Tom Turkey is a charming Thanksgiving decoration and a cheerful bit of handmade holiday character for the table.

He measures about 8 inches tall and is designed to sit upright nicely on a shelf, mantel, or centerpiece.

This is the knit-flat version of Tom, worked back and forth and then seamed together, with standard increases and decreases for his shaping.

You will need less than a skein each of dark brown, cream, yellow or gold, and red, plus a bit of multicolored yarn for his tail, which makes him a great way to use up autumn colored scraps.

Skill level: Intermediate

Techniques: worked flat, seaming, increases, and decreases

As an early childhood educator, I love a seasonal make that becomes part of a family’s traditions. A handknit Tom who comes out every November, a little more loved each year, is the kind of keepsake that quietly marks the turning of the seasons for the children who grow up with him.