I haven’t done a lot of holiday decorating this year – keeping it simple, but I found this Christmas tabletop knitting needle ornament tree in an old Christmas decorating book and wanted to try it out. It is a non-permanent way to use your ornaments and can be done in many variations. It is perfect to place on a mantle, table, or just to accent your decor. All you need for the basic version is a knitting needle and about 16-20 classic ball ornaments of varying size. I found my color coordinated ornaments at Walmart. They were $2.50 for a box of 10 -18 balls.
Here is the basic version of the Christmas ornament tree: The ornaments are just placed over the needle – largest ornaments on the bottom – smallest on top. I removed the metal ring from the top ornament and hid the tip of the needle by placing the ornament upside down over the tip. The four bottom ornaments hold the tree up. Super simple!
The bottom can be simply left alone, adorned with some greenery, or placed in an urn or planter.
I put this tree in my dining room using a collection of vintage ornaments. I left about 4″ of the needle empty so I could place an old-fashioned peaked tree topper over the tip of the needle for the finishing touch.
For this one, I added a star ornament on the top and made a coordinating tree stand from an empty spool of ribbon and some scrapbook paper. The smaller one in the photo is the basic version.
Experiment with different style balls and your favorite colors. Use all one color or try a different color for each size ball you add to the knitting needle or try four balls of varying sizes in each color. This will give you a spiral effect.
How to Make a Christmas Ornament Tree Using a Knitting Needle
supplies needed:
- A mix of round Christmas ornaments in 4 different sizes –for one tree you will need about 20 balls. At least 4 of each size.
- Knitting Needle – 14 inches long (tall tree) Spray paint the needles if needed to match your ornaments.
- Optional: Christmas tree peak topper or a star ornament, ribbon spool, spray paint, scrapbook paper, glue, spray paint, paper cutter
To make the ribbon spool tree stand: Spray the spool with spray paint to coordinate with your ornaments. Cut scrapbook paper the width of the spool. You could use ribbon, but I like the more finished look of the paper on the spool.
Attach the paper with glue. I used Aleene’s Tacky Line Roll Adhesive.
Attach to the spool.
Thread the knitting needle up through the bottom of the spool.
If the spool has a large hole – you can stuff it with pieces of STYROFOAM to make sure the needle stays straight.
String four large Christmas ball ornaments (about 4” diameter) onto the needle, slipping the metal loops on the balls over the point of the needle. These four balls will form the base of the tree. If you do not want to use the spool tree stand and want to make the basic tree – the four balls when placed squarely on a table will hold the needle upright.
Next string onto the needle four balls of a slightly smaller size. Each one will fit between two of the larger ones. Then string on another four, slightly smaller, and finally four more again, slightly smaller, so that your tree has sixteen Christmas ball ornaments in all. You can add more or less depending on the size of your balls.
The tip will look like this.
On top of the needle place a Christmas star ornament. I found this one at Michaels. It had a “spring” style attachment that I removed. I used that existing hole to place the star on the top of the knitting needle. I used an awl to make the hole a bit larger so it fit over the tip of the needle.
Another way to display the tree is to place the whole thing in or on top of a planter.
For the holidays I thought this one would look nice in my kitchen. Adds some color and festivity to the space by my sink.
Trax, of course had to assist in the assembly of the trees. I tied a pretty coordinating ribbon around his neck in lieu of wanting to wring his neck because he is always getting in the way. My daughter was shaking a ribbon in front of him to get his attention. I think fuchsia is his color, don’t you?
For more quick holiday decorating ideas, click over to my Ornament Bowl Tutorial and other Holiday Decorating Ideas.
Nesbi Maret says
11/26/2015 at 11:45 amSo Eco- friendly, love it!
Thank you for the tutorial
Happy Thanksgiving !
Sandra L. says
10/30/2015 at 7:02 pmOne of my favorite Christmas memories from childhood is when my mother would bring out her boxes of blown ornaments and put together her tree. This was in the ’50’s and I wish I had it…as her’s was a masterpiece considering she had no craft skills. Her and a friend built there using a wire hanger that they opened and straightened the hanger as much as possible. The hook of the hanger was sandwiched between two pieces of cardboard that was then covered in metallic silver gift wrap. The tree had to be put together perfectly as each layer was a different size ornament starting with 4 large at the bottom to super tiny at the top and then a glass tree topper finished it off. I’ve always wanted to recreate her tree and haven’t seen one for decades so this might be the year. Yours are gorgeous and have sparked my creative juices. Thanks for sharing.
