This project started off just as a chick for Easter but then it grew and I received increasingly weird requests from all my friends. They only take an evening to make so they are great as last minute presents.
Knitted with 3mm needles and DK wool.
Body (garter stitch-all knit rows):
Cast on 24sts
Knit 2 rows
Shaping the Tail: Increase at each end of next three rows (30sts)
Knit 1 row
Dec at beginning of next 6 rows (24sts)
Body and head: Knit 22 rows
(Knit 2 together) until end of row (12sts)
Knit 1 row
(Knit 2 together) until end of row (6sts)
Break off yarn and thread through stitches.
Sew down the bird’s back, stuff and then sew along the
bottom.
Loop yarn bellow head and pull tight to make a neck. You may
also want to add a few stiches above the tail to make it stand out more.
Beak (make 2):
Cast on 6sts
K 1 row
P2tog, P2, P2tog
K1 row
P2tog, p2tog
Break of yarn and thread though stitches. Sew onto head
slightly curved.
Feet (make 2):
Cast on 6sts
Beginning with a knit row stocking stitch (knit 1 row, purl
1 row) 3 rows
Purl 2 together, take yarn once around right hand needle
(RHN), purl 2 together, take yarn once around RHN, purl 2 together (5sts)
SS 4 row
Cast off
Fold in half and sew together. The holes from row 4 will
make the gaps between the claws.
This is all you need for the basic bird. Sew on the beak and feet and then embroider on some eyes.
My personal favourite was the grey and yellow penguin. For this you will also need a chest and some wings.
Chest:
Cast on 10sts
Knit 14 rows
K1, K2tog, K4, K2tog, K1 (8sts)
K1 row
K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K1
K1 row
Cast off.
Wings (make 2):
Cast on 6sts
Knit 14 rows
K2tog, K2, K2tog
K2tog, K2tog
Cast off
Fold in half length ways and sew up.
I didn't make feet for the penguin because it would be hard to fit them on with the chest.
Feel free of course to be as wacky as you want and leave a comment if you have any questions.
Many thanks for the adorable pattern. I can't wait to make some soon but I do have a couple of questions first.
ReplyDelete1. What does 'tail increase' mean? I've never seen that term used in over 50 years of knitting.
2. Have you only ever used wool when knitting the birds? I would love to knit these using washable DK yarn or even cotton. Your thoughts on using a non wool yarn?
With sincere thanks,
Annie
Thank you for your kind comments. Sorry for the unclear pattern, I meant that for that section you're knitting the tail, I've changed it now so hopefully it's more clear. Thank you for pointing it out for me.
ReplyDeleteI've never knitted with anything apart from wool, in fact I didn't even know you could knit with cotton. If you do knit them with non wool yarn I'd love to hear how it goes.
Thank you
Ellen