Zigzag Christmas Tree Ornament

 

Materials: 

x2 size 5 double pointed needles

5 yards worsted weight yarn, I recommend using red, green, or white colors (I used Soft Classic by Loops and Threads in Bright Red)

Small amount of crochet thread or fingering weight yarn in a similar color to your worsted weight yarn

x11 8mm beads

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Main Pattern: 

We will be making a long i-cord, so I would Google video instructions if my written instructions don't make sense to you! 

Cast on 2 stitches. 

1. Knit across the first row.
2. Slide all the stitches to the other end of the needle and turn the needle around so that the wrong side faces you. 
3. Knit across this next row. The yarn will come from the wrong side of the needle, but that's what we want. 
4. Slide all stitches back to the first side of the needle and turn in around so that the other side faces you.
5. Same as row 3.

Continue with knitting rows 3 and 4 over and over again in this fashion until the cord measures 21 inches.

Finishing: 

1. Slide the stitches to the other end of the needle one more time.
2. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail of 6 inches or so. 
3. Using a tapestry needle, thread the end through the wrong side of all 3 stitches (the yarn will come from the wrong side of the needle still). Slip all stitches off the needle and pull yarn tight. 
4. Weave in the end of the yarn using the tapestry needle and cut off excess.

Assembly

Weave in the end of the yarn using the tapestry needle and cut off excess.

Fold the knitted i-cord starting with the bottom being 3 inches wide.

Continue to fold each branch, with each one being narrower than the one below until you run out of chord. 

Place a bead in between each branch.

Thread your needle with crochet thread or fingering weight yarn.
Thread one strand of yarn through the bottom bead all the way and fold in half, so that the yarn is folded in half with the bead at the bottom of the loop.
Thread both sides of the yarn through the next bead and then through the middle of the i-cord.

Continue threading the yarn through each bead and then through the middle of the next branch until you have reached the top.

Thread the last bead at top and tie a knot above the top bead.

Make a hanger by making another knot about 2 inches above to top bead and then stringing another bead and tying a last knot (so that that bead is trapped between two knots). 

And you're done! Congrats!