Christmas is fast approaching, so time to start making your Christmas crafts.

Here is a free knitting pattern for making a Santa Claus doll.
The body has been handknit using pure DK weight wool and size 4mm knitting needles. I have used merino wool roving for the body stuffing, so that this can be felted in the washing machine.

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Santa Knitting Pattern

Body
Cast on 24 st
1 WS -Knit
2 RS – Purl
3 WS – K5, m1, k2, m1, k10, m1, k2, m1, k5
4 RS – Purl
5 WS – – K6, m1, k2, m1, k12, m1, k2, m1, k6
6 RS – Purl
7 WS – – K7, m1, k2, m1, k14, m1, k2, m1, k7
Knit 20 rows in stocking stitch
28 WS – k6, ss k1 psso, k2, k2 tog, k12, k tog, k2, ss k1 psso, k6
29 RS – p6, p2 tog, p2, p2tog, p12, p2 tog, p2, p2 tog, p6
30 WS – k5, ss k1 psso, k2, k2 tog, k10, k tog, k2, ss k1 psso, k5
31 RS – – p4, p2 tog, p2, p2tog, p8, p2 tog, p2, p2 tog, p4
32 WS – k3, ss k1 psso, k2, k2 tog, k10, k tog, k2, ss k1 psso, k3
33 WS – k2, ss k1 psso, k2, k2 tog, k10, k tog, k2, ss k1 psso, k3

Neck
Knit 3 rows in stocking stitch

Head
37 WS – k3, m1, k2, m1, k6, m1, k2, m1, k3
38 RS – p4, m1, p2, ,m1, p8, m1, p2, m1, p4
39 WS – k5, m1, k2, m1, k10, m1, k, m1, k5
Knit 11 rows stocking stitch
51 WS – k4, ss k1 psso, k2, k2 tog, k8, k tog, k2, ss k1 psso, k4
52 RS – p3, p2 tog, p2, p 2 tog, p6, p2 tog, p2, p2 tog, p3
53 WS – k2, ss k1 psso, k2, k2 tog, k4, k tog, k2, ss k1 psso, k2
Cast off

Arms
– Knit 2
Cast on 12 stitches
Knit 18 rows in stocking stitch
19 WS – k1, ( k2 tog) twice, k2, ( k2 tog) twice, k1
20 RS – Purl
21 WS – k2, (m1, k2) 3 times
22 RS – Purl
23 WS – k2, m1, k3, m1, k4, m1, k2
Knit 5 rows in stocking stitch
45 WS – k1, ( k2 tog) 6 times, k1
Break off yarn and thread through remaining stitches
Legs
Cast on 15 stitches
Knit 4 rows stocking stitch
5 WS – k4, k2 tog, k3, k2 tog, k4
Knit 20 rows stocking stitch

Shape Feet
21 WS – k1, m1, k5, m1, k1, m1, k5, m1, k1
22 RS – purl
23 WS – k8, m1, k1, m1, k8
24 RS – purl
25 WS – k9, m1, k1, m1, k7, turn, do not work remaining stitches on left hand needle
26 RS – sl 1, purl 16, turn
27 WS – sl1, k7, m1, k1, m1, k6, turn
28 RS – sl 1, p 14, turn
29 WS – sl 1, k6, m1, k1, m1, k3, turn
30 RS sl1, p8, turn
31 WS – sl 1, knit to end of row
Cast off

Finishing

Body
Sew the top of the head and back seam using a blanket stitch.
Stuff the body with merino wool roving.
Sew the bottom seam using a blanket stitch.

Neck
Using 1 strand of wool yarn, without an end knot, insert a tapestry needle at the back seam, under the first row of the head increase. Weave the needle through the stitches in the neck and pull the thread to tighten the neck. Tie a double knot and weave the yarn ends into the doll.

Arms
Using a blanket stitch, sew the sides of the arms together and fill the arms with wool stuffing.
Using the decrease stitches on the shoulders as a guide, sew the top of the arm to the shoulder area of the body.
Using the same method as for the neck, tighten the wrists with a strand of yarn.

Legs
Fold the cast-off edge in half and stitch together with a blanket stitch to create the foot of the doll.
Fill with wool roving and continue to stitch up the back of the leg.
Fill the leg with wool roving and sew up the top opening.
Stitch the legs to the bottom of the body.

Machine Felted Santa

After knitting, I washed Santa in the washing machine set on a gentle cycle, along with a few tea towels.

Next:
How to make the Santa Suit!
Santa on Folksy

Christmas Craft Books and Patterns

Mini Christmas Knits (Twenty to Make)
Highlighting the small charms of the holidays, the 20 step-by-step Christmas projects collected here will add to the warmth of the season. With each project requiring just small scraps of yarn, knitters will enjoy applying their skills to such novelty projects as miniature Christmas stockings, holly leaves, small reindeer, a snowman, an egg cozy, knitted gingerbread cookies, and a wee Christmas sweater.
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‘Twas the Knits Before Christmas
‘Twas the Knits Before Christmas features the poem, accompanied by beautiful color illustrations. Interspersed are patterns for creating a knitted scene that includes mom and dad, the children, Santa, eight reindeer, the moon, stockings, and toys.

Knit Christmas Stockings!: 19 Patterns for Stockings and Ornaments
The 19 fun, simple-to-follow patterns presented here make it easy for even first-time knitters to create beautiful stockings, not to mention delightful knit and felt ornaments for the Christmas tree.

more Christmas Pattern Books

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