Our friend and knitting superstar Ann Budd has designed this cheery tam garland, perfect for the holidays or year round use. Made with one of our favorite yarns, Amble from The Fibre Co., once you make one tam you’ll be inspired to cast on more!!

I love the look of strings of tiny knitwear—socks, mittens, hats, etc. This garland features miniature tams knitted on double-pointed needles, beginning with a ribbed brim at the base and ending with a tiny I-cord knob at the top. The simple pattern is easily memorized and, when worked using three colors, the design possibilities are seemingly endless.

The tams are strung on 3/2 perle cotton with about 2” (5 cm) of space between tams; overhand knots are tied in the string at the edge of each tam to prevent them from slipping. Hang them on a tree, or over a fireplace, door, or window. Enjoy! ~ Ann

Finished Size: About 2 3/4” (7 cm) in diameter when laid flat, after blocking.

Yarn: Fingering weight (#1 Super Fine).
Shown here: The Fibre Company Amble (70% wool, 20% alpaca, 10% nylon; 355 yards (325 meters)/100 grams): about 4 grams per tam.

Shown in Appleby Castle (burgundy), Buttermere (gold), and Windermere (blue). 3 Amble Mini Skeins (88 yards each) will make 16 tams if you achieve gauge.

Needles:
Size U.S. 2 (2.75 mm): set of 4 or 5 double-pointed (dpn) or other needles suitable for working small circumferences in rounds.

Notions:
Stitch marker (optional); tapestry needle; 3/2 perle cotton (shown in light gray) for stringing tams (about 8” 20.5 cm per tam, plus about 8” 20.5 cm at each end for hanging loops).

Gauge:
About 7 sts and 10 rnds = 1” (2.5 cm) in Stockinette stitch, worked in rnds, after blocking. Exact gauge isn’t important but will affect the finished size.

Notes:

• Instructions are given for the basic solid-color tam. The pattern variations appear at the end.