Free Christmas Knitting Patterns

 It’s that time of year again. Suddenly Christmas is really close, and where are all the gifts you meant to make?

There is still time though, and there are a lot of wonderful free and quick patterns out there. I really like Drops patterns collection, I have knit up some of their patterns and they have all been very well made and easy to follow.

Free Christmas Knitting Patterns

Their Christmas Workshop is a treasure trove of Christmas patterns and little gifts. The accessory collection is a also very good source of small gift ideas.

My little heart pattern  (below) has been published here before, but I think it deserves an encore.  It is fast and easy to make, and it can be embellished any way you like.

My Heart

By: Harpa Jónsdóttir

This little heart can be used as a window decoration, hanging from a chandelier, just about anywhere. It’s the perfect little gift, inexpensive and relatively quick to make.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Yarn:

Ístex Plötulopi  0001 – white. 1 plate is enough for e few hearts

Notions:

• Kemba (wool stuffing) 0851 – white
• A set of 6mm (US 10) dpn’s
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch marker
• A stitch holder or some scrap yarn.

Tension: Approximately 14 sts and 20 rnds = 10 x 10 cm. The tension does not need to be exact, but loose tension facilitates the felting process.

 Decorations:

• Some lace, scraps and leftovers are ideal for this project.
• Satin ribbon, approximately 71 cm (27.5 in)
• White sewing thread
• A sharp embroidery needle
• Few pins

Six stranded embroidery floss, for example these colours from DMC:

369 LT Pistachio Green

809 DelftBlue

3713 V LT Salmon

Split the floss and work with only one strand at a time. This project is great for using up small rests of floss.

The Hearts: 

CO 4 sts and divide them on 2 needles (2 on each). Join in the round. PM at the start of rnd and knit 3 rnds.

Knit in the front and the back of each st (P 4 st on each needle, 8 in all)

* k1 st, m1. Knit until there is 1st left on needle. M1, k1. Repeat on other side. K 1 rnd. *

Repeat from * to* until 22 sts are on each needle (44 in all).

K 3 rnds.

The “Bumps”

Put 11 sts from each needle on a stitch holder, the last 11 from the first needle and the first 11 from the second one.

Join the remaining sts in the rnd, PM at the beginning of rnd, start from the centre and k 3 rnds.

* K1, k2togtbl, k until there are 3 st left on needle, k2tog, k1. Repeat on other side. K1 rnd *

Repeat from * to * until 5 sts are left on each side. Graft the remaining stitches together.

Knit the second “bump” the same way. Secure ends.

Felting:

There are two schools on this. Those who hand felt and those who machine felt. Machine felting is much faster and easier, but it requires some care as each machine felts differently. So if you haven’t felted before, it can be a good idea to start with a short programme and a low heat (40°C – 32 F) and increase if that is not enough. It’s a good idea to use a washing bag or something similar and two old towels or so to increase agitation. The hearts can close in the felting process. Then they must simply be opened again, with the aid of (closed) scissors for example. The hearts must be formed after felting, don’t be afraid to use some force to pull and stretch them into the chosen form. The felted wool is very strong.

The decorations:

The heart is stuffed with wool stuffing, when it’s completely dry. Close the hole with white sewing thread and small stitches. Now the heart is ready for decoration.  Cut the lace into appropriate length and pin it to the heart. Sew it on by hand with as small stitches as you can. Fasted the ribbon, first the two bows, 18 cm (7in) each. Then the loop 32 cm (12in). Fasten both the bows and the loop with French knots.  Remember to use only one strand at a time. Finally you sew fresh knots on the lace and here and there on the heart, as much or as little as you like.

French knot:

 

Bring the needle out through the fabric and hold the thread taut. With your right hand twist the needle round the thread three times (or two times – or four – what ever you like). Still holding the thread firmly, take the needle back into the fabric, a very short space away from where the floss emerges from the fabric and insert the needle. Pull carefully to form the knot.