Hap By Nancy Anderson
MATERIALS
Yarn
Approximately 210 yards/3.5 ozs required. (Model used almost entire skein of Hobby Lobby "I Love This Wool" in Frost).
Needles & notions
US Size 4 (3.5 mm) DPNs or circular needles, stitch marker, black embroidery floss & needle, tapestry needle, stuffing fiber of choice, optional knee-high hose for stuffing insert, approximately 12" of ribbon for neck bow.
Size
Measures approx. 15 %" tall.
Gauge
Gauge is not overly important, but stitches must be tight needles to achieve a tig
Pattern Notes
Please read through the instructions before starting this project, (including stuffing tutorial). Body, & legs are worked in the round as one. Head, arms, ears and tail are worked separately. All can be worked on either circular needles using the magic loop method or with DPNs, depending upon preference. Hhspat zebretingthfaaeatrs small fer fingersto Warning: Please do not use buttons or post & washer eyes if toy is to be given to a baby as these could come off & possibly present a choking hazard.
Special techniques:
Heel afterthought technique - (for making trunk and leg attachmentopenings).Usingapieceofsameweightwaste yarn in a contrasting color,knit the pattern-specified number of stitches. Transfer stitches just knit back onto working needle and re-knit using the working yarn. Continue following rounds as directed. Waste yarn will be removed later & the live stitches will be used for creating the legs. FormoreinformationseethisafterthoughtheelvideobyThe KnitGirlls-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wvvc1Afgpu This pattern includes a free copy of my customized stuffing tutorial entitled "What's on the Inside Really DOES Matter: BetterShaping forKnitToys(StuffingTutorial)"for usewith other toys and dolls you may be knitting. While this pattern does not use the complete shaping as outlined in the tutorial, figures1and 2 atthebeginningof the articleillustrate the fiber filled knee-high hose insert. Note: Since the head and body are worked separately, it may be helpful to use two knee highs,(one for the head and the second forthe body portion). See tutorial at the end of this pattern for specifics.
ABBREVIATIONS
BO =bind off CO = cast on K =knit Kfb = increase whereby one knit into the front & back of a st. K 2 tog = decrease by knitting 2 sts together. P =purl PM = place marker Acknowledgements:Many,many thanksto thewonderful people from the Ravelry group“The Testing Pool", who test knit & tech edited this pattern; batty4yarn, knitree, KnittingSM, lemonblondie, maddieknits, n8kpl, RavinRed, Sarahsh123, Zoemakesit
HEAD
Beginning at the top of the head CO 6 sts. Rnd 1: Kfb in ea st around, joining carefully to avoid twisting, PM, (12 sts) Rnd 2: K each st around. Rnd 3: \*K1, kfb; repeat from \* around, (18 sts). Rnd 4:K each st around. Before proceeding toofar,useyarn tailfrom cast on end to closeholeincenterofthe6castonstitches. Rnd 5: \*K2, kfb; repeat from \* around, (24 sts). Rnd 6: K each st around. Rnd 7: \*K 3, kfb; repeat from \* around, (30 sts). Rnd 8: K each st around. Rnd 9: \*K 4, kfb; repeat from \* around, (36 sts). Rnd 10: K each st around. Rnd 11: \*K 5, kfb; repeat from \* around, (42 sts). Rnd 12: K each st around. Rnd 13: \*K 6, kfb; repeat from \* around, (48 sts). Rnd 14: K each st around. Rnd 15: \*K 7, kfb; repeat from \* around, (54 sts). Rnd 16: K each st around. Rnd 17: \*K 8, kfb; repeat from \* around, (60 sts). Rnd 18-36: K each st around for 19 rounds. Rnd 37: Make trunk opening with heel afterthought technique -using waste yarn knit 10 sts, replace sts just knit onto working needle and re-knit using working yarn, knit remaining 50 sts using the working yarn, (trunk to be worked later. Continue working rounds for head as directed). Rnd 38:Keach st around. Copyright @ Nancy Anderson, yarnjulepsontheveranda.com, July 2015 Rnd 39: \*K 8, K2tog; repeat from \* around, (54 sts). Rnd 40: K ea st around. Rnd 41: \*K 7, k2tog; repeat from \*around, (48 sts). Rnd 42: K ea st around. Rnd 43: \*K 6, k2tog; repeat from \*around, (42 sts). Rnd 44: \*K 5, k2tog; repeat from \* around, (36 sts). If usingfiberfilled hosetechnique,placestuffed head insert as directed in the special techniques section above. Otherwise, stufffirmlyasroundsarecompleted.Leavekneehighopenso that stuffing canbe adjusted as last rounds for head are made. Rnd 45: \*K 4, k2tog; repeat from \* around, (30 sts). Rnd 46: \*K 3, k2tog; repeat from \* around, (24 sts). Rnd 47: \*K 2, k2tog; repeat from \* around, (18 sts). Rnd 48: \*K 1, k2tog; repeat from \* around, (12 sts). Rnd 49: \*K 1, k2tog; repeat from \* around, (8 sts). Finish off. Thread yarn end onto tapestry needle and weave through remaining live sts, pulling tightly to close hole.Knot, weave and trim yarn end.
