Here is the pattern I wrote recently for an insect worry monster. I have donated it to Knit-for-Nowt and it is already on their website.
This one is in intentionally scary colours. But it could easily be amended to make it less traumatising!
This pattern uses dk yarn doubled (i.e. two
strands of dk yarn knitted together) and size 5.5mm knitting needles. It
produces a Worry Monster measuring 12 inches long.
I find that doubling up the yarn and using
5.5mm knitting needles makes a strong fabric that knits up very quickly and
contains the stuffing securely.
Don’t worry if the monster looks small when
you are knitting it. It will look larger after you have sewed the seams and
stuffed it.
Remember: the yarn is used doubled
throughout except for the pocket, the wings and the facial features.
You will need
60g of dk yarn
5.5mm knitting needles
40g of toy stuffing
Felt or buttons for eyes
Start with bottom colour
Cast on 20 stitches
Change to body/face colour
Work 42 rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a garter stitch row and
ending with a purl row)
Mouth
Knit 4 stitches with the face colour
(you are now going to change to the mouth
colour. But do not cut the face colour as you will need this on the next row)
Change to mouth colour
Work on next 12 stitches only as follows:
Knit across 12 stitches
Turn and knit back across 12 stitches
(knitting both rows produces a raised, knobbly texture which is similar to
teeth)
Change back to face colour
Purl 4 stitches
Knit across all stitches
Work a further 9 rows straight – (stocking stitch, commencing with a purl row and ending with a purl row)
Decrease one stitch at the beginning of the next 6 rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a garter stitch row and ending with a purl row)
Change to hair colour
Decrease one stitch at the beginning of the
next 4 rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a garter stitch row and ending
with a purl row)
Increase one stitch at the beginning of the
next 10 rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a garter stitch row and ending
with a purl row)
Work 14 rows straight – (stocking stitch,
commencing with a garter stitch row and ending with a purl row)
Change to body colour
Work 38 rows – (stocking stitch, commencing
with a garter stitch row and ending with a purl row)
Change to bottom colour
Work 4 rows – (garter stitch)
Cast off all 20 stitches
Making up:
Embroider facial features as desired
Create the antennae by making a thick plait
and attaching it firmly to the top of the head
Sew up both sides
Stuff with approved toy stuffing and check that it is not
escaping through any holes
Sew up bottom seam
Using a single strand of dk yarn, knit or crochet 2
squares measuring 4 inches for the wings and sew them firmly to the monster along
2 side edges and across the diagonal
Using a single strand of dk yarn, knit or crochet a
square measuring 3.5 inches and attach it to the front as a worry pocket. (I find it easier to add the pocket after
stuffing the monster. But you might prefer to add it first.)
Variations:
Let your imagination run riot
You could add two wings to each side to make a butterfly
You could add knitted or crocheted i-cord to make insect
legs for a spider or grasshopper etc
Change the colours as required
Use all your left over oddments to make stripes
The inspiration for this
pattern came from the BASIC PATTERN FOR A WORRY PUPPET by Diane Fenney
I tested this pattern carefully by knitting it again after writing it. It's amazing how many little glitches can be spotted that way. So I know this pattern works. But if you have any queries, just ask and I will help...
I have another pattern in the pipeline. Watch this space...
