55 Christmas Balls to Knit: Colorful Festive Ornaments--Tree Decorations, Centerpieces, Wreaths, Window Dressings

by Arne Nerjordet, Carlos Zachrison

Inspired by traditional Norwegian knitwear, these designs for holiday ornaments integrate the old with the new. With crafts based on the authors' original designs, this guide gives knitters the chance to craft their very own versions of these playful decorations. Each pattern can easily be adapted to hats, mittens, or even sweaters by the extra creative crafter.

Genres: Knitting, Nonfiction, Crafts, Christmas, Reference, Scandinavian Literature

140 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Randi]

I received this as a present several years ago but just recently got around to using it. I made four balls using two of the patterns. The pictures are lovely and helpful, patterns are well-written, charts are easy to use, plenty of helpful directions. The explanation of where they get their design inspirations from is interesting. I think an intermediate knitter could easily be successful in making these lovely balls. I'm definitely going to knit more Christmas balls.

[Simone Konner]

Simply Fabulous!

I have been looking for something to make for 11 co-workers for Christmas. This book is perfect as it will give me some variety as I knit. No two will have to be the same.

[Dawn]

Beautiful book my friend bought for my birthday. Tales of Christmas, traditions and what inspired them for each bauble. Can't wait to try the patterns. Been an avid knitter/crafter for many years but never tried DPNs before so looking forward to a new challenge.

[Tracy Shephard]

I would be surprised if any knitting lover did not have at least one Arne and Carlos book on their craft shelves, but if you don't then this one is a good one to start your collection with.

55 Christmas baubles, all in the familiar designs by these two talented Norwegian knitting gurus, are showcased, with simple instructions and a lot of help to get them perfect. 

I love the homely pictures of Arne and Carlos, that show them at work. their inimitable style shines through, and one shows their personal notebooks.. I would definitely love to have a nosy through them just to see how their creations come to life. 

There are other design inspirations, Wreaths, Table decorations and even Window Dressings all giving a festive feel to our homes.

Arne and Carlos help with embellishments and with handy hints and tips you can guarantee a professional finish.

The balls are made using 4 DPN or traditional two knitting needles. Reindeers, Robins, Harps and even a Christmas pig are all given space on our Christmas tree. 

This book is all Christmas. It is beautifully put together, the photography is amazing and each of the baubles have a written description as well as a diagram. 

[Liz]

Since my little cat Nike died 5 years ago, I've taken up knitting again. (Cat owners will know why!) Mostly afghans and baby blankets. This Christmas I knitted Christmas bell ornaments for our church's little Christmas fair. Then I found this book at the library. I have not yet finished a project yet, but the book is an excellent guide, with lots of ideas to take these ornaments in many different directions. For moderately skilled knitters.

[Lee Lee]

55 Christmas Balls To Knit - Arne Nerjordet, Carlos Zachrison

Omg, why have I only just got around to reading this? I’ve seen Arne & Carlos mentioned on many of the knitting platforms that I use. Their story telling makes me wish for cooler months and Christmas! This book is everything I love about designing and seasonal gifts in one place and I may have to come back to this book again.

The illustrations throughout are both beautiful and awesomely inspiring. ❣️

My favourite patterns are
Snowman, Secret Rose, Poinsettia, Christmas Bells, Rocking Horse, Heart, Room In The Heart, Butterfly, Bird On A Branch, Rudolph, Reindeer, Running Reindeer, Christmas Run.

I absolutely love the idea of finding a nice box or decorating a box myself to fill with some knitted Christmas Balls.

I recommend this book to anyone who has experience with DPN’s and charts. There are some great designs.

[Alison Scott]

If you can already knit and manage increases and decreases, there's a YouTube video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9dmj... - which tells you almost everything you need to know apart from the charts. And the charts are very simple. And you can see some by freeze framing the video. And you probably want to design your own charts anyway to incorporate elements that are important for your family.

So this is a prime candidate for getting from the library rather than actually buying for keeps.

But it's a lovely book and the balls are charming and easy.

[Adrienne]

This is honestly my only review of a hobby book on Goodreads. It's not that I don't read many, MANY of them. It's just that I don't find most of them worth reviewing. But this one is the very best! First of all, check out that cover. But also, I knit a truly amazing ball for my tree from this book, and I felt like a boss. Very empowering. So I love it.

[Kirsty]

The patterns are pretty enough, but the ones which have been designed are largely quite similar, and there hasn't been a lot of information given about ways in which to make them. A little disappointing, and I doubt I'll be making anything from this selection.

[Rebekah]

Arne and Carlos never disappoint. This is a gorgeous and easy to understand knit pattern book yes, but just lovely to read the prosaic text accompanying the patterns-like a little hang out time with them

[Tracy]

lovely heist as ornaments and patterns.