Trunk
Carefully remove the waste yarn, one st at a time, (from afterthought heel atrnd37).Place livestonneedleoneby one toprevent dropping sts.Pick up an additional st onboth ends as shown in the “legs and feet" photo, (figure 3). You should haveatotalof22sts. Rnd 1: Beginning with the right hand "picked up stitch, attach yarn, pm and k each st around, (22 sts). Rnd 2-8:K each st around for 7 rounds. Rnd 9: K2tog, K7, (k2tog) 2 times, K7, K2tog, (18 sts). Rnd 10-15: K each st around for 6 rounds. Begin stuffing trunk and continue as rounds are completed. Rnd 16: K2tog, K5, (k2tog) 2 times, K5, K2tog, (14 sts). Rnd 17-21: K each st around for 5 rounds. Rnd 22:P each each st around. Rnd 23: (k2, k2tog) 3 times, K2, (11 sts). Rnd 24: (k1, k2tog) 3 times, k2, (8 sts). Rnd 25: (K2, K2tog) 2 times, (6 sts). Finish stuffing. Cut yarn and thread onto tapestry needle. Weave yarn tail through live sts,pulling tightlyto close hole and knot securelybut do not trim excess.Usingthis yarn end weave needlebackthrough the length of the trunk, (towards the beginning of the trunk), and pull tightly to create a puckered, turned up effect. Secure line of pucker stitches with a knot and repeat the process, working from beginning of trunk to tip end. Repeat process 1 or 2 more times as needed. (See figure 1) Beginning at neck area CO 24 sts, leaving long tail for attaching head to neck. Rnd 1: PM, k in each st around, take care not to twist sts, (24 sts). Rnd 2: \*K 3, kfb; repeat from \* around, (30 sts). Rnd 3: \*K 4, kfb; repeat from \* around, (36 sts). Rnd 4: \*K 5, kfb; repeat from \* around, (42 sts). Rnd 5: \*K 6, kfb; repeat from \* around, (48 sts). Rnd 6-12: K ea st around for 7 rounds. Rnd 13: \*K 7, kfb; repeat from \* around, (54 sts). Rnd 14-33:Kea st around for20 rounds. Rnd 34: Make leg opening using "afterthought heel technique" as follows; k 5 sts, using contrasting waste yarn k next 17 sts, re-knit sts just made using working yarn, k remaining 32 sts using working yarn, (54 sts). (See figure 2 below for completed leg opening). Rnd 35: K each st around. Rnd 36: K2tog, K next 23 sts, (K2tog, K 3) 3 times, K 4, (K2tog,K3) twice, (48 sts). Note: this decrease round is performed this way in order to prevent the decreases from occurring along the leg opening, which may otherwise cause areatopucker. Rnd 37: \* K2tog,K 6; repeat from \* around, (42 sts). Rnd 38: \* K2tog, K5; repeat from \* around, (36 sts). Rnd 39: \* K2tog, K4; repeat from \* around, (30 sts). Rnd 40: \* K2tog, K 3; repeat from \* around, (24 sts). Rnd 41: \* K2tog, K 2; repeat from \* around, (18 sts). Rnd 42: \* K2tog, K1; repeat from \* around, (12 sts). Cut yarn.Weave yarn end through live stitches & close hole to finish off. Trim ends. Additional stuffing can be added, as needed when legs are worked.
