Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...

...knitted garlands all the way!

Well, yes, it doesn't quite scan, but you get the idea!

There's still time to knit up a Christmassy bell garland to decorate your home or give as a gift. Using our quick and easy pattern, you can make one in no time at all. The bells themselves are knitted flat, then sewn into shape with the addition, if you like, of a metal bell. Once you have a few, you can either make an i-cord to attach them to, or sew them on to some seasonal ribbon a la bunting.

We made ours earlier in the year, so the bells are all different colours, but a lovely festive combination or red and white on a green garland could be beautiful for this time of year.

Here's how to do it.

You will need:

Yarn and appropriately sized needles. Any will do, but wool tends to work nicely.

For a larger bell, change to a thicker yarn with bigger needles, and of course vice versa for a smaller one.

Abbreviations:

K: knit

P: purl

K2tog: knit two stitches together (to decrease)

Pattern:

The bell is knitted flat, back and forth.

Cast on 24 stitches.

Rows 1-3: knit

Row 4: Knit and at the same time decrease by k2tog every 7 stitches.

Row 5: purl

Row 6: Knit and k2tog every 6 stitches

Row 7: Purl

Row 8: Knit and k2tog every 5 stitches

Row 9: Purl

Row 10: Knit and k2tog every 4 stitches

Row 11: Purl

Row 12: Knit and k2tog each 3 stitches

Row 13: K2tog across row, k last stitch

Break yarn leaving 20cm tail and using a wool needle, draw it through the stitches and fasten off. Use the tail to sew together the two short edges to make a bell shape.

If you like, add a jingly bell on a loop inside the knitted bell. Make some more and sew to some ribbon or knitted i-cord to make a garland.