Basic Christmas ball ornament knitting pattern

Skill level: Intermediate (read more about skill levels of knitting patterns here)

Time: varies, but about 2 to 6 hours depending on your knitting speed

Holidays are coming and I LOVE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. There’s something special in knitted Christmas ornaments. This free basic Christmas ball ornament pattern is perfect now, when holidays are coming again, and we desperately need great knitted Christmas gift ideas.


 Let’s work on our Christmas baubles now.

Stranded colorwork knitting

Last time I posted a list of colorful stranded knitting links for perfect outcome. Today I’ll give you a basic knitting pattern for Christmas balls.

There's something special in knitted Christmas ornaments. This free basic Christmas ball ornament pattern is perfect now, when holidays are coming again, and we desperately need great knitted Christmas gift ideas. #knit #pattern #free #Christmas

knit christmas gnome bauble ornament

Knitted Christmas ornament tutorial

You will need:

  • 25 g (or less) sock yarn;
  • double pointed needles in size 3 mm / US 3;
  • styrofoam balls with the diameter of 10 cm or filling of your choice;

STEP 1:

Cast on 8 stitches and divide between 4 needles. Knit 1 round.


STEP 2:

Knitting Christmas balls

*Inc1* x 8 times by knitting 2 stitches into one stitch (16 stitches total).

Knit 1 round.


STEP 3:

*Knit 1, inc1L, knit to last stitch, inc1R, knit 1* repeat rest of 3 needles;
Knit 1 round.


STEP 4:

knitting Christmas baubles

Repeat STEP 3 until you have 16 stitches on one needle ending with increase round. If you use a styrofoam ball for filling, test it – does it fit if you stretch it?

Christmas bauble knitting pattern

STEP 5:

Christmas knitting - decorations

Knit 12 rounds. If you use a styrofoam ball then on 6th round try it – it should cover half of the ball (with stretching). If you have less or more then you need to adjust your knit rounds accordingly.


STEP 6:

Knitted Christmas ornaments

When using a styrofoam ball, now is the time to leave it inside of your work. If you use soft filling, no need to worry about it yet.

*Knit 1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, knit 1* repeat rest of 3 needles;

Knit 1 round.


STEP 7:

Knitting pattern for Christmas balls

Repeat STEP 6 until you have 4 stitches on one needle. Using soft filling – stuff your Christmas ball.

*k2tog* x 8 times


STEP 8:

Cut yarn leaving enough for sewing. Take a sewing needle and bring yarn through all stitches. Tighten up and wave in.

Make your Christmas ball wet (I used spray bottle) and let it try.

Christmas ball ornament knitting pattern
Free knitting pattern for quick and easy Christmas ornaments. Knitted in rounds with round by round instructions. #christmasknits #knittedgifts #freepattern
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This Post Has 25 Comments

  1. Toni

    There are so many possibilities with this basic ornament cover. Thank you for the pattern! πŸ˜€

    1. PatternDuchess

      You’re welcome πŸ™‚

  2. Melanie

    Hey there,
    do you happen to remember the diameter of the ball? Can’t wait to try this out!

    1. PatternDuchess

      Sorry no, but I can give you circumference – 23,5 cm / 9,25 inches (and I used DROPS Baby Merino yarn)

      1. Melanie

        Perfect, that helps, thanks a lot πŸ™‚ (It’s roughly 7,5cm by the way, I had the internet do the math.)

        1. PatternDuchess

          Ha, clever thinking πŸ˜€

          1. Jeanette

            Wasn’t Melanie clever at thinking and even better for sharing.
            As you are too PatternDuchess.
            I personally Thank You for all that you share and for taking the time out to reply. You are a Gem.

        2. Jeanette

          Ha ha ha ha. You are not on ur own Melanie. The Internet is so useful these day’s. Thanks for sharing.

  3. June Martin

    Could you tell me the size needles you used??

    1. PatternDuchess

      I think it was 3,5 mm / US 4 – if you knit a bit looser then try 3mm / US 3 πŸ™‚

      1. Rita

        Love it .Gonna start on next years decorations.Tha ks

    1. PatternDuchess

      Thank you for following along πŸ™‚

    1. PatternDuchess

      Beautiful Christmas baubles πŸ™‚

  4. Alice

    Is it possible to use circular needles?

    1. PatternDuchess

      Yes, absolutely. Just use markers where I had separate needles and you should be good πŸ™‚

  5. Audrey

    I can’t wait to try them!!!!

  6. Milly Mason

    Thank you do much for your post. I had been wondering if it was possible to knit around a Styrofoam ball. Next year’s tree is going to look very different!

  7. Ira

    What kind of circular needles would work and what size.? I would so appreciate a chart like the heart pattern shown. Would it be possible to receive a chart or is there one on your site?
    Thank you😊

    1. PatternDuchess

      Hmm, I haven’t tried to knit it with circulars, so I don’t really know. I use double point needles for this as it is more convenient for me.

      I had the heart pattern (and other patterns) for sale for a while, but I’m currently improving them – so the pattern set is unavailable at the moment. I hope to get to it soon.

  8. Christen

    Are you using 5 needles then? One to knit with once the 8 stitches are on? I’m confused now this works. Any advice would be awesome thanks

    1. PatternDuchess

      Yes, 5 needles. 4 needles are holding the stitches and 1 is the working needle for knitting.

  9. reneeazema9585

    Hello Thank you very much for the pattern, I dont really understand Step 3. How do I increase ? How many stitches must I have on each knitting needle at the end of this step ? Thanks a lot

    1. PatternDuchess

      Oh, I didn’t write that out… I’m sorry! I increase like this: pick up the bar between the stitch you knit and the one you’re about to knit, put it on your left-hand needle making a twist, then knit it through.

      You will have a total of 8 increases on that round.

      I hope this helps.

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