Welcome back. Yesterday, I shared the knitting pattern for the Reversible Knitted Vintage Christmas Bulb Ornament using UNIVERSAL YARN Uptown DK and UNIVERSAL YARN Noelle. Today, I’m making another knitted Christmas tree ornament from a series I designed, inspired by our family tradition of decorating our tree with pictures of Christmases past.
I’m really getting into the holiday mood by making an ornament that represents one of my favourite holiday movies, Elf! Also, when I think of a holiday Elf, I think of their shoes, so today’s ornament is an elf shoe.
Elf Shoes Christmas Reversible Knitted Ornament
Yarns and Tools for the Elf Shoe Ornament
Today, I’ll use Uptown DK in White, Bittersweet, and Cedar as well as Noelle in Elida and Linette. Noelle is a fluffy, tubular, blown merino yarn with metallic shimmer, perfect for the Holidays. The Uptown DK line has so many colors to choose from. I’m always on the go, and my VIVACE Knitting Tote in Fluorescent Yarn Balls allows me to take everything I need with me.
These are all the UNIVERSAL YARN Uptown DK and Noelle yarns I’ll be using to make this week’s series of Christmas ornaments.
Each ornament is constructed in three steps: the inlays are worked from charted images, details are added with overstitching and embellishments, and a knitted frame is knit around the two inlays together on double-pointed needles. Download the Elf Shoe Ornament Pattern Charts here.
Knitting the Picture Inlays
First, I’ll cast on in white and knit the basic picture inlays according to the charts. I’ll use 3.25 mm needles to achieve a tighter gauge and provide a sturdier structure for the ornament.
Elf Shoe Ornament Inlay 1 and 2 Charts
This is what the basic inlays look like once I worked the charts.
Knitted inlays for elf shoe; the second Christmas ornament in this week’s series of five ornaments.
Adding Overstitching and Embellishments
Next, I’ll thread a double-stranded thread of Elida on a darning needle and stitch along the division of the elf’s legs. I’ll add shoelaces the same way using Linette.
Embellished knitted inlays for the elf shoe ornament; the second Christmas ornament in this week’s series of five ornaments.
Constructing the Garter Stitch Frame
Next, I’ll construct the garter stitch frame. I chose garter stitch because it doesn’t require a specific stitch count and because its texture reminds me of vintage picture frames. I’ll use two sets of double-pointed needles in 3.25mm and 3.5mm, since I only have one set. If you have two sets, then you can use the same size for both frames. But I’m not worried, as I don’t expect any noticeable difference.
I’ll pick up and knit one row on each of the four sides of each image separately using Linette. Then I’ll place the backs of the inlays together and knit the sides together by knitting two stitches from each inlay together.
Before closing the two images together, some flat batting or thin craft foam board can be inserted to help support the ornament’s shape.
I’ll continue working in garter stitch in the round by purling the next row on only 3.25mm needles.
In the third row, I’ll add one stitch on either side of each corner stitch (8 stitch increase total) to prevent curling at the corners. Then I’ll continue working garter stitch rows for a total of 8 rows with increases on the knitted rows and cast off.
Finally, I’ll make a hanger for the ornament by crocheting a single chain a bit longer than the top of the ornament and stitch it to the top corners of the ornament.
I can already hear the jingle of the bells from Elf shoes! UNIVERSAL YARN Uptown DK and UNIVERSAL YARN Noelle made it so easy to make the elf shoe ornament. Join me tomorrow for an homage to a holiday classic home decor item, the Christmas Wreath!