Figure 2: Leg opening using afterthought heel technique Note: If using stuffed hose technique, insert un-stuffed kneehigh hose into the body, with the hose opening at the neck opening of the torso.Stuff firmly until desired look is achieved, (torso should be fat and round-ish), tie hose tightly in knot and trim the excess hose. Otherwise stuff firmly through neck opening.
LEGS&FEET
Note:Eachleg is workedover13stitcheswith8stitches between the legs, (4 sts in front & 4 sts in back ).
Figure 1: Trunk close-up
Body
(note:body is stuffed through the neck opening, after rounds are completed. For optional knee-high stuffing technique, insert emptyknee high intobody and stuff withfiber asrnds are completed.Tie off and trim as outlined in tutorial.) In preparationfor working thelegs,beginning on eitherside, carefully remove 6 sts from the waste yarn, (from afterthought heel at rnd 34), which will actually give you 12 sts. Place these livestsforthe1st legonto needleswhileleaving therest of the live sts on the waste yarn, as pictured in the following photo. Pick up a stitch at the outside corner edge of each leg to make atotalof13sts.
Figure 3: Preparing to work leg. Attach working yarn to 3rd st located in the bottom row of sts, (indicated by green oval in photo above, figure 3, this will be thebackoftheleg),PM and divide the stitchesonto3needles.
Figure 4 Note: Feet are worked flat. In order for the feet to be positioned properly the beginning/ending stitches of the leg should be roughly at the middle back of the leg, which is why instructions were given to attach the yarn to the back middle stitch. If this is not the case knit to that middle stitch & proceedwiththefootasfollows: Row 41: Begin working in flat rows, turn your work at the starting stitch, (located in the middle back of the leg) & k each st across, (13 sts). Row 42:Repeat row 41, (13 sts). Row 43:K 5, kfb, k 1, kfb,k 5, across,(15 sts). Row 44: K 6, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 6, (17 sts). Row 45: K 7, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 7,(19 sts). Row 46: K 8, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 8, (21 sts). Row 47: K 9, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 9, (23 sts). Row 48: K 10, kfb, k 1, kfb,k 10, (25 sts). Row 49: K 11, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 11, (27 sts). Row 50: K 12, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 12,(29 sts). Row 51: K 13, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 13, (31 sts). Row 52: K 14, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 14, (33 sts). Row 53: K 15, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 15, (35 sts). Row 54: K 16, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 16, (37 sts). Row 55: K 17, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 17,(39 sts). Row 56: K 18, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 18, (41 sts). Row 57: K 19, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 19, (43 sts). Row 58: K 20, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 20,(45 sts). Row 59: K 21, kfb, k 1, kfb, k 21,(47 sts). Row 60-74:K ea stitch across for 15 rows. Row 75: K 22 sts, k 2 tog, k remaining 23, (46 sts). Prepare for 3 needle BO. Fold finished foot with right sides facing inwards, making certain that the sts are divided evenly on the 2 needles & do a 3 needle bind off, (see following photos). Turn right side outwards, stuff & seam the back edges using garter stitch mattress st or st of choice.
