Pattern of the Month

LION INSTRUCTIONS.

Note that: the lion is knitted with the yarn doubled (2 strands held together).

Front Legs (make 2 mirror image)

Using 2 strands of main colour (M), and 5½mm needles, cast on 19 stitches.
Work 4 rows in stocking stitch beginning with a knit row.

5th row: k4, (k2tog) twice, k3, (sl1, k1, psso) twice, k4.
6th row: p3, (p2tog) twice, p1, (p2tog) twice, p3.
Work 6 rows straight.

13th row: k1, m1, k4, m1, k1, m1, k4, m1, k1. [15 sts]
Work 5 rows straight.

19th row: k1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1, k1.
Work 3 rows straight.

23rd row: k1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1, k1.
Purl 1 row.

Cast off 9 stitches, knit to end of row, and leave remaining 10 stitches on a stitch holder.

Work a second leg the same way, omitting the last purl row and working the cast off row on a purl row to reverse the shaping.

Body

Using 2 strands of main colour (M), and 5½mm needles, cast on 44 stitches.
Work 7 rows in stocking stitch beginning with a knit row.

Cast off 12 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows for back legs.
Work 3 rows straight.

Increase 1 stitch at each end of the next and following 2 alternate rows.
Purl 1 row.

Repeat the last 2 rows twice. Cut yarn.

Join in Front Legs:
With right side facing knit 10 stitches from top first leg, k26 stitches across body, and knit 10 stitches from top of second leg. [46 sts].
Purl 1 row.

Next row: k18, (k2tog) twice, k2, (sl1, k1, psso) twice, k18. [42 sts].
Purl 1 row.

Next row: k1, m1, k17, k2tog, k2, (sl1, k1, psso), k17, m1, k1.
Purl 1 row.

Next row: k18, k2tog, k2, (sl1, k1, psso), k18. [40 sts].
Purl 1 row.

Next row: k1, m1, k16, k2tog, k2, (sl1, k1, psso), k16, m1, k1.
Purl 1 row.

Next row: k15, (k2tog) twice, k2, (sl1, k1, psso) twice, k15. [36 sts].
Purl 1 row.

Next row: k1, (sl1, k1, psso), k10, (k2tog) twice, k2, (sl1, k1, psso) twice, k10, k2tog, k1. [30 sts].
Purl 1 row.

Next row: k1, (sl1, k1, psso), k7, (k2tog) twice, k2, (sl1, k1, psso) twice, k7, k2tog, k1. [24 sts].
Purl 1 row.

Next row: k7, (k2tog) twice, k2, (sl1, k1, psso) twice, k7. [20 sts].
Purl 1 row.

Divide for head and face

1st row: k1, m1, k6, k2tog, k1. Turn.
Work right side of face on these stitches, leaving the other stitches on a holder.
2nd row: p9, m1, k1. Turn. Cast on 4 stitches.
3rd row: k12, k2tog, k1.
Purl 1 row.

5th row: (k1, m1) 6 times, k5, k2tog, k1.
Purl 1 row.

7th row: k4, (m1, k1) twice, k10, k2tog, k1.
Purl 1 row.

9th row: k17, k2tog, k1.
Place marker thread at the beginning of this row and purl 1 row.

11th row: k1, (sl1, k1, psso), knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog,k1.
Purl 1 row.

Repeat the last 2 rows twice more.
Work 4 rows straight.

Cast off 3 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
Cast off remaining 7 stitches.

With right side of work facing, rejoin yarn to remaining 10 stitches on the stitch holder, and work the other side of the head to correspond with the first side, reversing shaping.

To reverse shaping, read rows from end to beginning, or, rejoin yarn with wrong side of work facing and then read knit for purl, and purl for knit.

Front Gusset

Using 2 strands of main colour (M) and 5½mm needles, cast on 6 stitches.
Work in stocking stitch beginning with a knit row, increasing 1 stitch at each end of every row until there are 16 stitches.

Place marker threads and the end of the last row.
Work 8 rows, and place marker threads on the last row.
Work 3 more rows.

Next row: k3, (k2tog) twice, k2, (sl1, k1, psso) twice, k3. [12 sts].
Work 3 rows straight.

Next row: k3, k2tog, k2, sl1, k1, psso, k3. [10 sts].
Work 3 rows straight.

Next row: k2, (k2tog) 3 times, k2. [7 sts].
Place marker threads.
Work 13 rows straight, placing marker threads at the end of the last row.
Work 8 rows straight.

Next row: k2, k3tog, k2. [5 sts].
Work 5 rows straight.

Next row: k1, k3tog, k1. [3 sts].
Work 3 rows straight.

