Christmas Lights: Free Knit Pattern

The String of Christmas Lights pattern entered into virtual space for Red Mitten Designs in the late fall of 2016.  That era of being a parent to little ones feels like it was both a billion years again and just three seconds ago all at the same time.

  

It was wonderful and scary, exciting and overwhelming, play-date filled and lonely.  Those years were not made easier as I simultaneously endured an undiagnosed chronic illness that ended up taking its toll on my life plans.

It's now November of 2024 and during the intervening years many things changed.  After years of medical appointments I finally received an official diagnosis and have seen an improvement in my overall health.  The World experienced both a pandemic and an economic downturn.  During it all I meet other parents and friends, watched TikToks and Reels and googled so-many-things(!), and learned that I wasn't alone with my diagnosis nor with the learning curve that comes with raising tiny, now partially grown, humans.

I watched this blog grow and shrink as I found it hard to find time or energy to craft, write, photograph and edit consistently.  I would like to say that I plan to be consistent with publishing patterns and posts and that I'll stay active on social media going forward; but, if the last eight years have taught me anything, it is that no one ever knows what life has in store.

After looking back through old posts and reminiscing I have decided to give a few of the patterns a dusting off, including this old gem.  Due to its apparent relative and enduring popularity throughout the years, it is going to remain here with only this introduction update, some light editing for the yarn I now use, a few pictures I have taken of newer creations and an added option to purchase a paid copy of the Christmas "Lights" pattern from my Etsy shop HERE

The Christmas "Lights" pattern is in a bundle on Etsy with my other classic, well loved knit pattern Winter Snowballs which is available HERE

All of the old photo's from this pattern have been preserve for you, my dear readers, in this compact collage.  That way, when nostalgia strikes, we can look back and remember the old days of this blog when the photo's were blurrier and the writer less knowledgeable but the patterns were still, hopefully, inspirational.

These sweet little Christmas Light bulbs combined with the yarn "wires" look like classic Christmas light strands from a bi-gone era.  They are cute as-a-button individually and absolutely stunning in a complete string.  And best of all, they don't require any electricity to make a pretty, festive Christmas decoration.

With the price of hydro continuously on the rise in most places, but definitely anecdotally for my part here in southern Ontario, Canada, it seems like a wonderful idea to have a pretty strand of eco-friendly Christmas "lights" that look unique and don't require an electrical outlet!

This pattern does contain an optional section of crochet that can be omitted entirely if crochet is just not your thing.  The crochet section is for the secondary strand of "wire" if you are completing an entire string of lights.

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difficulty

easy with patience

yarn (affiliate links)

bulb shown in: stylecraft special dk lipstick & kelly green, kiddies fairydust titania, approx 15 yards

plug shown in: cygnet dk grey mix, approx. 5yards

needles & notions
2.75 mm double pointed needles
2.75 mm crochet hook, optional (for secondary "wire")

polyester fiberfil (stuffing)
tapestry/yarn sewing needle

size

approximately 2.25 x 1.5 inches

special note

this pattern can also be completed in worsted weight yarn. I recommend switching to 3.5 mm double points and 3.5 mm crochet hook

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pattern, christmas bulb(s)

with desired bulb coloured yarn, cast on 3 sts.  join to work in the round (it will be fiddly at this point!)

Rnd 1: KFB in all stitches around (6sts)

Rnds 2 & 3: Knit in all stitches around (6sts)

Rnd 4: M1R. K1 repeat around (12sts)

Rnds 5&6: Knit in all stitches around (12sts)

Rnd 7: M1R. K2 repeat around (18sts)

Rnds 8 - 10: Knit in all stitches around (18sts)

Rnd 11: M1R. K3 repeat around (24sts)

Rnds 12-19: Knit in all stitches around (24sts)

at this point, ensure start tail is secured and trimmed inside lightbulb

Rnd 20: K2tog. K2 repeat around (18sts)

Rnd 21: K2tog. K1 repeat around (12sts)

Rnd 22: Purl in all stitches around (12sts)

Cut working yarn, secure and hide.  join grey yarn. hide and secure start tail

Rnds 24-26: Knit in all stitches around (12sts)

Rnd 27: Purl in all stitches around (12sts)

at this point, stuff the light to desired firmness

Rnd 28: K2tog around (6sts)  

cut grey yarn leaving a tail (see note below).  draw tail through remaining sts with tapestry needle and secure end

NOTE: do NOT remove this tail if you are making a complete strand of lights as you will need it to secure the bulbs to the cords

if you are only making one bulb for decor or as a present topper, the pattern ends here. simply hide the end tail, add a bit of yarn loop if you want for displaying and enjoy your completed project

if you are making the strand of lights, make as many bulbs as desired to create your version of a full strand of lights

main strand of "wire"

with grey yarn cast on 3 sts and work an icord until it is the length you would like your Christmas Light String to be.  

cast off. secure and hide start and finish ends

secondary strand of "wire"

using the crochet hook and grey yarn, create a chain that is the same length as the icord created for the main strand of wire

bind off.  secure and hide start and finish ends

finishing

twist main strand of wire and secondary strand of wire together to look like lightly tangled, old-fashioned Christmas light cords.

