Holiday Knitting Ideas: Decorative Icicles

In a previous post, I promised I'd share some ideas I have for quick holiday knits. This time it's a beautiful, delicate pattern for decorative icicles. This pattern was created by Judith Prindle and I found it on her Knitting Pattern Depot blog.


Materials:

• # 4 needles
• bedspread weight cotton thread
• 1 small bead for each icicle

Directions:

1. Cast on 3 stitches, leaving the tail long enough to become half of the hanging loop.


2. Knit until desired length, turning always in the same direction. I turned away from me and
   gave the icicle a tug after every row. This becomes second nature after a while.
   Mine are 22 rows, about 3 & 1/3 inches, but icicles can be any size you want.


3. When you cut the thread, leave the end long enough to secure the bead, work the thread through the icicle, and have enough for remaining for the other half of the hanging loop.


4. Now, knit all 3 stitches together, cut and pull theend through the last stitch, pull tight.


5. Bring the thread around the bead through the last stitch.


6. Work the thread up the side of the icicle securing it by looping it around a stitch,
   every 2-3 stitches.


7. Tie the beginning thread to the ending thread by looping it through itself.

I think these would look great on a Christmas tree, hanging in a window or even off the mantle. Heck, they might even look good tied in the ribbon of a wrapped gift! What do you think?