FREE PATTERN: Knitted Christmas Pudding
This pattern has been kindly provided for free by Michelle Hazell for the Together Trust Chistmas Pudding Campaign. Read more about the charity campaign here.
Essentials
Yarn Used
Stylecraft Special DK
1 ball each in dark brown 1004 (MC), cream 1005 (CC1), Bottle 1009 (CC2) & Lipstick 1246 (CC3)
About the Yarn
DK; 295m per 100g ball; 100% acrylic
Tension
22 sts x 28 rows = 10cm measured over St st
Needles used
4mm straight
Other supplies
chocolate orange, 21cm circumference
tapestry needle
Worked flat in pieces, this simple Christmas Pudding is perfect to cover a chocolate orange for the Together Trust hampers. Rev St st is used for texture on the lower part of the pudding, changing to St st for the topping.
MAIN BODY
With MC, cast on 30 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Purl.
Row 2: Knit.
Row 3: Purl.
Row 4: K3, m1l, [k5, m1l] 5 times, k2. 36 sts
Rows 5-14: Rep rows 1-2 five times.
Break MC leaving a 20cm tail and change to CC1.
Row 15 (RS): Knit.
Row 16: Knit.
Row 17: Knit.
Row 18: Purl.
Row 19: K2, k2tog, [k4, k2tog] 5 times. k2. 30 sts
Row 20: Purl.
Row 21: K1, k2tog, [k3, k2tog] 5 times, k2. 24 sts
Row 22: Purl.
Row 23: [K2tog] to end. 12 sts
Row 24: Purl.
Break yarn leaving a 20cm tail and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
HOLLY LEAVES
Make 3
Note: After casting off at the start of a row, 1 st rem on RH needle. This is not included in the instructions which follow for that row.
With CC2, cast on 3 sts.
Row 1 (WS): K1, p1, k1.
Row 2: P1, k1, p1.
Row 3: K1, m1l, p1, m1r, k1. 5 sts
Row 4: P2, k1, p2.
Row 5: K1, m1l, k1, p1, k1, m1r, k1. 7 sts
Row 6: P3, k1, p3.
Row 7: Cast off 1 st, k1, p1, k3. 6 sts
Row 8: Cast off 1 st, p1, k1, p2. 5 sts
Row 9: K2, p1, k2.
Row 10: P2, k1, p2.
Row 11: K1, m1l, k1, p1, k1, m1r, k1. 7 sts
Row 12: P3, k1, p3.
Row 13: Cast off 2 sts, p1, k3. 5 sts
Row 14: Cast off 2 sts, k1, p1. 3 sts
Row 15: K1, p1, k1
Row 16: Cdd and fasten off.
BERRIES
Make 3
With CC3, cast on 3 sts.
Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Row 2: [Kfb] 3 times. 6 sts
Row 3: Purl.
Row 4: [Kfb] 6 times. 12 sts
Row 5: Purl.
Row 6: [K2tog] 6 times. 6 sts
Row 7: [P2tog] 3 times. 3 sts
Break yarn leaving a 12cm tail and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
Finishing
Use long tails to join back seam of main part, matching colours. Arrange leaves on top of pudding with cast-on edges at centre of top of pudding and first leaf covering back seam. Use tails to sew cast-on edges of leaves in place. Use fasten-off ends to catch down tip of each leaf onto MC section of main pudding so that leaf sits flat. The tip should reach approximately half way down the MC section. Using fasten-off ends, sew a running stitch around edge of each berry, pull tight into a ball shape, stuffing cast-on tail inside to add volume. Stitch berries in a cluster to centre top of pudding. Weave in all ends.
Hints and tips
Make sure you don’t cast on too tightly or the cosy won’t fit over the orange. Casting on with one size larger needle can help.
If you find knitting the holly leaves a bit too fiddly, cut out 3 holly shapes from green felt and sew or glue those on instead.
A word from the designer...
I was delighted to be asked to contribute this design to such an excellent cause. Christmas must be so daunting for young people who are new to living independently, and a hamper of goodies will mean even more with a handmade item inside. They are quick to knit so send as many as you can to the Together Trust, and don’t forget the oranges!