Knitted Christmas decorations

Using double-pointed knitting needles size 3.0 mm and col 1, cast on 16 stitches (sts). Knit (k) all sts back and forth until you have a square measuring 6 x 6 cm, a total of about 32 rows (rs).

Using double-pointed knitting needles, pick up 16 sts on each of the remaining three sides of the square = 64 sts. Work in the round on 4 double-pointed knitting needles as follows: Round (rd) 1: k15, purl (p)1, k15, p1, k15, p1, k15, p1. Rd 2: Switch to gold metallic yarn: k64. Rd 3: p64. Rd 4: Switch to col 1: k15, p1, k15, p1, k15, p1, k15, p1. Rds 5 and 6: As rds 2 and 3 using gold metallic yarn. Rd 7: As rd 4 using col 1. Rds 8-21: Switch to col 2: k15, p1, k15, p1, k15, p1, k15, p1. Cast 16 sts off knitwise on the first needle. Leave sts on needles 3 and 4.

Working only on needle 2, work back and forth as follows: Knit 2 sts together (k2tog) at the beginning of each row (r). Switch to gold metallic yarn and work 1 r: k to end and then 1 r: p to end. Switch to col 2 and work 2 rs: k to end. Repeat these 4 rs until 1 st remains. Break the yarn and pull it through the last st. On needle 4, work an identical gable end.

Switch to col 1 and needle 3: work back and forth until the roof measures 10 cm (about 52 rs). Cast off. Weave in ends.

Using col 3, Swiss darn windows. Using col 1, Swiss darn door. Swiss darn a border of gold metallic yarn around windows and door. Using col 4, stem stitch a Christmas tree and a garland. Add lights to the garland and Christmas tree: Using gold metallic yarn, work French knots. Fill the cottage with stuffing. Using gold metallic yarn and crochet hook size 3.0 mm, sew roof and gable ends together with double crochets (dcs). Add extra stuffing to fill the roof and then crochet dcs to close the gap. Sew on a gold cord to hang.