KnittingGuides.com: Knitting is invariably associated with winter collection apparel, but have you ever in your wildest imagination thought of making toys by knitting them? Let’s take a sneak peek into how easily this can be done.
What looks difficult to make may not really be difficult, so you should try your hands on making knitted toys and make your kids and little relatives/friends happy. We’ll look at making a 9 inch mouse knitted toy here.
Here’s a list of abbreviations to make it easier for you to understand:
beg = begin(ning)(s)
inc = increase
k = knit
k2tog = knit 2 together
p = purl
rep = repeat
rnd(s) = round(s)
RS = right side
st(s) = stitch(es)
St st = Stockinette stitch
tog = together
WS = wrong side
Step 1: Supplies
- 1 skein Vanna’s Choice yarn, in Taupe (No. 860-125) or another color (A)
- 1 skein Vanna’s Choice Baby, in Goldfish (No. 840-132) or another color (B)
- Double-pointed knitting needles, (No. 0008-05), size 5
- Stitch markers (No. 400-3002)
- Large-eye blunt needles (No. 400-5002)
- Fiberfill stuffing, by Mountain Mist Fiber Loft
- Small amounts of black and white yarn
Step 2:
Make use of markers from the beg or rnd for ease in knitting. Cast on 54 sts with A and divide sts onto 3 needles and join but being careful not to twist. Rnd 1: Knit.Rnd 2: K into front and then back of next st (inc made), k25, inc in next st, place marker, inc in next st, k25, inc in next st – 58 sts.Rnd 3: Inc in first st, k to 1 st before marker, inc in next st, slip marker, inc in next st, k to 1 st before end of rnd marker, inc in this st – 62 sts.Rnd 4: Rep Rnd 3 – 66 sts.Rnds 5-9: Knit.Rnd 10: *K2tog, k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, slip marker, k2tog, k to 2 sts before end of rnd marker, k2tog – 62 sts.Rnds 11-13: Knit.Rnd 14: Rep Rnd 10 – 58 sts.Rnds 15-17: Knit.Rnd 18: Rep Rnd 10 – 54 sts.Rnds 19-20: Knit.Rnds 21-32: Rep Rnds 18-20 – 38 sts at end of Rnd 32.Rnd 33: Rep Rnd 10-34 sts.Rnd 34: Knit.Rnds 35-42: Rep Rnds 33-34 – 18 sts at end of Rnd 42.Rnd 43: * K2tog, k5, k2tog, rep from * around – 14 sts.Rnd 44: * K2tog, k3, k2tog, rep from * around – 10 sts.Rnd 45: * K2tog, k1, k2tog, rep from * around – 6 sts.
Step 3:
Leave the end long enough and cut the yarn. Pull the ends through the remaining sts, gather tightly tog, and end off. With A, cast on 3 sts. Work to & fro in rows on 2 needles.
Row 1: Purl.Row 2: Inc in first st, k to last st, inc in last st – 5 sts.Work in St st (k 1 row, p 1 row) until piece measures 5 1/2 inches from beg, end with a purl row. Next Row: K2tog, k1, k2tog.Next Row: Purl. And you then bind off.
Step 4:
With B, cast on 7 sts.Row 1: Purl.Row 2: K, inc 1 st at each end of row.Rep last 2 rows 3 times – 15 sts.Work even in St st (k on RS, p on WS) for 5 rows.Next Row: K2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.Next Row: Purl.Rep last 2 rows 3 times. Bind off.Border: With A, and RS facing, pick up and k about 34 sts along rounded edge of ear. Work 4 rows in St st. Bind off. Over edge of ear fold the border, and sew in place.
Step 5:
Cast on 3 sts with A. Knit 1 row; do not turn work. Slide stitches to other end of needle, gently pull the yarn , and knit all sts again. Continue in this manner until cord is 6 inches long. leave a tail and cut the yarn. Thread tail into large-eyed blunt needle, and sew tail to side base of mouse. Stuff the firmly, then sew base into place. Sew ears to top of body. With black yarn, embroider French knot eyes. With blunt needle, just below eyes, pull strands of white yarn through body for whiskers. Knot ends of whiskers and trim. Finally weave the ends.
Credits: Martha Stewart