Nordic Holiday Centerpiece

Materials:

• RED HEART® With Love®: 1 skein (370 yd; 338m) 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.

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
* = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated.

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.

INSTRUCTIONS

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.