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 Ram Wools


by Jess Hutchison

Kate is a kitten in britches. Or, as I like to think of them, burgundy slacks. This very stylish feline knits up quickly on double pointed needles, using ultra-fuzzy and soft Lamb's Pride Worsted.

Wouldn't she make a perfect last minute holiday gift?

Kate is named after my lovely and talented little sister, who taught me how to knit.

model: miss Kate photos: Jess Hutchison [designer headshot: Jeff Heermann]
SIZE
One
 
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Width: 11.5 inches from paw to paw (outstretched)
Length: 12 inches from top of ears to toes
 

MATERIALS

Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted [85% wool, 15% mohair; 190 yd per 4 oz skein]; 1 skein each color
[MC] M14 Sunburst Gold
[CC1] M26 Medieval Red
[CC2] M105 RPM Pink

1 set US #8/5mm double-point needles
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle
Two 9mm black acrylic eyes with plastic washers (also called "safety eyes"; these can be purchased from suppliers like this one)
Polyester fiberfill stuffing

GAUGE
18 sts/24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
 
PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations can be found here]
Toy safety
Please visit this site for information about toy safety. If you plan to make this toy for a child aged 4 and under, I recommend that you embroider the eyes on the face (safety eyes could be pulled off by an enthusiastic toddler). In addition, make sure the seams are very secure by tying a small knot into the fabric at the end of each seam.

Jogless stripes
Kate is knit in the round, and has lots of stripes. You may want to do the famous "jogless join" to avoid that little "step" that happens when you switch colors while working in the round. To do this, work one round in the new color. On the first stitch of the second round, pull the stitch below that first stitch (in the old color) up onto the left needle and knit it together with the stitch in the new color. Keep knitting in the new color. Lovely.

Weaving in ends
As this piece is stuffed and WS of work will not show, it is not necessary to weave in the ends that result from changing colors. Several rows after a color change, tie a firm square knot with yarn ends, and trim ends 1-2 inches from knot.

Another thing
Kate won't be able to stand on her own; special effects were used for the photo.
DIRECTIONS

Head/Body
Using CC1, CO 6 sts. Divide sts evenly between needles, place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Round 1: [Kfb] in each st. 12 sts.

Even-Numbered Rounds 2-14: K all sts.

Round 3: [Kfb, k1, kfb, k1, kfb] twice, k2. 18 sts.

Round 5: [Kfb, k2] around. 24 sts.

Round 7: [Kfb, k3] twice, kfb, k4, [kfb, k3] twice, kfb, k2. 30 sts.

Round 9: [Kfb, k4] twice, kfb, k6, [kfb, k4] twice, kfb, k2. 36 sts.

Round 11: [Kfb, k5] twice, kfb, k8, [kfb, k5] twice, kfb, k2. 42 sts.

Round 13: [Kfb, k6] twice, kfb, k10, [kfb, k6] twice, kfb, k2. 48 sts

Round 15: [Kfb, k7] twice, kfb, k12, [kfb, k7] twice, kfb, k2. 54 sts

Round 16: Using CC2, K all sts.

Round 17: [Kfb, k8] twice, kfb, k14, [kfb, k8] twice, kfb, k2. 60 sts

Rounds 18 & 20: K all sts.

Round 19: [Kfb, k9] twice, kfb, k16, [kfb, k9] twice, kfb, k2. 66 sts

Round 21: [Kfb, k10] twice, kfb, k18, [kfb, k10] twice, kfb, k2. 72 sts
Rounds 22-27: Using CC1, K all sts.
Round 28: Using CC2, [ssk, k10] twice, ssk, k18, [k2tog, 10] twice, k2tog, k2. 66 sts.
Rounds 29, 31, 33: K all sts.
Round 30: [Ssk, k9] twice, ssk, k16, [k2tog, k9] twice, k2tog, k2. 60 sts.
Round 32: [Ssk, k8] twice, ssk, k14, [k2tog, k8] twice, k2tog, k2. 54 sts.
Round 34: Using CC1, [ssk, k7] twice, ssk, k12, [k2tog, k7] twice, k2tog, k2. 48 sts.
Round 35: K all sts.
Round 36: Using MC, [ssk, k6] twice, ssk, k10, [k2tog, k6] twice, k2tog, k2. 42 sts.
Rounds 37-52: K all sts.
Round 53: [Ssk, k5] twice, ssk, k8, [k2tog, k5] twice, k2tog, k2. 36 sts.
Round 54: K all sts.
Round 55: [Ssk, k4] twice, ssk, k6, [k2tog, k4] twice, k2tog, k2. 30 sts.
Round 56: K all sts.

