elizabeth_mn

This morning we decorated the tree, and I figured it was time to finish stuffing all the balls I knit last month. So I spent an hour in front of a sappy movie with the fam tonight and stuffed these. I got tired of making crochet chains for the hanging loops so I just used a plain strand of yarn. If it breaks, oh well. I am noticing now that I did a few upside down, but only a knitter would notice. ;)

I was overcome by greed and fell in love with each one a little more than the last. It will be hard deciding which ones to keep and which to give away!

Pattern #14, "Xs and Os version 1"

#3 "Snowflakes"

#17 "Selbu"

( wanna see lots of my balls? )

All the patterns are from the book 55 Christmas Balls to Knit by Arne and Carlos and my Ravelry page for this project is here.

You guys, I am seriously addicted to knitting adorable christmas balls and I just cannot stop. I am not doing anything else with my life this week, every free moment I have is spent knitting.

I just started my sixth, even though #3, #4, and #5 are still just empty sad sacks because I haven't stuffed them yet. The knitting is the most fun part!

I would love to have my whole christmas tree covered wih knitted ornaments and a bunch to give away as gifts too. I will just keep making them until it stops being fun! That doesn't look likely any time soon.

No pictures today because I am too busy knitting!

Well I am so glad you guys are also snickering about the use of the word balls. It's good to know I am not the only 10-year-old at heart.

So here's my second ball. Made this up yesterday.

This one is pattern #12. I noticed the chart differs slightly from the photo in the book. There is an extra pattern stitch in the middle of the vertical bar. I followed the chart, not the photo, and I like the extra stitch.

I have edited my Ravelry page for these guys to keep the project open for however many I knit. That's easier than making a separate project for each one.

I am digging the red & white but I might get a skein of black or blue to mix with the white also. I actually wanted blue the other day but they didn't have the right one; just navy and turquoise.

I have started the third one, from pattern #1 in the book, another snowflake. I just can't get enough balls!

I was recently given the book 55 Christmas Balls to Knit by Arne & Carlos. A friend of mine was moving and downsizing her bookshelf so it was my lucky day!

First of all, it's hilarious to say "balls" and I just cannot stop myself. Second, I love All Things Scandinavian and these are no exception. They are so adorable!

And finally, I have always loved the look of Fair Isle and other stranded colorwork knitting, but I have been intimidated. The small scale of these projects is ideal to learn on.

So, yesterday I went to The Yarnery and got some yarn, wound it up, cast on, and finished half of the ball by bedtime, then knit the other half this morning. It was addictive!

Here's my ball:

I am amazed the color pattern doesn't look lame and sloppy. I have read that beginners often have a problem with pulling the floats in too tightly, but I am such a loose knitter I was worried about gaps instead. But I am very pleased with how this looks!

I only knit right-handed, "throwing" style, so it was tricky deciphering the increase directions in the book, which were illustrated in the left-hand "picking" style with just pictures and no words. As for the two yarns I ended up just wrapping them both around my pinky in my usual way and using my index finger to pick up the one I needed. I am sure there is a better way, but whatever. This worked and my speed was hardly any slower than normal. For some areas with very long floats I twisted the yarns together.

I used polyfil to stuff it instead of the wool batting specified because a.) wool is hella expensive, and b.) I don't have any right now and I really needed to finish this ball!

Yarn info, etc is at my Ravelry.

I really want to just keep making these and then I will have a bunch for my tree as well as some nice gifts.

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Entries tagged with julekuler

I stuffed my balls

I am addicted to knitting balls

My second ball

I am getting a head start on Christmas

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