Brady the Snowman Ornament

Brady the Snowman Ornament by Aunt Janet's Designs

What is Being Made

Brady the Snowman Ornament is a knitted decorative piece designed by Janet Every. This charming holiday ornament features a three-dimensional snowman figure that measures approximately 4.75 to 5 inches in height, making it an ideal size for hanging on a Christmas tree or displaying as a festive decoration. The design captures the classic appeal of a traditional snowman with thoughtful construction and attention to detail.

Project Structure and Components

The ornament is constructed in three separate pieces that come together to create the finished snowman:

• The snowman body (the main sculptural element)
• The scarf (a decorative accent piece)
• The hat (completing the snowman's classic appearance)

Knitting Techniques and Methods

Brady the Snowman Ornament offers flexibility in construction methods, with instructions provided for two different approaches. Knitters can choose to work the ornament in the round using circular needles or double-pointed needles for a seamless construction, or they can opt to knit flat on straight needles if that method is more comfortable for their knitting style. This dual-instruction approach makes the pattern accessible to knitters with different preferences and experience levels.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates fundamental knitting stitches suitable for beginner-level crafters:

• Cable stitch: The pattern includes cable work, which is executed by slipping 3 stitches to a cable needle and holding it in front of the work, then knitting 3 stitches from the left needle followed by 3 stitches from the cable needle. This creates the decorative twisted texture often seen in snowman designs.
• M1 (Make One) increase: This is a clean, nearly invisible increase technique that involves picking up the horizontal strand between two existing stitches and knitting through the back loop. This method creates a professional finish without visible holes in the fabric.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern is designed to work with worsted weight yarn, though the original design referenced uses a heavy DK weight yarn from Green Mountain Spinnery called Brady the Snowman Raggtime. For the worsted weight version, the pattern calls for Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted Tweed in three coordinating colors:

• Ornament Charcoal (for the snowman body or details)
• Olive (for accent colors)
• Porcelain (for contrast and highlights)

Needle size recommendations are flexible based on yarn weight. The pattern suggests using size 6 needles if working with thicker worsted yarn to achieve proper gauge and fabric drape. Knitters should verify their needle size choice by checking gauge against the pattern specifications to ensure the finished ornament reaches the intended 4.75 to 5-inch height.

Difficulty Level

Brady the Snowman Ornament is classified as a beginner-friendly project, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to the craft or those looking for a quick, satisfying holiday project. While the pattern includes cable work and increases, these techniques are fundamental skills that beginner knitters can master with basic instruction and practice.