felted Christmas bells

Last week, there were many comments on my WIP Wednesday post asking for the pattern for the little felted bells. I aim to please...

felted Christmas bells

Materials:

Size 4 US double pointed needles

blunt embroidery needle

50 grams fingering weight wool yarn in red (not superwash wool) - 50 grams will make 8-10 bells

3/8 inch steel craft bells

2 strands of DMC floss in matching red

Instructions:

CO 26 sts. onto 3 needles; 9 on needle 1, 9 on needle 2, and 8 on needle 3

Join in the round being careful not to twist.

Knit 3 rows.

On the 4th row, k2tog, k11, k2tog, k11. This should give you 8 st on each needle.

Knit 10 rows.

Begin decrease as follows:

*K2, k2tog; rep from *

*K1, k2tog; rep from *

K2tog until 6 st remain and fasten off.

Place inside mesh laundry bag and wash in hot water in washing machine with a pair of jeans to agitate for approximately a 30 min wash cycle until bell is medium felted. At the end of washing, shape bell and allow to dry for several hours. With blunt embroidery needle, thread a 6 inch piece of yarn through the top of bell and tie inside bell. Using a sewing needle, thread a strand of floss through bell and hang so that steel bell falls just under the bottom of felted bell. Hang on your favorite tree!