Little Tree

I have a mountain of projects to finish for the Christmas holidays, and I have started by making my own decorations.  I am determined to finish everything before December this year (mmm, don’t bank on that!).

I designed this little tree to decorate my dining table for the holidays, to rest my name cards for each place setting.   But it would also look festive on a bookshelf or mantelpiece, and can easily be made into a hanging decoration by threading wool or ribbon through the top.  If you would like to make your own trees, the free pattern is below.

The tree is 9cm high, uses 20g each of green and red double knit wool, and is knitted flat using 3mm straight needles.  You will also need approximately 30g stuffing, and a tapestry needle to sew the pieces together.  My tree is decorated with beads (these are sewn on after the tree is finished), but you could use sequins, buttons or embroidery for decoration.

I have a copy of this pattern in a pdf file on my “free for you” page if you prefer an easily  printable format.

Knitting Abbreviations …

CO  = Cast on 

K  = Knit 

P = Purl 

KFB = (Increase) – Knit twice into the stitch.  Knit into the front of the next stitch on the left hand needle, but do not slip off the needle.   Then take the right hand needle and knit into the back of the stitch, then remove the loop from the left hand needle.

K2TOG  = (Decrease) – Knit two stitches together through the front of the loops.

[…] = Repeat the stitches in square brackets by the number indicated.

(…)  = The number in round brackets indicates the number of stitches per row.

Knitting pattern …

Tree

Make 1

CO 8 in green.  Start at the base of the tree. 

1. P (8)
2. [KFB] x 8 (16)
3. P (16)
4. [KFB, K1] x 8 (24)
5. P (24)
6. [KFB, K2] x 8 (32)
7. P (32)
8. [KFB, K3] x 8 (40)
9. P (40)
10. P (40) …… This purl row forms the fold at the base
11. P (40)
12. [K2TOG, K8] x 4 (36)
13. P (36)
14. K (36)
15. P (36)
16. [K2TOG, K4] x 6 (30)
17. P (30)
18. K (30)
19. P (30)
20. [K2TOG, K3] x 6 (24)
21. P (24)
22. K (24)
23. P (24)
24. [K2TOG, K2] x 6 (18)
25. P (18)
26. K (18)
27. P (18)
28. [K2TOG, K1] x 6 (12)
29. P (12)
30. K (12)
31. P (12)
32. [K2TOG] x 6 (6)
33. P (6)
34. K (6)
35. P (6)
36. [K2TOG] x 3 (3)

Pull the thread through the three remaining stitches on the needle, gather and secure.

Base

Make 1

CO 8 in red. 

1. P (8)
2. [KFB] x 8 (16)
3. P (16)
4. [KFB, K1] x 8 (24)
5. P (24)
6. P (24) …… This purl row forms the fold at the base
7. P (24)
8. K (24)
9. P (24)
10. K2, [KFB, K5] x 3, KFB, K3 (28)
11. P (28)
12. K (28)
13. P (28)

Cast off all stitches

Making up …

Use the same yarn used to knit the tree to sew all seams and use mattress stitch to sew the seams.  Tie any knots on the inside (as these will not be seen when the tree is completed), and bury any loose ends from sewing in the stuffing.

Using the cast off tail, sew the tree seam from the top to the fold at the base (row 10).  Stuff the tree through the gap in the bottom.

 

Sew the base seam closed to finish the tree.

Gather the cast on stitches of the tree base, pull together and secure.  Sew the base side seam.  Stuff the base through the top.

Sew the cast off edges of the base to the bottom of the tree.

Decorate the tree with beads, and sew on using cotton thread.

If you would like a pdf version of this pattern, it is available for free download from my Ravelry store

http://www.ravelry.com/stores/fluff-and-fuzz

I have no objection if you wish to make this tree to sell to raise funds for charity.  However please do not reproduce or sell this pattern, or commercially sell finished items made from this pattern.

Copyright © 2010 Amanda Berry
All rights reserved.

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