You will need 250 g in total of knitting wool, cream-coloured Knitting needles (size 13 - 9 mm) A knitting hook Sintetic fine felt of different colours 1 little, coloured feather 2 wooden sticks Sheets of paper A pencil Glue for fabric 1 little brush for the glue Scissors

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The Advent calendar was published in 1908 in Munich by Gerhard Lang for the first time. He wanted to go on with his mother's idea. She made a coloured calendar for everyone of her family for Christmas; the family was numerous and very poor.
In the next years new ideas were added to the original and so the children, opening the window of the day, could even find a sweet.
Let's make the Advent calendar with our children! It's a splendid opportunity to spend some time with them and listen to them!
We have thought to make it in a very easy way except for the panel. In fact it is knitted.
While you are knitting, your children could prepare the numbers and the different pieces of the Christmas crib.
Choose a wool for thicker knitting needles (size 15-17) but use size 13 in order to obtain a close-woven panel. At first make a board formed by 4 rows of 6 squares. In every square you have to put the number for every day from the first of december to the twenty fourth. You can realize the board alternating plain stitch with garter stitch or according your taste. At the end you have to complete your panel working stocking stitch. If you want to see more details, click on the photo for an enlarged image. Border your panel with a row of double (single for U.S.A.) crochet or in the way you prefer.
Your children could prepare the numbers and the images of the Christmas crib or another Christmas image. Dowload some clip art and the numbers we've used from the following links or use the images you prefer. (Santa Claus » - Santa Claus » - Nativity »)
Glue all the pieces on the panel after cutting them out on the fine felt. Use a little, coloured feather for showing the date.
For more details look at the enlarged photos.