Thoranam - festoons

Thoranam or festoons are part of hindu festivities. Which ever part of  India you go , you are sure to find this thorans on the threshold [ vasa padi] of every homes. Originally it is made of Mango leaves but of late alternate items have been developed. I have knitted these for you. Have kept the middle of the leaf empty. I have left it empty so that you can use your imagination and add your choice of items like God's photo, flowers.

1. Thoranam hanging



2. Thoranam  dangling

3. Thoranam placed in a circle



4. Thoranam in circle another picture  

Let me explain how I assembled it.
First I made an I-cord of one meter
Then I made small balls of  yellow wool

Then with a help of a crochet hook picked up stitches from the I-cord

The stitch picked with the help of a crochet needle is placed on the knitting needle

Now add 12 stitches as per picture below

Now the cluster of small woollen balls will look. Do not feel disturbed if it gets knotted. As we are going to work simultaneously to make 8 leaves.



Now the picked up stitches will look like the below picture on the reverse side



After picking up 12 stitches, please knit garter stitch [ every row knit] to get 10 ridges of pattern [ knit 21 rows]. Then start to reduce at both ends of odd rows and knit every even rows. When you have one stitch on needle bind up and leave a 6 cm of thread. I left this because during seasonal times you can thread any flower of choice and leave it hanging.

So now you have a great Thoranam [festoon] that will adorn your pooja rooms.