Using ending tails on Christmas Bulbs, sew the bulbs to the main strand of wire at desired intervals

secure and hide any remaining ends

Finished your Christmas Light bulb or String of Christmas Lights?  Share it online and tag @redmittendesigns on Instagram or Facebook!  Want to try crocheting the Christmas Chicken in the picture?  Find the pattern HERE

Want to follow Red Mitten Designs on social media?  Click on a link below to find me on your favourite social channel!

If you use this pattern for sale items please provide a link back and give credit to the designer: Red Mitten Designs.  DO NOT claim this pattern as your own and please do not give printed versions of the pattern without permission from the designer. Please consider purchasing copies for friends or family if you liked this pattern and want to give it to others  

All photos copyright Jocelyn Windover and Red Mitten Designs (do not use without permission).  

Once again, thank you for choosing a Red Mitten Designs pattern!

Granny's Choice Dishcloth: Free Knit Pattern

The longer I live, the more I am genuinely coming to the realization that the simple things in life truly are the best things in life.  There was a time, not all that long ago, where I would hesitate to post one of my patterns or methods of creating / doing something for fear that it was TOO simple and I would question the need to share.  I have a plan-jane red mitten pattern I have been holding onto since beginning this blog for that very reason!

But I created this blog in order to express my own personal creativity.  Perhaps it IS a little on the simplistic side (or perhaps, dear reader, you disagree - that would be very kind of you!) I love most of my creations and my family usually finds them useful.

  

So this year I am going to try and post the patterns and ideas that I love, even if they are super simple and reminiscent of yesteryears.  Hopefully some of you find my patterns or methods useful and straightforward. 

That brings me to todays pattern.  Most knitters have likely seen some version of this pattern or another at some point.  It seems to be one of those ideas that have existed for a long time in the knitting world.  The Granny's Choice dishcloth.  I remember my grandmother, my mother and many of my aunts using them in their kitchens when I was a child.  There was even a pretty little one waiting to be used in the kitchen sink of the cottage we rented for our summer holiday last year.   These dishcloths go by many names:  Granny's Choice, Granny's Favourite, Super Simple dishcloth, . . . I'm sure I have missed many other names.

It is a simple, diagonal knit cloth that uses basic stitches and creates a lovely, useful cloth that holds up very well under daily use.  This time around I made them using Bernat Handicrafter cotton and I tried one using Red Heart Scrubby yarn.  The texture of the scrubby yarn cloth feels like it will make handwashing those stuck on spots much easier!

skill level:
beginner, easy

size
approx. 8.5 inch x 8.5 inch

needles & notions
5mm knitting needles
tapestry needle

yarn

Bernat Handicrafter, approx. 70 yards

pictured in: Fleur de Lavande, Lavender, Pale Yellow, Robin's Egg

pattern

cast on 2 sts

Row 1:  KFB all stitches (4sts)

Row 2:  Knit across (4sts)

Row 3:  K2.  KFB next st., knit to end (5sts)

Row 4:  K2.  YO.  Knit to the end.

Repeat row 4 until 52 sts on the needles (or until cloth is desired size)

Decreases

Row 1:  K1.  K2tog.  YO.  K2tog.  Knit to end of row.

repeat previous row until 5 sts remain on needles

Next Row:  K1.  K2tog.  knit to end of row (4 sts)

Next:  K2tog twice (2sts)

Cut yarn, leaving a tail for sewing.  Draw yarn through live stitches still on needles.  Pull up.  Secure and weave in ends

Have you made a Granny's Choice dishcloth before?  Did you like this version?  Are the corners symmetrical?  Share it online and tag @redmittendesigns on Instagram or Facebook!  

Want to follow Red Mitten Designs on social media?  Click on a link below to find me on your favourite social channel!

If you use this pattern for sale items please provide a link back and give credit to the designer:  Red Mitten Designs.  DO NOT claim this pattern as your own and please do not give printed versions of the pattern without permission from the designer. Please consider purchasing copies for friends or family if you liked this pattern and want to give it to others  

All photos copyright Jocelyn Windover and Red Mitten Designs (do not use without permission) 

Once again, thank you for choosing a Red Mitten Designs pattern!

Orange Blaze Hunting Toque: Free Knit Pattern

It has come to my attention that the pattern for the Orange Blaze Hunting toque has gone AWOL from the blog!!  So, since Christmas is rapidly approaching and the Hunting Toque pattern makes a quick-knit gift, here is the re-post of the old pattern!

