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What you need
small amount of bright colors in 8 ply
blue yellow /orange /green /pink/ black/ flesh)
2 small pieces of a drinking straw
2 small Pom poms
1pair 4mm needles or US size 6 , UK size 8
Small amount of wadding
Instructions
Before You Start
The Glow Worm body is knitted from the narrow end upwards, increasing gradually as you work.
The five coloured sections are:
Green → Pink → Yellow → Orange → Blue
Each coloured section is separated with a narrow black stripe.
Knitting Terms
Inc – Increase one stitch. When the pattern says to increase into a stitch, knit into the front and back of that stitch unless you prefer another increase method.
K – Knit
P – Purl
K2tog – Knit two stitches together
Stocking stitch – Knit one row, purl one row
Stitch counts are shown in brackets at the end of increase and decrease rows.
Instructions
Glow Worm Body
Green Section
Using green yarn, cast on 2 stitches.
Row 1: Increase into each stitch. (4 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Increase into each stitch. (8 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (10 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (12 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (14 sts)
Purl 1 row.
Black Stripe
Change to black yarn.
Work 2 rows in stocking stitch.
Pink Section
Change to pink yarn.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (16 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (18 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (20 sts)
Purl 1 row.
Black Stripe
Change to black yarn.
Work 2 rows in stocking stitch.
Yellow Section
Change to yellow yarn.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (22 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (24 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (26 sts)
Purl 1 row.
Black Stripe
Change to black yarn.
Work 2 rows in stocking stitch.
Orange Section
Change to orange yarn.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (28 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (30 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (32 sts)
Purl 1 row.
Black Stripe
Change to black yarn.
Work 2 rows in stocking stitch.
Blue Section
Change to blue yarn.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (34 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (36 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Increase into the first and last stitch. (38 sts)
Purl 1 row.
Final Black Section
Change to black yarn.
Work 4 rows in stocking stitch.
Cast off.
You should now have five coloured body sections: green, pink, yellow, orange and blue.
Making Up the Body
With right sides together, sew the long side edges of the body together, carefully matching the coloured sections and black stripes.
Turn the body right side out.
Fill firmly but evenly with toy stuffing. Don’t pack it so tightly that the knitted fabric becomes stretched.
Leave the wide upper end open so the head can be attached.
Knitted Glow Worm Head
Using flesh, beige, cream or your chosen head colour, cast on 14 stitches.
Increase into every stitch. (28 sts)
Purl 1 row.
Increase row: K1, increase into the next stitch. Repeat from * to * across the row. (42 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Increase row: K2, increase into the next stitch. Repeat from * to * across the row. (56 sts)
Work 16 rows in stocking stitch.
Decrease row: K2, K2tog. Repeat from * to * across the row. (42 sts)
Work 3 rows in stocking stitch.
Decrease row: K1, K2tog. Repeat from * to * across the row. (28 sts)
Purl 1 row.
Decrease row: K2tog across the row. (14 sts)
Cut the yarn, leaving a generous tail.
Thread the tail through the remaining 14 stitches, pull firmly to gather and secure.
Making Up the Head
Sew the side edges of the head together, leaving an opening for stuffing.
Turn right side out if necessary and fill firmly with toy stuffing.
Close the remaining opening securely.
Position the head over the open end of the Glow Worm body and stitch firmly into place.
Embroider the mouth using pink yarn.
Add the facial features to suit your Glow Worm. If the finished toy will be given to a baby or young child, embroidered facial features are preferable to buttons or other small detachable pieces.
Arms – Make 2
Using blue yarn, cast on 10 stitches.
Work 16 rows in stocking stitch.
Cast off.
Making Up the Arms
Fold each arm lengthways and sew the long side edges together.
Stuff lightly with toy stuffing.
Sew the ends closed.
Position one arm on either side of the upper body and stitch securely into place.
Antennae – Make 2
Using your flesh-coloured yarn, cast on 10 stitches.
Work 6 rows in stocking stitch.
Cast off.
Making Up the Antennae
Bring the cast-on and cast-off edges together to form a small tube and stitch them together.
Sew one end closed.
Cut a small piece of drinking straw slightly shorter than the knitted antenna and slide it inside. The straw helps the antenna stand upright.
Sew the remaining end closed.
Attach a small pom-pom securely to the top of each antenna.
Stitch both antennae firmly to the top of the Glow Worm’s head.
Safety note: If making this toy for a baby or child under three, avoid glued-on pom-poms and removable internal pieces. Instead, make small yarn pom-poms that can be sewn through repeatedly and securely, or knit the antenna tips as part of the antenna.
Finishing Your Knitted Glow Worm
Check that all seams are firmly closed and weave in every loose yarn end.
Gently shape the stuffing with your hands so the Glow Worm has a smooth, rounded body and head.
And that’s it — your colourful knitted Glow Worm is finished!
This is one of those lovely little stash-busting knitting projects where the colour combination can completely change the personality of the finished toy. Don’t feel tied to green, pink, yellow, orange and blue either. Pastels would make a sweet nursery version, while scraps of rainbow yarn could turn it into a gloriously mismatched little character.
If you’re new to knitting toys, the most important thing is not to worry if your first seam isn’t perfectly invisible. Once the Glow Worm is stuffed and assembled, those little handmade quirks tend to become part of its charm.
.magnifique