Knit a Rat
Gauge: Gauge doesn't really matter for felting as long as it's loose. Needles: $10\,\,\%$ dpns Materials: 1 skein Galway worsted weight (or any felt-able) wool in gray 2 skeins Lion Brand Fun Fur prints in black, white or gray 12 mm animal eyes waxed linen beading thread polyfil or wool batting for stuffing Using just the gray worsted yarn, cast on 3 stitches using longtail cast on. Knit one row as I cord. K1, M1 around (6 stitches) - divide onto three dpns, 2 stitches each needle. Knit one round. K1, M1, K1 on each needle, 3 stitches each needle, 9 stitches in total. Knit 2 rounds. K1, M1, K1, M1, K1 on each needle, 5 stitches each needle, 15 stitches in total. Knit 3 rounds. K1, M1, K3, M1, K1 on each needle, 7 stitches each needle, 21 stitches in total. Knit 4 rounds. K2, M1, K3, M1, K2 on each needle, 9 stitches each needle, 27 stitches in total. Knit 3 rounds K1, M1, K7, M1, K1 on each needle, 11 stitches each needle, 33 stitches in total. Knit 4 rounds K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K1 on each needle, 8 stitches on each needle, 24 total. Knit one round. K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2 on each needle, 6 stitches each needle, 18 total Knit 3 rounds.
This finishes the head and neck. K1, M1, K1, M1, K2, M1, K1, M1, K1, on each needle, 10 stitches each needle, 30 stitches in total. Knit one round. K2, M1, K3, M1, K3, M1, K2, on each needle, 13 stitches each needle, 39 stitches in total. Knit 30 rounds. At the end of the last nedle, turn and purl back to create an opening in thebelly for stuffing the rat. Work 4 more rows in stockinette stitch, the last one should be a purl row. Next row: K2tog, K3, K2tog, K4, K2tog on each needle, 10 stitches each needle, 30 stitches total. Purl one row. Knit one row. Purl one row. K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog on each needle, 7 stitches each needle, 21 stitches total. K2 tog, K2, K2tog, K1 on each needle, 7 stitches each needle, 21 stitches total. Purl one row. K2tog, K2, K2tog, K1 on each needle, 5 stitches each needle, 15 stitches total. Purl one row. K2tog, K1, K2tog on each needle, 3 stitches each needle, 9 stitches total. Purl these 9 stitches onto one needle. K2tog, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2tog for a total of 5 stitches left. Drop the fun fur and knit these 5 stitches as Icord for $3^{\circ}$ Decrease one stitch and knit 4 stitch Icord for $4^{\circ}$ Decrease one stitch and knit 3 stitch Icord for $5^{\circ}$ Cut yarn and draw end thru stitches to end. Ears: Leaving an $8^{\circ}$ tail for sewing on later, cast on 5 stitches Knit 4 rows. K2tog, K1, SSK leaving 3 stitches Slip one stitch, K2tog, pass slipped stitch over. Cut yarn and draw end thru stitch to end. Arms: Cast on 5 stitches in both yarns. Work 3 rows of Icord. On $4^{\mathrm{th}}$ row, decrease one stitch. Work 3 rows of Icord. Cut yarn and draw thru stitches to end. Legs: Cast on 6 stitches in both yarns. Work 5 rows of Icord. On $6^{\mathrm{th}}$ row, decrease one stitch. Work 4 rows of Icord. Cut yarn and draw thru stitches to end.
Finishing: Sew ears onto top of head about $2~\%$ inches behind start of fun fur. Sew arms and legs to belly of the rat - close together. Felt the rat. Put rat body in a pillow case and run thru one cycle of the washing machine on hot. Remove from pillow case and allow to dry. After felting, attach plastic to face in front of ears. Needle felt black wool onto nose or embroider it with black yarn. Stuff with either polyfil or wool batting and sew the belly shut. Whiskers: sew $5^{\circ}$ pieces of waxed linen thru the nose and tie them so they stayput.
This is from http://ourknitalong.blogspot.com/ Patterncreated andwitebyTeaFox.Provideforeraleny,maynterprintd orreroducdwitut peis. Neither pattern nr products made from it may be sold. Patern may notbe reproduced orreprinted on any website or blg.
