CAT COAT HANGER

This feline coat hanger might just be too cute to hang in the wardrobe! Instead, use to display a little one's favourite outfit. You could even fill the head with dried lavender!

Size: Approx 17in (43cm)

MATERIALS

■ Chunky yarn such as Texere Chunky Wool 1 x (100g) ball in Slate (A)

■ Double knit yarn such as Baby Merino Silk DK from Rowan, 1 x 50g ball in Rose (B

■ Pair each of US size 7 (4.5mm) and US 3 (3.25mm) knitting needles

■ Sewing needle

■ 16in (40cm) wooden coat hanger

■ 2 buttons for eyes

■ Tapestry yarn for whiskers

■ Toy stuffing

TENSION

24 sts and 32 rows to 4in (10cm) over st-st using Baby Merino Silk and US size 3 (3.25mm) needles.

HEAD

Using US 7 (4.5mm) needles and A, cast on 8 sts.

Work in rev st-st.

Row 1: and every alt row (RS): Purl.

Row 2: Inc in every st. 16 sts. Row 4: [Inc, k3] to end. 20 sts. Row 6: Inc in every st. 40 sts. Row 8: Knit.

Row 10: Knit.

Row 12: Knit.

Row 14: [K2tog] to end. 20 sts.

Row 16: [K2tog, k3] to end. 16 sts.

Row 18: [K2tog] to end. 8 sts. Row 19: [P2tog], to end. 4 sts. Cut yarn, leaving a long end, and thread through rem sts, draw tight to close nose end of head. Do not fasten off.

OUTER EARS (MAKE 2) Using US 7 (4.5mm) needles and A, cast on 4 sts.

Row 1: Purl.

Row 2: Knit.

Row 3: Purl.

Row 4: K2togtbl, k2tog. Cast off.

INNER EARS (MAKE 2) Using US 3 (3.25mm) needles and B, cast on 4 sts.

Row 1: Purl.

Row 2: Knit.

Row 3: Purl.

Row 4: K2togtbl, k2tog. Cast off.

PAWS (MAKE 2)

Using US 7 (4.5mm) needles and A, cast on 11 sts. Beg with a k row, work 10 rows in rev st-st.

Cast off.

HANGER

Using US 3 (3.25mm) needles and B, cast on 16 sts.

Rows 1-2: [K2, p2] to end. Rows 3-4: [P2, k2] to end. Rep rows 1-4, 26 more times.

Cast off.

TO MAKE UP

Weave in all loose ends. Wrap hanger cover round coat hanger, slipping hook through knitting, and join on underside with matching yarn and mattress stitch.

Fold paws in half and sew side seams and cast-on edge.

Stitch paw on each end of hanger.

For head, using attached long end, join row ends. Fill with toy stuffing then gather caston edge to close head. Sew inner ears to front of outer ears and sew to head in position. Sew buttons on for eyes.

Using photograph as a guide, embroider nose and mouth in B.

Thread hook of coat hanger through back of head. Secure lower edge of head to hanger by using A and stitching around the hanger.