Knit Gumdrops

I always look for ways to bring in as many different types of crafting as possible when I make my trees. For one thing, the contrast looks better, for another, it keeps me far more interested than churning out one clay (or paper, or fabric, whatever) ornament after another. I’m what I would describe as an “intermediate” knitter, and I’ve never done anything that required this kind of shaping, so this was a nice challenge for me.

I used Bamboo Ewe yarn from the Stitch Nation line made by red heart yarns. It’s a great yarn to work with, ESPECIALLY for the price. I stitched it up on size 8 double pointed needles.

To begin:
Cast on 6 stitches. Join for working in the round in your favorite manner. I just started stitching onto the next row.

Round 1: knit into the front of the stitch, then knit into the back of the stitch. (kfb) [12 sts]
Round 2: *kfb, k1* repeat to the end of the round. [18 sts]
Round 3: *kfb, k2* repeat to the end of the round. [24 sts]
Round 4: *kfb, k3* repeat to the end of the round. [30 sts]
Round 5: knit. [30 sts]

Turn the work over to change the direction. To prevent a hole, draw the thread to the knit side of the piece, and slide one stitch from the end of the round over on to the needle starting the beginning of the round.

Round 6: knit.
Rounds 17 – 20: purl.

Round 21: *purl 4, then purl 2 stitches together.* Repeat to the end of the round. [25 sts]
Round 22: *P4, p2tog* repeat until one stitch remains, P1. [21 sts]
Round 23: *P2, p2tog* repeat until one stitch remains, P1. [16 sts]
Round 24: *P2, p2tog* repeat to the end of the round. [12 sts]
Stuff the gumdrop with filling.

Round 25: *P1, p2tog* repeat to the end of the round. [8 sts]
Round 26: *p2tog* repeat to the end of the round. [4 sts]
Cut the yarn leaving about an 8 inch tail.
Cast off by purling, then pulling the remainder of the yarn all the way through. Pull the tail tight to close the top of the gumdrop.

Use that leftover string to make a hanger. Make a loop out of the yarn, and then use the loop to tie a knot around itself right at the base of the ornament. Cut the leftover yarn so that there’s only a few inches left, then poke it to the inside of the ornament.

Aside from the price, the main reason I chose the Bamboo Ewe yarn to work with is because it came is such delightfully gumdroppy colors. This color palette dictated the whole rest of the tree and I think it set just the right sweet tone.