Little Lamb Stuffed Toy

This sweet little lamb can be made in a variety of color combinations. The “black sheep” shown here is just one option.  There is no tail and the ears are sewed very securely so there is no choking hazard for a baby or small child. 

Knit each piece as described and then assemble and stuff to complete your project.  The lamb measures approximately 9 inches in height.   

Materials
Cotton /acrylic or soft wool light worsted weight yarn in light beige or cream and black.  I used  1 skein each of Cascade yarns “Sierra” (80% Pima Cotton, 20% wool; 100 grams; 191 yards)

Beige/cream or tan will be Color A 

Black will be Color B 

Polyester fiberfill
Pair of US 3 (3.25 mm) knitting needles
Tapestry needle

Body (make 2) – Color A

The knit side in Color A will be the outside of the animal.
Cast on 32 sts and work in st st with shaping described:
Row 1: Purl
Row 2:  (Increase row)  K9, KFB, K14, KFB, K9 (34 sts)
Row 3:  Purl
Row 4: (Increase row)   K10, KFB, K14, KFB, K10 (36 sts)
Row 5: Purl
Row 6:  (Increase row)   K11, KFB, K14, KFB, K11 (38 sts)
Row 7:  Purl
Row 8:  (Increase row)   K12, KFB, K14, KFB, K12 (40 sts)
Row 9:  Purl
Row 10-19:  Work in st st starting with a knit row
Row 20: (decrease row)  K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog
Row 21: Purl
Repeat last two rows 11 times until 16 sts remain
Bind off. 
Make 2^nd piece

Body Base (make 1)
Cast on 16 sts
Row 1:  Purl
Row 2: K1, KFB, K to last st, KFB, K1 (18 sts)
Repeat these two rows 4 times until 26 sts are on your needle

Beginning with a purl row, work in st st for 5 rows

Decrease row: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog
Next row:  Purl
Repeat these two rows 4 times until 16 sts are on your needle

Bind off

Head (make 1)

Cast on 9 sts
Row 1:  Purl
Row 2: (Increase) K1, (KFB, K1) pattern to end (17 sts)
Row 3: Purl
Row 4: (Increase) K1, (KFB, K2) pattern to end (25 sts)

Odd Rows  5, 7, 9, 11, 13 – Purl

Row 6:  (Increase) K1, (KFB, K3) pattern to end (33 sts)

Row 8:  (Increase) K1, (KFB, K4) pattern to end (41 sts)
Row 10: (Increase) K1, (KFB, K5) pattern to end (49 sts)
Row 12:  (Increase) K1, (KFB, K6) pattern to end (57 sts)
Row 13:  Work in st st beginning with a purl row for 13 rows
Decrease row:  K5, (K2tog, K1) 16 times, K4 (41 sts)
Next row:  Purl
Next row: Knit
Next row: Purl
Decrease row:  K7, (K2tog, K3) 6 times, K4 (35 sts)

You have now completed the back and top of the lamb’s head and will work the face in Color B

Switch yarns to color B (black in picture)

Beginning with a knit row, work in st st for 4 rows
(Note:  the purl side will be on the outside of the animal for all areas stitched in color B).
Decrease row: K3, K2tog to end (28 sts)
Beginning with a purl row, work in st st for 5 rows
Decrease row:  (K2, k2tog) to end (21 sts
Next row: Purl
Decrease row:  (K1, k2tog) to end (14 sts)
Next row:  Purl
Decrease row:  (K2tog) to end (7 sts)

Thread yarn through sts on needle using tapestry needle, pull tight and secure with a knot. Weave loose end through.

Hind Legs (make 2)

Using color A, cast on 27 sts and beginning with a knit row, do st st for 11 rows, ending with a knit row.
Change to Color B and again starting with a knit row, work in st st for 7 rows.
(Note again the switch to purl on the outside for Color B.)
Decrease row:  (P1, P2tog) to end (18 sts)
Next row:  Knit
Decrease row:  (P2tog) to end (9 sts)

Thread yarn through sts on needle using tapestry needle, pull tight and secure with a knot.  Weave loose end through.

Front Legs (make 2)

Using Color A, cast on 20 sts and work in st st for 19 rows beginning with a knit row.

Change to Color B and beginning again with a knit row, continue in st st for 7 rows.
(Note again the switch to purl on the outside for Color B.)
Decrease row:  (P2tog) to end (10 sts)

Thread yarn through sts on needle using tapestry needle, pull tight and secure with a knot.  Weave loose end through.

