Make a statement that will light up the room with this fun Christmas decoration. This modern colorwork Christmas tree is knit flat before stitches are picked up around all sides and worked in the round. To finish it off, stretch the knit fabric over a frame where battery-powered Christmas lights can be inserted from the back to create a project that literally glows!
Skill Level: Easy
Size: 6” tall, 6” wide, 3” deep
Gauge: 20 sts and 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st and colorwork after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Cascade Yarn Cascade 220 (100% Wool; 220 yards [200 meters]/100 grams): 2403 Chocolate (MC, 1 ball), 7812 Lagoon (CC, 1 ball)
Needles: US size 6 (4.0 mm) DPNs.
Notions: 24 Duplo-type blocks (2 circles by 4 circles), string of battery powered mini Christmas lights, tapestry needle. Alternatively, a 6” square shadow box can be substituted for the blocks.
Pattern Notes
When knitting, ignore the symbol for the Christmas lights on the chart, you will insert the Christmas lights after blocking is done.
The front of the piece is worked flat then stitches are picked up around the edge and then continued in the round. It is stretched over the frame, blocked, and then after it’s completely dry, you add the Christmas lights by gently pushing each light through the knitting from the back. The location of the lights in the sample are indicated on the chart but you can also choose your own locations as well.
Pattern
Front
CO 28 sts.
Work chart, ignoring the symbol for the lights (they will be added during finishing).
Sides
Set-up Rnd: Pm, pick up 28 sts along West side, pm, pick up 28 sts along South side, pm, pick up 28 sts along East side, pm. (112 sts)
Rnd 1: *Sl1, k27; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Work these 2 rows a total of 10 times.
Next Rnd: *Yo, k2tog; rep from * to end of rnd.
Next Rnd: Knit.
BO all sts loosely.
Finishing
If you haven’t already done so, assemble the block frame as explained in the pattern notes. Weave in all ends stretch over frame.
Cut a 24” piece of yarn and weave through the holes from the yarn overs by the edge, wet the piece (so you are wet-blocking the knitting on the frame), then pull the yarn tight and tie in a double knot.
After the piece is completely dry, gently push the lights through the knit fabric so they poke through.
Put the battery back in the frame so the switch is accessible.
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