Knit Gift Box Ornament – 12 Ornaments of Christmas

Oh, what’s that? For me? Well, it’s the third ornament of Christmas, so it’s actually a new pattern for you. ;) Even though this third ornament in the series looks just like a present, I’m still clinging to my promise from the series kickoff to avoid sharing overly festive stuff as long as possible. I’m hoping the orange and purple colors are helping keep things subtle. Just you wait, though! With Thanksgiving (a.k.a. the herald of all things Christmasy) on Thursday, the floodgates will be opening, bringing all the red, green, and evergreen I can think up. Enjoy!

Don’t forget! If you make this or any other of the 12 ornaments of Christmas, you can share them on social media using #handsoccupiedhohoho!

Knit Gift Box Ornament Pattern

Supplies

US size 3 knitting needles
tapestry needle
size F crochet hook
Lion Brand Bonbons in Beach – 1 mini skein each in orange & purple
scissors
poly-fil (polyester fiber fill, a.k.a. stuffing)

Abbreviations

CO – cast on
sts – stitches
(X sts) – X indicates the number of sts that will now be on your needle
WS – wrong side
sl – slip stitch as if to purl
p – purl
RS – right side
k – knit
mattress stitch – how to sew mattress stitch video tutorial

The pattern:

Box panels – make 2 in orange
CO 12 sts.
1-11 (odd rows). (WS) sl 1, p across.
2-12 (even rows). (RS) sl1, k across.
13. (WS) sl 1, k across.
14-24 (even rows). (RS) sl 1, k across.
15-25 (odd rows). (WS) sl 1, p across.
26. (RS) sl 1, p across.
27-37 (odd rows). (WS) sl 1, p across.
28-38 (even rows). (RS) sl 1, k across.
39. (WS) BO in pattern.

Join the two rectangles using mattress stitch. Lay your rectangles perpendicular to each other as shown, and begin sewing the pieces together. You can sew one continuous line starting at the point shown in the diagram without having to break your yarn. When you get to the last sides to be joined, stuff your cube with poly-fil and finish the seam.

Box band – make 2 in purple
CO 4 sts.
1-11 (odd rows). (WS) sl 1, p across.
2-12 (even rows). (RS) sl 1, k across.
13. (WS) sl 1, k across.
14-24 (even rows). (RS) sl 1, k across.
15-25 (odd rows). (WS) sl 1, p across.
26. (RS) sl 1, p across.
27-37 (odd rows). (WS) sl 1, p across.
28-38 (even rows). (RS) sl 1, k across.
39. (WS) sl 1, k across.
40-50 (even rows). (RS) sl 1, k across.
41-51 (odd rows). (WS) sl 1, p across.
52. (RS) BO in pattern.
Sew ends of each band together, forming a loop (be careful not to twist the band when you sew the ends together).

Place both box bands around the box, forming a plus sign as shown in the photos. It’s not necessary to sew them to the box unless you prefer to.

Box bow – make 1 in purple
CO 4 sts
1-7 (odd rows). (WS) sl 1, p across.
2-8 (even rows). (RS) sl 1, k across.
9. (WS) sl 1, k across.
10-16 (even rows). (RS) sl 1, k across.
11-17 (even rows). (WS) sl 1, p across.
Sew ends of band together, forming a loop (be careful not to twist the band when you sew the ends together). Wrap some scrap yarn around the center of this small lop so it looks like a bow. Leave tails from the scrap yarn to tie the two bands of the box together as shown in the photos.

Weave in all ends.