PLEASE NOTE: This pattern will ONLY remain FREE until 6th January 2015, after which it will become two paid patterns
These will be published soon and added to our digital patterns pages.
Ability Level: Intermediate to experienced
This year we have decided to have a special Advent calendar suitable for BOTH knitting AND crochet.
The calendar will consist of 24 squares, which can be worked on various size needles/hooks and with different thickness of yarn to suit you. This is designed to use up scraps of yarn, so no yardages are given, as only a few yards/metres will be required for each square.
There are various ways to use the designs, for example they can be stitched together to form a miniature afghan/throw, made into tree decorations (either one sided with a plain back, or made into cubes), a human sized cushion, etc.
Knitting/crochet instructions for one square will be posted each day of Advent, with the final square and finishing instructions for an afghan/throw edging being given on 24th December. The designs of the squares are kept simple, so no matter how rushed you are preparing for Christmas this year, you can find ½ an hour a day to sit and relax with some miniature knitting/crochet. This also gives you the option, should you wish, to make a larger item to duplicate a pattern for a square you like in another colour or work plain colour square.
NOTE: The crochet designs are only available as charts as shown on the knitting pattern. Written instructions are given in addition to the chart for knitted version.
Materials required
KNITTING:
1:24th scale – size 22 UK/0.70 mm/US size 6/0 knitting needles and No 80 crochet cotton or No 70 Tatting thread in various colours.
1:12th scale – Size 19 UK/1.00 mm/US size 5/0 knitting needles and 1-ply yarn in various colours. 25 metres/28 yards 1-ply yarn for edging.
2 mm/UK 14/US 0 knitting needles and 2-ply/Lace yarn in various colours
3 mm/UK 11/US 2½ knitting needles and 4-ply/Fingering yarn in various colours
4 mm/UK 8/US 6 knitting needles and DK/8-ply yarn in various colours
CROCHET:
1:24th scale – 0.40 mm hook, plus No 100 crochet cotton and/or coloured cotton sewing threads
1:12th scale – 0.60 mm hook and No 80 crochet cotton or No 70 Tatting thread in various colours.
2 mm crochet hook and 2-ply/Lace yarn in various colours
Larger sizes – choose your preferred hook to suit yarn you select.
Approximate finished sizes of knitted/crochet squares
KNITTING:
1:24th scale – Each finished square measures approximately ½-inch/1.25 cm.
1:12th scale – Each finished square measures approximately 1-inch/2.5 cm.
Using 2 mm knitting needles or 2 mm crochet hook – Each finished square measures approximately 2-inches/5 cm.
Using 3 mm knitting needles – Each finished square measures approximately 3-inches/7.5 cm.
Using 4 mm knitting needles – Each finished square measures approximately 4-inches/10 cm.
CROCHET:
1:24th scale – Each finished square measures approximately ½-inch/1.25 cm to ¾-inch/2 cm. (NOTE: crochet squares will work out slightly larger than knitted squares)
1:12th scale – Each finished square measures approximately 1-inch/2.5 cm.
Using 2 mm crochet hook and 2-ply wool – Each finished square measures approximately 2-inches/5 cm.
Using 3 mm crochet hook – Not tested
Using 4 mm crochet hook – Not tested
We hope that you enjoy this little project and would love to see any photos you take of the finished Advent Calendar.