What? What? More Christmas makes? Well… yes. Because now that the TheTwistedYarn has turned on the festive ideas tap, it just won’t stop dripping. Somebody call a plumber.
So, assuming that the easy-to-knit Christmas trees were on the favourable side of tolerable, here’s another easy decorative knit for Christmas. I’m deliberately creating the simplest, most beginner-oriented designs, involving nowt more taxing than a garter stitch square. And in case even that sounds daunting to complete beginners, let me make it clearer: you get to knit every stitch of every row. No purling. No fancy-schmancy through-the-back-loop, yarn-over, P37.6tog shenanigans. These projects are designed for beginners (children and adults), but more experienced knitters will enjoy adding extra embellishments. Or is it just me?
So let me introduce Father Christmas, bless his fluffy novelty-yarn socks:-
You ready? OK, let’s knit. Actually, the knitting is exactly the same as the knitting for the Christmas trees except, as your laser-sharp incisive mind might’ve guessed, in red rather than green. I used Vanna’s Choice in Cranberry.
If memory serves (which it rarely does these days, the rotten scoundrel), I cast on 25 stitches on 5.5mm needles, and I knitted until I’d achieved a perfect square. That done, you need to fold, roll, stuff, and sew your square, exactly as described in the Christmas trees post. Then pause for a leisurely sip of mulled wine, toss another log on the fire, and continue. Your cone should look like this:-
Bend the tip of the cone over, to imply a certain rakish floppiness in Santa’s hat. Now, perspicacious people, you’ll have already noticed from the photo above that white sparkly pipecleaners are useful in this endeavour, so wrap one around the base of your Santa, and another one about two thirds of the way up to imply the base of his hat, and then wrap a third piece tightly several times before sewing it in place at the cone’s tip to make a pompom.
They can be fixed by sticking their ends into the knitted fabric, and strengthened by sewing in fine white thread.
Of course, you now need a face. The easiest solution is to cut a face-shape piece of cream or pale pink felt, but lacking such materials, I knitted a face in thin cream yarn, and sewed/glued it into place. But I’m weird like that. Pick up that red yarn again and knot a piece several times to make a nose, which you can then sew or glue into place.
AAdd beads for eyes (or stick on drawn eyes as I’ve done). Glue on some cotton wool for a beard. Now for the arms. They’re optional, because complete beginners might not want the fuss. But I made Santa’s arms by working a three-stitch-wide i-cord. Having cast on, I knitted 5 rows, then cast off. I did a spot of sewing with black wool at the end of each arm, to imply a hand. Then I sewed the arms onto Santa’s sides. But I honestly wouldn’t have bothered with the arms if I’d been a complete beginner.
And there you have it. 🙂 Merry, er, not-yet-Christmas. 🙂 More next time. Christmas is nowhere near over at the brewery….
Is it just me, or does he look like a penguin disguised as Santa? Whatever – I think he is fabulous and I want one! Despite the fact that my santa wears a brightly coloured floral shirt, beach shorts and jandals – and carries his six-pack! I’m loving the creativity coming out of this particular old Brewery’s kitchen 🙂
Yes, now you mention the penguin connection…. *sigh*
Sorry! It could be because I live so close to the South Pole…….
Very sweet and easy to make but I agree with the contented crafter definite penguin genes there somewhere!
Hmmm, I do fear this is Penguin Santa. Oops.
P37.6tog? What knitting patterns are you reading? Lol, loving that santa, my first thought was penguin as well! But either way, this will certainly get used for decorations next year!
Thank you. 🙂
I will definitely make one of these. We are huge penguin fans here 🙂
They are lovely, as were the trees which had gone lost in my reader.
I am glad you channeled your inner child and shared both with us. Can I actually share it with my knitting class?
Yes of course – share the idea with anyone you like. I’m honoured that you’d like to. 🙂
You have no idea how you are making me smile. This is wonderful. No plumber needed. Keep it coming dear.
Thank you. 🙂
Reblogged this on Craft Eccentrics and commented:
lol! Love this blog. 🙂
Awwwww thank you, I’m honoured. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Aah, he’s a lovely little fellow, beautifully photographed too!
Muchly thank you. 🙂
Brilliant! Even better than the Christmas trees!
Thank you!
Ha! I had already started knitting a red square, because I had decided my green trees needed a red cousin. But now it is going to be a Santa! Very cute! Thank you for the projects!
I love your knitted trees and have linked to them on the blog Facebook page – hope that’s OK? 🙂
🙂
I am still afraid from heem…
🙂
Santa is so darn cute! Nicely done.
But a bit penguinish, I admit.
Well, it doesn’t sound easy when you say it that way! And he turned out super cute . . . looking forward to where you go from here!
Thank you. 🙂
so cute!
Thank you. 🙂