Christmas ornament 2022

Super easy filet crochet ornament

 

These small filet crochet ornaments look pretty and are really simple to make. I tried different types of think crochet threads, Perle cottons and crochet hook size, and you can absolutely do the same, but I did find that I got the best result with DMC Cebelia size 20, and a 1.00 crochet hook. 

 

Filet crochet in itself is pretty straight forward, yet when it comes to increasing and decreasing, most find that the decreasing is easier, while increasing, especially a solid block can be a little fiddly. This is where a little ‘trick’ I learned years ago, was used with these small ornaments to keep the edges crisp, something that is not always easy to accomplish when working with very thin yarn.

 

The ‘trick’, or ‘hack’ as people now call it, is quite simply that you start on the widest side, work you way down, then pick it up again from the top and finish the ornament. This way, you only have to worry about decreases, which are really easy to do. 

 

To decrease, you make 1 ch in the air, then slip stitch (sl st) into the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th stitch. Next make 3 ch and continue with the pattern, when you come to the end, just turn you work and start the next row. 

 

"....pick it up again from the top and finish the ornament."

Ornament before and after blocking and stretching

The little ornaments will need to be stretched and possibly starched.  For mine I made a simple solution of corn-starch and water, soaked them a few minutes inside, then stretched them on a cork pot holder covered with a plastic film. Once dried they hold their shape pretty well and can be used as single ornaments or hung together to make a garland.

Stretched and drying after a light starching

 

The pattern (with several variations) is available as a PDF: https://roland-designs.com/free-christmas-patterns

 

Tips for filet crochet: https://roland-designs.com/filet-crochet-instructions

Christmas ornament 2021

 

The free Christmas ornament pattern for 2021 is a sweet little needleroll.

The pattern is available as a free PDF download here: https://www.roland-designs.com/free-christmas-patterns

This is a pretty little stitched ornament that is perfect for using up leftover linen scraps and those variegated thread I know each of us stitchers have tucked away in our stash, waiting for just that one  ‘perfect’ project.

For the roll shown in the photos I used 28 ct linen, and about one skein of DMC coloris 4519. If you are using 28 ct linen I would suggest having a piece that is at least 18 x 12 cm. For stitching up I used a thin crochet thread (100% mercerized cotton), you’ll want to use a good, sturdy thread for the stitching up as there is a little bit of tension on the linen when you fill the roll with polyester stuffing.

Start by stitching the cross-stitch design, then from the sides count 5 stitches (10 threads) and pull out 2x thread. Now count 10 stiches (20 threads) and cut, finish off by unravelling about 4 threads.

Trim your embroidery to about 0.8cm/1cm, fold and start sewing by weaving your needle between 2x threads – see photo.

I started stitching from the middle as this gave me the chance to finish off the ends the way I wanted, but you can stitch it up as you prefer; take extra time on the ends as this is what will give your ornament a nice, strong finishing touch.

Stuff your little roll, and finish it off with a nice ribbon, or yarn. 

 

Stiching is finished, threads are pulled in the center, now unravel 4 threads on each sides

 

Close up of how the sides are stitched together

 

I stitched a little 'extra support' at the end of the roll to make sure the ends are strong and secure

Christmas ornament 2020

It’s soon ‘that time of year’ again, and true to traditions I have a little present for you – A free Christmas ornament design.

Each year is a little different and this time it’s a small portrait of the Madonna and child, re-charted from a hand painted Berlin woolwork original.

In the photo you can see the original chart and my reproduction, stitched on 28ct white linen then finished with an antique hemstitch border.

The pattern is actually all solid stitches, so there is no limit to how creative you can get with the design. It can be worked in cross stitch, tent stitch, petit point, beads, or a mix of different stitches.

I finished it off with a hemstitch, but it could be sewed into a little cushion style ornament, or small framed picture. 

The chart is available as an instant download here:  https://www.roland-designs.com/free-christmas-patterns

Hemstitch tutorial:  https://roland-designs.blogspot.com/2019/06/antique-hemstitch.html

 

Christmas ornament 2020

Work in progress