Elegant Easter Eggs Free Knitting Pattern

These Elegant Easter Eggs were designed by our very own Jeanne (Two Askew Designs 2007(c)...askewtoo@gmail.com). Her ingenius design allows for fitting a standard plastic egg (filled with goodies) inside of the knitted one... an i-cord drawstring closure prevents the plastic egg from falling out. We used a cotton blend for the body - and angora to perk up the middle - but the pattern lends itself perfectly to using up scraps from your stash. Jeanne did a pastel version for her house, while i'm planning on knitting some with dark reds, cedars, and golds (ala Pottery Barn - because i have no imagination:( ).

Materials

Berroco Touche(you don't need a full ball)
Lornas Laces Angel(you don't need a full ball)
Large Plastic Eggs
US 5 & US 2 Double Pointed Needles

Gauge

In pattern stitch, 20 stitches = 4"

Abbreviations

CO: cast on
K: knit
P: purl
sts: stitches
kf&b: knit into front of stitch, leave on left needle and knit into back of same stitch, pull both stitches off, (increase 1 stitch).
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together
sl: slip stitch off left needle onto right needle as if to purl
psso: pass slipped stitch over
yo: yarn over
MC: Main Color
CC: Contrasting Color

Directions (follow for each egg color)
Getting Started

Using US 5 dpn's, CO 38 stitches using cable (or knitted) cast on, join into round, 12 sts on first & second needle, 14 on 3rd needle
Row 1: knit
Row 2: k2tog, yo, repeat to end
Row 3: kf&b, knit to end, 39 sts

Chevron Pattern

Row 1: kf&b, k4, sl1, k2tog, psso, k4 repeat to end of row
Row 2: knit
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 as indicated by the colorway selected below.

Decrease Rounds

Row 1: k2, k2tog, repeat until last few stitches; this will vary by 1 or 2 stitches each round, (note for last few stitches, the odd number of stitches confuses the decreases, so when you get to within those few stitches after the last k2tog, you will knit (maybe 3, maybe 2, and even maybe 1 stitch) before the very last 2 stitches, ALWAYS knit the last 2 stitches together on the decrease round
Row 2: knit
Repeat these 2 rows until 4-6 stitches remain, cut a tail approximately 3 inches long and use tapestry needle to work through the stitches as if it's one more round and pull out needles. Push tapestry needle through center of the egg to inside, turn inside out, pulling very snug and weave in end.

Finishing

Weave in ends
Make a twisted cord for 1 of your eggs (see twisted cord directions)
For remaining 2 eggs:
Using US 2 needles, CO 2 sts using long tail CO
Knit I cord (see I cord) for 12-14 inches
Pull finished cord through eyelet row
Add candy, or prizes to plastic egg, slip into your Elegant Egg, and tie bow!!

Twisted Cord

Cut a piece of each color used, approximately 25 inches long, place ends, together and close into a drawer, holding drawer with foot, hand, kid, husband or any other handy object, pull tight and twist to the right until the yarn wants to curl back on it's self. Keep doing this for a few more twists, (the yarn really wants to curl up now) pull taught and let it curl up on it's self, starting in the middle. Once it's twisted to your satisfaction, tie a knot in the end in drawer, being careful not to let it untwist. Tie a knot in the other end, trim as needed and there you go! A twisted cord!

I Cord

Once you have cast on the number called for in the pattern, knit to end, THEN, slide this work down to other end of double pointed needle, (DON'T TURN WORK) repeat until desired length. Cast off, weave in ends the, voila, an I Cord! Additional I Cord instructions can be found here.

Pink and Yellow Egg

CO in Pink (MC), knit in pink following rows 1-3, knitting straight for 3 rows.
Begin Chevron pattern in MC for 4 rows
CC in Chevron Pattern for 4 rows
MC in Chevron Pattern for 2 rows
CC in Chevron Pattern for 1 row
MC in Chevron Pattern for 2 rows
CC in Chevron Pattern for 4 rows
MC knit 1 row
Begin decrease rounds (as described above)

Blue and Sherbet Egg

CO in Blue (MC), knit in blue following rows 1-3, knitting straight for 3 rows.
Begin Chevron pattern in MC for 3 rows
CC in Chevron Pattern for 1 rows
MC in Chevron Pattern for 2 rows
CC in Chevron Pattern for 1 row
MC in Chevron Pattern for 1 rows
CC in Chevron Pattern for 3 rows
MC in Chevron Pattern for 1 rows
CC in Chevron Pattern for 1 row
MC in Chevron Pattern for 2 rows
CC in Chevron Pattern for 1 rows
MC knit 1 row
Begin decrease rounds (as described above)

Yellow and Green Egg

CO in Yellow (MC), knit in Yellow following rows 1-3, knitting straight for 3 rows.
Begin Chevron pattern in MC for 3 rows
CC in Chevron Pattern for 2 rows
MC in Chevron Pattern for 2 rows
CC in Chevron Pattern for 5 row
MC in Chevron Pattern for 2 rows
CC in Chevron Pattern for 2 rows
MC knit 1 row
Begin decrease rounds (as described above)

We hope you enjoy this free knitting pattern. This free pattern and the associated photographs are only for personal non-commercial use and are not for resale.