Knitted Christmas Bauble Covers: 6 Free Flat-Knit Patterns

Make a knitted Christmas bauble cover with these six free knitting patterns, all worked flat on straight needles.

Choose from double moss stitch, mock rib, trinity stitch, fisherman’s rib, seed blocks, and granite relief, then seam and gather your cover around an existing bauble.

Six Stitch Patterns To Try

Each bauble cover begins as a knitted rectangle.

Once the knitting is finished, you’ll sew the side edges together and gather the bottom and top around an existing bauble.

There’s no knitting in the round or complicated shaping.

Choose from:

• Double moss stitch.
• Mock rib.
• Trinity stitch.
• Fisherman’s rib.
• Seed blocks.
• Granite relief stitch.

Start with one design or make all six for a collection of textured Christmas decorations.

Before You Get Started

• These patterns are suitable for knitters who are comfortable with knit and purl stitches and ready to try a few different techniques.
• Double moss stitch and mock rib are good starting points.
• Trinity stitch, fisherman’s rib, and granite relief introduce techniques such as working several stitches into one stitch, knitting into the stitch below, and decreasing.
• Each stitch pattern creates a different fabric, so the cast-on counts vary between designs.
• Use the count given for your chosen pattern.

Size And Fit

Each knitted rectangle measures approximately:

• Width: 9 inches / 23 cm.
• Height: 3.5 inches / 9 cm.

Bauble circumference: approximately 9.75 inches / 25 cm, measured around the widest part.

• The rectangle is slightly narrower than the bauble’s circumference so the knitted fabric stretches around it.
• Check the width of your knitting against your bauble before completing the cover.
• Different stitch patterns have different amounts of stretch, and your tension will affect the finished fit.
• These instructions are written for the size shown.
• If you use a different-sized bauble, you may need to adjust the stitch count, keeping the stitch multiple for your chosen design.

Gauge

• Around – 10 × 10 cm / 4 × 4 in = 21 sts × 28 rows
• Gauge varies between the six stitch patterns.
• Use the finished measurements as your guide: each rectangle should measure approximately 9 inches / 23 cm wide and 3.5 inches / 9 cm high.
• Check the width early by gently stretching the knitting around your bauble.
• The side edges should meet comfortably without excessive stretching or large gaps.
• If the fabric is too narrow, try a larger needle; if it is too wide, try a smaller needle.

Yarn And Supplies

• Yarn: DROPS Karisma—approximately 20 g / 40 meters / 44 yards per bauble cover. Allow a little extra for seaming and gathering.
• Needles: 4 mm (US 6) straight knitting needles, or circular needles used to work flat.

I used DROPS Karisma in the following shades:

Stitch pattern	Yarn color
Double moss stitch	48 Wine Red
Mock rib	45 Light Olive
Trinity stitch	01 Off White
Fisherman’s rib	47 Forest Green
Seed blocks	87 Moss Green
Granite relief stitch	18 Red

You’ll also need:

• Baubles measuring approximately 9.75 inches / 25 cm in circumference.
• A tapestry needle.
• Scissors.
• A tape measure.
• Matching yarn for seaming and gathering.
• Ribbon or hanging cord, if needed.

Knitting Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Meaning
K	Knit
P	Purl
St / sts	Stitch / stitches
Rep	Repeat
RS	Right side—the outside of the finished cover
WS	Wrong side—the inside of the finished cover
K2tog	Knit 2 stitches together; decreases 1 stitch
P3tog	Purl 3 stitches together; decreases 2 stitches
KFB	Knit into the front and back of the same stitch; increases 1 stitch
K1B	Knit 1 into the stitch below
*	Repeat the instructions following the asterisk as directed
[ ]	Work the instructions inside the brackets the stated number of times

How To Work K1B

Insert your right-hand needle into the stitch directly below the next stitch on your left-hand needle.

Knit into that lower stitch, then let the stitch above it slip off the left-hand needle. The upper stitch will release as part of the technique.

