40 Below Ornaments by Cynthia Levy

40 Below Ornaments

Knitting
November 2021
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
8 stitches and 11 rows = 1 inch
in stockinette
US 1½ - 2.5 mm
60 yards (55 m)
3" ball
English
This pattern is available for $5.00 USD buy it now

Winter wonders! These elegant little ornaments celebrate the magical beauty of -40 winter days. Under sunshine at frigid temperatures, everything becomes crisp and clear. Snow and ice shimmer, hoarfrost sparkles, and water droplets freeze instantly. The pattern provides a selection of motifs creating a set of similar but unique ornaments. Polystyrene or styrofoam balls provide shape and structure for the ornaments.

Each ornament requires one 3” polystyrene or styrofoam ball and approximately 40 yards of fingering weight yarn in the base color plus 20 yards in the overlay color. They work up quickly and are perfect for using up leftover sock yarn!

A clever construction technique permits these ornaments to be made without the necessity of awkward knitting over the polystyrene or styrofoam balls. The ornament bases are made in two sections with all necessary increases worked in stockinette in the base color. These pieces are then placed over a ball and grafted together using kitchener stitch. This requires a bit of patience but is much easier and enjoyable than trying to knit around a solid ball. The lace overlays are worked separately and then tacked in place.

Skills/Techniques Required: (Pattern provides instructions and links to assist with unfamiliar techniques)

  • Working small circumferences in the round
  • Circular cast-on
  • Lace including dropped and wrapped stitches
  • Grafting using kitchener stitch
  • Finger knitting for hanging loops

A kCDesigns version of this pattern, already set up for use in KnitCompanion, is available through Create2Thrive.