Knitted Baby Banana

Here is a simple knitted pattern for a baby banana.

What you need

Blue Sky Alpacas Cotton : Honeydew, Thistle, Lemonade, Cumin, & Poppy.
Size 7 double point needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
Darning needle.
Stuffing material such as polyester batting.
Rattles, if desired (note: not recommended for childre

Instructions

Gauge

5 sts/inch in stockinette stitch. You will want a dense fabric so the stuffing doesn’t show through.

Abbreviations

dp = double point
co = cast on
st(s) = stitch(es)
k = knit
p = purl
rnd(s) = round(s)
inc = increase by knitting into front & back of stitch
k2tog = knit two sts together
* * = repeat directions between * * all the way around
ws = wrong side
p/u = pick up
ssk = slip 1 st k-wise, slip next st k-wise, insert point of left needle into the fronts of these 2 slipped sts and knit them together through the back loops.
p2tog = purl two sts together
w&t = wrap and turn

Directions for I-cord

With 3 sts on one dp needle, k3 sts. Do not turn. *Slide the sts from the left hand end of the needle to the right hand end of needle. Bringing yarn around back of sts, k them again.* Repeat directions between * * until I-cord is as long as desired. This creates a tube. Break yarn, leaving a 4″ tail and thread onto a darning needle. Pull through the 3 sts to fasten off. Weave in end.

Directions for W&T

(On the knit side), knit designated # of sts. Bring yarn forward (between the points of the needles), slip next st, bring yarn back (between the points of the needles), slip the slipped st from the right needle back to the left needle, turn work around. (On the purl side), purl designated # of sts. Bring yarn back (between the points of the needles), slip next st, bring yarn forward (between the points of the needles), slip the slipped st from the right needle back to the left needle, turn work around. When knitting next round, you will see a “bar” across these wrapped st. Pick up this bar along with the stitch above it by inserting right needle under the bar and the st above at the same time.

Knit this as if it were 1 stitch, and you will never have a hole or a funny little bar in your work.

Onto 3 dp needles, co 18 sts. With 4th needle and Lemonade join, being careful not to twist sts.

K 5 rnds
Rnd 6: k 16, w&t, p14, w&t, k to end of rnd. (See directions above for w&t directions).
Rnds 7 – 9: k
Rnd 10: k14, w&t, p10, w&t, k to end of rnd.
Rnds 11 – 13: k
Repeat rnds 10 – 13 two times more.
Rnd 22: repeat rnd 6
Rnd 23 & 25: k
Rnd 24: *k4, k2tog* around (15 sts)
Rnd 26: k12, w&t, p9, w&t, k to end of rnd.
Rnd 27: *k3, k2tog* around (12 sts)
Rnd 28: k9, w&t, p6, w&t, k to end
Rnd 29: *k2, k2tog* around (9 sts)
Rnd 30: k
Rnd 31: *k1, k2tog* around (6 sts)
Rnd 32: *k2tog* around (3 sts)

Break yarn, leaving a 4″ tail, thread onto a darning needle and work through these 3 sts, pulling tightly. Fasten off and weave in end. Weave in tail from co edge.

Thread a length of Cumin onto darning needle. Using a back stitch, sew 3 accent edges up length of banana, dividing into thirds. Weave in ends.

Stuff banana, working more stuffing in as you continue to knit top, insert rattle if desired.

With Cumin, p/u 18 sts from co edge. Weave in tail.

Rnd 1: *k4, k2tog* around (15 sts)
Rnd 2: *k3, k2tog* around (12 sts)
Rnd 3: *k2tog* around (6 sts)
Rnd 4: *k2 tog* around (3 sts) and place these 3 sts onto one needle. Work I-cord for 1″.

This project was contributed by JimmyBeansWool