Knitted Cuddlies
Designer: Louisa Harding |
This really is the easiest pattern ever written for a knitted toy animal, but once you assemble the simple knitted rectangles and add distinguishing features, it will become a favorite member of the family. In our house, we have Mr. Pickles the Teddy, Sparks the Cat, and Florence the Rabbit, each with a huge personality of its own.
Finished Size: Rabbit: 11" (28 cm); Cat: 8¾" (22 cm); Teddy Bear: 11" (28 cm).
Yarn: Cat (As shown here): Green Mountain Spinnery Cotton Comfort (20% organic cotton, 80% fine wool; 180 yd [165 m]/2 oz): #6-S silver (MC) and #6-SM storm (dark grey, CC), 1 skein each; Light DK weight: about 80 yd (73 m) MC and 55 yd (50 m) CC.; Rabbit (As shown here): Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton (100% organic cotton; 150 yd [137 m]/100 g): #82 nut (brown, MC), 1 ball; #81 sand (light tan, CC), 1 ball; dark brown wool yarn, 1–2 yd (1–2 m) for embroidery on face. Worsted weight: about 75 yd (69 m) MC, 40 yd (37 m) CC, and 1–2 yd (1–2 m) of a second contrasting color for embroidery on face. Teddy Bear (As shown here): Vreseis Fox Fibre Chenille (100% cotton; 1000 yd [914 m]/1 lb): brown (MC), less than 1 cone; white cotton yarn (CC), about 10 yd (9 m) for scarf and face embroidery. Worsted weight: about 95 yd (87 m) MC and 10 yd (9 m) CC.
Needles: Cat: U.S. size 5 (3.75 mm): straight.; Rabbit and Teddy Bear: U.S. size 7 (4.5 mm): straight. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions: Tapestry needle; about 3½ oz (100 g) environmentally friendly stuffing; small crochet hook for attaching fringe to teddy bear’s scarf (optional).
Gauge: Cat: 21 sts and 29 rows = 4” (10 cm) in St st. Rabbit and Teddy Bear: 17 sts and 23 rows = 4” (10 cm) in St st.
Skill level: Easy.
Check out Natural Knits for Babies and Moms (Interweave Press, 2006) for more great patterns using environmentally friendly materials. |
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