Hand Knit Lace Mesh Ornaments

Supplies: Unbreakable round ball ornaments, (plastic, satin, or styrofoam)

Metallic Knit-Cro-Sheen or Omega Nylon thread (or crochet cotton or nylon of your choice)

Pair size 8, 9 or 10 needles

Gauge is not important, these will be stretching to fit ornament ball

Cast on 24 stitches

Knit 30 rows for “bumpier” garter stitch mesh

OR

*Knit 1 row, Purl 1 row* 15 times for 30 rows of smoother stockinette stitch mesh

Cut yarn, leaving a good length tail to sew, draw through stitches on needle, then sew up side seam.  Insert ornament ball into mesh pouch, leaving a “puff” of fabric at top, and sew around base of top hanger part, gathering up the top and snugging it to close.  Secure end in, and then either flare or pouf the top fabric, or roll it down over the sewed top gather, whichever you prefer.  

Barbie Knit Hits Machine Knit Ornaments

As I was handknitting the ornaments above with metallic nylon thread stuff to make mesh ornament covers to go over the unbreakable ball ornaments, I realized this could be a perfect thing to use my Barbie Knit Hits machine for.  So I dug it out of storage and gave it a try, and it worked beautifully!  You could also use a manual circular knitting loom of about the same size, about 3-4" across.

I simply knit up a tube, cinched one end closed, inserted the ornament, and gathered the top edge, leaving a "pouf" of fabric around the top, covering the hanger part.  After trying it both directions, I turned it inside out since I liked the "bumpy" purl side showing more than the smooth "v" side for ornaments.  Just a thought for those of you with these machines for simple gifts to make with them.

© 2001 by Dawn Adcock. You may copy and share this pattern for personal, non-commercial use, as long as this copyright notice remains intact. Please do not post to the internet, include on a website, or republish without prior permission.  E-mail: dawn@3gcs.com