Marcia says
12/11/2014 at 8:03 pmMaravilhoso. Adorei.
Marcia says
12/10/2014 at 10:17 amQue idéia maravilhosa. Lindo, lindo, lindo.
Geraldine Bond says
12/19/2013 at 11:14 pmI so love making the Knitting Needle Tree, they are you Beautiful. Thank you. Merry Christmas from my House to Yours !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Donna Lee says
12/11/2013 at 7:52 pmI just love this fast and easy tree!! Now to find a knitting needle somewhere and buy more balls, lol
Lisa says
12/08/2013 at 10:58 amThis is awesome and the perfect quick craft to jazz up the corner of a room. Plus, from decorating for the holidays I have a ton of those ribbon spools:)
mattie says
11/27/2013 at 7:32 pmbrilliant and super easy! thanks for the great inspiration!
kat says
11/26/2013 at 6:59 amIncredibly clever.
marina says
10/05/2013 at 10:36 amwow you are an amazing lady! thank you so much!
marina
rida says
08/16/2013 at 2:06 pmcreative pop
Barbara says
03/10/2013 at 8:59 amJust saw this and love it!!!! Now I know why I saved those odd knitting needles people are always giving me:-)
Lisa D says
12/31/2012 at 3:40 pmGood afternnon. I sure like your idea using the knitting needle/ribbon spool, the ornament and the spray paint. But I am very puzzled. I can see using the thin knitting needle for the project but my question where do I use the thick knitting needle and where does it belong to. I am going to use this idea for a christmas/birthday retirement party. And I would like to use it for my tables. You can contact me at 916-628-6422. Thank you Lisa
Diane Henkler says
12/31/2012 at 4:54 pmHi Lisa – You only need one knitting needle. It can be thin or thick. What matters is the height. The longer the needle the taller your tree will be. I created two different trees and used a different needle for each.
Nancy says
12/18/2012 at 3:13 pmI see this is from last holiday season, BUT! I just found this post. I LOVE this idea so simple beautiful and inexpensive! I have been searching the net for hours on end for the perfect centerpiece for my daughters winter onderland birthday party. I am so excited I found this now! Thanks for posting I only hope my trees come as as beautiful as yours. Thanks a bunch happy holidays
Caroline Bogea says
10/30/2012 at 4:45 pmBelíssima ideia. Parabéns!!
Sandra L. says
10/05/2012 at 1:37 amThis made me smile. My mother’s best friend back in the mid 1950’s made my mother one of these. It looked pretty similar and was basically constructed the same way. She used a wire hanger instead of a knitting needle. My guess back then everybody had tons of wire hangers and the needles were expensive. And the base was much larger, she traced a dessert plate and covered it with beautiful silver foil gift wrap.
The only big different was her’s was done more in a layer effect starting with 4 very large balls and going up until at the top there was about a dozen of those really tiny ones. There was always a gorgeous topper on it. My mother cherished it and even up until her passing a few years ago, she still brought it out every year and somehow managed never to break a ornament.
Joan says
07/28/2012 at 12:45 pmWorst use of a knitting needle ever. Buy a dowel rod and use that. Much cheaper than knitting needles. Yes, I knit.
Diane says
07/28/2012 at 2:41 pmHi Joan –
A dowel would work, but you would have to paint it and that is an extra cost and step. Knitting needles are shiny and colorful just like the Christmas ornaments so they make the perfect instant stem for the ornament tree. Since the needles are not altered in any way – once the holidays are over the needle can used for its intended purpose once again :)
Linda Gray says
12/11/2014 at 2:33 pmI love crocheting and thought I would like knitting. Bought the needs, but never learned how to knit. I love this idea and am glad I will be able to use those needles afterall! :)
Katie says
07/19/2012 at 9:39 amDefinitely doing this, during this upcoming Christmas season. We got married 2 weeks before Christmas and used Christmas balls as the favors so we have tons leftover even after 3 years so this is a great way to use them up since we just stuck a simple sticker on them that can be taken off. They all color coordinated anyway, so this is a great and easy way to use them up!
Amanda says
07/10/2012 at 12:55 pmI love this idea! So cute and frugal. I also love finding cool things from books or magazines I already have. I’m totally going with pink and purple when Christmas comes along! Thanks!
