Embroidered Swirly Christmas Tree

A Free Embroidery Tutorial

Sometimes creativity needs a kick start or a reboot. That is what embroidery is for me. I love the colors and the motion of sewing in and out of the fabric. It is an art that makes you go slow and think through the creative process. If I am drawing blanks when it comes to crocheting or knitting I always turn to embroidery. It is just a slightly different medium to give my brain a rest and think on different things.

I made a few of these last year during my Christmas break. It was to late in the season to blog about them, so I have been holding on to them until now to share them with you. These trees were a fun way to express my creativity. There was no right or wrong, I just let the curls make their own rules.

Tutorial 

To start I marked my fabric where I wanted to add the buttons. I made a long triangle and then I staggered where I would put the buttons on the tree.

After that I rough sketched where the swirls would go. (It might be better to put the buttons on first then add the sketch of swirls). 

I put the fabric in the hoop and stretched it tight and added the buttons using 3 strands the silver thread. I made 6 long stitches through the button holes and then put 2 stitches over each of the 6 long stitches.

I picked 6 to 7 colors and just went to town with the stem stitch all around the tree. I started at the bottom and worked my way up. I tried to work it so that one color never touched itself, and that the swirls went across the whole tree at some points.

The point is to have fun and to just let the stitches speak for themselves.

As you go along you can go back to the empty spaces and fill them in with other colors.

What colors would you make your trees?

What do you like to do to express your creativity? I'd love to know in the comments. 

 More Embroidery Projects You Will Love:

Finding Inspiration in Nature

Embroidery Bookmark

Crochet and Knit Christmas Tags

A Free Crochet and Knitting Pattern

I love wrapping presents. It's one of my favorite things to do around the holidays. There is just something about folding the paper and finding creative ideas to make them look festive and beautiful at the same time. There are a lot of options for these.

I have a knit and crochet version for whatever craft you prefer. You can design the tag however you like. You could choose different holiday shapes like me, or you could embroider the monogram of the person you are giving the present to. Another idea would be to number them for an advent present calendar. Whatever you chose they will last for as long as you want them and they will add a personal touch to any gift.

Where can I get this pattern?

These are free patterns. Just keep scrolling down to find these patterns. These are also available for a free PDF download through my Ravelry Store. It's my way of saying Merry Christmas to you. Be sure to check out my other patterns in the shop if you like what you see.
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Crochet Pattern

Yarn: worsted cotton yarn
Hook: H/8 5mm
Notions: tapestry needle, embroidery thread
Size: 4 by 3 inches
Gauge: 13 sc and 14 rows
Copyright:
Julia Schwartz. Do not reproduce, copy, distribute, or sell this pattern without permission of the designer. This pattern must not be translated, reproduced, or circulated in another language without prior consent. If you have questions about this pattern please contact Julia.diligence@gmail.com.

Instructions

Row 1: Ch 9, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across. (8 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc. (8 sc)
Row 3- 9: Repeat row 2. (8 sc)
Row 10: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in the next 4 sc, sc2tog. (6 st)
Row 11: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in the next 2 sc, sc2tog. (4 st)
Row 12: Ch 1, turn sc in each st. (4 st)
Edging: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around, ch 1 at every corner.

Finish off
Weave in your ends.

For embroidery, use all 6 strands of cotton floss to add a simple design to your tags.

Optional Grommet:  Follow the instructions on the package to insert the grommet in between the stitches of rows 7 and 9.

Knitting Pattern

Yarn: Worsted cotton yarn
Needles: 4.5 mm (U.S. 7)
Notions: tapestry needle, embroidery thread
Size: 4 by 3 inches
Gauge: 20 sts and 26 rows 
Notes: I tried to make his pattern as beginner friendly as possible. so if you like to keep your edges extra crisp and flat with a beg. sl st and end with a purl Go For It.
Copyright:
Julia Schwartz. Do not reproduce, copy, distribute, or sell this pattern without permission of the designer. This pattern must not be translated, reproduced, or circulated in another language without prior consent. If you have questions about this pattern please contact Julia.diligence@gmail.com.

Instructions

Cast on 12 st. 
Row 1: p 12
Row 2: k 12
Row 3- 14: repeat rows 1 and 2
Row 15: p 12
Row 16: k 1, k2tog through back loop, k 6, k2tog, k 1
Row 17: p 10
Row 18: k 1, k2tog through the back loop, k 4, k2tog, k 1
Row 19: p 8
Row 20: bind off

Finish off
Weave in your ends.

For embroidery, use all 6 strands of cotton floss to add a simple design to your tags.

Optional Grommet:  Follow the instructions on the package to insert the grommet in between the stitches of rows 14 and 16.

