Knitting pattern for Christmas Elf
This little, knitted Christmas Elf is designed to make children and Christmas-lovers happy throughout December. When you buy the pattern for this Christmas Elves from Önling, the money goes directly to a Danish foundation called 'Julemærkehjemmet', who helps vulnerable children out of bullying, loneliness and low self esteem.

The pattern describes both how to knit two slightly different elves. 

The Christmas elf is a quick and nice little knitting project. You can use the elves as a knitted Christmas decoration, as a surprise for a child or grandchild or as a decoration on Christmas presents. Decorate the elf with accessories and make a small elf universe or knit it exactly according to the pattern for a classic, Nordic elf expression.

Materials:
Knit with the yarn you have or find a knitting kit for a small elf in Önling No 20 here

The pattern is a PDF file. Immediately after purchase you will be able to download the pattern directly from the purchase confirmation page. You will also receive an e-mail with a link to your pattern, and the pattern will be available here at the site via your personal account - so remember to create an account :-) Read more about digital knitting patterns here.

The work of 'Julemærkehjemmet':
Too many children in Denmark are not thriving. They feel alone and left out. But no one deserves an everyday life filled with loneliness and stomach ache. When children come for a stay in a Julemærkehjem, they get help to find their strengths and build their self-esteem, so they can once again be part of communities. And they bring these new skills and habits home with them.

Julemærkehjem have existed for more than a 100 years, and they help almost 1000 children every year with a 10-week long stay, with the objective of improving their mental and physical health.

Elf sizing:
The size of the elf depends on the yarn you work with and whether you knit with one or two strands. In this yarn (No 20) the elf will be 13-15 cm / 5-7 inches tall (incl. hat) if you are knitting with 2 strands.

With 3 strands of Önling No 15 (kit for big elf) it is approx. 25 cm / 10 inches tall.  

Recommended needles:
You need to knit with needles that match the yarn you choose. For the yarn in this kit, needle 4-4.5 is recommended, if you knit with 2 threads.

This pattern is a digital file that will be available for download immediately after purchase.

ABOUT PATTERNS FROM ÖNLING

All patterns from Önling are delivered digitally - and 95% of these will be sent immediately after purchase. Read more about how to get hold of your digital knitting pattern here.

The exception is patterns from Katrines Favorite Corner:

- When you buy a pattern for a design from Katrine's Favorite Corner, you will receive a digital pattern by mail (and in your Ravelry library). Please allow 1-2 days for your pattern to be sent, as this is handled manually by our brilliant customer service team. See the designs in question here.

WASHING INSTRUCTIONS

Wool can last for years, but it requires good care. Washing is tough on your woolen garments and in general wool needs to be washed much less than other materials as it has a self-cleaning effect.

Find our instructions for how to wash your knitwear here.

General washing instructions

Wash gently by hand or on a dedicated wool/hand-wash cycle at max. 30°C / 85°F. Use a low spin speed: max. 800 rpm if adjustable, or Low where the options are Low / Medium / High.

Always dry flat. See the yarn instructions and exceptions in the table below.

Start with a swatch

Wash and dry your swatch like the finished piece. Measure gauge only when completely dry; washing and shaping can change appearance and dimensions.

When combining yarns, follow the gentlest care instructions. Test strong colour contrasts in the same swatch; otherwise, keep light and dark knits separate when washing and drying.

Choose the right detergent

Use mild liquid detergent without enzymes or bleach, suitable for all fibres. Choose wool detergent for wool, angora, mohair and cashmere. For knits containing silk, it must also suit silk. For Önling No 14 and No 21 alone, mild delicates detergent is suitable.

In Denmark, we recommend: Neutral Uld & Finvask; Sonett Olivenvaskemiddel til uld og silke Sensitive; or Ecover Uld & Silke (Delicate). Always check the current label. Follow the dosage on the packaging, and do not use fabric softener.

How to hand-wash

1. Wash gently in plenty of lukewarm water, max. 30°C / 85°F, with detergent. Gently press the knit down into the water. Do not rub, wring or stretch.

2. Rinse gently in clean, lukewarm water, max. 30°C / 85°F. A suitable no-rinse detergent may be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

3. Support the whole piece when lifting. Roll in a clean, dry towel and gently press out water. Use this method especially for hand-wash-only yarns.

How to machine-wash

Always test the wool cycle on a swatch. Without a dedicated wool/hand-wash cycle, hand-wash. A regular delicates cycle is not a wool cycle.

Avoid large temperature changes between washing and rinsing, as these can cause wool to felt. Use the towel method instead of spinning if preferred. With rinse hold, drain without spinning. Follow the machine's instructions and remove the knit promptly after washing.

Soaking before the first wash

Find the soaking time in the table below. Place finished knits and swatches in plenty of water without detergent, max. 30°C / 85°F. Keep them submerged and undisturbed. Do not soak yarn in balls, skeins or on cones.

Drain the water and gently press out excess water without wringing. Then wash as instructed. Soaking in water does not replace washing.

Önling No 12, No 13 and No 16 are supplied unwashed after spinning. The first treatment is part of finishing. If soaking continues beyond about 24 hours, replace all the water. This also applies to Hverdagskittet with No 12 and No 13.

This treatment allows Önling No 16 to bloom and soften, and softens the fibres in Önling No 21. Önling No 1, No 2, No 3, No 4, No 10 and No 20 are washed at the mills.

Drying and blocking

Dry flat and fully supported on a blocking mat or dry towel on a moisture-resistant surface. Gently shape while damp and check the measurements. Blocking means shaping, not stretching larger. Use rustproof blocking pins when the pattern calls for them.

Allow air to circulate, replace wet towels and leave to dry completely. Avoid hangers, washing lines, radiators, strong direct sunlight and tumble dryers.

Between washes and for odours

Air wool knits overnight or for a few hours outdoors in slightly damp weather, flat or well supported. Let them rest between uses to regain their shape. Airing can remove smoke and cooking smells. Wash if stained, dirty or persistently smelly.

For spinning-oil odours in unwashed yarns, follow the yarn instructions for the first treatment and subsequent washing with wool detergent.

Fluff and pilling

Pilling is mainly caused by friction. Remove pills only as needed with a suitable tool, testing an inconspicuous area first. Take care with airy, loosely knitted and long-haired knits. Wool combs and fabric shavers are not recommended routinely for all yarns.

Storage

Store knits folded, clean and completely dry. Protect wool knits and yarn from moths, for example in a clean, sealed container, and check the contents regularly.

YARN GUIDE

Washing: Max. 30°C / 85°F. Wool cycle: max. 800 rpm or Low. Dry flat. Soaking: Finished knits and swatches only, in water without detergent. Do not soak yarn in balls, skeins or on cones. Wash afterwards.