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 24 sts. With 4th needle and Thistle, join, being careful not to twist sts. K 5 rnds.
Rnd 6: *k6, inc* around (28 sts)
K 2 rnds
Rnd 9: *k7, inc* around (32 sts)
K 2 rnds
Rnd 12: *k8, inc* around (36 sts)
K 1 rnd
Rnd 14: *k9, inc* around (40 sts)
K 8 rnds
Rnd 23: *k8, k2tog* around (36 sts)
K 1 rnd
Rnd 25: *k4, k2tog* around (30 sts)
K 1 rnd
Rnd 27: *k3, k2tog* around (24 sts)
K 1 rnd
Rnd 29: *k2, k2tog* around (18 sts)
K 1 rnd
Rnd 31: *k1, k2tog* around (12 sts)
K 1 rnd
Rnd 33: *k2tog* around (6 sts)
Break yarn, leaving a 4″ tail, thread onto a darning needle and work through these 6 sts, pulling tightly. Fasten off and weave in end.
Leaves:
With Honeydew or Cumin and working with ws facing (do not turn inside out) and leaving a 12″ tail, p/u & k 24 sts from co edge.
Working back and forth over 6 sts (it’s easiest if you arrange your stitches so these 6 are only on one of the double point needles):
Row 1 & 3 (rs): k
Row 2, 4 & 6: p
Row 5: ssk, k2, k2tog
Row 7: ssk, k2tog
Row 8: p2tog, break yarn, leaving a 4″ tail, and pull through this last st to fasten off. Weave in end. Attach new yarn to work next set of 6 sts for leaf # 2, repeating directions above. Repeat for leaves #3 and #4.
NOTE: before completing all leaves, stuff eggplant and insert rattle.
When all leaves are completed, pick up 12″ tail and thread onto darning needle. Weave this end through the purl st ridge of Thistle stitches to the inside of leaves. Pull just tightly enough to draw in top so that there is room left to pick up 3 sts in center. P/u 3 sts with tail and work 2″ of I-cord (directions above).
If leaves become insolent and tend to curl upward in an unnatural way, just tack them down with a bit of yarn.
This project was contributed by JimmyBeansWool
I love designing. So, this project really caught my eye! Can;t wait to get started. Thanks.
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