Diane says
07/10/2012 at 1:00 pmHi Amanda –
Years ago when I worked in display – the store I worked in used pink and purple as the colors one year. I loved it, but had so many traditional color decorations that I never did use the color scheme in my own home until last year. I loved how it looked – more modern and bright. I gave the green and red decorations to my daughters who love it for nostalgic reasons.
Dawn W says
01/18/2012 at 9:38 pmI love this!! Thanks so much for sharing the instructions!!
Lisa says
01/01/2012 at 9:04 amThank you for this beautiful idea. My mother passed away April and she was a truly amazing women who was never seen just sitting. For her, to just sit and watch TV was unproductive and even when she was sick she would never just sit. Knitting was wer go to hobby on days when others would have just curled up. So when I saw this, I thought what better way to celebrate this 1st Christmas without her than to make these trees out of my mom’s knitting needles. So I started making this for each of her grandchildren. Each one took on it’s own story of a wonderful women. Thank you for this beautiful idea. It helped me and my family through a very difficult season. I gave the trees with pride knowing each family would have a little piece of my mom with them.
Diane says
01/01/2012 at 1:00 pmHi Lisa –
Thanks for the nice note. My mom passed away in March so I know how you feel. She was a knitter, too as was my mother-in-law. Not sure why I never learned. My mom was super creative and I know she was smiling down from heaven over the holidays as we continued doing all the traditions that she started. She always went all out with decorating the house. I fondly remember coming home from school in early December and she transformed the house into a holiday wonderland while we were at school. It was magical. I hope you have a very happy new year.
Sarah says
12/23/2011 at 6:37 pmI think these are darling. I am saving this idea for next year!
Tonya says
12/23/2011 at 9:00 amGreat idea. Looks gorgeous.
Jeannie Pence - Trendy Tree says
12/23/2011 at 8:05 amStunning idea! Love arrangements that can be made, disassembled and used in other ways. Want to share on my blog with links back to you for your super easy to follow instructions)) Thank you for sharing these ideas!
Debra says
12/23/2011 at 7:58 amAre you kidding me? Knitting needles ??? – of which have too many to count!! You are brilliant – beyond brilliant!! I probably don’t have time to make them this year – but next year for sure. Too stinking cute – and easy!
Latoya @ The Scott's Crib says
12/22/2011 at 9:09 pmGenius! Such a great project:) Thanks for sharing!
Ann Harrison says
12/22/2011 at 1:30 pmFound you through StumbleUpon. What a joy!!!
Lizzy Ford says
12/22/2011 at 10:04 amThis is absolutely BRILLIANT! I just love it.
Ruth says
12/22/2011 at 8:32 amI’m definitely doing this one! How simple but so pretty!
jen says
12/21/2011 at 4:15 amso creative & love that it’s not permanent so you can reuse everything or take it apart for other uses :] thanks for sharing!
jen
http://www.fauxtreschic.blogspot.com
ShawnhH says
12/21/2011 at 2:29 amLove this. You’ve been pinned!
C.K. says
12/20/2011 at 2:19 pmToo Beautiful !!!
PAT K says
12/20/2011 at 12:59 pmThese look so easy and cheep but they are so pretty
sue says
12/20/2011 at 10:35 amWhat a gorgeous (and simple) idea. I have tons of these metal needles and will pack a couple pair in my holiday decorations so I can make some next Christmas.
Thanks for sharing!
Stitchknit
Vittoria says
12/19/2011 at 9:01 pmWhat a GREAT idea!!!! I want to make this right now!!! This would make such a wonderful gift!!!
Absolutely Stunning!!! Thank You for sharing!! :-)
Sharon says
12/18/2011 at 3:08 pmGreat idea! I’ll have to try it out next year.
Jabón y Compañía says
12/18/2011 at 8:57 amWhat a beautiful tree!! I like this blog so much
ElizabethMD says
12/16/2011 at 1:22 amThat is a super cute idea. I bet it would look fantastic with vintage balls, or even those oblong shaped ones!
Mary says
12/15/2011 at 2:01 pmWow this is so easy but elegant.
Lisa says
12/15/2011 at 9:56 amI absolutely LOVE THESE!! They are stunning. Each one more beautiful than the next!
This is a ‘must do’ for me this year.
Wonderful Idea. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa
K Jerread says
12/14/2011 at 5:07 pmLove this idea. I decided today I wanted one. I had everything needed. In five minutes flat I found my makings and had it displayed on my hutch. So easy and nice looking. Thanks.
Yvette O'Brien says
12/14/2011 at 4:28 pmFantastic idea , thank you! Love how the little cat paws appear in the photos now and again! Sweet!!