Last row: k3tog, and finish off by drawing yarn through last stitch.

Head Gusset

Using 2 strands of main colour (M) and 5½mm needles, cast on 4 stitches for base of nose.
Work 8 rows in stocking stitch beginning with a knit row.

9th row: k1, m1, knit to the last 2 stitches, m1, k1.
Purl 1 row.
Repeat the last 2 rows twice more.

15th row: (k1, m1) twice, knit to the last 2 stitches, (m1, k1) twice.
Work 11 rows for top of head.

Decrease 1 stitch at each end of the next and every following 4th row until 2 stitches remain. Work 3 rows.

Last row: k2tog, and draw end of yarn through last stitch.

Mane

Using 2 strands of contrast colour (C) and 5½mm needles, cast on 33 stitches.

1st row: knit.
2nd row: k1, * insert right hand needle into next stitch on left hand needle, and make loops by putting yarn 3 times round left hand needle and 2 fingers of left hand; then draw the loops through the stitch on the right hand needle and then slip them back to the left hand needle. Then, knit all the loops together as one stitch; knit the next stitch. Repeat from * to end.
3rd row: knit.
4th row: knitting loops as before: * k1, k1 loop stitch; repeat from * to end.
5th row: Cast off 18, knit to end.
6th row: Work loop row as for 2nd row. Turn. Cast on 18 stitches.
7th row: knit.
8th row: Work loop row as for 4th row.
9th row: knit.
10th row: Work as for 2nd row.
Cast off.

Ears (make 2)

Using 2 strands of main colour (M) and 5½mm needles, cast on 9 stitches.
Knit 6 rows (garter stitch); cast off.
Work the second ear in the same way.

Tail

Using 2 strands of main colour (M) and 5½mm needles, cast on 30 stitches.
Work 7 rows in stocking stitch beginning with a knit row.
Cast off.

Tail tip

Using 2 strands of contrast colour (C) and 5½mm needles, cast on 9 stitches.
Work 6 rows in loop pattern.
Cast off.

To make up

Fold front legs in half and seam along cast-on edges and up leg to cast-off edge. Stuff each section as it is seamed.
Fold back paws in half and seam cast-on edges and cast-off edges to form bottom and top of paw.
Sew cast-on edge of body around shaped edge at start of front gusset.
Sew inner edge of back paws to gusset between first and second marker threads.
Sew cast-off edge of front paws between 3rd and 4th markers on front gusset. Sew body between paws to front gusset and sew either side of top of gusset to body ending before cast-on stitches for face.
Seam face cast-on edges together to form lower jaw, and continue seam up to 5th marker. Pin cast-on edge of head gusset over marker for nose and join either side of head gusset to either side of face having eleven unshaped rows at top of head, and final decrease at division of stitches on back.
Sew ears to each side of head.
Sew mane to top of head, bringing separate ends one to either side around below chin. Fold tail in half and seam.
Sew tail tip around one end of tail and sew other end to base of back. Embroider face and add felt eyes as illustrated.

Materials

4 x 25g balls in main colour (M),
2 x 25g balls in contrast (C).

One pair 5½mm knitting needles.
Stitch holders.

Stuffing.

Small scraps of felt and embroidery cotton for face..

Tension

16sts x 22 rows to 10 centimetres, (4 inches).

Size matters

Height approximately 10 inches.

Abbreviations

k2tog or p2tog: knit or purl 2 sts together (decrease one stitch).

stocking stitch: one row knit and one row purl, ("stockinette").

garter stitch: every row knit

m1: make 1. Increase 1 stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying between stitch just worked and following stitch, and working into the back of it.

sl1: slip one stitch by passing it between the needles as if you were going to knit, but without knitting into it.

sl1, k1, psso: slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over; also known as "ssk" (slip, slip, knit).

A Word on the Wool

The original yarn specified was Patons Trident Double Knitting, which is used double to achieve a chunky type tension.

Acrylic yarns tend to have a wide colour range, robust qualities, and are reasonably priced, thus can be very suitable for hard working toys.

Robin make a Premium Acrylic available in 25g balls which can be useful for toys.

Disclaimer
(well...almost)

In transposing any pattern it is always a risk that errors will be introduced, in spite of dedicated proof reading.
If you have any problems with this pattern, please and I will try and assist.

LAMB INSTRUCTIONS.

This pretty toy is simply knitted in garter stitch (every row knitted). You use only the basic increasing and decreasing stitches to shape the body.

This shows the shape of the pieces:

Body (make 2)

With white yarn cast on 28 stitches.

