Knitting your Matryoshka
Matryoshka's are traditional wooden dolls of Russian origin. The name comes from the Latin word "matrona" which means mother. Therefore this name fits very well with the idea of dolls stacked together inside a large motherdoll. It is a symbol of fertility, eternity and seen growth. Also she is for security, love and protection. Each new doll has its own story.
Pattern
Cast on 8 stitches. Row 1: Knit in front and back of each stitch (st) (16 st). Divide these stitches over 3 needles (without knitting) and start to knit in the round. Mark the beginning of the rounds. Round 2 (and in every even round): Knit (k) all st Round 3: K1 \* Increase 1 (M1) (with right needle pick up “right leg" of the stitch you're going to knit (left stitch), one stitch below, knit twisted), K2, repeat from \* to last st, M1, K1 (24 st) Round 5: K1, \*M1, K3, repeat from \* to last 2 st, M1, K2 (32 st) Round 7: K1, \*M1, K4, repeat from \* to last 3 st, M1, K3 (40 st) Round 9: K1, \*M1, K5, repeat from \* tot last 4 st, M1, K4 (48 st) Round 10-20: Knit next 10 rounds (you can use any chart of 8)
Round 21: K one round (not to disturb the fairisle part) Round 22: K4, k2tog (knit 2 together), repeat to end (40 st) Round 23-25: K 3 rounds Round 26: K3, k2tog, repeat to end (32 st) Round 27-30: K 4 rounds Round 31: K1, \*1M, \*K4, repeat from \* to last 3 st, M1, K3 (40 st) Round 32-39: K 8 rounds Round 40: K3, k2tog, repeat to end (32 st) Round 41-42: K 2 rounds Round 43: K2, k2tog, repeat to end (24 st) Round 44: K 1 round Round 45: K1, k2tog, repeat to end (16 st) Round 46: K 1 round Weave in all loose threads and stuff your Matryoshka. Round 47: k2tog all stitches (8 st), pull thread through remaining 8 stitches and weave in. Now all you need to do is decorate your Matryoshka with some embroidery. I needlefelted the little sleepy face.
