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.

Tom is knit all in the round, with his wings, tail, and beak worked flat on straight needles.

He uses standard increases and decreases, and 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: knit in the round, worked flat for the wings, tail, and beak, 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.