Cue the carols, pour some eggnog and get out your knitting needles – you'll love making these cute ornaments for your tree.

Finished ornaments each measure approx 15 cm (6 inches) long. Standard abbreviations are used.

Take a look at a larger image of the finished partridge and pear tree ornaments.

You need:
Partridge:
• Patons Classic Wool (100 g/ 3.5 oz; 192 m/210 yds) as follows:
•1 ball Dark Beige Marle (Main Colour [MC ])
•1 ball Natural Mix (Contrast A) (1 ball of MC makes 4 partridges.)
• Two 3.75 mm straight needles*
• Set of four 3.75 mm double-pointed needles*
• Polyester stuffing
• 2 small black beads for eyes
• Beak template
• Small piece yellow felt
• Length satin ribbon for hanging

Pear:
• Patons Classic Wool (100 g/ 3.5 oz; 192 m/210 yds) as follows:
•1 ball Leaf Green (Contrast B)
•1 ball Chestnut Brown (Contrast C) (1 ball of B makes 5 pears.)
• Set of four 3.75 mm doublepointed needles*
• Polyester stuffing
• Leaf template
• Small piece green felt
• Length satin ribbon for hanging

*or size needed to obtain tension given below.

Tension: 24 sts and 30 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) in St st. TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK TENSION.

To make:
Partridge:
Body: With MC and double-pointed needles, cast on 6 sts. Divide sts evenly on 3 needles. Join in rnd, placing marker on first st. 1st and alt rnds: Knit.

2nd rnd: *Inc 1 st in each st around. 12 sts. 4th rnd: *K1. Inc 1 st in next st. Rep from * around. 18 sts.

6th rnd: *K2. Inc 1 st in next st. Rep from * around. 24 sts. 8th rnd: *K3. Inc 1 st in next st. Rep from * around. 30 sts.

10th rnd: *K4. Inc 1 st in next st. Rep from * around. 36 sts. 12th rnd: *K5. Inc 1 st in next st. Rep from * around. 42 sts.
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14th rnd: *K6. Inc 1 st in next st. Rep from * around. 48 sts. Knit 5 rnds even. Next rnd: *K6. K2tog. Rep from * around. 42 sts. Knit 3 rnds.

Next rnd: *K5. K2tog. Rep from * around. 36 sts. Knit 1 rnd. Next rnd: *K4. K2tog. Rep from * around. 30 sts. Knit 1 rnd.

Next rnd: *K3. K2tog. Rep from * around. 24 sts. Stuff body lightly. Knit 3 rnds. Next rnd: *K2. K2tog. Rep from * around. 18 sts. Knit 3 rnds.

Next rnd: *K1. K2tog. Rep from * around. 12 sts. Knit 1 rnd. Stuff rem of body.

Next rnd: *K2tog. Rep from * around. 6 sts. Break yarn. Thread yarn through rem sts and draw tightly. Fasten securely.

Belly: With A and pair of straight needles, cast on 5 sts. 1st row: (RS). Inc 1 st in first st. K2. Inc 1 st in next st. K1. 7 sts.

2nd and alt rows: Purl.

3rd row: Inc 1 st in first st. K4. Inc 1 st in next st. K1. 9 sts.

5th row: Inc 1 st in first st. K6. Inc 1 st in next st. K1. 11 sts. Work 7 rows stocking st.

Next row: K1. Ssk. K5. K2tog. K1. 9 sts.

Next and alt rows: Purl.

Next row: K1. Ssk. K3. K2tog. K1. 7 sts. Next row: K1. Ssk. K1. K2tog. K1. 5 sts. Cast off purlwise.

Wings (make 2 alike): With MC and pair of straight needles, cast on 14 sts. 1st row: (K2. P2) 3 times. K2.

2nd row: (P2. K2) 3 times. P2. These 2 rows form Rib Pat. Cont in Rib Pat for 8 more rows. Cast off 1 st at beg of next row and following alt row. Work 1 row even. Cast off 2 sts at beg of next row and following alt row. Work 1 row even. Cast off 3 sts at beg next row. 5 sts rem. Work 1 row even. Cast off. Sew body, belly and wings together as shown in picture. Cut yellow felt following beak template. Pinch beak in centre and sew to body. Sew beads to body for eyes. Thread satin ribbon through top of body. Tie securely.

Pear ornament: With B, make as for partridge body.

Stem: With C and pair of double-pointed needles, cast on 3 sts.

Next row: K3. Do not turn. Slide sts to other end of needle. Rep last row (i-cord) until cord measures 4 cm (11/2 inches).

Next row: Sl1. K2tog. Psso. Fasten off.

Finishing: Sew stem to top of pear. Cut green felt following leaf template. Sew to pear beside stem. Thread satin ribbon through hanging loop. Tie securely.

Glossary:
Alt: alternate
Beg: beginning
Cont: continue
Inc: increase
K: knit
K2tog: knit two together
P: purl
Psso: pass slipped stitch over
Rem: remaining
Rep: repeat
Rnd: round
Rs: right side
Sl: slip
Ssk: slip next two stitches as if to knit; insert tip of left needle through front of both slipped stitches and knit both together
St(s): stitch(es)
St st: stocking stitch

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This story was originally titled "On The First Day of Christmas" in the December 2011 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!