[email protected] says
12/14/2011 at 1:16 amI was just sent over here by Holly at West Pear Avenue to see your ornament. I’m so glad I came by and found your awesome blog!
kim says
12/13/2011 at 8:01 pmlove it–thanks so much for sharing this idea!
Upscale Downhome says
12/13/2011 at 7:41 pmI absolutely adore your knitting needle trees! So incredibly clever. My favorite one is the vintage one and I think am going to have to try this idea myself. I love the fact that it is not permanent. Thank you so much for sharing. I am a new follower!
Tiffany says
12/13/2011 at 11:02 amSo simple but smart! Pinning it!
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 6:58 pmThanks Tiffany. XO
Holly says
12/13/2011 at 8:19 amWhat a great idea and beautiful for a tabletop or mantle. I might have to try this as I’ve been struggling what to do with our dining room table – two of these and I’m good to go.
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 7:00 pmHi Holly – they would look stunning on your dining room table. They would look extra special in the candlelight as the light is reflected off of the shiny ornaments.
Jessa says
12/13/2011 at 3:30 amI absolutely love the colors you used! What a great idea!
debbi says
12/12/2011 at 11:15 pmThis is so adorable !! I’m having one of those moments “how come I never thought of that !! ” Thanks for sharing ! So easy – still time to do for this year !
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 8:20 pmThanks Debbi-
If you have the ornaments and the knitting needle on hand, you can have one made in minutes -Truly that is all it takes and there still are 12 days till Christmas.
Jennifer says
12/12/2011 at 8:03 pmSo beautiful! They are just too pretty!
Bettsi says
12/12/2011 at 6:14 pmWow! That’s a lot of prettiness for a small time and money investment. Great!
amber P says
12/12/2011 at 2:46 pmThat is really smart! And pretty!
Jenny Barnett Rohrs says
12/12/2011 at 2:02 pmSo clever…and I love the color palette you chose. Had to Pin this, too!
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 8:22 pmThanks Jenny
Sarah @ Redhead in Ruffled Flats says
12/12/2011 at 1:29 pmI absolutely love this! It’s just like the wire hanger ornament wreaths but in a straight line. Makes me wonder why I never think of these things! I love the colors you chose. I need to make some of these next year – so cute!
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 8:26 pmHi Sarah –
That is a good comparison to the wire hanger wreath – in a straight line instead but just piled on. The more the merrier.
Jerralea says
12/12/2011 at 12:55 pmGorgeous! I. Must. Try. This. Today!
Good thing going to Wal-mart is on my list of things to do today!
Tammy says
12/12/2011 at 11:49 amI can’t believe how simple and elegant this is!! Wow!!! Thanks for sharing it :)
Nan Tee says
12/12/2011 at 11:19 amLove this idea! Could you look through some more old decorating books? This one is definitely a keeper :)
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 8:51 pmHi Nan –
:) I enjoy looking through the old books when I stumble upon them at flea markets and thrift stores. I will keep searching.
Sheryll & Critters. says
12/12/2011 at 11:07 amOh how wonderful…. I love this… you always have the most fabulous and inexpensive ideas and the clearest, most detailed instructions.
And Trax is so much help (grin) and you would be so lonely without this dear baby. And any color would just shine with Trax wearing it.
Oh yeah, I lost my knitting needles years ago (can’t remember how to knit anyway), but I am going to try this with some cheap, wooden bbq skewers. We will see…….
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 8:54 pmHi Sheryll-
You could use the skewers, chopsticks, or even a wood dowel placed in the foam stuffed ribbon spool – great idea. Thanks for sharing it here.
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
12/12/2011 at 11:05 amWow! You are a Christmas crafting genius! So glad I found you via Centsational Girl.
Please stop by for a visit to my blog. I am currently in the midst of a Gifts to Make series.
Be Merry and Bright!
Angie S says
12/12/2011 at 10:52 amThis is fantastic!!!
[email protected] Nikiforoff Designs says
12/12/2011 at 9:59 amOh I love this! What an easy idea! This is definitely going into my “save” file for next year. (We’re moving to a different house so Christmas decor is mostly boxed up till next year.) I can imagine it in any and all colors to fit one’s house decor and/or Christmas time decor! Totally neat!
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 9:04 pmHi Connie-
Good luck with your move. I hope you can still have a stress free holiday season getting everything organized and packed up.