 Ears (make 2)

Using Color A cast on 12 sts
Row 1:  Purl
Increase row:  K2, (KFB, K2) to end (16 sts)
Next row:  Purl
Increase row:  K4, (KFB, K1) 4 times, K4 (20 sts)
Next row:  Purl
Next row:  Knit
Next row:  Knit
Next row:  Purl
Decrease row:  K4, (k2tog, K1) 4 times, K4 (16 sts)
Next row:  Purl
Decrease row:  K2, (k2tog) 6 times, K2 (10 sts)
Bind off

Assembly

To join all pieces, put right sides together and align edges, use tapestry needle and matching yarn and sew securely along knitted rows.

Body

Join two halves of the body together with the knit sides (RS) together.  Sew along row ends leaving neck and body base open.  Turn right side out.

Attach body base to front and back of body along lower open edges, with knit sides (RS) together.  Be sure base is evenly matched along body by aligning body seams with widest part of base.  Sew and then turn right side out.

Add stuffing to body, filling out well from base to neck.  Leave neck open for now.

Head
Gather the cast-on sts of the head with yarn and pull tight and secure.  Sew together the row ends of the head leaving a gap for stuffing.  Fill out the head with stuffing, working to push stuffing into the face area and crown of head to give it a round shape.  The head will look like a football unless you shape it well with stuffing.   Stitch the gap closed tightly. 

Attach the head to the neck, first adding more stuffing to the body if needed.  The head will flop around if not stitched securely.  Keep sewing around the neck area until you are satisfied with the position of the head.  It’s okay if the head tilts a bit to one side. 

Face

Using Color A or a scrap of yarn in a different color, make the eyes, nose and mouth with simple embroidery stitching. 

Hind Legs

With right sides together, stitch the row ends of each leg together.  Turn right side out and stuff.  Be sure to stuff the two legs the same so they are of similar size.  Place the lamb on a table or other flat surface and pin the hind legs to the body near the base so they are even and the animal sits straight. Sew open end of legs to body all the way around.

Front Legs

With right sides together, stitch the row ends of each leg together.  Turn right side out and stuff.  Sew the open end of the leg closed.  With the leg seam facing down, attach each leg to the neck by sewing all around. 

Ears

Join the cast-on and bound-off ends of each ear together, fold in half and stitch.  Oversew the row ends and attach this end to each side of the head.  Be sure to have the knit side on the inside of each ear so they look the same.

Abbreviations

K - knit

KFB – knit into the front and back of the same stitch to increase the number of stitches

K2tog – Knit two stitches together to reduce the number of stitches by one

P2tog – Purl two stitches together to reduce the number of stitches by one

St – stitch

St st – Stockinette stitch – pattern of alternating knit rows and purl rows

 

Baby Booties

These little ballet-slipper style booties can be made to match the baby cap posted earlier (Oh, Baby Baby cap, March 28, 2013).  The booties shown here are sized for a 3-6 month old baby.  Size can be adjusted for a smaller or larger baby foot.

Materials

Soft acrylic or washable sock-weight yarn blend of merino, acrylic and baby alpaca. 

U.S. 5 or 6 (3.75-4.0 mm) knitting needles

Tapestry needle

Instructions

Cast on 45 sts

Knit all sts for 12 rows

K 19, k2tog, K3, k2tog, K19

K 18, k2tog, K3, k2tog, K18

K17, k2tog, K3, k2tog, K17

K16, k2tog, K3, k2tog, K16

K15, k2tog, K3, k2tog, K15

You have now finished the base of the bootie and are ready to bind off the front portion:

K8, bind off 19, K8

Next you will make the bootie strap by casting on new stitches in the middle:

K8, cast on 8 sts (as done at start of project), K8

K all sts for 4 rounds

Bind off all sts very loosely so the strap will be stretchable over baby’s foot and ankle.  Cut yarn with 18 inches remaining.

To finish, fold the bootie in half (right sides together) and use the tapestry needle and remaining yarn end to join the back and bottom edges of the bootie with a single seam.  Cut yarn and weave in loose ends.  Turn right side out.  You can embellish with a small yarn bow if you’d like. 

