Pattern of the Month

Instructions

These are simple fairly flat toys in the shape of a big and little cat.
The concept is that you knit the cat in a block shape, then use their diagram to make a pattern and to sew it into the cat shape, (head, legs etc) - then turn inside out and stuff. However, I cannot see how this would work unless you cut the knitting prior to turning inside out. So I have provided charts with a few rudimentary instructions so you can create a shaped toy, which should be easier to sew together.
I think you need to keep the toy fairly flat when you stuff it, as the neck will be a point of weakness - I think, regardless, it will tend to flop.

Notes on the yarn:
Knitting two strands of DK together (for the cats) would normally produce a more chunky weight combined yarn; however they have used fairly small needles which should give a firmer texture - this is desirable for a stuffed toy - more like an Aran or worsted weight tension. You could use a single strand of chunky yarn, provided you can achieve the right tension on 3¾mm needles.
They have used one strand of mohair yarn to give a fluffy texture - take care if you consider substituting the two strands with a single strand of chunky mohair yarn, as typically these yarns are designed to be knitted loosely, and would probably be hard to knit on smaller needles as well as maybe not producing a satisfactory result. [A fluffy synthetic might work.]

Notes on the size:
Normally for a toy, the tension is less important - you just need to be consistent. However in this case, Kitty has some clothes which are knitted in 4ply fingering yarn, so you need to be sure they will fit him if you choose to vary the yarn/tension for the cat.

Big Cat Body (2 pieces)

[Editor's note: If you are working from my charts - given at the end - they replace these instructions for the body.]

Using 3¾mm (No 9) needles, and using one strand of the white fluffy yarn and one strand of double knitting both together, cast on 34 stitches. Work in stocking stitch for 5 inches, then shape the arms, by casting on 10 stitches at each end of the next 2 rows.

Continue in stocking stitch on 54 stitches until work measures 16½ inches.
Cast off.

Make a second piece in the same way.

Big Cat Ears (make 2)

Using 3¾mm (No 9) needles, and using one strand of the white fluffy yarn and one strand of double knitting both together, cast on 16 stitches and work 4¾ inches in stocking stitch.
Cast off.

Make second ear the same way.

Big Cat Trousers (make 2)

Using 3¼mm (No 10) needles, and using the yellow 4ply, cast on 21 stitches and purl one row on the right side of the work, then work in stocking stitch (starting with a purl row on the wrong side).

When work measures ½ an inch, increase 1 stitch at one edge.

When work measure ¾ an inch, ending with right side facing, place the stitches on a holder and break yarn.

Make an identical piece as a mirror image, working the increased stitch on the opposite side of the work. Put both pieces on the same needle, and knit across, increasing 2 stitches between the two pieces. [46 sts]

Continue in stocking stitch, and when work measures 3 inches, with right side facing, shape armholes, by casting off 3 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows.

Next row: k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 stitches, k2togtbl k2.
Next row: k2, purl to last 2 stitches, k2.
Repeat these last two rows 3 times more, keeping the 2 stitches at each edge in garter stitch. [32 sts]

Continue in stocking stitch with the garter stitch borders until work measures 5 inches.
Next row: k11, p10 stitches, k11.
Next row: p11, k10 stitches, p11.
Next row: k11, cast off 10 stitches, k11.

Work the two straps separately, working decreases at the neck edge:
Next row (right strap wrong side facing on 11 stitches): k2, p5, p2tog, k2
Next row: k2, k2tog, k4, k2.
Next row: k2, p5, k2
Next row: k2, k2tog, k4, k2.
Next row: k2, p4, k2
Next row: k2, k2tog, k3, k2.
Next row: k2, p3, k2
Next row: k2, k2tog, k3, k2.
Next row: k2, p2, k2

When work measures about 6½ inches, cast off.
Work the other strap to match, reversing shaping.

Make a second identical piece.

Big Cat Tail (make 1)

Using 3¾mm (No 9) needles, and using one strand of the white fluffy yarn and one strand of double knitting both together, cast on 4 stitches and knit 2 rows. Continue in stocking stitch, increasing 1 stitch at the beginning of the next 2 rows, and 2 stitches at the beginning of the next 4 rows.
Work 2 rows straight, then decrease 2 stitches at the beginning of the next 4 rows, then 1 stitch at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
Cast off remaining stitches.
Thread yarn around the outside of the tail.

Big Cat Bow (make 1)

Using 3¼mm (No 10) needles, and using the yellow 4ply, cast on 12 stitches and work in stocking stitch.

When work measures 2½ inches, purl 1 row on the right side of the work; continue in stocking stitch, and when work measures 7 inches, purl another row on the right side of the work.
When work measures 9½ inches, cast off.

Rucksack

Using 3¾mm (No 9) needles, and using 2 strands of the red 4ply together, cast on 28 stitches and purl 1 row on the right side of the work. Then work in stocking stitch, but keep 2 stitches at each side in garter stitch to make a border.

When work measures 8½ inches, purl 1 row on the right side of the work, and cast off.

Materials

3 x 50g balls white mohair or fluffy double knitting equivalent.
[Approximately 120m per ball]

2 x 50g balls white smooth double knitting [approx. 125m per ball]
and small amounts of black and blue (for nose and eyes).

