Lucky Mushroom Kit

Traditions are so important around the holidays, and one tradition in my home growing up was, of course, decorating the Christmas tree. Both of my parents were from Germany, but it was my mother who always insisted that there were red and white mushrooms to be included on the tree. I never really thought much about it. They were cute and they were the colors of Christmas when combined with the green of the Christmas tree. Last year I asked myself, why mushrooms? Why red and white mushrooms? She’s been gone for a time so I couldn’t ask my mom, so instead I went to the next best place to ask questions-the world wide web!

The Glucklicher Pilz, a.k.a. Lucky Mushroom in some households, is like the “lucky pickle” on the Christmas tree in that the child who first finds it gets an extra present, or an adult who finds it is extra lucky that coming year. Several theories I’ve read had the Amanita Muscaria mushroom as the reason reindeer fly; and Santa wears red and white like the shaman in northern Scandinavia (but folklorists have apparently debunked that theory so I will not perpetuate the rumor). Let’s just say in the words of the Mahoning Historical Society of Youngstown, OH, “Mushrooms have long been Good Luck symbols in the German culture. Found in the forests, mushrooms are associated with nature and the beauty of the forest. Finding a mushroom in the woods was like finding a lucky penny — good fortune was just around the corner. Mushroom ornaments honor the reverence for nature and hopes for good luck in the coming year.”

Whatever the background, this ornament looks great on the tree, so let’s make some Luck!

Kit includes:

• 6" piece of washed wool backing to fit in a 5" no-slip hoop
• Yarn for the project
• Stuffing
• Green wool for the "grass" at the bottom of the shroom
• Pre-sewn stem
• Pre-cut cardboard for the pattern and interior support

Additional optional products you may wish to include:

• 5" No-Slip Hoop
• Oxford Punch Needle, #14 Fine Point OR #13 Fine Point