Dog Sweater

This basic two-panel sweater is easy to make and can be embellished with an optional turtleneck or leg cuff ribbing.  My little dog Mille is shown here in a basic pink sweater with no leg or neck ribbing.  If you’re feeling a little more adventurous and a simple sweater just won’t do for your pooch then try the cabled sweater variation also modeled by Millie and described at the end of the instructions. 

 A thick worsted wool yarn will keep your pooch warm and cozy during winter walks or romps in the yard. 

Dog Sizes (approximate)  - represented in pattern as S (M, L, XL)

Small   6-10 lbs

Medium  10-20 lbs

Large  20-40 lbs

Extra Large 40-75 lbs

Materials

Worsted weight yarn, 220 (440, 440, 660) yds

Size 7 (4.5 mm) dpns

Size 5 (3.74 mm) dpns or 24 inch circular needle

Tapestry needle

Stitch holder (cable needle)

Sweater Back

To start the neck edge, CO 48 (66, 88, 98) sts onto larger dpns. 

K row 1, P row 2 and continue in stockinette stitch until piece measures approximately 8 (12, 16, 18) in, ending with P row (WS).

Decrease sweater back with following pattern:

Row 1:  K1, K2tog, K across until last 3 sts, K2tog, K1

Row 2:  P all sts

Repeat pattern 8 (10, 12, 12) times until piece measures approx 12 (16, 21, 23) inches. 

Loosely bind off all sts.

Underpanel

CO 7 sts onto larger dpns.  Work this panel in K1 P1 ribbing as follows:

Row 1:  K1, P1; repeat until end

Row 2: P1, K1; repeat until end

Row 3:  KFB, P1, then K1, P1 until last st, KFB

Continue this 3-row pattern increasing 1 st at each edge every 3^rd row 7 (9, 13, 16) times until 21 (25, 33, 39) sts are on the needle. 

Continue in K1 P1 pattern until piece measures 8 (12, 16, 18) from CO edge.

Place all sts onto holder.

Assembling

Thread the tapestry needle and align the straight edges of the sweater back to the underpanel (right sides together).  Stitch pieces together, leaving a 2 (2.5, 3, 3.5) inch opening for the legs starting approximately 3 (5, 7, 8).

Finishing

Neck edge

On RS of sweater, pick up 52 (64, 72, 82) sts evenly onto smaller dpns or circular needle around the neck edge. Work in K1 P1 ribbing until desired length is reached according to styles below:

Crew Neck – ¾ inch ribbing

Mock Turtleneck – 1.5 inch ribbing

Turtleneck – 3 inch ribbing

Bind off all sts

Leg Cuffs (optional)

 With dpns pick up 24 (28, 30, 36) sts evenly around leg opening.  Work in K1 P1 ribbing for 5 rounds. Bind off sts.

Lower Sweater edge

Using circular needle, pick up 82 (110, 136, 166) sts around lower edge of sweater including all sts on the needle holder.  Matching the pattern of the underpanel, work 5 rounds in K1 P1 ribbing.  Bind off sts loosely. 

Cable Knit Variation

Sweater Back

To start the neck edge, CO 48 (66, 88, 98) sts onto larger dpns. 

Row 1: K all sts

Row 2:  P all sts

Start this 6 row Cable Pattern (shown for size small, adjust accordingly for other sizes):

Row 1:  K18, P1, K4, P2, K4, P1, K18 to finish row

Row 2:  P18, K1, P4, K2, P4, K1, P18 to finish row

Row 3:  K18, P1, C4F, P2, C4B, P1, K18 to finish row

Row 4:  P18, K1, P4, K2, P4, K1, P18 to finish row

Row 5:  K18, P1, K4, P2, K4, P1, K18 to finish row

Row 6:  P18, K1, P4, K2, P4, K1, P18 to finish row

Continue in cable pattern until piece measures approximately 8 (12, 16, 18) inches ending with P row (WS).

Decrease sweater back following the same cable pattern with following modifications:

Row 1, 3 and 5:  K1, K2tog, K across until last 3 sts, K2tog, K1

Repeat pattern 8 (10, 12, 12) times until piece measures approx 12 (16, 21, 23) inches. 

Loosely bind off all sts.  Finish as above. 

