Did you intend to make some Christmas decorations last year but not get around to it? Break down the task this year by joining my monthly craft-along event for knitters and crocheters. It is completely free to join; takes maybe 30-60 minutes of your time each month; has knit and crochet options for each part and by the end of the year you'll have a fantastic handmade garland to hang around your fireplace, staircase or other spot in your home or a lovely collection of individual ornaments and hopefully also have made some new yarny friends!
I created this design and pattern last summer for Knit Now Magazine's festive supplement. Magazines tend to buy a period of exclusive publishing rights rather than purchasing the pattern outright and so now that's over I can share the pattern with you and also make a crochet version (well two actually: UK and US terms). I thought about putting it into my online shops and just selling it as normal but I really want to make one of these for me and I definitely want to do more social crafting this year (it's in my New Yarn's Resolutions) so I thought it could be fun to give a free mini pattern every month in my newsletter and invite my friends who subscribe to make it along with me as a monthly knit and crochet free make-along. I find crafting is much more fun and much more likely to get done when you do it with friends. Of course I want both knitters and crocheters to be able to join us, so nobody is left out, so I've started making crochet samples (see photo above). What do you think? Would you like to join in?
What happens in the Knit and Crochet Make-along?
Everyone signed up to my mailing list and each month will get the new pattern for that month and a reminder to get crafting. I'll also create a Google calendar for all the events so you can sign up for reminders and won't miss anything, plus a printable schedule for those who prefer that. Here are some of the highlights:
Make-along Lives: There'll be 2 monthly craft events you can join if you want to craft in company with me and others making the same items for motivation or fun or if you want to ask me questions or see a technique close-up.
Members' Social Area: we have a social area right here on the website that you can use to discuss your progress and results (or even have a bit of off-topic chat) with other participants along the way. If you'd like to do that, visit the Member's Social Area and then introduce yourself in the Charmed Garland topic (it should prompt you to log in or sign up so we know who is posting).
Social Media: You can also share your makes on social media, like Instagram, Ravelry or Facebook with the hashtag #charmedgarland so we can all see what you're making. I'd love it if you'd tag @madewithloveandfibres too (or add the pattern name to your project page if it's Ravelry) so I get notified. I'm just so excited to see everyone's results! I'll create some graphics to share that we're participating for anyone who wants them.
Share the fun with crafty friends: If any of your friends want to join in, feel free to give them the link to sign up too: the more the merrier!
Newsletter Updates: I'll also share some of the participant photos in the next month's newsletter or update.
Download the graphics: I have created some graphics you can use digitally or as printables as we progress through the MAL. You can download them from this Google Drive folder. There's a passport with a list of all the MAL activities, so you can check them off and make sure you don't miss anything. There are some I'm participating graphics you can share on your social media with separate pictures for those crocheting and those knitting on DPN's or long circular needles. There's also a badge. You could use that as a sticker on your MAL photos or as a cover for the main project on Ravelry while you create the individual items.
Check the calendar: There is a calendar of events with their expected dates in the same Google Drive folder and I'll also be creating an online one you can add to your own digital calendar too. Some of the dates might change as we get nearer the time but I'll update them in both places and also send out updates in the newsletter, Made with Love and Fibres social media and the Members' Social Area here on the website whenever this happens, so you'll get the new dates in good time.
Rewards: If you complete your garland or ornament set, send me a photo and I'll send you a copy of the e-book version of the pattern (a single pdf with all the patterns for the knit or crochet garland you made). If you completed all the knitted and crocheted ornaments, you'll get both. This should make it easier if you want to make another version in future. If you love sharing what you're making as you go along, you could also claim the social sharer reward. It really helps designers when people share what they are making from our patterns where other makers can see, so after the last pattern is sent out in December, se send me links to any five public, permanent posts you made that link to the MAL or designer, and I'll send you any pattern from my online store as a thank you gift. Good examples could be:
a Ravelry project or forum post that links to the pattern page
an Instagram post or reel (not stories unless you add them to highlights as they disappear otherwise) with @madewithloveandfibres or #charmedgarland in the caption
a Facebook post with a link to this post
a post on Threads or X that links to this post
a blog post that links to this post
a Youtube video of this that links to this post
a Pinterest pin for this post
What else should we do? If there are other activities you enjoy during MAL events, let me know in the comments section below and maybe we can try those too.
