Looking for a gift for that someone who is hard to buy for? Why not make them a knit Christmas ornament to grace the tree! Can be knit flat or in the round.

Do you have a special ornament on your tree that you look forward to seeing every year? For me, it’s a small crochet ornament that my aunt made years before she passed away.

I like to imagine her thinking of me when she lovingly made that ornament. She had no children of her own and loved all of her nieces and nephews.

So every year when that ornament comes out of storage, I remember her. And I treasure it.

I’d like to think of the recipient of my ornaments feeling this way.

Design Story and Inspiration for the Fair Isle Knit Christmas Ornament

I’m really challenging myself with the Holiday Maker’s Challenge to design things I’ve never tried before.

Ornaments were definitely in that category, but not anymore! I designed the crochet version of this ornament first, then decided to see what would happen if I knit something very similar.

It’s a lot smaller than its crochet counterpart, but I love how cute and squishy it is! Overall, I’m really thrilled with how it turned out.

About the Yarn

I am trying to use up my stash and I had some Lion Brand Coboo hanging around from a spring sweater design I was working on.

I used it for my Mini Crochet Christmas Stocking and remembered why I love it so much. (I also love it for my dolls – like Morgan).

You can easily substitute with any DK weight yarn you have lying around and play with any colors you like! I can’t wait to see what you all come up with!

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Knit Christmas Ornament Pattern Details

This ornament is worked from the bottom up. It is written to be worked flat, but if you would prefer to work it in the round you can find instructions for that under the Pattern Notes.

Fair Isle Knit Christmas Ornament

What You’ll Need

Yarn:Lion Brand Coboo, (DK weight 3), 1 skein each in White (A), Denim (B), Steel Blue (C)

Needles: US Size 4 (3.50mm) straight needles

Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, fiberfill, ornament cap

Gauge: 28 sts and 35 rows = 4″ in St st

Finished Size: Approximately 2″ in diameter

Knit Christmas Ornament Notes

This ornament was knit on straight needles and seamed. If you would prefer to knit in the round, remove the 2 selvedge sts from each end (cast on 12 sts).

Then, work as written except knit the purl rows.

Fair Isle Knit Christmas Ornament Pattern

With A, cast on 14 sts.

Row 1: K4, M1, *k3, M1; repeat from * to last st, k1 (18 sts).

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: K3, M1, *k2, M1; repeat from * to last st, k1 (26 sts).

Row 4: Purl

Row 5: K4, M1, *k3, M1; repeat from * to last st, k1 (34 sts).

Row 6: Purl

Row 7: K5, M1, *k4, M1; repeat from * to last st, k1 (42 sts).

Row 8: Purl.

Row 9: K6, M1, *k5, M1; repeat from * to last st, k1 (50 sts).

Row 10: Purl

Rows 11-19: Work chart

Row 20: Purl.

Row 21: K5, k2tog, *k4, k2tog; repeat from * to last st, k1 (42 sts).

Row 22: Purl

Row 23: K4, k2tog, *k3, k2tog; repeat from * to last st, k1 (34 sts).

Row 24: Purl

Row 25: K3, k2tog, “k2, k2tog; repeat from * to last st, k1 (26 sts).

Row 26: Purl.

Row 27: K2, k2tog, *k1, k2tog; repeat from * to last st, k1 (18 sts).

Row 28: Purl.

Row 29: K1, *k2tog; repeat from * to last st, k1 (10 sts).

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail.

Finishing

Use yarn tail to gather remaining sts and pull tight.

Sew back seam if working flat.

Stuff firmly with fiberfill.

Gather sts at bottom of ornament same as top, hiding all ends inside. Pull tightly to close and weave in last end.

Attach ornament cap, using hot glue if desired. I found that it held just fine by pushing the wires as close to the center as I could get and sticking them inside the ornament. The wires spring open after they are inside and hold, but if you would like extra security I would use a hot glue gun inside the cap.

Want more free Christmas ornament knitting patterns? Check out the list here!

You might also like these other patterns from the Holiday Maker’s Challenge

Today we learned how to work the Fair Isle Knit Christmas Ornament. I hope you’ve enjoyed this free knitting pattern and that you will join us for the Holiday Maker’s Challenge!

You can see all of my free knitting patterns here.

Happy Knitting!
Amanda