Frankie's Knitted Stuff
Elephant Finger Puppet
This little elephant finger puppet is quick to knit and uses only a small amount of double knitting yarn and 3.25mm needles. I worked to a tension of about 13 sts and 16 rows to 5cm / 2"2 in stocking stitch but fingers come in all sizes so this is not that crucial.
The Body
Using the long tail method cast on 10 sts. Work 4 rows in stocking stitch. Next row: SSK, K6, K2tog (8 sts). Beginning with a purl row, work 5 rows in stocking stitch. Next row: K2tog four times (4 sts). Next row: Purl. This is the neck. Next row: K1, m1, K2, m1, K1 (6 sts). Next row: Purl. Next row: K1, m1, K4, m1, K1 (8 sts). Beginning with a purl row, work 3 rows in stocking stitch. Next row: SSK, K4, K2tog (6 sts). Next row: Purl. Next row: SSK, K2, K2tog (4 sts). Next row: Purl. This is the top of the head. Now the other side of the body needs to be worked. Next row: K1, m1, K2, m1, K1 (6 sts). Next row: Purl. Next row: K1, m1, K4, m1, K1 (8 sts). Beginning with a purl row, work 3 rows in stocking stitch. Next row: SSK, K4, K2tog (6 sts). Next row: Purl. Next row: SSK, K2, k2tog (4 sts). Next row: Purl. This is the neck. Next row: K1, m1, K2, m1, K1 (6 sts). Next row: Purl. Next row: K1, m1, K4, m1, K1 (8 sts). Beginning with a purl row, work 3 rows in stocking stitch. Next row: K1, m1, K6, m1, K1 (10 sts). Beginning with a purl row, work 4 rows in stocking stitch. Cast off knitwise. With the right sides together oversew the side seams.
The Trunk
Using the long tail method cast on 8 sts. Knit 1 row. Cast off. Use one end to oversew the strip together and the other end to sew the trunk to the middle of the face.
The Ears
These are worked in garter stitch. Cast on 4 sts. Kf&b at the start of the next two rows (6 sts). Knit 6 rows. SSK at the start of the next two rows (4 sts). Cast off. Using the cast off end sew the ears sideways on to the sides of the head, angling them so that the ears are closer together on the back of the head than on the front.
The Tail
Using a 3mm crochet hook make 4 chain and then sew on to the back of the body. Trim and fray the loose end.
The Face
Using grey 4 ply, work a few small stitches for each eye. Frankie Brown, 2010. This pattern may be used to knit puppets for sale in aid of the Children's Liver Disease Foundation. For lots more free knitting patterns in aid of CLDF go to www.ravelry.com/designers/frankie-brown
Abbreviations
st /sts stitch / stitches Kknit K2tog knit two stitches together SSK slip, slip, knit (see below) m1 make 1 by lifting the thread before the next stitch and knitting into the back of it kf&b knit into the front and back of the stitch slip, slip, knit Slip 2 stitches knitwise (or knitwise followed by purlwise) one at a time, insert tip of left needle into stitches from above, put yarn round right needle and knit both stitches together.