1st row: k1, increase in next stitch, knit to the last 2 stitches, increase in next stitch, k1.
2nd, 3rd, and 4th rows: knit.
Place a marker thread for the front in 1st stitch of next row.
5th row: k1, increase in next stitch, Knit to end.
6th, 7th, and 8th rows: knit.
Repeat 1st-5th rows once more. [34 sts].
14th row: knit.
Repeat the last row 4 times more.
19th row: knit to the the last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.
20th, 21st, and 22nd rows: knit.
Repeat the last 4 rows once more, then the 19th row again. [31 sts]
Knit 1 row.

Divide for neck:
1st row: k1, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k1, turn.
Leave remaining 19 stitches for back on a stitch holder.
2nd row: knit.
3rd row: knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.
Knit 9 rows.
13th row: Increase 1 stitch, knit to end of row.
14th row: knit to last stitch, increase 1 in last stitch.
15th row: As 13th row.
16th row: knit.
17th row: Cast on 4 stitches, knit to end.
Knit 7 rows.
25th row: Cast off 5 stitches, knit to end.
26th row: knit
27th row: Cast off 2 stitches, knit to end.
Knit 3 rows.
31st row: Cast off 3 sts, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.
32nd row: k1, k2tog, k2.
Cast off remaining 4 stitches.

Rejoin yarn for back to neck edge of remaining 19 stitches from stitch holder, an knit 4 rows.
Next row: knit to the last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.
Cast off remaining stitches. If you are grafting the join, knit and leave on a stitch holder.

Head Gusset

With white cast on 3 stitches.
1st row: increase in the 1st stitch, increase in the 2nd stitch, k1.
Knit 5 rows.
7th row: k1, increase in next stitch, k1, increase in next stitch, k1.
Knit 5 rows.
13th row: k1, increase in next stitch, k3, increase in next stitch, k1.
Knit 5 rows.
19th row: k1, increase in next stitch, k5, increase in next stitch, k1.
Knit 5 rows.
Increase 1 stitch at each end of the next and every following alternate row until there are 23 stitches.

Knit 9 rows.
Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.
Knit 3 rows.
Next row: k1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1.
Knit 3 rows.
Next row: k1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1.
Knit 3 rows.
Next row: k1, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k1.
Knit 7 rows.
Cast off remaining 11 stitches.

Ears (make 2)

With white cast on 9 stitches.
Knit 14 rows.
15th row: k1, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k1.
Knit 3 rows.
19th row: k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1.
20th row: k1, k3tog, k1.
Cast off remaining 3 stitches.

Legs (make 4)

With white cast on 17 stitches.
Knit 24 rows.
25th row: k1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.
Knit 15 rows.
Break off white.
41st row: With black, k2tog, knit to the last 2 stitches, k2tog.
Purl 1 row.
Knit 1 row.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: k2tog, knit to the last 2 stitches, k2tog.
Cast off remaining 11 stitches.

Tail

With white, cast on 12 stitches.
Knit 16 rows.

Next row: k1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.
Knit 5 rows.
Repeat the last 6 rows once more.

Thread yarn through remaining 8 stitches and draw up tight.
Fold tail in half lengthwise, and using end of thread sew tail seam.

To make up

Seam or graft body pieces together along back.
Sew head gusset by a set by joining cast-off edge of gusset to back stitches, and cast-on edge beneath stitches cast on at front edge, having widest part at top of head.
Seam to either side of head.
Seam together front and back edges of body and underneath, stuffing before the final seam is complete. With black yarn embroider nose and eyes.
Sew top of ears to either side of head.
Fold legs in half lengthwise, seam along cast-off edge and side. Stuff and sew to body.
Sew tail to back with join in centre. To complete lamb, tie a length of coloured ribbon around neck.

Materials

2 x 20g balls in white double knitting and 1 x 20g ball in black.

One pair 3¾mm
(no 9) knitting needles.
Stitch holder.

Stuffing.
Length of ribbon.

Tension

24 sts x 48 rows to 10 centimetres, (4 inches) over garter stitch.

Size matters

Height approximately 10 inches.

Abbreviations

k2tog: knit 2 sts together (decrease one stitch).

k3tog: knit 3sts together (decrease two stitches).

increase: by knitting into the front and back of the stitch.

garter stitch: every row knit

A Word on the Wool

The original yarn specified was Lister Lee Target Concorde DK.

Acrylic yarns tend to have a wide colour range, robust qualities, and are reasonably priced, thus can be very suitable for hard working toys.

Robin make a Premium Acrylic available in 25g balls which can be useful for toys.

Disclaimer
(well...almost)

In transposing any pattern it is always a risk that errors will be introduced, in spite of dedicated proof reading.
If you have any problems with this pattern, please and I will try and assist.