Hopefully by this time in our knit-a-long, you have a neat stack of wristers, socks, pillows, and hats for your loved ones instead of an untidy pile of last-minute panic.

Perhaps you have some neighbors, co-workers, or families special to you for which you'd like to do a little something more than a card.  These Cuddly Candle Sleeves are a quick knit that will look impressive and set the tone for a warm and comfortable Christmas! 

They are available in a done-in-one-sitting ribbed sleeve or a slightly more intricate but rewarding cabled sleeve.

Warning:

As a disclaimer, my expertise is in wool, not flammability, so use these candles at your own risk. In fact, it would be a great idea to wrap these around realistic-looking LED candles and that way you wouldn't have to worry and they could be used year after year. 

Materials:

Briggs and Little Heritage yarn, less than 1 skein

available at www.maritimefamilyfiber.com 

Size US 6 needles (circular or straight, worked flat)

Notions of your desire, little decorations or buttons

Candles

Cabled Sleeve:

Cast on 28 stitches. 

Row 1: [knit 1, purl 1] twice (these are your seed stitch border and will continue to be worked in seed stitch throughout the pattern) purl 20, [purl 1, knit 1] twice.

Row 2: [purl 1, knit 1] twice. Knit 20 stitches. [knit 1, purl 1] twice.

Row 3: Repeat row 1.

Row 4: [knit 1, purl 1] twice. Knit 4, [Cable 8 forward] twice. [purl 1, knit 1].

Row 5: repeat row 1

Row 6: repeat row 2

Row 7: [knit 1, purl 1] twice. [Cable 8 back ] twice, knit 4 [purl 1, knit 1]

Repeat these 7 rows until your piece measures slightly under the circumference of your candle, ending with row 6 (err on the side of small). 

Sew the short sides of your sleeve together, making sure to line up the cables with one another. I recommend the mattress stitch for a seamless look.

Wet it down and give it a good fulling, then let it dry around the candle. Add embellishments like buttons or little ornaments. If you'd like, you can affix it to the candle with a bit of hot glue around the edge to keep it in place. Present it in a pretty box with a plate of cookies for lifelong happy neighbors. 

Ribbed Candle Sleeve:

Note: slip the first stitch of your rows without working for a smoother edge. 

Cast on 23 stitches. 

Row 1: Knit 2, purl 1 to end (ending with a knit 2)

Row 2: Purl 2, knit 1 to end (ending with a purl 2)

Repeat these two rows until piece measures slightly under the circumference of your candle. Bind off, sew ends together. Follow finishing instructions for the cabled sleeve.