Christmas Cracker drawstring sweet holder

Christmas Cracker Drawstring Sweet Holder

Project Overview

This downloadable knitting pattern from designer Andrew Lucas creates a festive Christmas cracker chocolate holder perfect for table settings and holiday entertaining. The project combines knitted elements with a cardboard tube base to construct a decorative sweet holder featuring colorful striped design and functional drawstring ties.

What Is Being Made

The Christmas cracker drawstring sweet holder is a small decorative container designed to hold chocolates or sweets for holiday table settings. The finished piece features a knitted cover that wraps around a cardboard toilet roll tube, creating a cracker-shaped holder with gathered ends secured by knitted drawstring ties. This beginner-friendly project is ideal for creating multiple holders as festive party favors or table decorations.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Garter stitch – Used for the top and bottom edges of the cracker cover to create a textured, reversible fabric that lies flat
• Stocking stitch – Forms the main body of the cracker cover, creating a smooth, classic knitted appearance
• Picot edge – Created using yarn round needle (yrn) and knit two together (k2tog) decreases to form decorative scalloped edges at the top and bottom of the cover
• Casting on and casting off – Standard techniques for beginning and finishing the knitted pieces
• Bind and tie finish – A method of securing stitches by threading the wool end through remaining stitches on the needle and drawing them closed

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses fundamental knitting abbreviations and stitches suitable for beginners:

• k – knit stitch
• p – purl stitch
• st st – stocking stitch (alternating knit and purl rows)
• gs – garter stitch (knitting every row)
• inc – increase
• dec – decrease
• tog – together (used in decreasing)
• yrn – yarn round needle (creates decorative holes)
• B and T – bind and tie method for finishing edges

Materials Required

This beginner project requires minimal materials, making it economical for creating multiple holders:

• Needles: 3.25mm knitting needles
• Yarn: Double knitting wool in four colors – yellow, lemon, green, and red. The pattern uses oddments (small leftover quantities) of each color, making it perfect for yarn stash utilization
• Additional materials: One cardboard toilet roll tube per holder (provides the structural base), tapestry needle for finishing and weaving in ends

Pattern Structure

The cracker holder consists of two main components:

• Cracker cover: Cast on 36 stitches in yellow wool and work garter stitch for 2 rows. A picot row creates the first decorative edge, followed by 28 rows of stocking stitch in lemon wool for the main body. The pattern returns to yellow wool with another picot row and garter stitch finish before casting off. The row ends are stitched together to form a tube that wraps around the cardboard base.
• Tie ends: Two identical pieces are knitted separately using yellow wool. Each begins with casting on 7 stitches and knitting 2 rows before beginning the pattern section (details not fully provided in excerpt). These ties gather the ends of the cracker holder to create the characteristic cracker shape.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it accessible to new knitters. The project requires only basic knitting skills including casting on, knit and purl stitches, simple decreases, and basic finishing techniques. The straightforward construction and minimal color changes make it an excellent introduction to working with multiple yarn colors.

Design Features

The Christmas cracker holder showcases several design elements that enhance its festive appeal. The picot edges create decorative scalloped details at the top and bottom of the cover, adding visual interest and a delicate finish. The color striping – combining