Baby Weasel
An original Weasel Knits knitting pattern by Chris O'Brien http://squeakyweasels.blogspot.com http://squeakyweasels.etsy.com Your baby weaselis knit flat all in one pice and then seamed together, stuffed, and felted.
Finished size:
About 1.5-2 inches long and 1 inch tall, depending on amount of felting.
Materials:
Less than 1 yd. worsted weight $100\%$ wool, or other yarn suitable for felting Two size 8 needles Tapestry needle Embroidery/sewing needle Small amount of white felt (for eyes) Small amount of black embroidery floss (for face details) Poly-fill stuffing
Stitches/abbreviations used:
St — "stitch"/ sts - "stitches" CO - cast on using your preferred method. When casting on at the beginning or end of a row, make a loop by wrapping yarn around thumb and inserting needle up through the loop. BO - bind off using your preferred method p- purl Sl - slip one stitch without working it K2tog - decrease one stitch by knitting two stitches together P2tog - decrease one stitch by purling two stitches together Turn - stop mid-row and turn the work around (from right side to wrong side, or from wrong side to right side) to continue working in the other direction psso - decrease one stitch by passing the slipped stitch over the next stitch worked st st - stockinette stitch: knit every stitch on right side, purl every stitch on wrong side KFB - increase one stitch by knitting into the front and back of the same stitch (Insert the needle into the stitch as if to knit, wrap yarn and pull through to front do not take stitch off needle. Bring tip of needle around to back again and insert down into the back of the stitch. Wrap yarn and pull through to front. Lift both new stitches off the needle. KFBF - increase two stitches by knitting into the front, back, and front again of the same stitch (Work as for KFB but leave the two new stitches on the needle. Insert tip of needle back up through the original stitch as if to knit. Wrap yarn, pull through, and lift the 3 new stitches off.
Start at the tail end:
CO1 KFBF (3sts) Purl 1 row Begin shaping the rear: KFB every st (6 sts)
Cast on for hind legs and continue shaping:
P6, CO4 K4, KFB 6 sts, CO4 (20 sts) P12, P2tog, pl, turn Slip 1, k5, k2tog, k1, turn Sl 1, p6, P2tog, p1, turn S1 1, k7, k2tog, k4 BO4, purl to end (12 sts) BO4, k to end (8 sts) Prow
Knit up the back:
K2, k2tog 2 times, k2 (6 sts) P row K2, k2tog, k2 (5 sts) Work in st st 8 rows
Begin shaping the head:
Next RS row, k1, KFBF 3 sts, k1 (11 sts) Prow K6, k2tog, k1, turn S1 1, p2, p2tog, pl, turn S1 1, k3, k2tog, k1 Sl 1, p4, p2tog, p1 (7 sts) Shape the nose: K2tog, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k2tog (3 sts)
Continue down along the chin to the front legs:
Work in st st 10 rows On last p row, p to end then CO4 K7, C04 Prow BO3, k to end BO3, p to end (5 sts)
Finish with the belly:
Work in st st 4 rows K2tog, k1, k2tog Prow S1 1, k2tog, psso Cut, leaving a long tail or seaming and draw through last st.
Seam, felt, and finish:
Fold over in half at the nose. Seam along edges of body. Sew a few stitches of each leg together to form a tube, but leave the ends open and flat for "paws". Leave an opening near the base large enough for stuffing. Make 2 French knots for ears (or just whip stitch 2 little lumps in place) Stuff with temporary stufing and sew opening closed loosely with cotton thread. Run weasel through the washing machine to felt. Position legs and head in desired shape, and allow to dry. Remove temporary stuffing and fill with polyfil to desired firmness. Seam closed. Stitch eyes, nose, and other details in place with embroidery thread as desired.
