We knitters don't really have the luxury of waiting until December to start thinking about Christmas. For many of us Christmas is practically a year round concern - a scarf for your best friend in March, socks for your mom in May, a hat for your brother in July, and a holiday decoration for yourself in September before the rush really starts!

This year I wanted to make something that my son would always associate with Christmas's approach; something that every year he would see me pull out of a box that would bring the smell of pine to his nose and the warmth of a fire to his feet; something that would get him giddy for Santa Claus and snowmen; something that would elevate itself to the level of treasured heirloom, not because it's fancy but because it is loved.

These trees are lots of fun to make. You get to knit them up on big needles, nice and loose, then you get to decorate them with lots of pretty French knots and, finally, you get to feel the surprise of pulling them out of the washing machine, transformed into fuzzy little trees!

To make these I used Cascade 220, a classic worsted weight felting yarn. And to make the French knots, I used Paternayan Needlepoint Yarn. It comes in small quantities, in a million colors, and it won't break the bank.

To make your own holiday heirlooms, please visit my Felted Christmas Trees Project Journal. Thanks! - Whitney