How can I join in?
Sign up to my mailing list here to get your copy of this month's pattern in my February newsletter. The February newsletter is due to be sent out on 5th of February but if you sign up after that and before the end of February, you'll get a link in your confirmation email to view the newsletter itself.
Then, if you'd like to join the chat, visit the Member's Social Area and then introduce yourself in the Charmed Garland topic (you'll be prompted to log in or sign up so we know who is posting). You can share your results there or use the hashtag on Ravelry, Instagram or Facebook.
What materials do I need to participate?
You'll need the following to make the entire garland with one of each ornament, 2 candy canes and the garland cords:
Double knitting weight yarn (I'm using Paintbox DK cotton by Love Crafts) but you could use wool or acrylic for example. f you use thicker yarn you may need more. Knitters may need less than crocheters for the ornaments but the reverse is true for the garland cords:
125m/140yds in white
60m/70yds in gold
125m/140yds in brown
125m/140yds in red
125m/140yds in green
3.5mm or 4mm crochet hook, double pointed needles (DPNs) or your preferred needles for working in the round. I found 3 DPNs best for knitting these small items: one each for front stitches and back stitches and one to work with
1 red 10mm / 3/8" button
2 black 8mm / 1/4" buttons
1 brown 15mm / 5/8" button
1 white and 1 beige 20 cm/8" pipe cleaner
A sewing needle and thread for buttons
Optional: an i-cord making tool such as a hand cranked machine or a french knitting spool may be used instead of needles for the garland and could be a great way to involve other family members who don’t knit.
I used a crochet cast on so I used a matching size crochet hook too.
Note: 2 stitch markers to mark mid-point and start/end of rounds are mentioned in the knitting patterns but in practice, I’d expect these only to be needed by those using a circular needle technique. DPN users can split the stitches evenly on the needles so can see where these points are and the crochet pattern doesn't feature them.
Which patterns will I get?
You'll get the following patterns for knitters and for crocheters in UK and US terms:
Bell and bow (February)
Height: 8.5 cm / 3 1/4"
Width: 7 cm / 2 3/4"
Rudolph  (March)
Height: 8 cm / 3 1/4"
Width: 8 cm / 3 1/4"
Gingerbread house  (April)
Height: 8.5 cm / 3 1/4"
Width: 6 cm / 2 1/4"
Christmas tree  (May)
Height: 8.5 cm / 3 1/4"
Width: 7 cm / 2 3/4"
Teardrop bauble  (June)
Height: 9 cm / 3 1/2"
Width: 5 cm / 2"
Gingerbread man  (July)
Height: 12 cm / 4 3/4"
Torso width: 6 cm / 2 1/4"
Gingerbread woman  (August)
Height: 12 cm / 4 3/4"
Torso width: 6 cm / 2 1/4"
Gingerbread girl  (September)
Height: 9 cm / 3 1/2"
Torso width: 4 cm / 1 1/2"
Gingerbread boy  (October)
Height: 9 cm / 3 1/2"
Torso width: 4 cm / 1 1/2"
Garland mounting cords and assembly  (November) so you're ready to hang it up whenever you decorate.
Length: 1.5 m /59"
Width: 1 cm / 1/2"
Candy canes  (December) you can just hang these on when they're done if you've already put your garland up
Height: 8 cm / 3 1/4"
Width: 3 cm / 1 1/4"
Can I still get these patterns without signing up?
Can I get these patterns without waiting for the newsletter?
Yes, the individual knitting and crochet patterns for the pieces will be available to buy on Ravelry on the same day as the newsletter. I'll set the price to £2.50 GBP (but you'll see it in your own currency along with any sales taxes that apply in your country on digital pattern file purchases) and there will also be entire collections of the patterns (one knit and one crochet) available on both Etsy and Ravelry from around May at a lower cost than buying each of the patterns individually, £10 GBP (plus applicable taxes) for anyone who wants to complete well in advance of the festive busy season! If you buy a couple of individual patterns on Ravelry and then decide you want to buy the collection when it's launched, you'll only have to pay a top up to cover the rest of the price, so you won't be paying twice for the same pattern.