https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/little-beige-cat • Posted by Leyla Alieva - Silk and Wool
I think this is a great project for very early beginners. It’s so much more fun than and is done much quicker than traditional hats and scarves, and looks more complex than a dishcloth. However, you only make two rectangles in stockinette stitch, and for the tail, it’s the same with a couple of decreases.
I think this is a great project for very early beginners. It’s so much more fun than and is done much quicker than traditional hats and scarves, and looks more complex than a dishcloth. However, you only make two rectangles in stockinette stitch, and for the tail, it’s the same with a couple of decreases.
Skills you’ll need: cast on, knit, purl, bind off, knit 2 together, skp/ssk – optional. Seaming: whip stitch can be enough, I also used back stitch. You could also use mattress stitch for best results, but I was too lazy. Substituting yarns: I would recommend to stick to angora blends, make the kitty fluffy, but I suppose you could use any yarn you like. Abbreviations: c/o – cast on k – knit p – purl k2tog – knit 2 stitches together. skp – slip next stitch on the right needle, knit the stitch after, passe the slipped stitch over the knitted one. Can be replaced by ssk or even k2tog.
BODY C/o 36 stitches. Row 1. Knit all stitches Row 2. Purl all stitches Repeat rows 1&2 (stockinette stitch), until you have 56 rows. Bind off loosely.
HEAD C/o 23 stitches. Knit in stockinette stitch for 56 rows. Bind off.
TAIL C/o 16 stitches. Row 1: knit Row 2, and all other even rows: purl. Row 3: k1, skp, k 10, k2tog, k1 Row 5: knit Row 7: k1, skp, k 8, k2tog, k1 Row 9: knit Row 11: k1, skp, k 6, k2tog, k1 Row 13: knit Row 15: k1, skp, k 4, k2tog, k1 Row 17: knit Row 19: k1, skp, k 2, k2tog, k1 Bind off after row 20.
BODY - ASSEMBLY That’s the trickiest part. Here’s the schematic of your rectangle to help.
I used back stitch for leg seams, so I had the wrong side facing me. Measure the middle of your narrow edge (cast on side). That’s point E.
Fold the fabric, so that point E is on the long edge, – point G.
Sew the seam of A-EG, with wrong side on the outside. That’s the first leg of the cat.
Now fold to the other side, so that point E (and now G) meet with point H
Sew the B-EH seam. That’s your second leg.
Now do the same with the other side, by sewing D-FI and C-FJ seams. you now have 4 paws.
Turn the the body inside out, so that right side is on the outside. Stuff the body through the opening.
Close the belly seam (GEH-IFJ). I used the whip stitch.
The body is ready.
HEAD ASSEMBLY Fold your rectangle in half lengthwise, so that you have a square. With wrong side facing out, sew the side seams.
Turn inside out, now right side is facing. Stuff the head lightly.
Make simple stitch diagonal seams from the top of the head to the sides, to form ears.
Thread yarn using simple stitch through the bottom edge, and pull lightly to form the neck.
Embroider the face. Here’s an approximate layout. If the toy is for an older child, you could put buttons for eyes.
Sew the head to the body.
TAIL ASSEMBLY With wrong side facing out, fold the tail in two, sew the top (bind off) and the side seams to form a cone.
Turn inside out and stuff lightly.
Sew to the body.
Use a ribbon, or make one – simple crochet chain would do, and tie around the neck. You’re done!