Two-Hour GHOSTS
A pattern by Patricia L. Clark A pair of quick, fun ghosts to brighten your Halloween tabletop, mantle, or workspace. Gus and Augustus add a spooky, fun ambiance alone, as a haunt (a group of ghosts), or try mixing them amongst minipumpkins, gourds and pine cones for a complete holiday tableau.
SIZES
Gus: a shorter ghost with a bit more ruffle at the edge of his bed sheet. Augustus: a taller ghost with less ruffle. (Both sizes use approximately the same amount of yarn.)
FINISHEDMEASUREMENTS
Gus: approximately 3.5" (9 cm) tall x 3" (7.5 cm) wide. Augustus: approximately 4" (10 cm) tall x 3" (7.5 cm) wide.
MATERIALS
Each ghost requires less than 50 yd (46 m) worsted-weight yarn. Yarns used here: Patons Classic Wool, color Winter White, 1 skein A very small amount (approximately 12" (30 cm) per ghost) black yarn for the eyes; for example Patons Classic Wool, color Black Polyester fiberfill, for stuffing Yarn or darning needle
Recommended needle sizes
1 set US #5/3.75 mm double-pointed needles, or size needed to achieve gauge (see note below).
GAUGE
24 st over 4"(10 cm) Note: Gauge is not crucial for knitted toys - a looser or tighter gauge simply means you will wind up with a slightly larger or smaller toy. However, do make sure that your gauge is tight enough to retain the stuffing. fing.
PATTERN NOTES
Ghosts are knit from the center bottom out to the edge of the ruffle, then up to the top of the head. Ghosts are stuffed through a small hole remaining in the center bottom, which is then stitched closed, and the eyes are embroidered on with simple stitches. The base and ruffle of Gus and Augustus are identical - the less ruffled appearance of Augustus's bed sheet is achieved by working fewer decreases in the body and instead working more decreases before starting to shape the head.
RECTloNS (unless specified, directions are for both Gus and Augustus
Loosely cast on 8 st and divide between three needles, with 3 st each on needles 1 and 2, and 2 st on needle 3. The loose cast on ensures that the hole in the center bottom will be large enough to stuff the toy after the knitting is complete. Leave an extremely long tail (30" (76 cm) for Gus; 18" (46 cm) for Augustus), which will be used to sew the hole closed and flatten the base after stuffing. For Gus, this tail will also be used to achieve the ruffled edge of his bed sheet. Join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. If desired, place marker to indicate start of round (alternatively, the start of the round is indicated by the end of needle 3, which contains fewer stitches than needles 1 and 2). Ras (for hoth C.o ond A.ouuoto) BASE (for both Gus and Augustus) Round 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10: Knit all st. Round 3: Kfb all st. (16 st) Round 5: \*kfb, k1\*, repeat from \* to end of round. (24 st) Round 7: \*K1, kfb, k1\*, repeat from \* to end of round. (32 st) Round 9: \*Kfb, k3\*, repeat from \* to end of round. (40 st) Round 11: Kfb all st. (80 st) RUFFLE (Gus & Augustus) Rounds 10 & 11: Purl all st. Round 12: Knit all st. Round 13: K2tog to end of round. (40 st) BODY (Gus only) Knit 2 rounds plain. Next round: \*k2tog, k3\*, repeat from \* to end of round. (32 st) Knit 14 rounds plain. BODY (Augustus only) Knit 21 rounds plain.
SETUP TO SHAPE HEAD (Augustus only)
Setup round 1: \*k2tog, k8\*, repeat from \* to end of round. (36 st) Setup round 2: knit all st. Setup round 3: \*k2tog, k7\*, repeat from \* to end of round. (32 st) SHAPE HEAD (both Gus & Augustus) Head round 1: \*k2tog, k6\*, repeat from \* to end of round. (28 st) Head rounds 2, 4 & 6: knit all st. Head round 3: \*k2tog, k5\*, repeat from \* to end of round. (24 st) Head round 5: \*k2tog, k1\*, repeat from \* to end of round. (16 st) Head round 7: \*k2tog\*, repeat from \* through end of rnd, until only 4 total st remain. Break yarn to leave an 8" (20 cm) tail. Use yarn needle to draw yarn through remaining 4 st. Draw tight to close hole at center of head. Leave remaining tail until final finishing.
STUFFING & FINISHING
Add fiberfill through bottom cast on hole until toy is firmly stuffed but not stretching the kniting. Weave cast on tail through the cast on stitches and pull tight to close. If a gap remains, stitch across gap a few times with the tail to close. If the bottom of the ghost is not flat, run the tail up through the center of the base, the stuffing, and out the top of the head, then over slightly and back down through the head and stuffing and out through the base. Pull to tighten, until base is flat. For Gus, use the remainder of the tail to “pinch" the edge of the ruffle: pass the yarn needle up through the body approximately two stitches above the k2tog row, then down and out through the base about two rows before the final kfb row (see photo). Pull this stitch snug, to draw the base and the body closer together and create Gus's ruffled edge. Work your way around the body, repeating this up-and-down stitching approximately eight times or until the desired ruffle appearance is achieved. Stitch or knot to secure yarn tail, and draw it into the stuffing to hide it, clipping off any remaining exposed tail close to the toy body. Use the tail on top of head to close any remaining gap, then secure the end and hide the tail in the stuffing.
ADDING EYES
Thread yarn needle with approximately 12" (30 cm) of black yarn. Use pattern photos to determine eye placement. Each eye will span one V-shaped stitch. Use yarn needle to enter the back of the head, emerging on the left side of the left eye stitch. Stitch over the V-shaped stitch three times, pulling each stitch snug but not tight. Repeat for second eye, then draw the tail of the black yarn through the head and out the back side. Clip off any remaining exposed tail close to the toy body.