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More Patterns You Will Love:

Crochet Poinsettia Jar Cozy

Knit Basket Full of Posies

Poinsettia Jar Cozy

 A Free Crochet Pattern

This is the last pattern that I am moving over from Crochetvolution.  I'm a little sad to be done. Crochetvolution and the Editor Melissa Mall were such an integral part of me becoming the designer and blogger I am today. I will always be thankful for the boost of confidence that I got from being a published designer in those beginning days, before I even had a website in place.

The Poinsettia Jar Cozy is made beautiful by painting it after it's made. If you have seen my Sunflower Project then you already know I like to paint on my projects. For this one I used my water color pencils, so maybe I shouldn't call it painting but coloring. Water color pencils are great for beginners to play with I think they give you more control over what you are doing.  If you are going to get your project damp to block it why not color on it a little.

I should also note that this pattern inspired another Christmas pattern that you can find Here. The Poinsettia Christmas Ornament is my most popular pattern on Pinterest for obvious reasons.

Where Can I Get This Pattern

This is a free Pattern on the blog. Keep scrolling down to see this pattern. If you would like an ads free printer friendly version you can purchase one through my Ravelry Store for $3.00.
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Poinsettia Jar Cozy

Designer: Julia Schwartz
Difficulty: Intermediate
Yarn: Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet (Size 10); [100% Cotton, 400 yds/336m per ball] less than 1 ball.
Hook: Size 6 steel hook

Notions:

• Water
• Water color pencils
• Wax paper
• Jar

Size: One Size
Finished Measurements: 4.5 x 5 inches (folded over)
Gauge: 8 sts/8 rows = 1″ in sc

Directions:
Rnd 1: Ch 5; sl st in beginning ch to form a loop. Ch 1, make 12 sc in loop, sl st in first sc. (12 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), (dc, ch 3 (also counts at a dc here and throughout this row) sl st) in same st. {Sl st in next 2 sts, (ch 3, dc, ch 3, sl st) in same st.}  Repeat  {to} 4 more times. Sl st in next 2 sp and up the first dc. (6 groups of 3 dc)

Rnd 3: Ch 3; dc in same sp, make 2 dc in each of the next 2 st, ch 1, {Make 2 dc in each of  the next 3 st, ch 1.}  Repeat  {to} 5 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 – 6 dc groups)

Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in next st (decrease just made). Dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog in next 2 st. Ch 1, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1. {Dc2tog, dc in the next 2 st, dc2tog, ch 1, dc in ch-sp, ch 1}. Repeat  {to}  4 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 leaves and 6 dc)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, dc in next st (decrease just made). Ddc2tog in next st, ch 2, 3 dc in next dc, ch 2. {Make 2 dc2tog in the next 4 st, ch 2, make 3 dc in the next dc, ch 2.} Repeat {to} 4 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 groups of 4 and 6 groups of 3 dc)

Rnd 6: Ch 2, dc in next st (decrease just made). Ch 3, 2 dc in each of the next 3 dc, ch 3. {Dc2tog, ch 3, make 2 dc in each of the next 3 dc, ch 3}. Repeat  {to} 4 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 groups of 2 and 6 groups of 6 dc)

Rnd 7: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2); sc in next sp, ch 2. Dc2tog, dc in next 2 dc, dc2tog, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 2. {Dc in dc2tog, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 2, dc2tog, dc in next 2 st, dc2tog, ch 2, sc in sp, ch 2.}  Repeat {to} 4 more times, sl st in beg dc.


Rnd 8: Sl st into sp, ch 1. {(Sc in sp, ch 3) twice, (dc2tog in dc) twice, (ch 3, sc in next sp) 2 times, ch 3} Repeat {to} 5 more times,  sl st into beginning st.

Rnd 8: Sl st into sp, ch 1. {(Sc in sp, ch 3) twice, dc2tog in dc, (ch 3, sc in next sp) 3 times, ch 3} Repeat {to} 5 more times,   sc, ch 3, sl st into beginning st.


Finish off. Weave in ends.

For band:

Row 1: Insert hook at any dc2tog. Sl st, ch 1, sc in same st, (Ch 3, sc in next sp) 6 times.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in sc, sc in 3 ch-sp. (Ch 3, sc in next sp) 5 times, sc in last st.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in sc, ch 3, sc in next sp. (Ch 3, sc in next sp) 4 times, ch 3, sc in next st.

Rows 4-23: Repeat rows 2 and 3.

Row 24: Ch 1, turn, grab opposite end of poinsettia and sc in both Row 23 and dc2tog. (Ch 3, sc in next sp of poinsettia, ch 3, sc in next sp of Row 23.) Repeat till you come to the next dc2tog; sc.  

Finish off.
Weave in your ends.

Finishing: To paint your flower, get your jar cover damp. Put wax paper between the poinsettia and the band. Using watercolor pencils, color your Poinsettia, using the pictures as your guide. With a damp cloth carefully rub in the colors to blend it all together; set it out to dry.

More Crochet Patterns You Will Love:

Painted Sunflower

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