Related post: K1B Knitting: How To Knit One Below

How To Work (K1, P1, K1) Into One Stitch

Knit into the next stitch without slipping it off the left-hand needle.

Bring the yarn forward and purl into the same stitch, again keeping it on the needle.

Take the yarn back and knit into that stitch once more, then slip the original stitch off the left-hand needle.

You now have three stitches in place of one.

Related Post: How To Knit Trinity Stitch

Knitted Christmas Bauble Patterns

1. Double Moss Stitch Bauble Cover

A textured knit-and-purl pattern in a rich wine red.

Yarn: DROPS Karisma, 48 Wine Red.

Stitch multiple: A multiple of 4 stitches.

Cast on 40 stitches.

Knit 2 rows.

• Row 1 (RS): *K2, P2; rep from * to end.
• Row 2 (WS): *K2, P2; rep from * to end.
• Row 3: *P2, K2; rep from * to end.
• Row 4: *P2, K2; rep from * to end.

Repeat Rows 1–4 until the piece measures approximately 3.5 inches / 9 cm from the cast-on edge, finishing after a complete repeat.

Bind off loosely, leaving a tail approximately 10 inches / 25 cm long.

Finish using the shared assembly instructions below.

2. Mock Rib Bauble Cover

This simple two-row repeat creates a ribbed texture with an easy rhythm.

Yarn: DROPS Karisma, 45 Light Olive.

Stitch multiple: A multiple of 2 stitches plus 1.

Cast on 39 stitches.

• Row 1 (RS): K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end.
• Row 2 (WS): Purl.

Repeat Rows 1–2 until the piece measures approximately 3.5 inches / 9 cm from the cast-on edge, finishing after Row 2.

Bind off loosely, leaving a tail approximately 10 inches / 25 cm long.

Finish using the shared assembly instructions below.

3. Trinity Stitch Bauble Cover

Trinity stitch creates little clusters that stand out beautifully in off-white yarn.

Yarn: DROPS Karisma, 01 Off White.

Stitch multiple: A multiple of 4 stitches.

Cast on 60 stitches.

• Row 1: Purl.
• Row 2: *(K1, P1, K1) into the same stitch, P3tog; rep from * to end.
• Row 3: Purl.
• Row 4: *P3tog, (K1, P1, K1) into the same stitch; rep from * to end.

Repeat Rows 1–4 until the piece measures approximately 3.5 inches / 9 cm from the cast-on edge, finishing after a complete repeat.

Bind off loosely, leaving a tail approximately 10 inches / 25 cm long.

When assembling, place the textured cluster side on the outside of the bauble.

Tip: Keep your tension relaxed when working three stitches into one stitch so the next row is easier to work.

4. Fisherman’s Rib Bauble Cover

Fisherman’s rib creates a soft, stretchy fabric with deep columns of stitches.

Yarn: DROPS Karisma, 47 Forest Green.

Stitch multiple: A multiple of 2 stitches plus 3.

Cast on 43 stitches.

• Setup row (WS): Knit.
• Row 2 (RS): *K1, K1B; rep from * to last stitch, K1.
• Row 3 (WS): K2, *K1B, K1; rep from * to last stitch, K1.

Repeat Rows 2–3 until the piece measures approximately 3.5 inches / 9 cm from the cast-on edge, finishing after Row 3.

Bind off loosely, leaving a tail approximately 10 inches / 25 cm long.

Finish using the shared assembly instructions below.

5. Seed Blocks Bauble Cover

This pattern combines small sections of seed stitch with contrasting bands for a textured green bauble.

Yarn: DROPS Karisma, 87 Moss Green.

Stitch multiple: A multiple of 7 stitches plus 5.

Cast on 40 stitches.

