KITTEN picture frame

A playful way to display your favourite humans or creatures by Irene Strange ■ King Cole Giza Cotton 4ply (100% cotton, 50g/158m), 1 ball of each: Coral (2196), Argent (2249), Cream (2191)

■ A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook

■ 2 safety eyes, 6mm

■ Toy stuffing

■ Cardboard, 15x15cm

■ Clear plastic, 15x15cm

TENSION

Rounds 1-11 of Frame to measure 10cm (4in) in diameter

MEASUREMENTS

Frame measures approx 15cm (6in) in diameter, not including Kitten

NOTES

Pattern is worked using the amigurumi method. Work stitches in a continuous spiral, without closing off each round with a slip stitch. You may find it helpful to place a marker in the first stitch of the round, moving it up as you go.

Cut out a circle from your cardboard and plastic, with a diameter of 12cm.

Use two strands of yarn held together as one throughout. You will need to wind off separate balls of each colour.

KITTEN PICTURE FRAME

Using two strands of Coral, make a magic loop. Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), 7dc into loop. [7 sts]

Round 2 2dc in each st around. [14 sts] Round 3 (1dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [21 sts] Round 4 (2dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [28 sts] Round 5 (3dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [35 sts] Round 6 (4dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [42 sts] Round 7 (5dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [49 sts] Round 8 (6dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [56 sts]

Round 9 (7dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [63 sts] Round 10 (8dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [70 sts] Round 11 (9dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [77 sts] Round 12 (10dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times.

[84 sts]

Round 13 (11dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times.

[91 sts]

Round 14 Dc in each st around.

Round 15 Dc in fl only of each st around. Rounds 16-23 As Round 14.

Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Fold over the final 8 rounds and, using the tail, whipstitch the sts from the final round to the unused back loops from Round 11, stuffing between Rounds 11-23 as you go.

YARN TAIL

Using two strands of Coral, ch160. Fasten off.

Sew one end of the tail to the inside of the Frame, you can use the image as a guide.

KITTEN

BODY AND HEAD

Using two strands of Argent, make a magic loop.

Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 6dc into loop. [6 sts] Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts]

Round 3 (1dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [18 sts] Round 4 (2dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [24 sts] Round 5 (3dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [30 sts] Round 6 (4dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [36 sts] Rounds 7-9 Dc in each st around. Change to one strand of Ardent and one strand of Cream.

Rounds 10-12 Dc in each st around.

Round 13 (Dc2tog, 4dc) 6 times. [30 sts] Round 14 (Dc2tog, 3dc) 6 times. [24 sts] Round 15 (Dc2tog, 2dc) 3 times, 12dc. [21 sts] Change to two strands of Ardent.

Round 16 Ss in next 12 sts, dc in final 9 sts. Rounds 17-20 Dc in each st around.

Place safety eyes between Rounds 10-11, 9 sts apart at the front.

Round 21 (2dc, 2dc in next st) 3 times, 12dc. [24 sts]

Rounds 22-28 Dc in each st around.

Stuff Kitten as you work.

Round 29 (Dc2tog, 2dc) 6 times. [18 sts] Round 30 (Dc2tog, 1dc) 6 times. [12 sts] Round 31 (Dc2tog, 2dc) 3 times. [9 sts]

Round 32 Ss in each st around.

Rounds 33-39 Dc in each st around. Change to Cream.

Rounds 40-41 Dc in each st around.

Rounds 42 (Dc2tog, 1dc) 3 times. [6 sts] Fasten off.

Thread tail through final 6 sts, pulling tight to close. Weave in ends.

MUZZLE (MAKE 2)

Using Cream, make a magic loop. Round 1 (RS) 7dc into loop. [7 sts]

Round 2 Dc in each st around.

Fasten off.

Sew the two pieces over Rounds 10-12 of Head and Body, between the eyes.

Using Coral, sew the nose between the Muzzle. You can use the image as a guide.

EARS (MAKE 2)

Using Ardent, make a magic loop.

Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 6dc into loop. [6 sts] Round 2 (3dc in next st, 1dc) 3 times. [12 sts] Round 3 (1dc, 3dc in next st, 2dc) twice, 1dc, 3dc in next st, ss in next st to close. [16 sts] Fasten off.

Sew to the top of the Head, between Rounds 5-8.

LEGS (MAKE 4)

Using Cream, make a magic loop. Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 6dc into loop. [6 sts] Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts] Round 3 6dc, (dc2tog) 3 times. [9 sts] Change to Ardent.

Round 4 6dc, ss in next 3 sts. [9 sts]

Rounds 5-9 Dc in each st around. Round 10 As Round 4.

Fasten off.

TO MAKE UP

Place your chosen picture between the layer of cardboard and clear plastic. Roll back the folded edge and place the picture inside. Roll the folded edge over the picture to trap it in. Place the Kitten on its back and position the frame on top. Stuff the Legs and pin to the Body so that two Legs support the frame from the back, and the other two are posed playfully on the front.

Using Cream, secure the back Legs to the frame and check if it can stand up by itself. Stitch the front paw to the edge of the frame if extra support is needed. Once happy, sew the Legs to the Kitten.

Drape the yarn tail over the back of the frame and onto the front of the Kitten, tangling it around the paws.