This series of posts has been exploring some knitting fun with Universal Yarn Uptown DK yarn, a soft, anti-pilling acrylic yarn that is perfect for fun projects like the one I have planned for you today.
My last two posts have been dedicated to embellishing ideas for the Double Braid Cable Wreath, and today, I’m capping off this series with some cheerful, 3-D snow people!
The Bittersweet shade of Uptown DK is an interesting shade of red. In daylight, it looks almost cherry red, but under soft indoor lighting, it can lean toward a tomato red.
I crafted my little snow family as an adornment to the Double Braid Cable Wreath.
One ball of white Uptown DK will make an entire hockey team of snowmen, and, because Uptown DK comes in so many colors, you can deck each one out in team colors to hang on the tree, use as gift ornaments, or coordinate their accessories to replicate your own family to attach to your wreath base.
Each of these little characters has its own character! Black embroidery floss is used to make their coal eyes, mouth and buttons. Each one stands between 3½” and 4″ [8.5 – 10cm] tall.
By changing the angle of the toque, the arrangement of the scarf, and even the placement of the French knot eyes, I’ve found that each of these little guys has its own features. The little guy in the middle was described as adorable by one of my friends.
Knitted Snowman
materials
yarn
- 1 ball of Uptown DK White
- oddments of Uptown DK (samples use Root and Bittersweet, and Dijon)
threads
needles
- US 3 [3.25mm] knitting needles
- tapestry needles size 18 and 24
small amount of polyester fibrefill (or cosmetic cotton balls)
gauge is not important – the shortest snowman measures 3½” [8.5cm] high
abbreviations
kfb – knit into the front loop and through the back loop of the stitch.
k2tog – knit 2 sts together
m1 – lift the bar between the next 2 sts, and place on left needle. Knit the loop through the back of the bar.
instructions
Body:
Cast on 6 sts.
Row 1: K across.
Row 2: Kfb in every st across (12 sts).
Row 3: P across.
Row 4: K1, m1, *k2, m1; rep from * to last st, k1 (18 sts).
Row 5: P across.
Row 6: K2, m1, *k3, m1; rep from * to last st, k1 (24 sts).
Row 7: P across.
Row 8: K2, m1, *k4, m1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2 (30 sts).
Rows 9, 11, 13, and 15: p across.
For a taller snowman, work one more k row and one more p row.
Rows 10, 12, and 14: K across.
Row 16: (K2, k2tog) to last 2 sts, k2 (23 sts).
Row 17: P across.
Row 18: K3, m1, *k4, m1; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4 (28 sts).
Row 19: P across.
Row 20: K across.
Rows 21 and 22: rep rows 19 and 20.
Row 23: P across.
Row 24: (K2tog) to last st, k1 (14 sts).
Row 25: P across.
Row 26: (K2tog) to end (7 sts).
Break yarn and pull through all sts. Using that tail and the larger tapestry needle, stitch down the back of the top section to the neck (decrease round). Change direction: make a running stitch around the neck, but don’t pull tightly. Stuff the head and body cavity firmly, then pull the yarn tightly around the neck. Continue sewing the back seam down the body section. Add more stuffing if necessary, and weave in ends.
Row 1: *K1, p1; rep from * across.
Rep Row 1 until work measures 2” [5cm] from cast-on edge.
Next row: (K2tog) across (13 sts).
P 1 row.
Next row: K1, (k2tog) to end (7 sts).
With contrasting color, cast on 45 sts purlwise, or with long-tail cast on.
Knit 2 rows.
Cast off all sts, and weave in ends.
Tie scarf or tack it around the neck of the snowman.
finishing
With smaller tapestry needle threaded with a length of 6 strand embroidery floss, bury a knot into the back of the snowman, and make coal eyes, mouth and buttons with French knots.
Knit your very own welcoming committee! There’s more than one way to decorate a wreath! Knit the whole family, or just a happy couple.
Thank you for playing along with me this week. Getting ready for the holidays has been a lot of fun using Universal Yarn Uptown DK yarn.
