a quick, easy knitted ornament?

[MamaMonica]

I have a few balls of red and green wool yarn from the Christmas stockings I never got around to. Christmas is coming up and the yarn looks so cheerful sitting there. What can I knit quickly out of it for small gifts that will look cheerful and pretty?

(I'm thinking a small ornament or something (anything?) that doesn't take a lot of time).

Thanks!

[Collinsky]

:

[JessicaS]

this looks fairly simple

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/189...ment-adornment


this one looks neat,

http://mindofwinter.prettyposies.com...es/000214.html


http://knittingonthenet.com/patterns/holstarorn4.htm

I dunno about these two, I haven't done much lace.

http://tiajudy.com/lacebal1.htm

http://tiajudy.com/SnowStar.htm

[MamaWolfe]

You can roll the wool into a good size ball, just as you would to prepare it for knitting. Put it into the bottom of some trouser socks or an old pair of pantyhose, tie it into a slip knot (the hose or sock) so the ball is still in a ball shape at the bottom of the sock. Put it in with your wash a few times (it will take longer if you have a front loader), when the hairs are showing through the sock it's probably felted enough, if not you can just put it back in. Peel it out of the sock, if it's slightly misshapen you can wet it and shape it properly then let it dry for a few days or over a radiator heater or microwave. Then you can decorate it with beading, ribbons, ect. We're going to thread some thin ribbon through the top to make a hook. You could probably bead it before you felt it also. What I've been doing is making the inner part of the ball with acrylic yarn (my mom gave me a bunch and I don't know what to do with it), then I cover it with wool, seems to work just as well. Also, I've been spiraling contrasting color wool around the outside, after a few times through the wash, with a felting needle, then I wash it again a few more times. Basically, the possibilities are endless! You can also make balls for kids and/or cats as holiday gifts. I'll try to post pics of mine soon.

[LaughingHyena]

There are lots of christmas decorations here

http://www.knittingpatterncentral.co.../christmas.php

[SophieAnn]

Knit Christmas Lights:
http://kimberlychapman.com/crafts/kn...maslights.html

You could also use the green yarn to chain-stitch (crochet) a string to string them up on. Seems like a great project for scraps!

[Juvysen]

I'm partial to this (sorry, it's a ravelry link, for the actual pattern, here it is, but the ravelry pic is better.

these are really pretty, too... but they appear to require sock yarn.

[MamaMonica]

Thank you . Those all really great ideas. I'm going to start with the knitted Christmas Star and maybe make it funky with two colors and also do some plain ones.

[sonuptosondown]

Originally Posted by MamaWolfe

You can roll the wool into a good size ball, just as you would to prepare it for knitting. Put it into the bottom of some trouser socks or an old pair of pantyhose, tie it into a slip knot (the hose or sock) so the ball is still in a ball shape at the bottom of the sock. Put it in with your wash a few times (it will take longer if you have a front loader), when the hairs are showing through the sock it's probably felted enough, if not you can just put it back in. Peel it out of the sock, if it's slightly misshapen you can wet it and shape it properly then let it dry for a few days or over a radiator heater or microwave. Then you can decorate it with beading, ribbons, ect. We're going to thread some thin ribbon through the top to make a hook. You could probably bead it before you felt it also. What I've been doing is making the inner part of the ball with acrylic yarn (my mom gave me a bunch and I don't know what to do with it), then I cover it with wool, seems to work just as well. Also, I've been spiraling contrasting color wool around the outside, after a few times through the wash, with a felting needle, then I wash it again a few more times. Basically, the possibilities are endless! You can also make balls for kids and/or cats as holiday gifts. I'll try to post pics of mine soon.

Please post a pic when you have a chance! This sounds fun.

I'm going to try those Christmas Lights. Maybe fill one with catnip for my MIL's mean ole cat

[sonuptosondown]

Originally Posted by SophieAnn

Knit Christmas Lights:
http://kimberlychapman.com/crafts/kn...maslights.html

You could also use the green yarn to chain-stitch (crochet) a string to string them up on. Seems like a great project for scraps!

Aargh, I just tried to start a Christmas light and can't get past the first round: You start with 3 sts, 1 st on each dpn. I can't keep the darn things in the right positions because it doesn't really make a "round" that I can identify. Once I get a few rounds done, I'm sure it will be fine, but right now it's a mangled mess. OK, just venting. Putting it down for the moment and will try again later. Phew.

[Juvysen]

Originally Posted by sonuptosondown

Aargh, I just tried to start a Christmas light and can't get past the first round: You start with 3 sts, 1 st on each dpn. I can't keep the darn things in the right positions because it doesn't really make a "round" that I can identify. Once I get a few rounds done, I'm sure it will be fine, but right now it's a mangled mess. OK, just venting. Putting it down for the moment and will try again later. Phew.

Try magic loop? That's what I'd do, but I'm partial to magic loop. Although, with only 3 stitches you could do it all on one needle like I-cord... then transfer once there's more stitches.

[USAmma]

I made a baby sock last year for someone who lost a baby. I put a string on it for her to hang on the tree in memory. Perhaps you can knit some striped red/white stockings in a sock pattern but just in miniature.

It looks like the christmas light ornaments would be very easy, too. Just make a sock but increase after the ribbing, then decrease like you would a sock toe but keep going until it's a point.

[MamaMonica]

I made the Christmas star and it was big and floppy (but quick to make) so I felted it with a hanging loop and now it looks cool. I'm trying to make a whole bunch of little presents and not get burned out.

Thanks for all the ideas! I'll try some more after I get done with the stars.

[flapjack]

The unbelievably lazy ones: mix a little PVA glue with water. partially inflate a load of balloons, soak yarn in glue mix, wind around balloons in interesting, cool, and laid-back patterns. Allow to dry, pop balloons, attach hanging loop.

[kennedy444]

A friend of mine knits tiny, little sweaters with small design on front and these make cute ornaments.

I don't have actual pattern but here is one I found.

And another.