Alternate seaming: If you choose not to do a 3 needle BO, the feetcanbefinishedoff&seamed asfollows;aftercompleting all of the foot knitting rows,BO the sts leaving a long yarn end for seaming foot.Thread yarn end onto tapestry needle and holding ends together seam using whip st or garter st mattress stitch),http://www.knitty.com//ssuEspring04/mattress.html Stufffirmlywhenseam is almost completed.Finish seaming, weaving&trimmingyarnends. Second Leg: Skip next 5 waste yarn sts, working from the opposite edge of the waste yarn sts, carefully unravel next 6 sts and place on needles,makingcertain topickupst at outside edge of opening. Arrange sts as for 1st leg (see figure 3) andPM.Repeatsteps&roundsfor2nd leg&foot. After completing the 2nd foot, remove the 5 sts from the waste yarn located between the 2 legs just made & seam together using matching yarn with grafting or stitch of choice. ARMS (make 2) Copyright @ Nancy Anderson, yarnjulepsontheveranda.com, July 2015 CO 12 sts,( leaving long tail for attaching arms to body), joining carefully to avoid twisting, PM. (Arms are worked from the top downwards). Rnd 1-40:K ea st around x 40 rnds,(12 sts). Rnd 41: \*K 1, k 2tog; repeat from \* around, (8 sts). Cut yarn, using tapestry needle, weave yarn end through live sts , pulling tightly to close hole. Stuff arm with medium amount of firmness.Weave&trim yarn end.
EARS (make 2)
Ears are worked flat in garter stitch and sewn to head using yarnend. CO 12, (leaving long tail for sewing ear to head). Row 1: K 2, kfb across , (16 sts). Row 2: K each st across. Row 3: K 3, kfb across , (20 sts). Row 4-11:K each st across for 8 rows. Row 12: K 1, k2tog, k14, k2tog, k1, (18 sts). Row 13: K 1, k2tog, k12, k2tog, k1, (16 sts). Row 14: K 1, k2tog, k10, k2tog, k1, (14 sts). Row 15: K 1, k2tog, k8, k2tog, k1, (12 sts). Row 16: K 1, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k1, (10 sts). Row 17: K 1, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k1, (8 sts). Row 18: K 1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1, (6 sts). Row 19: K 1, (k2tog) 2 times,k1, (4 sts). Row 20: (k2tog), 2 times (2 sts). Cut yarn and weave through remaining live stitches using tapestry needle. Secure and trim end, leaving the cast on yarn end for sewing ear to head. Repeat for 2nd ear.
Tail Using dpn's flat, CO 3 sts. Work in I-cord as follows; slide CO sts to opposite end of needle and knit all sts. Slide sts to other end and knit all sts, pulling yarn tightly to form cord. Repeat procedure for total of 6 rows. Cut yarn and weave end through live sts using tapestry needle. Trim yarn end evenly and use needle to separate strands to make hairs at end of tail. Use yarn remnant to sew tail to body.
Figure 5 Tail Placement
FINISHING
Attachbodyparts: Refer to photos as a reference & using yarn end threaded onto tapestry needle attach body parts. Place head on neck opening in balanced, pleasing position. Sew head to body, stitching through the CO round of the body, using yarn ends from neck and head portions, as needed.Knot securelyandweaveends. In similar fashion attach arms, positioning them just below the neck about 3"apart. Pin earsto sides of head about equal distance from top and bottom of head, as viewed face-to-face. Make certain that they are about equal distance from front to back, as viewed from thetopofthehead downwards,aswell.Attachtheears securely using yarn ends. Knot, weave and trim yarn ends.
Embroider eyes:
Tips: Use all 6 strands of embroidery floss. Always use sharp embroidery needle, not tapestry needle. Use even,gentle tension when making stitching in order to prevent puckering. Locate eye about 2-3 rows up and 1 row to the right of the top edge of the trunk, (repeat location for 2nd eye moving 1 row to the left instead)- Figure 6. Using light, even tension insert needle up through the back, in the recessed area between the stitches. Bring the floss across the width of the stitch, insert needle in the opposite recessed area, across the underside of the work & out through the correspondingrecessedareaontheothersideoftheknit stitch,as shown in figure 6 below.Repeat stacking the stitches on one another until height of eye pupil is achieved. Copyright @ Nancy Anderson, yarnjulepsontheveranda.com, July 2015
Figure 6 Eye placement
Figure 7 Close-up of embroidery procedure (worked on sampleswatch)
Thank you for purchasing my pattern. I hope that you will enjoy knitting it as much as Ienjoyed designing it. Please contact me with questions or concerns at nanderson360@gmail.com. And come visit me at yarnjulepsontheveranda.com or on Ravelry wheremy user name is Missjulep. Finally,thisisyourpattern,youpurchased it.Icannotprevent you from selling individual finished projects, in fact Iencourage it and I hope you make a lot of "yarn money" . However, this is a copyrighted pattern so do not make unauthorized copies or sell my patterns without my express permission.
