Christmas Drum Knitting Pattern

Knitted Christmas Drum

These delightful knitted drums were inspired by the Christmas rhyme ‘On the twelfth day of Christmas’. Quick to knit in scraps of wool, they are so simple to make, you are sure to find yourself knitting at least twelve to hang on your tree this Christmas.  
designed by Susan Penny

Materials Double knitting wool in a colour of your choice Double knitting wool in cream or white Silver crochet or embroidery thread (to work with the wool on the bands at the top and bottom of the drum) Black embroidery thread or fine wool (for the zig-zag on the drum sides) 8 small buttons (we used star shaped) 2 black buttons 7in (18cm) narrow ribbon for the drum handle (we used beige velvet) 2 cocktail sticks 2 black beads for the drum stick ends Cardboard toilet roll inner Cardboard – enough to fit the top and the bottom of the toilet roll Toy stuffing

Needles I pair of 3.25mm (UK 10; UK 3) knitting needles

Colour key (C) – white or cream double knitting wool worked with silver. (R) – double knitting wool in a colour of your choice

To Knit the Drum Cast on 34sts in cream wool and silver thread, which are worked together. Row 1: knit. Row 2: knit. Row 3: knit. Row 4: Drop C and work a purl row with (R). Row 5, 7, 9, 11: knit in R. Row 6, 8, 10, 12: purl in R. Row 13-15: Change back to C and knit. Cast off.

Drum Top and Bottom Cast on 6 sts in cream or white wool without the silver thread. Row 1: purl. Row 2: knit row inc 1st at both ends (8sts). Row 3: purl. Row 4: knit row inc 1st at both ends (10sts). Row 5: purl. Row 6: knit. Row 7: purl. Row 8: knit. Row 9: purl. Row 10: knit row dec 1st at both ends of the row (8sts). Row 11: purl. Row 12: knit row dec 1st at both ends of the row (6sts). Row 13: purl. Cast off.

To make up the Drum Measure your knitted drum and cut a length from the toilet roll tube to fit. Cut two circles from cardboard the same size as the top and bottom of the toilet roll tube. Push one circle just inside the tube, glue in place. Fill the drum with stuffing and then insert and glue the other cardboard disk in place to complete the drum shape. Wrap the knitting around the drum and stitch up the side seam. Turn the knitting so that the seam is on the inside. Slip the knitting over the cardboard drum. Place the knitted top and bottom on the drum. Sew in place using small neat stitches. Fold under a small amount at both ends of the ribbon. Attach it to either side of the drum with a few stitches. Sew a button over the stitches. Using black embroidery thread or fine wool make zig-zag stitches around the edge of the drum, taking a small stitch through the knitting at each point of the zig-zag. Cover each point with a small button. To make the drum sticks, cut off the pointed wood at one end on both sticks, and then glue black beads onto the sticks. © Penny & Penny 2013

Download the FREE pattern here.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, 
 my true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming, 
 Eleven pipers piping,  
Ten lords a-leaping,  
Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, 
 Seven swans a-swimming, 
 Six geese a-laying, 
 Five golden rings, 
 Four calling birds,  
Three French hens, 
 Two turtle doves,  
And a partridge in a pear tree!