Abbreviations:

CO – cast on

Dpns – double pointed needles

K – knit

K2tog – Knit 2 sts together to decrease stitch count by one

KFB – knit the front and back of the same st to increase st count by 1

P – purl

RS – right side

St - stitch

WS – wrong side

CFB - slip 2 sts onto cable needle and hold in back while K2 from left needle, then K2 from cable needle

C4F - slip 2 sts onto cable needle and hold in front while K2 from left needle, then K2 from cable needle



Football

This soft and squishy knit football means no longer having to tell the boys and men in your life that they cannot play ball in the house!  This will also makes a nice toy for that special dog especially if you can find a squeaker to tuck inside.

Materials

One skein worsted weight yarn in medium brown

 One set double pointed needles (DPN) size US 5 (3.75 mm)

White or ivory scrap yarn for football laces

Tapestry needle

Polyester fiberfill for stuffing

Instructions  for  a football approximately 7 inches by 4 inches

Using 3 DPNs, cast on 6 sts and divide so there are 2 sts on each needle

Join ends to make a circle making sure the sts are not twisted.

K one round

KFB around (12 sts)

K 2 rounds

K1, KFB; repeat pattern around (18 sts)

K 2 rounds

K2, KFB; repeat pattern around (24 sts)

K 2 rounds

Continue this pattern 6 more times until there are 60 sts total:

 K (prior number +1), KFB around 

K 2 rounds

You’ve now reached the widest portion of the football.  Add a scrap of yarn to mark your starting point and then continue knitting around for 15 rounds or until this mid-section measures about 2 inches.

It’s now time to decrease the rounds in a similar though opposite way as the stitching was

increased, but first stuff the portion of the football you have completed with the fiberfill.  Stuff it fully and firmly but without distorting the shape of the ball or pulling the stitches apart. 

K8, K2tog;  Continue pattern around (54 sts)

K 2 rounds

K7, K2tog;  Continue pattern around (48 sts)

K2 rounds

Continue this pattern 6 more times until 12 sts remain, adding more stuffing after every 4-6 rounds:

 K (prior number - 1), KFB around 

K 2 rounds

Finish stuffing to desired fullness, checking the shape to be sure it is football-like.

 K2tog all around (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving 4 inches.  Thread tapestry needle and pass through all sts.  Pull tight and tie off.  Pass through center

Football laces

Mark placement of your stitches with safety pins.  Thread your needle and stitch the long, lengthwise lace first.  Stitch the short crosswise laces over the long lace as shown, passing yarn on the inside between stitches.  Tie a knot, cut yarn and tuck end between sts into ball.   

Abbreviations

DPN – double-pointed needles

K – Knit

K2tog – Knit two stitches together to reduce stitch count by one

KFB – knit into the front and back of the same stitch to increase stitch count by one

Sts – stitches



Checkered Mittens



These thick and colorful mittens are easier to make than you might think!   Although they can be made in any combination of 3 colors, it looks nice to have two colors that complement one another and one neutral contrast color such as white or beige.  This pattern will make size medium women’s mittens. 

Materials

One set of size 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles

Tapestry Needle

Three 50 gram skeins of worsted weight yarn (approx 150 yds each).  For the mittens shown, the main color (MC) yarn used was Manos silk (70% extra fine merino, 30% silk) in blue;  contrast color 1 (CC1) was Manos silk yarn in powder and contrast color 2 (CC2) was Rowan cocoon (80% merino wool, 20% kid mohair) in polar.

Scrap of yarn in different color to mark thumb opening

Mitten Mania

Cuff

Using CC1, loosely cast on 48 sts.  Join ends being careful not to twist sts.  Work 2 rounds in K2 P2 ribbing.  Change to CC2 and work 1 round of K2 P2.  Change to MC and continue in K2 P2 ribbing until cuff measures 2 inches.

Hand

Work the following 18 rounds of pattern sts:

Rounds 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17 and 18:  Knit all sts in MC

Rounds 3, 4, 15 and 16:  K2 in MC, K2 in CC2;  repeat for entire round

Rounds 5 and 14:  Knit all sts in CC1

Rounds 6, 7, 12 and 13:  K2 CC2, K2 MC;  repeat  for entire round

Work Round 1 again.

Round 2:  To mark the thumb opening that you will use later, K2 sts in MC, then K next 9 sts using piece of the scrap yarn.  Slip these 9 sts back to the left needle and K them again in MC; continue working to end of round.

Continue with remaining 16 rounds of pattern above.

