These double-sided ornaments are tiny picture frames for holiday memories. This post covers the shared method, then five designs: a vintage bulb, an elf shoe, a wreath, holiday word art, and a Christmas tree. Each one is worked from a chart, embellished with overstitching, and framed in garter stitch.
Sides of each of the five Reversible Knitted Christmas Ornaments made with UNIVERSAL YARN Uptown DK and Noelle yarns.
materials
yarn
- DK weight yarn in white, red-orange, blue, light green, and dark green
- metallic novelty yarn in gold and silver, for shimmer
needles
- US 3 [3.25mm] needles, for the inlays
- two sets of double-pointed needles, US 3 [3.25mm] and US 4 [3.5mm]
notions
- darning needle
- crochet hook, for the hangers
- thin craft foam board or flat batting (optional)
- holly embellishments, with needle and thread (optional)
- a knitting tote, to carry the colors
Download the charts
Each design has its own free chart: vintage bulb, elf shoe, wreath, word art, and Christmas tree.
Reversible Knitted Vintage Christmas Bulb Ornament
Elf Shoes Christmas Reversible Knitted Ornament
Christmas Wreath reversible knitted ornament
Holiday Word Art reversible knitted ornament
Reversible knitted Christmas tree ornament
Knit the inlays
Every ornament has two picture inlays. Cast on the number of stitches in the chart, in the background color. Work the chart, then cast off in the background color. A smaller needle gives a tighter gauge, a sturdier fabric, and a crisper image. The bulb inlays start with 24 stitches.
Some designs use a white background on one side and blue on the other, like day and night. The wreath and tree work that way. Others, like the bulb and word art, have a different chart on each side.
Add the details
Overstitching brings each picture to life. Thread a darning needle with double-stranded yarn, and stitch freehand over the knitting. Use it for shoelaces on the elf shoe, bows and berries on the wreath, and ornament balls on the tree. Twist two single strands together for a garland.
The word art side with holiday lights uses a single strand around the letters for the cord. Make each bulb with three stitches in a triangle. The DK weight yarn gives a pleasing 3-D effect. Stitch holly embellishments on with needle and thread, hiding the thread in the grooves of the leaves.
Make the garter stitch frame
Garter stitch needs no specific stitch count, and its texture suits a vintage picture frame. Pick up and knit one row along each of the four sides of each inlay, separately. That prevents a dotted line on the wrong side when a new color joins.
Place the wrong sides of the inlays together. Knit the sides together, taking one stitch from each inlay. Before closing the last side, slip in thin craft foam board or batting for a firmer frame. Then purl the next round, using only the US 3 [3.25mm] needles.
On the third round, add one stitch on either side of each corner stitch. That’s 8 new stitches in all. Use make one or yarn overs. Keep adding them on every knit round, so the corners don’t curl. Work 8 rows in all, then cast off. A set of double-pointed needles in one size larger works fine for the first row. For a different method, knit each side of the frame flat, then stitch the corners together.
To finish, crochet a single chain 5 to 10 stitches longer than the top of the ornament. Stitch it to each top corner.
Display the ornaments
Hang them on the tree, or tie them onto wrapped gifts. Hang them at different lengths as door hangers, or string them along a mantel garland.