Emberglow Nordic Star Ornament Cover – Free Knitting Pattern

Wrap your holiday tree in warmth and tradition with this stunning knitted ornament cover. Featuring an intricate Nordic star motif in cozy cream, rust red, and forest green, this chunky bauble cover adds a handmade, hygge touch to any festive setting. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or just starting your colorwork journey, this pattern is designed to be approachable and rewarding—a modern heirloom piece you'll cherish for years to come.

This ornament cover is knitted in the round from the top down, creating a snug, stretchy fit over a standard 3-inch (7.5 cm) ornament ball. The Nordic star pattern is worked in stranded colorwork, with floats carried loosely on the inside. The cover is finished with a gathered top and a decorative loop for hanging. Let's get started!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. All materials are readily available at your local yarn shop or online.

Yarn

• Worsted weight yarn in three colors:
  • Cream (MC) – approximately 20g per ornament
  • Rust Red (CC1) – approximately 10g per ornament
  • Forest Green (CC2) – approximately 10g per ornament

Needles & Notions

• US Size 6 (4.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a circular needle for small circumference knitting
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Stitch markers (optional, but helpful for tracking rounds)
• Scissors

Gauge

22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (knit every round). Adjust needle size if necessary to achieve gauge. Getting the right gauge ensures your cover fits snugly over your ornament ball.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked in the round from the top down. Follow each step carefully, and you'll have a beautiful ornament cover in no time. Let's break it down into manageable sections.

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• k2tog = knit two stitches together (decrease)
• m1 = make one (increase) by picking up the bar between stitches and knitting through the back loop
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• MC = main color (Cream)
• CC1 = contrast color 1 (Rust Red)
• CC2 = contrast color 2 (Forest Green)
• rnd = round

Top Loop

Using MC, cast on 6 stitches onto one DPN. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Knit 1 round. This small loop will become the hanging loop for your ornament.

Increase Rounds

Now we'll increase gradually to create the top of the cover that will fit over the ornament's hanger. Follow these rounds carefully:

• Rnd 1: *k1, m1* repeat around (12 sts)
• Rnd 2: knit all sts
• Rnd 3: *k2, m1* repeat around (18 sts)
• Rnd 4: knit all sts
• Rnd 5: *k3, m1* repeat around (24 sts)
• Rnd 6: knit all sts
• Rnd 7: *k4, m1* repeat around (30 sts)
• Rnd 8: knit all sts
• Rnd 9: *k5, m1* repeat around (36 sts)
• Rnd 10: knit all sts
• Rnd 11: *k6, m1* repeat around (42 sts)
• Rnd 12: knit all sts
• Rnd 13: *k7, m1* repeat around (48 sts)
• Rnd 14: knit all sts
• Rnd 15: *k8, m1* repeat around (54 sts)
• Rnd 16: knit all sts
• Rnd 17: *k9, m1* repeat around (60 sts)
• Rnd 18: knit all sts

You should now have 60 stitches on your needles. This is the perfect circumference to fit snugly over a standard ornament ball.

Body – Stockinette Section

Work even in stockinette stitch (knit every round) with MC for 10 rounds. This forms the top of the cover that will be gathered over the ornament's hanger. The smooth stockinette section provides a nice contrast to the textured colorwork that follows.

Nordic Star Pattern

Now the fun begins! We'll work the stranded colorwork chart. Carry the unused yarn loosely across the back of the work, being careful not to pull too tight—this ensures the cover remains stretchy enough to fit over your ornament. The chart is worked over 60 stitches, so repeat the 10-stitch motif 6 times around.

Follow these 12 rounds carefully:

• Rnd 1: *MC k5, CC1 k5* repeat around
• Rnd 2: *CC1 k1, MC k3, CC1 k1, MC k5* repeat around
• Rnd 3: *CC1 k2, MC k1, CC1 k2, MC k5* repeat around
• Rnd 4: *CC1 k1, MC k3, CC1 k1, MC k5* repeat around
• Rnd 5: *MC k5, CC1 k5* repeat around
• Rnd 6: *MC k5, CC2 k5* repeat around
• Rnd 7: *CC2 k1, MC k3, CC2 k1, MC k5* repeat around
• Rnd 8: *CC2 k2, MC k1, CC2 k2, MC k5* repeat around
• Rnd 9: *CC2 k1, MC k3, CC2 k1, MC k5* repeat around
• Rnd 10: *MC k5, CC2 k5* repeat around
• Rnd 11: *MC k10* (all MC)
• Rnd 12: *MC k10* (all MC)

Pro tip: When working stranded colorwork, remember to spread your stitches out on the right needle every few stitches to keep the floats loose. This prevents puckering and ensures your cover lies flat against the ornament.

Lower Body – Decrease Section

Continue with MC only. Now we'll decrease to shape the bottom of the cover so it fits snugly over the ornament. Follow these rounds:

• Rnd 1: *k8, k2tog* repeat around (54 sts)
• Rnd 2: knit all sts
• Rnd 3: *k7, k2tog* repeat around (48 sts)
• Rnd 4: knit all sts
• Rnd 5: *k6, k2tog* repeat around (42 sts)
• Rnd 6: knit all sts
• Rnd 7: *k5, k2tog* repeat around (36 sts)
• Rnd 8: knit all sts
• Rnd 9: *k4, k2tog* repeat around (30 sts)
• Rnd 10: knit all sts
• Rnd 11: *k3, k2tog* repeat around (24 sts)
• Rnd 12: knit all sts
• Rnd 13: *k2, k2tog* repeat around (18 sts)
• Rnd 14: knit all sts
• Rnd 15: *k1, k2tog* repeat around (12 sts)
• Rnd 16: knit all sts
• Rnd 17: *k2tog* repeat around (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving a 10-inch tail. Thread the tail through a tapestry needle and draw through the remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close the bottom. Weave in the end securely.

Finishing

Weave in all loose ends on the inside of the cover. To use, slip the cover over your ornament ball, positioning the top loop over the hanger. The stretchy knit will hug the ornament snugly. The top loop can be used to hang the ornament on the tree, or you can attach a separate ribbon or hook through the loop.

Tips for Perfect Results

• Keep your floats loose: When working the stranded colorwork, stretch the stitches on your right needle every few stitches to ensure the floats aren't too tight. This is crucial for the cover to fit over your ornament.
• Use stitch markers: Place a marker at the beginning of each round to help you keep track of where you are, especially during the increase and decrease sections.
• Block gently: If your cover seems a bit stiff, you can gently block it by wetting it and laying it flat to dry. This will relax the yarn and make it more pliable.
• Make a set: These covers are so quick to knit that you'll want to make a whole set! Mix and match colors to complement your tree's theme.

This Emberglow Nordic Star Ornament Cover is a delightful project that combines traditional colorwork with modern, cozy aesthetics. Whether you're making one as a gift or a set for your own tree, the result is a beautiful, handmade addition to your holiday decor. Happy knitting, and may your holidays be filled with warmth and creativity!