I’m a knitting junkie. It started many years ago with a wonderful idea in the back of my head. Here it is!
I wanted to decorate a small Christmas tree entirely with mini sweaters, each of them unique and knitted by me. Fantastic, right? I couldn’t wait to get right on it….except that I didn’t know how to knit. That was a problem, but found a willing teacher and I was on my way to knitting bliss. She taught me how to knit a dish cloth, but my pile of dish cloths and I moved away soon after that and I still couldn’t shake my vision. It took a while but finally the stars aligned and I learned all the skills I needed to complete my project! Hooray! It’s my favorite, most unique Christmas decoration and the first thing I put up each year because I CAN’T WAIT to see it again.
Here are some of my personal favorites!
I even knitted a yellow star on a blue sweater to top my tiny tree, but unfortunately it looks slightly more like a chicken that’s ready for the oven than a star. Hmm, I may have to re-work that one. Oh well, for now it just makes me laugh every time I walk by and I ALWAYS want more funny in my life.
So, for you knitters (or aspiring knitters) out there, here is my favorite mini sweater pattern. It’s free and I’ve been using it for years. But here’s what I’m always hearing from timid or new-ish knitters: “I just know I couldn’t knit on a set of double-pointed needles. How can you ever tell which needles you are supposed to be using?” Then I tell them the truth: I’m amazingly talented and some people even think I’m magic. Just kidding! Girls, it’s just NOT as complicated as it looks. Yes, you may be looking at four or five needles, but you’re only using two at a time, just like normal knitting. Don’t worry about the other needles, just let them hang out until you get to them. How do you know where to begin after you put down your knitting for a while? Begin on the stitch to the right (if you’re a righty) of where your yarn is coming in, just like normal knitting. You knit from right to left on each row and make your way around the needles going counter clockwise (again, if you’re a righty). No biggie! Like most things (except Calculus, and don’t try to convince me otherwise) it’s not as hard as it looks. So take courage knitters! It may be a little challenging the first few times but after that it’s a piece of cake. Embrace the double-pointed needles. They’re all I knit on these days!
See how the unused needles are just hanging out, happy to be ignored until I turn the corner and get to them?
The hangers! I should probably tell you about them. I make my hangers out of 18 or 16 gauge wire found in the picture hanging area of the hardware store. Use wire that you feel like you can bend with pliers but will keep it’s shape. I just use needle nose pliers and bend them until they look right. I start with about an 10″ piece of wire. I bend what will be the bottom of the hanger as wide as I want it, somewhere in the middle of the 10″ piece. I make a triangle by bending one end around the other several times, leaving plenty of extra for the hook. I do exaggerate the hook at the top. It’s not proportionate to the size of the hanger, but it’s much easier to hang on the limbs of a tree. Just clip off the extra and you’ve got a hanger.
So back to the mini sweaters. You probably won’t bust out a trees worth of sweaters by Christmas, but even one makes a great ornament or Christmas gift for your child’s teacher. A few make a very cute garland to hang at the top of a door opening or hung on small pegs. But be careful because if your kids get hold of them you might find tiny Strawberry Shortcake figurines dressed up in a cozy sweaters. I guess winter happens in Berryland too! This is what I discovered greeting me on the kitchen counter one morning.
HA! He looks as unhappy to be in a sweater as any real dog I know.
So find a quiet winter night, get out your needles and a little left-over ball of your favorite yarn and CREATE!
Happy knitting!
{We’re linking up to these parties!}
MommaKiss says
Those are SO cute. I’m a knitting addict, too – but I cheat and use a loom. Which means only squares or scarves. I started using a round one, too – for baby hats – which I donate to hosiptals. Again, cheating – no way I could bust out those sweaters. I’m impressed!
Nesleirbag says
This is one of the most appealing decorated trees I have ever seen! Each sweater has so much charming detail! You are inspiring, Amy G! I can see why you are excited to pull them out every year.
rebecca keppel says
OMGosh those little sweaters are TOO cute–one would look awesome on a wintery card too!
Millicent says
These are SO CUTE! I have got to learn how to knit, so I can do these!!!