Work pattern a third time for rounds 1-13

To decrease the fingertip end of mittens:

Round 14:  Using CC1 K2tog around (24 sts remain)

Rounds  15 and 16: K1 MC, K1 CC2, repeat for rest of round

Round 17:  Using MC, K2tog around (12 sts remain)

Round 18:  Using MC, K2tog around (6 sts remain)

Cut yarn, leaving 5 inches.  Thread tapestry needle and pass through all sts.  Pass through center, pull tight and tie off. 

Thumb

Carefully remove the scrap yarn from the thumb opening one stitch at a time, slipping the top 9 sts onto one DPN and the bottom 9 sts onto a different DPN.  Starting with the bottom needle and MC yarn, K9 and then pick up and K1 st from side of opening.  K9 sts from upper needle and pick up and K1 st from other side of opening.  Use scrap yarn to mark end of round (20 sts).   

Divide sts evenly on 3 DPNs.  Continue with rounds 3 to 18 of pattern. 

Knit round 1 again in MC.

Round 2:  K2tog in MC, K2tog in CC2; repeat around (10 sts)

Round 3:  Using CC1 K2tog, K3; repeat around (8 sts)

Round 4:  K2tog in MC around (4 sts).  Cut yarn, leaving 3 inches.  Thread tapestry needle and pass through all sts.  Pass through center, pull tight and tie off.   Use remaining yarn end to draw together gaps in sts around thumb opening. 

Repeat to make another mitten. 

Abbreviations

CC1 – contrast color 1

CC2 – contrast color 2

DPN – double-pointed needles

K – Knit

K2tog – Knit two stitches together

MC – main color

P - purl

St – stitches

This pattern was adapted from “60 More Quick Knits” by Sixth and Spring Books.



Beanie in 3 sizes

This fitted cap is sized for children (small and medium) and adults (large)  and can be made in a single color or embellished with one or two stripes.  All instructions are shown below.  This cap knits up quickly and makes a nice gift for a student away at college, or a thoughtful donation for needy children or cancer patients.

Materials

1 skein worsted weight yarn. Cap shown was made with Cascade Yarns Cash Vero worsted yarn (55% Merino Extra Fine Wool/33% Microfiber/12% Cashmere, 50g/98yds) in plum.

Optional, small amount of worsted weight yarn for a couple of stripes-Contrasting Colors 1 & 2 (CC1, CC2)

Circular needle, 4.5 mm (U.S. 7), 16"/40cm long
4 dpn's, 4.5 mm (U.S. 7)
Marker or loop of yarn

Gauge

20 sts and 28 rows = 4 in on US 7 needle

Method

Cast on 72 sts for large (66 sts for medium, 60 sts for small) onto a circular needle. Being careful not to twist stitches, place marker, join knitting and work K2, P1 ribbing for 10 rounds.

Round 11:

Size Large: K8, incr 1; repeat for rest of round (Total stitches on circular needle should now be 81). 

Medium:  K11, incr 1; repeat for rest of round (total sts 72).

Small:  K10 incr 1;  repeat for rest of round (total sts 66). 

Rounds 12:  Knit all around

Round 13: 

Large:  K all around

Medium:  K12, incr 1, repeat around, (total sts should be 78)

Small: K 11 incr 1, repeat around (total sts should be 72) 

For solid color cap:

With no further increase in sts, K 26 rounds for small, 28 rounds for medium, 30 rounds for large

For striped cap:

Knit 10 rounds of main color (MC).

Knit 2 rounds CC1

Knit 2 rounds MC

Knit 2 rounds CC2

Knit 2 rounds MC

Knit 2 rounds CC1

Knit 10 rounds MC

Decreasing:

Round 1:

        Medium and Large:  *k7, k2tog, rep from * 

        Small:  K all around

Round 2:

        Medium and Large: *k6, k2 tog, rep from *

        Small:  K2, then repeat pattern K6, K2tog

Round 3: *k5, k2 tog, rep from *

NOTE: At this point, the reduced number of stitches may make working on the circular needle difficult. Transfer stitches to the dpn's and carry on as though you were still working with the circular needle.

Round 4: *k4, k2 tog, rep from *

Round 5: *k3, k2 tog, rep from *

Round 6:  K2, K2tog, repeat around

Round 6: K2tog all the way around

Knit one row even

Finishing

Cut yarn with 18 inches remaining and thread through darning needle. Run needle and yarn through all remaining stitches and pull tight. Knot yarn near sts and pass needle through the top so that it's inside of beanie. Weave in all ends.