Knitted ornaments are the fastest way to try Christmas knitting: most of these use a few yards of yarn, take an evening or less, and make a good last minute gift or gift topper. They also give you a chance to practice stranded colorwork and knitting in the round on something tiny before committing to a sweater.
All ten are free, and each one links straight to the designer’s own page. Four are Ravelry downloads, which need a free Ravelry account. If you would rather crochet your decorations, see our crochet Christmas decor patterns, and for bigger knitting projects try our knitting cardigan patterns.
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Items you’ll need:
- Double pointed knitting needles
- Worsted weight yarn
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Tapestry needles and stitch markers
- Embroidery scissors
- Ornament hooks
Knitted Christmas ornaments to explore
1. Christmas Pudding Bauble
Designer Amanda Berry on Ravelry. A 6 cm pudding in DK yarn (Paintbox Simply DK in the sample) on US 4 (3.5 mm) needles, worked flat with stranded colourwork and then seamed. The pattern also includes a holly topper you can reuse on cards or gift wrap. It suits confident beginners and up, and the free download needs a free Ravelry account.
2. Stjärna
Designer Karolina Eckerdal on Ravelry. A three dimensional star about 2.5 inches from tip to centre, knit seamlessly in the round in DK yarn on 2.5 to 3 mm needles, with a chart and written instructions, then stuffed. It calls for a circular needle and a set of double pointed needles. The free download needs a free Ravelry account.
3. Baubles
Designer Veera Välimäki on Ravelry. Garter stitch bubbles worked flat and sideways with short rows, then seamed with a three needle bind off. It takes 50 to 60 yards of aran weight yarn on 4 mm needles and comes in two sizes, 7.5 and 11 inches around. It was part of the Knit You Advent Calendar, and the free download needs a free Ravelry account.
4. Mouse Hat for a Bauble
Designer Luise Roberts on Ravelry. A tiny knitted mouse hat made in the round in fingering weight yarn on 2.75 mm needles, to dress up a plain bauble. It is the quickest knit on this list. The free download needs a free Ravelry account.
5. Cameron Christmas Bauble
Designer April Garwood at Banana Moon Studio. A bauble about 3 inches tall and 8¾ inches around, knit in the round in striping sock yarn so the colorwork is built in. It uses about 40 yards of fingering weight yarn, 2.5 mm needles, increases and decreases, a stretchy bind off and a fabric loop to hang it. Rated Easy+. The full free pattern is on the page, and a PDF is sold too.
6. Merry Mini Stockings
Designer Louise Bollanos at Handy Little Me. A stocking about 5 inches long with a 2×2 rib cuff, short row heel, gusset and toe, knit in the round on 4 mm needles with DK yarn. It takes only about 10 g of yarn, so it is a stash buster, and it works as a tree ornament, gift topper or advent calendar pocket. The full free pattern is on the page.
7. Fair Isle Snowflake Ornament
From Lion Brand. A Fair Isle snowflake ornament in medium weight (worsted) yarn, rated Level 3 intermediate. Free to download from the product page.
8. Patons Knit Adorable Mini Holiday Ornaments
From Yarnspirations. Tiny sweaters, mittens and hats for the tree, worked in two shades of Patons Classic Wool Worsted. One ball makes 2 sweaters, 4 toques and 4 pairs of mittens, and the optional duplicate stitch adds details. Rated easy and free.
9. Lily Sugar’n Cream Snowmen Ornaments
From Yarnspirations. Easy knit snowmen in Lily Sugar’n Cream cotton, designed to sit on top of a parcel instead of a ribbon or in a seasonal display. Free.
10. Red Heart Knit Holiday Stars and Balls Ornaments
From Yarnspirations. Easy red and white stars and balls in Red Heart Soft, and because they are yarn they will not shatter if they fall off the tree. Free.
