How to Knit an Apple

Knit an apple to rival the real thing.

Knit a simple garter stitch ball and turn it into an apple with a lifelike stem. This is a good project for a beginning knitter. Make a bowl of knit apples and set them on the kitchen counter, give one to a favorite teacher or knit several to present as party favors during the autumn months. They're a quick project requiring a few scraps of yarn and a few hours to knit.

Things You'll Need

• 25 yds. red worsted weight yarn
• Knitting needles, US size 6
• Polyester fiberfill
• Large-eyed blunt needle
• Small amount brown worsted weight yarn
• Crochet hook, US size G

Instructions

1. Cast on 22 stitches using the knitting needles and the red yarn. Slip the first stitch without knitting it. Knit to the end of the row.

2. Knit every row until the piece is about four inches long, always slipping the first stitch. Bind off all the stitches, cut the yarn with the scissors and fasten it off.

3. Thread the blunt needle with a length of red yarn. Use a running stitch to weave the yarn through the slip-stitch bumps at the end of one row. Close the bottom of the apple by pulling the yarn tightly.

4. Fasten a 6-inch length of red yarn at the fruit's bottom. Sew the side seam and turn the apple inside out so it doesn't show.

5. Stuff the ball with the polyester fiberfill. Use the blunt needle to weave the yarn through the stitches on the open end and pull it tight. Fasten it off, cut the yarn with the scissors and weave in any loose ends.

6. Thread the blunt needle with 24 inches of brown yarn. Insert the threaded needle into one end of the apple without knotting it. Push the needle all the way through to the other end of the apple, leaving an 18-inch tail.

7. Sew a small "x" on the bottom of the apple with the yarn. Push the threaded needle all the way through the apple back to the top.

8. Tug on the yarn gently so the top of the apple is slightly dimpled. Tie a square knot using the long tail and the yarn that was passed through the apple.

9. Use the crochet hook and the brown yarn to make 6 chain stitches. Skip the first stitch, then single crochet in each remaining chain stitch. Cut the yarn, fasten it off, trim the yarn tails and weave in all ends so they're not visible.

Tips & Warnings

• Use metallic yarn to make a bowl of holiday fruit.

• Sprinkle a little cinnamon on the fiberfill before inserting it in the apple. Attach a ribbon bow and hang it in the closet as a sachet.

References

• Frugal Knitting Haus; Play Ball!!!