Christmas Bauble no. 13

Christmas Bauble no. 13 by Knao Knits

What is Being Made

Christmas Bauble no. 13 is a knitted decorative bauble designed as part of a collection of festive ornaments. Each finished bauble measures between 8.5cm (3.35 inches) and 9cm (3.55 inches) in diameter, making them ideal for hanging on Christmas trees or displaying as seasonal decorations. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a three-dimensional spherical ornament suitable for holiday crafting and gift-giving.

Knitting Techniques Used

The bauble construction employs fundamental knitting techniques including stocking stitch and moss stitch as primary stitch patterns. The design incorporates increasing techniques to shape the spherical form of the ornament. Cable work is also featured in the construction, requiring careful tension management to maintain proper proportions. The bauble is worked in the round using a set of five double-pointed needles, a traditional method for creating seamless circular knitted items.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Stocking Stitch: Requires a tension of 17 stitches and 22 rows per 10cm (4 inch) square
• Moss Stitch: Requires a tension of 16 stitches and 28 rows per 10cm (4 inch) square
• Cable Work: Featured throughout the design, requiring careful tension control during increases
• Increases: Used to shape the bauble from a flat base into a three-dimensional sphere

Materials and Tools

This project uses chunky weight yarn worked on a single set of five double-pointed knitting needles. The suggested needle size may be adjusted based on individual knitter tension—going up a needle size for loose knitters or down a size for tight knitters. Tension is critical to achieving the correct finished dimensions. Knitters are advised not to pull stitches too tightly, particularly during increases and cable sections, as this will result in a bauble that is smaller than intended. Alternatively, crafters can customize the bauble size by substituting different yarn weights and corresponding needle sizes.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with more complex stitch patterns and shaping techniques. The combination of stocking stitch, moss stitch, and cable work, along with the three-dimensional construction method, requires moderate knitting experience and attention to tension consistency.