Thankfully I still had an old photo and a copy of the toque pattern on my computer!

This hat ended up not being the hit I had planned for hubby Hoss.  He still insists on wearing the old lifeless hat that I made for him the year we were married.  I have a small suspicion that it's pure sentimentality at this point!!!

Check out the picks of the sentimental hat below ⇩

Ain't it just an old thing of exasperating beauty?  There is nothing really, legitimately wrong with  the thing.  Well, perhaps the smell at this point.  What is it with hunters and the need for that fresh from the mud and "please don't wash it!" scent?!  

But that's not what really bugs me.  It's the fact that it fails to show off my extreme talent as a hand-maker (yes, yes, I am definitely that conceited! It's a deadly sin you know . . . I'm working on it!).  The thing looks flawed to my eyes . . . I dunno . . .

Anyway, follow THIS link over to allfreeknitting.com to check out the pattern I used to make Hoss' sentimental hat from years gone by.  While you're there, check out the other great patterns allfreeknitting.com always has available!!!







Despite not being a hit with Hoss, the Orange Blaze pattern use to be one of this blogs most popular patterns!  And I have made it several times in various colours for charity.  I have not made it recently and don't have any new photo's so this post is for those looking for a quick Christmas Gift Knit or Quick Charity knit.

Speaking of Charity Knitting, are you a charity knitter or charity knitting group and need yarn?  I received a request from Yarn Canada to help get the word out about their Yarn for a Good Cause Contest.  They are giving away $2000 worth of yarn to 12 individuals or groups who are making for Charity!!

Do you want to submit an entry?   Click HERE

(this is not an affiliated link, just a great opportunity for charity knitters from a Canadian organization looking to help out!)

This toque is extremely stretchy and therefore fits a very wide variety of sizes.  The larger size hat can accommodate a head upwards of 26 inch (however, not even Hoss' head is THAT big).  If you prefer a tighter fitting hat, I would suggest the smaller size.  Although, it will still stretch pretty large too!

If you find the length of the toque is too long, omit a repeat of the "main body pattern."  Find it too short?  Just add an extra rep of the "main body pattern."  Like any pattern, customize it to your preferred specifications!

Scroll on down (past the commercial break, see THIS post for why this site uses commercial breaks!

Orange Blaze Hunting Toque

skill level
beginner

size
adult small (adult large)
20 - 22 inch (22-24 inch)
please do keep in mind that this pattern is designed to have A LOT of stretch

needles & notions
4 mm 16" circular needle
4.5mm 16" circular needle
4.5 mm set of double pointed needles
stich marker

suggested yarn
Bernat Premium orange

gauge
18 sts = 4 inch in rib stitch using smaller needles


pattern
with 4mm circular needles cast on 90 (100) sts using a stretchy cast on (long tail tubular cast on recommended)

Complete tubular cast on rows then place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

Proceed in K1. P1 rib for 1.5 (1.75) inches.

Change to 4.5mm circular needles and continue in K1. P1 rib til piece from cast on edge is 1.75 (2) inches.  Then begin main body pattern section as below








MAIN BODY PATTERN SECTION
garter stitch section
Rnd 1:   knit
Rnd 2:   purl

rep rnds 1 & 2 til garter stitch section is approx. 1.25 inches.  End section on a rnd 1


rib stitch section
Rnd 1:   K1. P1

rep rnd 1 til rib section is approx 0.5 (0.75) inch


repeat main body pattern section 2 more times.  The piece will measure approximately 7 (8) inches from cast on edge.

DECREASES

The decreases are completed the same for both sizes of toques.  
change to double pointed needles when you find it becomes necessary.

Rnd 1:   *K8.  K2tog. rep from * around [81 (90) sts]

Rnd 2 & even til rnd 12:   purl around

Rnd 3:   *K7.  K2tog.  rep from * around [72 (80) sts]

Rnd 5:   *K6.  K2tog.  rep from * around [63 (70) sts]

Rnd 7:   *K5.  K2tog.  rep from * around [54 (60) sts]

Rnd 9:   *K4.  K2tog.  rep from * around [45 (50) sts]

Rnd 11:   *K3.  K2tog.  rep from * around [36 (40) sts]

Rnd 13:   *K2.  K2tog.  rep from * around [27 (30) sts]

Rnd 14:   *K1.  K2tog.  rep from * around [18 (20) sts]

Rnd 15:   *K2tog around [9 (10) sts]

Cut yarn and weave through remaining live sts.  Draw up.  Secure and weave in ends


Due to the fact that this pattern tends to primarily be used for charity I have not made it a paid ads-free pattern but instead have included the original downloadable pattern HERE for your convenience.  Happy Crafting!!