• Row 1 (RS): *[K1, P1] twice, K3; rep from * to last 5 stitches, [K1, P1] twice, K1.
• Row 2 (WS): [K1, P1] twice, K1, *P2, [K1, P1] twice, K1; rep from * to end.
• Rows 3–6: Repeat Rows 1–2 twice more.
• Row 7: Purl.
• Row 8: Knit.

Repeat Rows 1–8 until the piece measures approximately 3.5 inches / 9 cm from the cast-on edge, finishing after a complete repeat.

Bind off loosely, leaving a tail approximately 10 inches / 25 cm long.

Finish using the shared assembly instructions below.

6. Granite Relief Stitch Bauble Cover

Granite relief stitch creates a textured fabric using a four-row repeat.

Yarn: DROPS Karisma, 18 Red.

Stitch multiple: A multiple of 2 stitches.

Cast on 62 stitches.

• Row 1 (RS): Knit.
• Row 2 (WS): *K2tog; rep from * to end. 31 stitches.
• Row 3: *KFB; rep from * to end. 62 stitches.
• Row 4: Purl.

Repeat Rows 1–4 until the piece measures approximately 3.5 inches / 9 cm from the cast-on edge, finishing after Row 4.

Bind off loosely, leaving a tail approximately 10 inches / 25 cm long.

Note: Row 2 halves the stitch count, and Row 3 restores it. Complete the repeat before binding off.

Finish using the shared assembly instructions below.

How To Assemble Your Knitted Christmas Bauble

Use the same finishing method for all six designs.

1. Sew The Side Seam

Lay the rectangle with the right side facing you.

Bring the two short side edges together so the rectangle forms a tube.

The cast-on and bound-off edges will form the bottom and top openings.

Using matching yarn and a tapestry needle, join the short edges with mattress stitch.

Work with the right side facing outward and keep the seam flexible.

2. Gather The Bottom

Thread a length of matching yarn through the stitches along the cast-on edge.

Pull gently to gather the opening, then secure the yarn and weave in the end.

3. Insert The Bauble

Slide the bauble into the knitted cover with its hanging cap at the open end.

Adjust the fabric so the stitch pattern sits evenly around the bauble.

4. Gather The Top

Thread the bound-off yarn tail through the stitches around the top edge.

Use a separate length of matching yarn if the tail is too short.

Draw the opening together around the bauble’s hanging cap.

Secure the yarn and weave in the end, keeping the hanging loop accessible.

5. Add The Finishing Touches

Adjust the gathers at the top and bottom.

Add ribbon or a hanging cord if needed, and your knitted Christmas bauble is ready for the tree!

Free Printable Knitted Christmas Bauble Patterns

Keep these six knitted Christmas bauble cover patterns handy with the free printable below.

Print a copy to keep beside your knitting, or save it to your tablet so you can try each stitch pattern at your own pace.

The printable includes all six designs, an abbreviations list, and the shared seaming and gathering instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these baubles knitted flat?

Yes. Every cover is worked back and forth in rows as a rectangle, then seamed and gathered around a bauble.

You can use straight knitting needles or circular needles worked flat.

Which pattern should I try first?

Double moss stitch and mock rib are good choices if you’re comfortable with knit and purl stitches.

Try the other designs when you’re ready to practice a different technique.

Why do the patterns have different cast-on counts?

Each stitch pattern produces a different fabric.

Some draw in more than others, so the cast-on counts vary to create rectangles of approximately the same finished width.

Can I use a different yarn?

Yes, but check the finished measurements and fit.

A different yarn or needle size can change both the size and stretch of the fabric, even when you use the same cast-on count.

Can I use a different-sized bauble?

These patterns are written for a bauble measuring approximately 9.75 inches / 25 cm around its widest point.

For another size, you may need to change the stitch count and height.

Keep the stitch multiple for your chosen pattern and check the knitting against your bauble as you work.

Share Your Finished Baubles

I’d love to see which stitch patterns and colors you choose!

Share your finished Christmas baubles on Instagram and tag @handylittleme, or use #handylittleme.

Happy Knitting!

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