5. Sew the pom-pom securely onto the finished hat.
Written By Nancy Anderson
Introduction:
So you've knit up the cutest toy only to find that the stuffing has made all of that careful shaping almost nonexistent due to the stretching out of the knitted fabric. But firmly stuffing toys prevents them from becoming floppy over time and use, so now what? This simple tutorial will show the reader how to get optimal shaping using stuffing filled knee high hose and can be used for ANY toy pattern that is knit in the round with the head & body worked as one continuous piece.
Materials/Supplies:
Knitted toy work-in-progress Fiber stuffing of choice, (model used poly-fil stuffing) Knee high hose, (Tip: use dark or light depending upon yarn color)
Procedure:
Gathermaterialsbeforestarting toy asstuffingwillbeinserted asrounds areworked. Most of my knitted toys start at the top of the head. So, starting at the top of the head knit all rounds until you get to a few rounds past the neck. Firmly stuff the toe portion of the knee high, to fit the knitted head only and NoT the neck. Contrary to stuffing the toy the "old" way, the neck will not have stuffing in it with this procedure, thus maintaining its' indented shape. Don't worry; it won't droop if hose is stuffed firmly. Before knotting the hose, try it "on for size" by holding the end of the hose closed & inserting it into the knitting. Add or remove stuffing as needed to maintain good shaping. Stuffing should stop about 1 or 2 rounds before the neck shaping begins. Remove hose insert from knitting, adjust the stuffing once more & knot the hose tightly. Replace stuffed insert inside of the knitted head portion.DO NOT TRIM OFF THE EXCESS HOSE.
Fig 1: Ball shaped insert for head portion Fig 2: Insert head stuffing into head Make certain that the knot from the head portion is centered within the body, at the neck part of the rounds, (as demonstrated in the following photo, Fig 3). The remainder of the hose will serve as the stuffed insert for the torso portion of the toy. Leaving the stuffed hose insert in place with the un-stuffed portion of the hose hanging freely from inside the knitting, continue to knit the torso portion of the toy as per directed in the pattern, (Fig 4).
Fig 3: Keep knot centered within the knitting Fig 4: Continue to work rounds around hose Fig 5: Push knit torso back to reveal knot at neck of toy. Begin stuffing firmly. Complete all knitting rounds of torso/body before stuffing the torso section of the hose insert. Once all rounds are knitted, stuff the hose, adjusting for size & shape. Make certain to stop the stuffing 2 or 3 rounds before the end of the torso rounds, in order to make room for the legs of the toy, (this is ilustrated in Fig 8). Once shape & firmness is satisfactory, knot the hose tightly & pull the knitted torso back over the stuffing insert. See figures 5-8below.
Fig 6: Side view - torso stuffing in progress
Fig 7: Body portion of stuffing insert finished & knotted. Fig 8: Torso stuffing stops a few rounds before end of torso rounds to allow room for legs. After completing the head & torso and assuring that the stuffing is satisfactory, cut the remainder of the hose at the knot, (Fig 9). Inserts are not necessary for arms & legs. Therefore continue knitting the toy as directed by the pattern. Many of my patterns are knit with head, torso & legs as one piece so I've included a photo of how the stuffing insert looks relative to the divided legs.
Fig 9: Stuffed insert with excess hose trimmed
The finished product...a wonderfully shapely toy! Thank you for using my stuffing tutorial. I hope it will help to solve shaping concerns in your knitted toys. Please direct your questions or comments for me at nanderson360@gmail.com