Loved all the unique ideas and patterns. Especially the idea of using them as gifts for dinner guests. And the blank template to create your own.

[April Munday]

I bought it on a whim, but really enjoyed many of the patterns. I only need to commit myself to a colour scheme before I start knitting a few of these.

[Maria]

Fine mønstre, men pretensiøst bullshit-språk

[Nellie]

Arne & Carlos are talents knitwear designers.
A basic pattern with 55 patterns to choose from.
Clear detailed instructions.
Borrowed from the library.

[Mindy McGlone]

A work of art

What a wonderful book. So much thought and creativity on each page. Not just a pattern book, it's a work of art. I am inspired, To create! Thank you.

[Laura Kralik]

Lots of lovely patterns all based off the same basic formula. Cute and addictive I’ve already made three

[Mona]

Oh yes, finally something new to get hooked on! A norwegian book came ot this year on how to make knitted scandiavian christmas ornaments. A quick good projects to get rid of some of your excess yarn!
The book is delicate, pritty and easy to understand, but with some bugs that should have been washed out when reviewed (see e.g. buttom of page 23; xx). And where are the santa patterns? 55 patterns and no santa???? Luckily they made it possible to design your own patterns! Wonder if I can publish own pattern on my blog, or will that be a copyright problem?

[Judi]

One of the few books that I have paid full price for....and worth every penny. There are 55 charted patterns to make Christmas ornaments. Also includes instructions for plain ones and a blank grid to chart your own. I made some right away and would like to make them all. Easy to knit and the instructions are excellent. I like the photos and little stories too, though I think some suffer from poor translation. The book was originally in Norwegian.

[Tina]

This book is a nice mix of patterns and Scandinavian Christmas tradition. I love the pictures! I also love their idea of taking one basic pattern and working different motifs into the design. I haven't had a chance to knit any up but I know a lot of knitters' who are addicted to knitting balls. The main reason I didn't give this book five stars, is that after hearing them speak in public, I think that some of their humor and charm is lost in translation.

[Aimee]

Got this from the library through an ILL, I've knit 1 ornament so far and hope to do at least one more before it's due back. I don't think I like enough of the motifs to buy it though. The instructions are pretty clear, but the knitting/increases/decreases for the basic shape are in the front of the book and the motifs follow, so I found myself flipping back and forth a lot. I think now that I did one, I could do the other without needing to refer back to the basic pattern though.

[Bea]

I can't help but wonder who let this title go through; it's awkward at best. I found the patterns to be a mixture of charming and ho-hum, and feel that the contents of the book (which consist mainly of charts) could have been fit into a third of the pages. I did appreciate the many large and full-color photographs, though.

[Sara]

I thought this book was a humorous book - but it ISN'T! These guys are serious about their Christmas balls! These are basically repeated motifs that can be knit into sweaters or Christmas ornaments. Interesting book, but I'd never buy it! Chronicles many Scandinavian holiday celebrations. At Brookfield library!

[Frances Mclaughlin]

I haven't knitted in quite a few years but had a hankering to get back into it. This was the perfect book to start with, the balls are small enough for you to get your hand in without ruining a big project, but with interesting enough patterns to keep involved. The instructions are clear and the patterns well laid out. I've made 10 baubles so far and already have had to give 2 away.

[Nicolette]

Charming with beautiful traditions described as well as lovely photographs. The only thing I don't understand is the title. This book only has patterns for christmas ball decorations so I'm not exactly sure why it lists tree decorations, centerpieces, wreaths and window dressings as part of the pattern list. Despite that, I love this book enough to have purchased my own copy.

[Denise]

Talk about living your best life! This Nordic couple, featured on the cover, live on an "eclectic farm" and design knitwear. Living the dream... This is a collection of knitted ball-shaped Christmas ornaments. One master pattern for the ball, and then 50+ pattern variations to make little snowflakes and reindeers and stuff on your balls. Very cool!

[RH Walters]

I haven't made a Christmas ball yet, but I'm utterly charmed by these devoted knitters and their many fetching patterns. Their brief comments contain just enough northern sadness and austerity to elevate their pursuit to art.

[Mae]

Love this book! I'm making an ornament for every person on my Christmas list this year. The patterns are delightful, as are the stories behind them. I like that there is a variety of patterns for different tastes, but that they are if uniform size.

[Kirstin]

This book wins a prize for oddest cover and is also in the running for a prize for strangest subject matter. That said, the designs for said "Christmas balls" are quite beautiful.

[Jessica]

charming text, fun guys, pretty christmas ornaments. plus, balls to knit. it's just funny!

xmas present from my MIL 2012.

[Fangirl]

A great pattern to make easy and lovely Christmas decorations.