 stitches)
Round 12: knit 2 tog across round (16 stitches)
Round 13: knit 2 tog across round (8 stitches)
Round 14: knit kfb into each stitch (16 stitches)
Round 15: kfb into each stitch (32 stitches)
Round 16: knit 2 tog all across the round. (16 stitches)
Round 17: knit 2 tog all across the round. (8 round)
Round 18: knit kfb into each stitch. (16 stitches)
Round 19: k1 kfb around the round (24 stitches)
Round 20: knit
start stuffing your tree now and push the stuffing firmly into all areas of the tree.
Round 21: knit 2 st tog all across the round (12 stitches)
Round 22: knit 2 sts tog across round (6 stitches)
Round 23: knit 2 tog k 1, knit 2 tog, knit 1 (4 stitches)
Leave the 4 stitches live on the needle, cut the yarn and thread it onto a sewing needle.
Thread the needle through the live stitches and pull tight, pulling the top of the tree into a point.
Use the remaining yarn to make a little hanging loop for your tree.
Sew in all ends.
Thread some dark cotton and sew a few beads onto your tree.
Happy knitting!
Linda
