\~ FaeryMoth Designs \~ Knitted Faery Mushroom by Suzanne Gyseman
Measurements: approx 15cm/6in tall, cap approx 13cm/5in diameter. Materials: oddments of DK. For this project I used 100% merino and lambswool in red for the top, and cotton (ball band lost) in white for the underside and stem. Size 11 UK (3mm) knitting needles. Polyester toy stuffing. The eyeballs use oddments of 4 ply, and size 13 UK (2.25mm) needles. Tension: using DK and size 3mm needles approx 6.5 sts and 9 rows to 1 inch over stocking stitch. Abbreviations: k = knit, p = purl, ss = stocking stitch, st = stitch, inc = increase by knitting into front and back of st, dec= decrease, k2tog = knit 2 tog, RS = right side, ws = wrong side, patt = pattern, instructions in brackets indicate a repeatable sequence. Mushroom Cap starting at underside for gills, cast on 6 sts using white DK and 3mm needles. Row 1 Rs: inc 1 in each st to end - 12 sts Row 2 ws: (kl, pl) rib to end Row 3: inc in each st to end - 24 sts Row 4: k1, (p1, k2) to last 2 sts, p1, kl Row 5: keeping the rib patt inc in each of the k sts on this row to end work thus: p1, inc1, (p2, inc1) to last st, p1 - 32 sts Row 6: (pl, kl) to end. Row 7: keeping the rib patt and increasing in the k sts work thus: (p1, incl) to end - 48 sts Row 8: kl, (p1, k2) to last 2 sts, pl, kl. Row 9: pl, (kl, p2) to last 2 sts, kl, pl. Row 10: incl, pl, (incl, kl, p1) to last st, kl - 64 sts Row 1l: (p1, kl) rib to end Row 12: (p1, k1) rib to end Row 13: inc in every 4th st to end by working thus: (p1, kl, pl, inc1) to end - 80 sts Row 14: keeping rib patt for gills work thus: kl, pl, (kl, pl, k2, pl) to last 3 sts, kl, pl, kl Row 15: pl, (kl, pl, kl, p2) to last 4 sts, kl, pl, kl, pl Row 16: kl, (p1, inc1, pl, k2) to last 4 sts, pl, incl, pl, k1 - 96 sts Row 17: pl, (kl, p2) to last 2 sts, kl, pl. Row 18: kl, (pl, k2) to last 2 sts, pl, kl. Join in red to work top of mushroom cap as follows. Can cut white yarn leaving long end for sewing up later: Row19 Rs: using red, knit to end. Row 20: knit to end (this forms edge fold). Row 21: knit Row 22: purl Row 23: k Row 24: p Row 25: k3, (k2tog, k6) to last 3 sts, k3 - 84 sts Row 26: p Row 27: k2, (k2tog, k5) to last 3 sts, k3 - 72 sts Row 28: p Row 29: k Row 30: p3, (p2tog, p4) to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1 - 60 sts Row 31: k Row 32: p Row 33: (k2tog, k3) to end - 48 sts Row 34: p Row 35: k Row 36: p3, (p2tog, p2) to last st p1 - 37 sts Row 37 - 39: work these 3 rows ss Row 40: (p2tog, p1) to last st, p1 - 25 sts Row 41: k Row 42: p2tog to last st, p1 - 13 sts Row 43: k2tog to last st, k1 - 7 sts Cut yarn leaving a long end for sewing seam, draw through rem 7 sts and fasten off tightly. Stem Using white DK cast on 24 sts. Work 9 rows ss starting with a p rov Row 10: (kl, inc1, kl) to end - 32 sts Work 5 rows ss Next row : (k1, inc1, k2) to end - 40 sts Work 5 rows ss Next row: (k2, inc1, k2) to end - 48 sts Work 5 rows ss Purl the next 2 rows for base edge fold. Next row: (kl, k2tog, k1) to end - 36 sts Work 2 rows ss Next row: (p2tog, p1) to end - 24 sts Work 2 rows ss Next row: p2tog to end - 12 sts Cut yarn leaving long end, draw through and pull up. Eyeballs Make two. Using white 4 ply and size 13 UK (2.25 mm) needles cast on 27 sts. Starting with a purl row work 3 rows ss. Next row: k1, (k2tog, k3) to last st, k1 - 22 sts Work 3 rows ss. Join in blue for iris and work next row thus: kl, (k2tog, kl) to end - 15 sts Purl 1 row. Join in black for pupil and: k1, (k2tog) to end - 8 sts Purl 1 row. Next row: k2tog to end - 4 sts. Break yarn, draw through sts and fasten Off. To make up. Join mushroom cap top seam, then join the lower seam stuffing firmly with polyester toy filling before closing. Embroider spots randomly in white in chain stitch or French knots or whatever stitch you prefer. A good method to hide the ends is to fasten yarn at centre base of underside and bring yarn up through stuffed cap to desired points for spots. The join-on ends will be covered when you attach the stem. Sew stem seams, stuff and attach firmly. If you like you can place a muslin bag filled with clean horticultural gravel inside the stem to weight the bottom so the mushroom stands well - though this would not be suitable for a child's toy only for a decorative item! Use common sense if making items for children. A circle of card the same diameter as the base of the stem can be inserted before stuffing to stiffen the base - though this would not be suifable for washing the ifem. I used a plastic circle cut from the lid of an ice-cream tub. Join side seams of each eyeball, gather the cast-on edge of each eyeball stuffing gently before drawing up lower edge. Embroider a single chain stitch in white at the top of the iris/pupil to indicate eye-shine. Sew firmly in desired positions on the mushroom stem.