At this point, stuff the body (below the MC section) to desired firmness. It will take a bit of squeezing and prodding to get the body into a perfect sphere, but it's well worth the effort.

Round 57: [Ssk, k3] twice, ssk, k4, [k2tog, k3] twice, k2tog, k2. 24 sts.
Round 58: K all sts.
Round 59: [Ssk, k2] three times, [k2tog, k2] three times. 18 sts.
Round 60: K all sts.

Attach eyes, and embroider nose and mouth using CC1. Use photograph for reference. Stuff head almost to top.

Round 61: [Ssk, k1] twice, ssk, [k2tog, k1] twice, k2tog, k2. 12 sts.

Round 62: K all sts.

Round 63: [Ssk] three times, [k2tog] three times. 6 sts rem.

Break yarn and draw through rem sts. Finish stuffing head, and pull yarn tightly. Tie a small knot into fabric very close to opening, hide yarn end inside toy.

Ears (Make 2)
Using MC, CO 16 sts, leaving 18 inch yarn tail for sewing ear to head. Divide sts evenly between needles, place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Odd-Numbered Rounds 1-9: K all sts.
Round 2: K3, ssk, k6, k2tog, k3. 14 sts.
Round 4: K3, ssk, k4, k2tog, k3. 12 sts.
Round 6: K3, ssk, k2, k2tog, k3. 10 sts.
Round 8: K3, ssk, k2tog, k3. 8 sts.

When Round 9 is complete, break yarn and draw through rem sts. Pull tightly to close opening. Push needle through opening, and turn ear inside out. Make small knot inside, and break yarn.

Arms (Make 2)
Using CC1, CO 14 sts, leaving 18 inch yarn tail for sewing arm to body. Divide sts evenly between needles, place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Rounds 1-6: K all sts.
Rounds 7-12: Using CC2, k all sts.
Rounds 13, 14: Using CC1, k all sts.
Rounds 15, 16: Using MC, k all sts.
Round 17: [M1, k7] twice. 16 sts.
Rounds 18-21: K all sts.
Round 22: [K2tog] 8 times. 8 sts.

Break yarn and draw through rem sts. Pull tightly to close opening. Push needle through opening, and turn arm inside out. Make small knot inside, and break yarn.

Legs (Make 2)
Using CC1, CO 16 sts, leaving 18 inch yarn tail for sewing arm to body. Divide sts evenly between needles, place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Rounds 1-16: K all sts.
Rounds 17, 18: Using MC, k all sts.
Round 19: [M1, k8] twice. 18 sts.
Rounds 20-23: K all sts.
Round 24: [K2tog] 9 times. 9 sts.

Break yarn and draw through rem sts. Pull tightly to close opening. Push needle through opening, and turn arm inside out. Make small knot inside, and break yarn.

FINISHING

Stuff the arms and legs, being sure to stuff the ends (the "paws") quite firmly. The arms should be stuffed very lightly at the top to allow them to bend downward. Do not stuff ears.

Sew the ears to the head, holding them flat, and the arms and legs to the body. To do this, thread the yarn needle with the tail left from casting on and position the ear or limb against the head or body. Pick up the bottom of a knitted "V" on the first row of the top piece, and the top of an upside-down "V" on the first row of the bottom piece (see diagram at right).

To make the arms and legs point downward, rather than out, sew into the second or third row above the CO edge of the limb (rather than the first row), when sewing the underside of the arm, of the inner edge of the leg.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Jess Hutchison was born on Guam and now resides in San Francisco, CA. She is inspired by Dolly Parton, Mary Blair, and her husband Jeff. She just self-published a pattern booklet, Unusual Toys for You to Knit and Enjoy.

You can read more about her toy-knitting shenanigans here.

 
Pattern & images © 2005 Jess Hutchison. Contact Jess