This week I think I have holiday brain. My mind rapidly jumps around as I think about the many things I’m juggling at work and the things I’m hoping to do for fun. When I sat down to write today’s blog post my mind turned blank. What on earth can I help you all with today?!
Luckily, the girls in the office are very helpful in these situations. After some brainstorming, we came up with the perfect last minute gift or decoration for the home! I used our favorite little chickadee – a free pattern from last year – and added a sprig of mistletoe (rough pattern below). With all the materials at hand, I was able to make it in 3-4 hours! That’s two good movies worth of time : )
First, I made the chickadee using Blackstone Tweed. The pattern was designed by Amy and knits up in no time! Chickadees are my favorite bird so it was an easy choice, but we have some other options, too: a cardinal, a partridge and even a penguin!
After completing the chickadee, I made my mistletoe.
Here is what you will need:
MATERIALS
- Ultra Alpaca Fine color #1227 Peat Mix
- Crochet hook
- Size 2 double pointed needles
- 3 or more white seed beads
ABBREVIATIONS
yo: yarn over
cdd: center double decrease (how-to video here)
INSTRUCTIONS
Stem and first leaf
With your crochet hook, chain 36. Then go into one chain below and pull yarn through to create 2 loops on your hook. Transfer these 2 stitches onto a size 2 double pointed needle.
Knit across the 2 stitches. Turn.
K1, yo, k1. Turn.
K1, ktbl, k1. (3 sts) Turn.
K1, yo, k1, yo, k1. (5 sts) Turn.
Work 6 rows of garter stitch.
K1, cdd, k1.
Cdd. Break yarn and pull yarn through loop on your needle.
Count three chains below the last leaf. With your dpn pick up from the next two chains and knit.
Leaf bundle
K1, yo, k1. Turn.
K1, ktbl, k1. (3 sts) Turn.
K1, yo, k1, yo, k1. (5 sts) Turn.
Work 6 rows of garter stitch.
K1, cdd, k1.
Cdd. Break yarn and pull yarn through loop on your needle.
With your dpn pick up from the next two chains and knit.
K1, yo, k1. Turn.
K1, ktbl, k1. (3 sts) Turn.
K1, yo, k1, yo, k1. (5 sts) Turn.
Work 6 rows of garter stitch.
K1, cdd, k1.
Cdd. Break yarn and pull yarn through loop on your needle.
Count three chains below the last leaf and make one more leaf bundle.
With a thin sewing needle, sew on three white beads for berries.
Hang the mistletoe by its stem and sew to the bird’s beak.
Hang him somewhere special for lots of love and kisses.
Happy Holidays!
Emily