Knitted Bauble

Festive Pronking* Deer and Snowflake Bauble

Before I start - I must explain that this is the first knitted pattern I HAVE EVER DONE! If you come across any errors - please email me and I shall amend them as necessary!

I also suggest you read through the pattern fully first before you cast on.  My chart is a one quarter of the finished bauble, so you need to repeat the pattern four times during each knitted round. You will only be knitting the red and white squares, ignore the grey-ed out blocks.

My knitted bauble is about tennis ball sized - due to the size of needles and the wool/yarn used. So - here goes.

Notions
5 x DPNs (I used 3.5mm)
Stitch marker
Crochet hook - use to crochet final chain to hang the bauble on the tree
Tapestry needle - to weave in any ends

Wools and yarns in any colours that make you happy :)
I used Stylecraft Special DK in White and Wisteria, the dark blue was a bit of stash with sequins

• Cast on 12 stitches, leave a fairly long tail (about 10cm)
• Distribute evenly on 4 needles
• Make sure you don't twist your stitches, place your stitch maker. 
• Start at bottom right corner and very importantly always read the chart from RIGHT TO LEFT
• Each square = 1 stitch.
• Four repeats of each chart row will give you one completed round 
  

Increases

Increase by kfb (knit the front and the back of a stitch) this turns one stitch into two. For an excellent tutorial check out twistcollective.com

Decreases

Decrease by K2tog - a right leaning decrease - knit two stitches together as one stitch -  LINK 

Decrease by SSK - a left leaning decrease - slip stitch from left to right needle -  LINK 

Knit following the chart.  

Care when knitting with two colours per round. An even tension is very important, try keeping your tension looser than usual, as pulling too tightly will make it pucker and make your bauble look all lumpy.

 Once you have reached the end of the chart, cast off. You will now have an 'empty' bauble. Stuff using a polyester fibrefil  through the holes. Make sure you fill it just enough to make a round ball - not too soft or too tight. Give it a roll and a massage to shape it and add or take out stuffing until you are happy with it.

 Using the cast on tail close the opening at the base.  At the top either stitch closed and stitch on an I-cord or, as I did, crochet the top hole closed and complete by making a chain long enough to hang off a tree.

Phew!

My first pattern and tutorial for a knitted item. If you do knit a bauble, please can you link back to me. I would love to see your creations!

Sneaky hint - if you print your chart out, use a post it note as a 'ruler' moving it up as you go along to help keep your place :)

*Pronking? Have a look HERE :)