Thursday, July 01, 2004

Simon

Simon the Spider 

Say hello to Simon. He was created for (the incredible) Zoo-Along (link at left).
Short rows in I-Cord create angular spider legs. Figure-8 Cast On creates a seamless cast on. Virtually no finishing required!


Materials
Titan Bulky Yarn in black (100% Acrylic, 80 yds in 85 grams)
6.5 mm Double Pointed Needles (set of 5)
Short piece of ribbon (optional - to make him less scary)
Stuffing of choice
Tapestry needle

Guage
14 Stitches and 17 rows over 4" in stockinette
**Note**
The guage is not all that important. Simon's body is roughly the size of my fist, using the materials and guage above. However, a bigger or smaller Simon can be made, depending on the weight of your yarn and size of needles. Have fun, experiment!

Directions
Body (make 1)
Cast on a total of 4 stitches using figure 8 cast on. There should be two stitches on each needle.

Row 1. *Using a free needle, knit into the front and back loops of the next stitch*, repeat from * to end of row. There should now be 8 stitches, two on each of 4 needles, with one free working needle.

Row 2. Knit into the front and back of each stitch. (16 stitches)

Row 3. Knit

Row 4. *Inc 1, K1* repeat from * to end of row. (24 stitches)

Row 5-6. Knit

Row 7. *Inc 1, K2* to end of row. (32 stitches)

Row 8-12. Knit

Row 13. *K2tog, K2* to end of row. (24 stitches)

Row 14-15. Knit

Row 16. *K2tog, K1* to end of row. (16 stitches)

Row 17. Knit

Row 18. *K2tog* to end of row. (8 stitches)

Row 19-20. Knit

Row 21. *Inc 1* to end of row. (16 stitches)

Row 22-23. Knit

Row 24. *K2tog* to end of row. (8 stitches)

Stop at this point to stuff your spider. Leave your live stitches on the needles and it should be easy enough to jam stuffing down through the neck into the body. When your spider is as firm as you want him, pick up your needles again.

Row 25. *K2tog* to end of row. (4 stitches)

Break yarn, leaving a 3" tail. Thread this tail into a tapestry needle and use it to pick up the stitches on your DPNs. All four stitches should now be off of the DPNs and on the shaft of your tapestry needle. Pull the tail through the stitches and sew securly shut.


Legs (make 8)
Cast on three stitches.

Row 1. Knit

Row 2-11. Keeping RS facing, slide stitches to the right side of your left needle and knit. This will form a circular cord. In each following row, remember to keep the right side facing, sliding the stitches along the needle.

Row 12. K2, bring yarn to front, slip the next stitch knit wise, bring yarn to back. You have just wrapped one stitch.

Row 13. K1, wrap the next stitch

Row 14. K2, Wrap the next stitch

Row 15-20. Knit

Cast off, break yarn.


Finishing
Sew eight legs to your spider, making sure that the base of the leg is sewn to the body, not the tip of the leg.

Weave in all ends.

Tie short length of ribbon around spider's neck. The step is optional, but necessary if your partner finds the original spider scary.

***********************
This pattern is of my own creation. All rights and restrictions belong to me. You may print out ONE (1) copy for your personal use.

Please direct others to this website, instead of printing them out a copy.

If you wish to use this pattern for any reason other than personal use (to sell, give to charity, etc), request written permission fist.


Sharvanne purred at 11:23 AM
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