Make this Christmas one to remember! Our joyful, festive knit-along is filled with fun, colour and celebration.
By Ann Franklin
ADVENT CALENDAR KAL
Notes The Advent Tree Base is worked flat but a circular needle is recommended due to stitch count.
SWISS DARNING (DUPLICATE STITCH)
Take a length of yarn threaded onto a tapestry needle, then embroider on top of knitted stitches, following the contours of the stitches to make a second (duplicate) stitch on top of the original.
FRENCH KNOTS
For eyes, noses, etc. These can be made in two ways: Embroidered by using a length of yarn threaded onto tapestry needle, bringing needle up through knitted fabric, and making a sewn st a short distance away. Before the sewn stitch is completed, wrap yarn around needle point 4 times. Complete stitch, pulling yarn through wraps.
OR
By taking a short length of yarn and making a knot at centre, wrapping yarn 4 times around loop of knot before pulling it tight. Sew in long ends of yarn, placing knot in required position.
ADVENT TREE BASE
MAIN PIECE
Cast on 3 sts using 6mm circular needle and Yarn A.
Row 1 (RS) Knit.
Rows 2 to 4 Knit.
Rows 5 to 6 Kfb, knit to end. [1 st inc’d] Join Yarn B and with Yarn B work: Rows 7 to 10 Knit.
Rows 11 to 12 Kfb, knit to end. [1 st inc’d] These 12 rows set patt. Rep these 12 rows, cont as set in stripes of 6 rows Yarn A, 6 rows Yarn B and carrying unused yarn loosely at WS until there are 35 sts, ending after a Row 12.
Maintaining 6-row stripes (throughout), cont as follows: Rows 97 to 102 Knit 6 rows.
Row 103 Kfb, knit to end. [1 st inc’d] Row 104 Kfb, knit to end. [1 st inc’d] Rows 105 to 136 Rep Rows 97 to 104 four times. [45 sts]
Rows 137 to 144 Knit 8 rows.
Row 145 Kfb, knit to end. [1 st inc’d] Row 146 Kfb, knit to end. [1 st inc’d] Rows 147 to 256 Rep Rows 137 to 146 eleven times. [69 sts] Work 8 more rows in stripe patt as set without shaping. (44 colour stripes worked in total.)
Cast off in Yarn B.
RIGHT BORDER
With RS facing, 6mm circular needle, Yarn A and starting at Right cast-off edge, pick up and knit 132 sts up Right edge as far as cast-on. (1 stitch for every 2 rows) Next row (WS) Knit.
Cast off.
LEFT BORDER
With RS facing, 6mm circular needle, Yarn A and starting at Left cast-on edge, pick up and knit 132 sts down Left edge as far as cast off. (1 stitch for every 2 rows.)
Next row (WS) Knit.
Cast off.
STAR TOPPER (MAKE 2)
Cast on 8 sts using 6mm circular needle and Yarn C.
Row 1 (RS) (Kfb) 7 times, K1. [15 sts] Row 2 Purl.
