Hurricane Angel By Leigh Steiner
This angel is so-named because she was designed and first knitted up while I was stranded in my home during Hurricane Sandy. She makes a cute standing or hanging ornament, and can be made with extremely small amounts of yarn. She also looks great in flocks, so don't feel you have to stop with just one!
Materials:
Scrap amounts of Worsted or Aran weight yarn (approx. 15 grams/ 25 yds) in either a single color, or several (for differentiating between gown, face, wings and halo). I've used good, stiff acrylics like Lion Brand Vanna's Choice and Loops & Threads Impeccable, but I'm sure your angel won't be fussy. small amount of poly-fil or yarn scraps to stuff head Size 7 knitting needles (or size need to get toy gauge). Preferably DPNs, for small-diameter circular knitting and easy i-cording. tapestry/yarn needle, scissors Gauge: Unimportant--tight enough that stuffing in the head won't show through.
Instructions
Gown:
CO 24 sts using Backwards Loop method (this creates the little “lacy" ruffle at the bottom of her gown, so is an aesthetic choice only. Feel free to substitute if your tastes differ.) ige sts on DPNs for knitting in the round, being careful not to twist sts. Rounds 1-7: Garter stitch (ending with knit round) Rounds 8-15: Stockinette stitch. Round 9: [k4, ssk, k4, k2tog] 2 times (20 sts remaining) Round 10: [k2, s1, ssk, psso, k2, s1, k2tog, psso] 2 times (12 sts remaining) Round 11: [ssk, k2tog] 3 times (6 sts remaining)
end of gown
(if changing colors, break yarn here and join new color for head. if not, continue without breaking yarn)
Head:
Round 12: [kfb] 6 times (12 sts) Round 13: [k1, kfb] 6 times (18 sts) Round 14: [k2, kfb] 6 times (24 stitches) Rounds 15-17: Stockinette Stitch Round 18: [k2, k2tog, k2, ssk] 3 times (18 sts remaning) Round 19: [k1, k2tog, k1, ssk] 3 times (12 sts remaining) Round 20: [k2tog, ssk] 3 times (6 sts remaining) break yarn with a longish bit of tail, use a tapestry needle to draw tail through the 6 live sts. Stuff head with poly-fil or yarn scraps (or whatever clever stuffing material you've got handy!), then pull tail tight to close the top of the head. You'll have wanted to be slightly careful when stuffing, as you may have noticed that there is a small hole at the "neck" of your angel. Bring the yarn tail through the center of the top of the head and straight down through the “neck" opening (thus ensuring the top of your angel's head will not be pointy), and then do a running stitch where the gown and head meet and pull tight to close (this will also help camouflage what would otherwise be a slightly jagged color change, if you have chosen to use multiple colors). end of head
Wings
CO 16 sts using Longtail method, to be knit flat. Rows 1-12: Garter stitch (knit all) Rows 13-18: k1, ssk, k until 3 sts remain, k2tog, k1 (4 sts remain) Row 19: k1, ssk, k1
cut yarn with a longish tail, use tapestry needle to draw through three remaining sts and pull into a fine, curved point (see above photo). Fold piece in half (make sure your bottom row of purl bumps is facing outward), and seam to bottom. Make exactly the same for second wing, sew wings together. Use one of the tails to sew the joined-up wings to the back of the angel's gown (if you're an imperfect knitter like me, there will be a slight false seam where your rounds began, and that makes a great marker for sewing the wings on straight).
end of wings
Halo:
CO four sts for i-cord. When i-cord measures approx. 3.5", BO and break yarn, leaving a few inches of tail at either end. Using your tapestry needle, thread each tail into the opposite end of the i-cord, joining into a circle. Sew halo to top-back of your angel's head. (if you wish to use your angel as a hanging ornament, the halo can double as the hook).
weave in all remaining ends. Enjoy your angel!
