A Pear For Christmas

In many cultures, the Pear has been a symbol of divine abundance, prosperity, good health, and future happiness. It’s no wonder that it has been adorning Christmas trees for centuries. This simple knit pattern is my gift to you, and I hope that it makes a lovely addition to your Christmas decorations for
for generations to come.

You will need:

US size 2 DPNs (or circular needles if you prefer magic loop)
Approximately 10g of Fingering weight yarn in your choice of colors for the pear and a bit for the stem
Cotton, wool, or polyfill for stuffing
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers

Mine were made with Chasing Rabbits Fiber Co BFL Fingering in Bijou (green), Ring (gold). The red pear was made with a remnant of a colorway that is no longer available, but Lyra, Rosie, Velvet, Pink Cedar, or Fireside would all be beautiful choices. This sweet pear is knit seamlessly from the bottom up using the main color with the stem color being added at the end before binding off. Keep your stitches tight to minimize ladders and gaps that will show the stuffing in the finished product.

To begin, cast on six stitches in the main color and divide them equally between three DPN’s. Join for working in the round being careful not to twist them.

Round 1: K (6 STS)
Round 2: Kf/b all STS. (12 STS)
Round 3: K
Round 4: Kf/b all STS. (24 STS)
Round 5: K
Round 6: (K3, Kf/b) to end. (30 STS)
Round 7: K
Round 8: (K4, Kf/b) to end. (36 STS)
Round 9: K
Round 10: (K5, Kf/b) to end. (42 STS)
Round 11: K
Round 12: (K6, Kf/b) to end. (48 STS)
Round 13: K
Round 14: (K7, Kf/b) to end. (54 STS)
Round 15: K
Round 16: (K8, Kf/b) to end. (60 STS)
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Rounds 17-28: K twelve rounds.
—————
*Begin stuffing the base of the pear.
Round 29: (K1, K2tog) to end. (40 STS)
Rounds 30-31: K two rounds.
Round 32: (K1, K2tog) to last ST, K1. (27 STS)
—————
Rounds 33-48: K sixteen rounds.
—————
*Continue to add stuffing.
Round 49: (K2, K2tog) to last ST, K1. (21 STS)
Round 50: K
Round 51: (K2, K2tog) to last ST, K1. (16 STS)
*Complete stuffing.
Round 52: (K2 tog) to end. (8 STS)
Round 53: (K2tog) to end. (4 STS)
——————
Break main color and change to stem color.
Round 54: Place the remaining 4 STS on one DPN and K4 STS.
Rounds 55-63: K nine rounds of i-cord to work the length of the stem.
Round 64: (K2tog) x2. (2STS)
Round 65: K2tog, break yarn leaving an approximate 10” tail, and pull the tail through the last loop to close.
Finishing:
Use the tail to close up any gaps. Insert the needle into the body of the pear from the base of the stem and push it through to the base of the pear at the point of cast-on. Stitch an asterisk at the bottom of the pear to mimic the appearance of a calyx on a real pear. Tie off the remaining tail and bury the end inside the body of the pear. Weave in remaining ends. Push and squoosh to adjust the stuffing to shape the body in the appearance of a real pear.

Tie on a loop of gold thread at the top to create a hanger if you intend to use the pear as a Christmas tree ornament.

Please reply below and let me know how you enjoy it, and don’t forget to post pictures of your pears on Instagram and use the tag #chasingrabbitsfiberco.

I truly love to see what you create!

Merry Christmas & Happy Knitting,

Dawn