on 4sts in tan or skin tone.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Knit, inc 1st at either end of row (6sts).
Row 4: Purl.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 (8sts).
Work 4 rows more in stocking st.
Row 11: Knit, dec 1st at either end of row (6sts).
Row 12: Purl.
Rows 13 & 14: As rows 10 and 11 (4sts).
Row 15: Purl.
Row 16: Knit.
Cast off.
Wings (make 2)
Wings are all garter st (knit every row).
Cast on 6sts in cream.
Rows 1 & 2: Knit.
Row 3: Knit, inc 1st at either end of row (10sts).
Row 4: Cast on 4sts at beginning of row, knit to end (14sts).
Rows 5–7: Work 3 rows in garter st.
Rows 8–11: Rep last 4 rows (18sts).
Row 12: Cast on 4sts at beginning of row, knit to end (22sts).
Row 13: Knit, dec 1st at beg of row.
Row 14: Knit, dec 1st at end of row.
Row 15: Knit, dec 1st at beginning of row (19sts).
Cast off (this is the outside edge of your wing).
Skirt
Cast on 44sts in cream and knit 2 rows.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Purl.
Rows 5–18: Rep rows 3 and 4, ending on a purl row.
Row 19: K4, k2tog, * k3, k2tog, rep from * 6 times more, k3 (36sts).
Row 20: Purl.
Row 21: K3, k2tog, * k2, k2tog, rep from * 6 times more, k3 (28sts).
Row 22: Purl.
Row 23: K2, k2tog, * k l , k2tog, rep from * 6 times more, k3 (20sts).
Row 24: Purl.
Cast off.
Fold in half and sew the side seam of the skirt.
To make up
• For the head, sew the side seams, then stuff from base. Embroider eyes with two small over stitches for each.
• To make hair, thread a darning needle with yellow (or any preferred colour) yarn and stitch around the head with random running stitch but leaving loops instead of pulling the yarn flat.
• For the body, fold in half and catch the legs at each corner of the cast-on edge and sew across with running stitch, securing the legs in position as you sew. Sew the side seam of the body, then stuff the body and sew approximately 5mm (¼in) either side on cast-off edge for shoulders.
• Attach the base of the head to the ‘neck’ space, using over stitch or any neat stitch as preferred.
• Place the skirt over the doll’s body and use over stitch to catch the cast-off edge around the body approximately 1 cm (½in) below the garter st detail of the body.
• Sew in any loose ends.
• To attach the wings, sew the cast-on edge of each wing to the centre back of the angel’s body.
Tips
This pattern can also be adapted to make little dolls for children – just leave out the wings and change the colours of the dress. Small items such as this are great for using up any scraps of wool left from other creative projects.
Floating baubles
Silver and crystal baubles are amazing at reflecting light. Hang a group of them above candles on the kitchen table for a decoration that’s a blaze of light glittering on surfaces.
You will need
Clear fishing line or invisible thread
2 small carpet tacks or short nails
Hammer
Selection of silver or crystal Christmas decorations
To make
• Attach the two tacks to walls either side of your table, then stretch a piece of fishing line or invisible thread between the tacks, so it reaches from one wall to another. Make sure the line is tight and well secured at either end as the weight of the baubles may stretch the line and cause it to sag.
• Hang the decorations above the table by tying a length of fishing line or invisible thread to each bauble and hanging them at different heights from the stretched length of fishing line.
• Place small candles or nightlights below the baubles and light them. Enjoy the view!
Tips
This idea can be adapted to use any groups of coordinated decorations, even paper baubles or small pompoms, but make sure they hang well away from the candles. Ask your children to make some little trinkets to hang over the candles, and hang them alone or among glittering baubles. Children really enjoy seeing their work go centre-stage, especially at Christmas.
Groups of items on wire, line or thread make great decorations all round the house. A natural selection – using items such as fir cones, leaves, dried orange segments, cinnamon sticks and thistles – looks wonderful hanging across a window, especially if you lightly spray the elements with glitter and hang them from the line using festive ribbons.
Festive mantelpiece
There are all sorts of fancy Christmas decorations for sale in the shops, but to our mind, nothing can beat the traditional favourites, especially a holly and ivy garland over a roaring fire.
You will need
Trailing ivy (can be freshly pruned from the garden or bought from a florist)
Sprigs of holly
Fir cones, berries and other woodland items, perhaps gathered on a winter’s walk
Set of fairy lights
Baubles and other favourite decorations
To decorate the mantelpiece
• Clear and dust your shelf or mantelpiece, then drape the ivy in swags, anchoring the pieces with the heavier sprigs of holly and punctuating with fir cones, bright berries and other natural objects.
• Weave a set of fairy lights in among the foliage