Hamsterbeans!
The inevitable (and adorable) result of hamsters, who accidentally eat radioactive jellybeans: Hamsterbeans! · 1 skein each of your favorite yarn in various colors (each hamster will take a fraction of a skein, so this is a great stash buster!) · about 2 feet of pink yarn for ears, tail and feet · 1 set of double pointed needles, 2 or 3 sizes smaller than your yarn calls for · polyfil stuffing · black safety eyes, or black yarn scraps for knoted eyes
[Sample hamsters were knit with Cascade Cotton Rich DK and US size 2 needles]
STITCH GUIDE:
$\mathsf{M}\mathsf{1}=$ any increase you prefer. (I generally like the ML increase: From the front, lit loop between stitches with left needle, knit into back of loop.) KFB $=$ knit into the front and back of the same stitch. PFB $=$ purl into the front and back of the same stitch.
Hamster Body:
CO (whatever method you prefer) 6 sts - divide evenly onto 3 needles - join and work in the round. ROUND 1: k1fb (6 times) (12 sts total) ROUND 2: k2, m1 (6 times) (18 sts total) ROUND 3: k3, m1 (6 times) (24 sts total) ROUNDS 4 - 20: knit all rounds ROUND 21: k2, k2tog (6 times) (18 sts remain) ROUND 22: k1, k2tog (6 times) (12 sts remain) \*\*Now insert the eyes - see photos for placement - and stuf the hamster as firmly as you like\*\* ROUND 23: k2tog (6 times) (6 sts remain) Break yarn, pull through remaining 6 sts and weave in your ends.
Ears:
With your pink yarn, longtail CO 2 sts, leaving a tail about 5 inches long. Working flat: ROW 1: p1, pfb ROW 2:k3 ROW3: p1, p2tog ROW4:k2tog Break yarn, leaving a tail about 5 inches long. Fold the ear in halfso that the tails meet one another:
Attach the ears to the hamster, just behind the eyes, by using a tapestry needle to pull the tails directly through the body, making sure that the tails come out on either side of a stitch, in the place where you want the front paw to be:
Now tie 3 simple knots to form the front paw. Weave the two tails down to the location of the rear foot, coming out on either side of a stitch; tie 3 knots for the rear foot:
Lastly, take the tails and weave them to the rump area, bringing them out where you want the tail to be:
Tie your 3 knots, then hide the tails by simply pulling them inside the hamster body and trimming off any excess. Repeat this process for the second ear, omiting the final tail step. Lastly, give your little hamsterbean a cuddle!
