RED HEART® With Love®: 1 skein 1621 Evergreen OR 1909 Holly Berry A, and 1 skein 1101 Eggshell B.
Susan Bates® Knitting Needles: 5mm [US 8] set of 4 double pointed knitting needles.
One 4” (10 cm) Styrofoam® ball covered with plastic wrap, stitch marker, yarn needle
GAUGE: 17 sts = 4” (10 cm); 21 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Stockinette st worked in rnds (knit every round) in color pattern. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.
Holiday ball measures 4” (10 cm) diameter
Special Stitch
M1 = Make 1 (Increase) – Lift strand between needles to left-hand needle and knit strand through the back loop, twisting it to prevent a hole.
Notes
1. Holiday ball cover is worked in rounds on double pointed needles. The pattern is repeated 3 times in each round (once on each needle).
2. Styrofoam® ball is easier to insert into cover if first covered with plastic wrap
NORDIC HOLIDAY BALL COVER With A, leaving a long beginning tail, cast on 12 sts. Divide sts evenly onto 3 double pointed needles (4 sts on each needle). Place marker for beginning of round. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
Increase Section
Round 1: Knit.
Round 2: [K1, M1, k2, M1, k1] 3 times—18 sts.
Round 3: [K2, M1, K2, M1, k2] 3 times—24 sts.
Round 4: [K3, M1, k2, M1, k3] 3 times— 30 sts.
Round 5: Knit.
Round 6: [K1, M1, k8, M1, k1] 3 times—36 sts.
Round 7: [K2, M1, k8, M1, k2] 3 times—42 sts.
Round 8: [K3, M1, k8, M1, k3] 3 times—48 sts.
Round 9: Knit.
Round 10: [K1, M1, k14, M1, k1] 3 times— 54 sts.
Round 11: Knit.
Charted Color Pattern
Note: Color pattern can be worked by following written instructions or reading chart. Read all rows of chart from right to left.
Round 1: *With B, k1; [with A, k1; with B, k2] twice; with A, k1; with B, k1; repeat from * around.
Round 2: *With A, k1; with B, k1; with A, k1; with B, k3; with A, k1; with B, k1; with A, k1; repeat from * around.
Round 3: With A, knit.
Round 4: *With B, k1; with A, k2; repeat from * around.
Round 5: *With A, k1; with B, k1; [with A, k2; with B, k1] twice, with A, k1; repeat from * around.
Round 6: *With A, k2; with B, k1; repeat from * around.
Round 7: Repeat Round 4.
Round 8: With A, knit.
Round 9: Repeat Round 2.
Round 10: Repeat Round 1. Cut B.
Round 11: With A, knit.
Decrease Section
Continue with A only.
Round 1: [K1, k2tog, k12, k2tog, k1] 3 times—48 sts.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: [K1, k2tog, k10, k2tog, k1] 3 times—42 sts.
Round 4: Knit.
Round 5: [K1, k2tog, k8, k2tog, k1] 3 times—36 sts.
Round 6: Knit.
Round 7: [K1, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k1] 3 times—30 sts.
Round 8: Knit.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. With yarn needle thread tail through remaining 30 stitches removing the stitches from knitting needle. Slip cover over Styrofoam® ball and pull on tail to tighten cover and close top opening. With yarn needle, thread beginning tail through base of cast-on stitches and pull on tail to tighten cover and close opening.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends.
ABBREVIATIONS
A, and B = Color A and Color B;
k = knit;
k2tog = knit next 2 sts together;
st(s) =sttich(es);
[ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times specified;
* = repeatwhatever follows the * as indicated.