Rachel Tatem says
12/12/2011 at 9:59 amSimple but truly awesome!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
12/12/2011 at 9:21 amThat is amazing and incredibly lovely, Diane! I love this idea! How super easy if you aren’t crafty either. I am going to have to try this. And here I thought I was all done for this year! : )
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 9:23 pmHi Kathy-
Thanks- I totally understand as I keep saying I am done, too-but somehow I keep getting ideas that I don’t want to have to wait to next year to do.
Shari says
12/12/2011 at 9:06 amThese are beautiful and so adaptable to different decors. Just found you via Dittle Dattle. I just joined your followers. Hope you stop by my blog when you can. I saved it to my how to file for next year. Thanks for sharing!
Mel says
12/12/2011 at 8:35 amBrilliant idea! I am going to have to save this for next year.
kathy t says
12/12/2011 at 8:18 amOh my goodness You are so creative! These are right up my alley in terms of price and ease of decorating :-) I always enjoy seeing your cat. She looks so cue in that picture.
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 9:36 pmHi Kathy-
Thanks. Trax is such a bub. He is like a magnet as soon as I start doing a project. No matter how hard I try to get him interested in something else- he likes what I am doing better.
Barbara @diyHomeStagingTips.com says
12/12/2011 at 8:15 amFabulous idea and execution. Sometimes the old ideas can’t be beat! Thanks for another great tutorial.
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 9:51 pmThanks Barbara- I do enjoy finding inspiration in the old stuff. Fun to bring them back to life.
Kim @ Sand & Sisal says
12/12/2011 at 7:59 amVery clever and unbelieveably easy!
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 9:57 pmThanks Kim
Modern Country Lady says
12/12/2011 at 7:31 amI am in awe- that is so gorgeous! I love this- it looks fabulous and seems super easy. Luckily you got some feline assistance, hahaha, I agree fuchsia IS Trax his colour- just divine :-).
I am so going to try this project, thank you so much for the inspiration!!
Bea
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 9:59 pmHi Bea-
I figured I might as well have some fun with Trax since he wasn’t going to move. I was surprised he even let me tie the ribbon on.
Jane M says
12/12/2011 at 7:21 amWhat a fabulous decoration. Thanks for the details and your creativity.
Lesley says
12/12/2011 at 7:06 amAdorable! YOU never let me down…always something wonderful. :)
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 10:36 pmHi Lesley –
Thanks – I love creating and making things. I am always on the look out for new ideas.
Shannon at madiganmade says
12/12/2011 at 6:07 amDiane – These are so simple and pretty! I love this idea. (adding to my list for next year!)
Samantha M. says
12/12/2011 at 1:43 amThis is so pretty, and so clever! I will TOTALLY be stealing this idea in the future – and I’m pinning it to my Pinterest board to make sure I don’t forget it!
Miss Charming says
12/12/2011 at 1:14 amWhat a great idea! (I love that it is a non-permanent way to use the ornaments.) The trees turned out beautifully.
erica says
12/12/2011 at 12:56 amthis is such a cute and clever idea! the coolest thing about it is, is that it is so extremely easy and looks like you may have spent some good money or it would at least be a tricky project. thank you so much for sharing! i love both of them by the way: the pink & purple is right up my alley but the other one looks like antique bulbs which is so classic
Nancy says
12/12/2011 at 12:27 amDiane,
This has just got to be the most Clever Holiday Decoration I have seen all season! and just Beautiful! Thanks for Sharing~
Huggs, Nancy
Diane says
12/13/2011 at 10:05 pmHi Nancy- Thanks so much. XO
Nancy says
12/13/2011 at 10:27 pmI had to run to Walmart tonight for some thread, and wouldn’t you know the Knitting Needles were in the same aisle. So of course I had to pick up a pack!! :)
Huggs, Nancy
Mandy says
12/11/2011 at 11:38 pmThese are wonderful Diane! So simple and CHEAP! Thank you for sharing.
Teresa says
12/11/2011 at 11:37 pmThis is TOTALLY cool. It just amazes me how someone can come up with such beautiful things made from ordinary objects. Well done!
Tammi says
12/11/2011 at 11:22 pmI love these….so pretty!!
[email protected] Ms Smartie Pants says
12/11/2011 at 11:19 pmOh Diane I love these! I don’t need another decoration this year but I am going to keep my eye open for some ornaments on sale after Christmas, simple, easy and you can reuse them the next year if you don’t want to do it again. And as for the cat, when I first saw him in the picture I thought what is that, too funny!