Karen Watson says
These are so cute! Also, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the HowDoesShe site! I’ve also entered the Twinery giveaway. I wrap gifts that I call “Little Happies” – nothing fancy, but wrapped with love and this twine would be perfect!
Karen Watson
sherry says
This is super cute! My daughter wants to learn to crochet. We are going to make homemade cupcake ornaments and would love the twinery to top it all off! Thanks for such a great website!!
Mandi says
I worked in a clothing boutique when I was younger and we sold Brighten. Every year I gave my grandparents a Brighten sweater ornament like this to represent myself. They loved it! This brought back memories!
Dianne says
this is SO darling!! I am planning to learn to knit next year – since it didn’t happen this year – what a fun idea!!
Kathie B says
I’m posting here (related to the Twinery Giveaway) and I wanted to say this is the cutest idea ever!
Angela Moody says
ADORABLE!! Super Unique & Fabulous! I love it!
Sarah Taylor says
The biggest thing about DPNs… letting them dangle. It felt so WRONG and yet it was so RIGHT! ;D
Sue says
Awe, this brings back memories. My mom used to own a knit shop and did exactly this in the shop:)
Jannette says
If I could knit… I would do something as small as that. Adorable. Maybe I’ll go on YouTube to learn.
Amy says
Do it! You tube has great knitting tutorials. Even though I’ve knitted for years, if I need a reminder on a certain stitch or want to learn something new, that’s my “go to”.
Katharine says
What adorable little knits!
Kathryn Moster says
Sooooo Cute! I’m not sure I’d have the patience but I’m going to have to give it a try! My favorite Christmas idea for a gift is a crocheted star or snowflake. They’re so lacy and pretty!
Leisha says
These are ADORABLE!! I love the tree with all of them!
Natasha says
OMG!!! these are just so cute!!!!
Would love it if you could share this on my link party at http://www.serenityyou.blogspot.com
Natasha xxx
Carolyn - homework says
Oh my goodness. These are the cutest EVER! If you have a moment, I would be thrilled if you shared this on my Inspiration Board {link party}. I know my readers would love it.
carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2011/11/inspiration-board-link-party-26.html
carolyn – homework
evanthia says
They look really cute! I hope I’ll be able to make them. Where I come from, we don’t exchange gifts with neighbours but if we would, I’d make them a mug cozy and wrap the handle with twinery string.
Kelly W says
Super cute…wish I could knit!
Alicia says
ADORABLE!! You should try the magic loop method! Much easier than dpn’s and fewer ladders (my nemesis) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdSpc0EZpnk
Amy G. says
You’re right, magic loop is great! Don’t you love smart people? I should use it more often. For this project I kind of like dpn’s because I once I going I don’t have to count stitches to know when to increase; I know it’s at the end of a needle. But, I think I’ll give it a go on my next sweater.
Btrflywmn says
Love this idea, I’m going to do this.
laurie says
LOVE your tree!!! But I am hopelessly un-crafty. I was so hoping you could tell us where to BUY these darling ornaments.
Sarah L says
Oh my gosh, I just love them!Thanks for the inspiration and link to the pattern! Beautiful!!
Jackie E-S says
What an adorable tree. Your little sweaters are so cute! Love it all. So glad that my little pattern was an inspiration to you in learning to knit. Cheers! Jackie E-S / HeartStrings FiberArts
Amy says
Jackie! I feel like I’m in the presence of greatness! I’ve just loved your pattern. I make my own patterns now and once thought I should make my own mini sweater pattern. I immediately thought better of it because yours is perfection. Thank you, thank you!
Sharon Pharms says
Amy G., I saw your sweaters. They are so cute! I make 5″, 3″, and 2″ Bears; so your sweaters have gotten my attention. You can see them on my website; my online store. I do not knit; and really have no interest in doing so. I tried, since I was a young child; however, I just can’t hold an interest in it! My grandma gave up on teaching me; a relief to me! Please contact me; this site has my email. Thanks!
linzy says
i want to learn how to knit just to make these!!! i’m doing an arts & crafts theme for my tree this year!
Missy says
These are so cute! My mom was knitting a mini sweater the other day, but it was no where near as cute as these! Totally showing her. 🙂