Free pattern for an insect worry monster....

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

Work 4 rows – (garter stitch)

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...