Want to follow Red Mitten Designs on social media?  Click on a link below to find me on your favourite social channel!

If you use this pattern for sale items please provide a link back and give credit.  It's the nice, morally responsible thing to do! DO NOT claim this pattern as your own. Why not try writing one of your own? You can do it! I know you can!!  

All photos copyright Jocelyn Windover and Red Mitten Designs (do not use without permission).  

Once again, thank you for choosing a Red Mitten Designs pattern!

Winter Snowball: Free Knit Pattern

It's only the beginning of November and the snow has been falling steadily on southern Ontario for most of the weekend!!  We already have almost 5 centimeters of accumulation and the big fluffy flakes are falling even now as I type.

After a weekend of being out and about in the snow with our young family, it feels like a great night to stay in, snuggled up under my blanket while the fire crackles romantically beside me and work on finishing up this fun pattern for my little blog.  

It's on nights like tonight that I am ever thankful that Hoss has switched industries and now works a more stable work-hour schedule and no longer has to go out at all hours to plow snow as an operator!

And since he is home today he graciously agreed to be my hand model for some of my pictures.  The snowballs seem to look a wee bit tiny in his gigantic hands!  But the flannel shirt adds a nice, beginning-of-the-festive-season, touch.

If you are a handcrafter that sells at local markets, or especially at any upcoming Christmas markets, this finished project seems to always be a huge hit.  You are of course welcome to use this pattern to make your items, but please do check out my clause at the bottom of this pattern posting.  Thanks!

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skill level
easy

size
approximately 3 x 3 inches

needles & notions
5mm double pointed
tapestry or yarn sewing needle

polyester fiberfill (stuffing)

yarn
Bernat Pipsqueak, whitey white

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pattern
cast on 6 sts.  Place marker and join to work in the round

Rnd 1:  KFB all sts around (12sts)

Rnd 2 & all even rounds until Rnd 10:  knit

Rnd 3:  *KFB.  K1.  rep from * around (18sts)

Rnd 5:  *KFB.  K2.  rep from * around (24sts)

Rnd 7:  *KFB.  K3.  rep from * around (30sts)

Rnd 9:  *KFB.  K4.  rep from * around (36sts)

Rnd 11:  *KFB.  K5.  rep from * around (42sts)

weave in starting tail and ensure it is secure

Rnd 12 - 14:  Knit around (42sts)

Rnd 15:  *K2tog.  K5.  rep from * around (36sts)

Rnd 16 & all even rounds until Rnd 22:  Knit

Rnd 17:  *K2tog.  K4.  rep from * around (30sts)

Rnd 19:  *K2tog.  K3.  rep from * around (24sts)

Rnd 21:  *K2tog.  K2.  rep from * around (18sts)

Rnd 23:  *K2tog.  K1.  rep from * around (12sts)

stuff the snowball plumply at this stage

Rnd 24:  *K2tog around (6sts)

Cut yarn & pull tail through remaining live sts.  Pull tight and secure.  Weave in end

Finished your snowball?  Or did you make a whole bucket full?  Share a picture or video online and tag @redmittendesigns on Instagram or Facebook!  

Want to follow Red Mitten Designs on social media?  Click on a link below to find me on your favourite social channel!

If you use this pattern for sale items please provide a link back and give credit to the designer: Red Mitten Designs.  DO NOT claim this pattern as your own and please do not give printed versions of the pattern without permission from the designer. Please consider purchasing copies for friends or family if you liked this pattern and want to give it to others  

All photos copyright Jocelyn Windover and Red Mitten Designs (do not use without permission).  

Once again, thank you for choosing a Red Mitten Designs pattern!

Deep Rooted Cable Headband: Free Knitting Pattern

Doesn't everyone just love a good headband?  One that stays in place, keeps your ears warm and that also looks incredibly stylish and expensive?

I find headbands are such a great alternative to a messy bun toque.  With a messy bun toque I always find I have to do something with my hair in order to make the toque look right.  With a headband, I can just throw it on and go!

The other day I was browsing the mall (and by "mall" I mean the virtual on-line variety) when I came across a headband that I thought looked absolutely lovely!!!  And it would have be especially lovely if I wouldn't have had to pay the almost $40 price tag to get it.  I will leave you to conjecture the store in question based on the title of the post!!!





Instead, I managed to make this headband for the grand total of FREE, thanks to the use of various stash yarn!  If I had to purchase the yarn again, the ladies size headband would cost approximately $3

And it only took me a couple of hours (even including the million plus one interruptions from the children and husband alike!)

Once I made one for myself, I then made several to sell on consignment at my local store "Little Treasures Kid's Store."  If you are a local, check them out!!  A new batch of Red Mitten Designs items will be delivered late next month!

And NOW . . . .



On to the pattern!!!