Colourful Christmas Baubles

These quick knits by Anniken Allis would make beautiful gifts

Knit some fun baubles for your Christmas tree this year with these three beautiful designs by Anniken Allis. A set wrapped up in tissue paper and presented to a friend would also make a stunning gift. Use colours to match your other decorations and add some beads like we have for that extra little bit of sparkle. Anniken was inspired by the baubles made by Norwegian designers Arne and Carlos, turn to page 43 to see their latest Christmas book.

Stripe patt for Comfort

? Rnds 1-4: yarn A
? Rnds 5-6: yarn B
? Rnds 7-8: yarn A
? Rnds 9-10: yarn B
? Rnds 11-12: yarn A
? Rnds 13-16: yarn B
? Rnds 17-19: yarn A
? Rnds 20-25: rep Rows 5-10
? Rnds 26-28: yarn A
? Rnds 29-31: yarn B
? Rnds 32-34: yarn A
? Rnds 35-36: yarn B
? Rnds 37-38: yarn A
? Rnds 39-42: yarn B
? Rnd 43: yarn A

BASIC PATTERN

NOTE: Follow Basic patt below for all baubles. Incorporate Stripe patt above if working Comfort

When instructed incorporate Fair Isle chart if working Joy and Bead chart if working Tidings Using 3mm needles and appropriate yarn (A for Comfort, C for Joy, D for Tidings) cast on 12 sts, divide sts onto four dpns (three sts on each needle), join to work in the rnd, use fifth needle to k with
? Rnds 1-2: k
? Rnd 3: (k1, m1, k2) to end. 16 sts
? Rnd 4 and all evennumbered rnds: k
? Rnd 5: (k1, m1, k2, m1, k1) to end. 24 sts
? Rnd 7: (k1, m1, k4, m1, k1) to end. 32 sts
? Rnd 9: (k1, m1, k6, m1, k1) to end. 40 sts
? Rnd 11: (k1, m1, k8, m1, k1) to end. 48 sts
? Rnd 13: (k1, m1, k10, m1, k1) to end. 56 sts
? Rnd 15: (k1, m1, k12, m1, k1) to end. 64 sts
? Rnd 17: (k1, m1, k14, m1, k1) to end. 72 sts
? Rnd 18: k

NOTE: if working Joy or Tidings design start appropriate Chart now, rep 18 sts of Chart four times across rnd, AT THE SAME TIME cont with Basic patt as folls:
? Rnds 19-28: k

NOTE: if working Joy design weave in loose ends from Fair Isle patt now
? Rnd 29: (k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1) to end. 64 sts
? Rnd 31: (k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1) to end. 56 sts
? Rnd 33: (k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1) to end. 48 sts
? Rnd 35: (k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1) to end. 40 sts
? Rnd 37: (k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1) to end. 32 sts
? Rnd 39: (k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1) to end. 24 sts
? Rnd 41: (k1, ssk, k2tog, k1) to end. 16 sts
? Rnd 43: (k1, k2tog, k1) to end. 12 sts
Break yarn, leaving a long tail and pull through all sts on needles, remove needles, do not pull tight

To make up

Use loose end from cast on to tighten cast on rnd. Stuff bauble. Pull yarn tight to close sts on last rnd. Fasten yarn but do not cut. Tie a slip knot in yarn and using 3mm crochet hook ch for 5cm. Fasten chain into a loop

Adding the beads
For our Tidings bauble the beads are added whilst knitting rather than threaded on the yarn before beginning. Here’s how:
• Place a bead onto your 0.75mm crochet hook
• Lift the stitch off the knitting needle with the crochet hook, push the bead from the hook on to the stitch
• Place the stitch back on the left needle and knit as normal

Bauble: approx 10cm tall, approx 26cm
circumference