4ply (for the clothes) 1 x ball red and 1 ball yellow. [Approximately 183m per ball]
[Editor's note: The yellow yarn is to make the trousers for both cats and the red is knitted double for the back pack; I think I can say with confidence that you won't need as much as a 50g ball in order to make them.The back pack could probably be made with almost an oddment of single stranded Aran/worsted yarn.]

3¼mm (No 10) and 3¾mm (No 9) needles.
[US sizes 4 and 5]

2 red buttons

Stuffing.

Tension

For the DK:
22 sts x 30 rows to 4 inches measured over stocking stitch using a single thread on 3½mm needles.

For the 4ply :
27 sts x 35 rows to 4 inches measured over stocking stitch using a single thread on 3mm needles.

For the two strands of DK knitted together (the cats): 18 sts x 24 rows knitted on 3¾mm needles - estimated from the instructions.

Size matters

Large cat designed to measure:
16 inches

Abbreviations:

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

k2togtbl: knit 2 stitches together through back loops (also known as "slip, slip, knit").

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

garter stitch: all rows knitted.

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.

Kitten Body (2 pieces)

[Editor's note: If you are working from my charts - given at the end - they replace these instructions for the body.]

Using 3¾mm (No 9) needles, and using one strand of the white fluffy yarn and one strand of double knitting both together, cast on 16 stitches. Work in stocking stitch for 2 inches, then shape the arms, by casting on 5 stitches at each end of the next 2 rows.

Continue in stocking stitch on 26 stitches until work measures 6 inches.
Cast off.

Make a second piece in the same way.

Kitten Ears (make 2)

Using 3¾mm (No 9) needles, and using one strand of the white fluffy yarn and one strand of double knitting both together, cast on 8 stitches and work 2½ inches in stocking stitch.
Cast off.

Make second ear the same way.

Kitten Trousers (make 2)

Using 3¼mm (No 10) needles, and using the yellow 4ply, cast on 11 stitches and purl one row on the right side of the work, then work in stocking stitch (starting with a purl row on the wrong side).

When work measures ½ an inch, place the stitches on a holder.

Make an identical piece, and put both pieces on the same needle, increasing 2 stitches between the two pieces. [24 sts]

When work measures 2 inches, with right side facing, shape armholes, by casting off 2 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
Then work 2 stitches at each edge in garter stitch, and decrease 1 stitch every alternate row inside garter stitch border 2 times.

When work measures 4¾ inches, purl 2 rows on the centre 6 stitches. Cast off the centre 6 stitches for the neck, and work the two side of the work separately.
Keeping the 2 stitches at each neck edge in garter stitch.
At each neck edge of every other row, decrease 1 stitch between border and stocking stitch once, 1 stitch 3 times.
When work measures 3 inches, cast off.

Make a second identical piece.

Kitten Tail (make 1)

Using 3¾mm (No 9) needles, and using one strand of the white fluffy yarn and one strand of double knitting both together, cast on 2 stitches and work in stocking stitch, increasing 1 stitch at each edge on every alternate row twice.
Work 2 rows straight, then decrease 1 stitch at the beginning of the next 4 rows, then 1 stitch at each edge on every alternate row twice.
Cast off remaining stitches.
Thread yarn around the outside of the tail.

To Make Up

For each cat:
Make a pattern following the measurements on the diagrams.
[Editor's note: If you have created a shaped cat following my charts, then this step should not be necessary.]
Place pieces right sides together.
Sew around outline of body, leaving an opening to turn inside out.
Turn right side out and stuff.
Sew opening closed.

Work the same for the ears, without stuffing, and sew in place.

Fold the bow at purl rows, and roughly catch together cast on and cast off edges, so you have a rectangle 7 inches wide. Gather in the middle by winding and securing a length of yarn around (see picture).

Gather the yarn at outside edges of tail, stuff, and sew seams.
[Editor's note: The tails seem to be little round balls rather than normal cat tails - see picture.]
Attach the tails to the bodies.
[Editor's note: I think you need to attach the tails on top of the trousers (making them not removable), unless you already thought ahead and created a hole in the back of the trousers for them to poke through.]

The eyes, whiskers and nose are embroidered as shown in the picture.

Sew seams of trousers, sewing in ends, and put on the cats.
Sew 2 buttons on the straps of trousers of big cat.

Fold the rucksack in half and sew seams at the sides.
Make 2 cords in red and sew to the corners of the rucksack.

Place bow on front of big cat's ear.
Sew a little white cord on top of each head (optional).
Slip kitten in rucksack. Sew in place to back of big cat for security.

Additional Charts for cat bodies and rudimentary instructions

To make one side of the bodies begin by casting on the number of stitches shown for one leg (14 for Cat; 6 for kitten) and increase one stitch at each end of the first row. Work the number of rows shown in stocking stitch (12 for Cat; 4 for kitten). Make a second leg.
Place both pieces of work on one needle, and work across all stitches, casting on 2 stitches between the legs.
Then work the number of rows and stitches shown on the charts, increasing and decreasing as required. Where you need to cast on stitches you need to do that across 2 rows (which I haven't shown); where you need to increase 2 stitches at each end of a row, you can do that by knitting three times into the first and last stitches, or by casting on 2 stitches at the beginning of every row until you have the right number of stitches - but make sure you work the right number of rows overall as shown on the charts.