Cheeky monkeys
This mischievous pair of monkeys is a great project for experienced knitters and would make a lovely gift
MATERIALS
1 x 50g ball of Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK main shade (M) (170) Plus 1 x 50g ball in the following contrast shades:
155 (limey) (C) or
116 (lemonade) (C)
Small amount of cream for the eye section and black embroidery cotton for the eyes and nose
Pair 3.25mm knitting needles (USA3) Stuffing
Pipe cleaner (optional)
FRONT Body/Head
Using 3.25mm needles and M cast on 10 sts.
** Next Row: K1, * inc in next st, rep from * to last st, k1. 18 sts.
Next Row. Purl.
Next Row: K8, m1, k2, m1, k8. 20 sts. Next Row: Purl.
Next Row: K8, m1, k4, m1, k8. 22 sts. Next Row: Purl.
Next Row: K8, m1, k6, m1, k8. 24 sts. Next Row. Purl.**
Working the Intarsia method proceed as follows for the tummy: 1st Row: K9M, k6C, k9M.
2nd Row: P8M, p8C, p8M.
3rd Row: K7M, k10C, k7M.
4th Row: P6M, p12C, p6M.
5th Row: K4M, k16C, k4M.
6th Row: P4M, p16C, p4M.
7th Row: K3M, k18C, k3M.
8th Row: P3M, p18C, p3M.
Rep 7th and 8th rows twice more and 7th row once more.
14th Row: P4M, p16C, p4M.
15th Row: K1M, k2togtblM, k1M, k16C, k1M, k2togM, k1M. 22 sts. 16th Row: P4M, p14C, p4M.
17th Row: K5M, k12C, k5M.
18th Row: P6M, p10C, p6M.
19th Row: K6M, k10C, k6M.
20th Row: P8M, p6C, p8M.
*** Working in M only, proceed as follows:
Next Row: K1, k2togtbl, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 20 sts
Beg with a purl row work 5 rows in st-st.
Next Row: K1, k2togtbl, knit to last
3 sts k2tog, k1. 18 sts.
Beg with a purl row work 3 rows in st-st.
Next Row: (K2tog) 9 times. 9 sts. Beg with a purl row work 3 rows in st-st.
Next Row: (K1, m1) 8 times, k1. 17 sts.
Beg with a purl row work 3 rows in st-st.
Next Row: Inc in 1st st knit to last 2 sts, inc in next st, k1. 19 sts. Next Row: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows once more. 21 sts.***
Working the Intarsia method proceed as follows for the eye section:
1st Row: Inc in 1st st, k4M, k1 cream, k9M, k1 cream, k3M, inc in next st, k1M. 23 sts.
2nd Row: P6M, p2 cream, p7M, p2 cream, p6M.
3rd Row: K6M, k11 cream, k6M. 4th Row: P6M, p11 cream, p6M. Rep 3rd and 4th rows once more. 7th Row: K7M, k4 cream, k1M, k4 cream, k7M.
8th Row: P8M, p2 cream, p3M, p2 cream, p8M. Working in M only work 4 rows in st-st.
Next Row: K2, (k2tog, k2) twice, k3tog, (k2tog, k2) twice, k2. 17 sts. Next Row: Purl.
Next Row: (K2tog) 4 times, k1, (k2tog) 4 times. 9 sts. Break yarn and thread through rem sts.
BACK
Body/Head
Using 3.25mm needles and M (throughout) cast on 10 sts. Work from ** to ** of Front. Work 14 rows in st-st.
Next Row: K1, k2togtbl, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 22 sts.
Beg with a purl row work 5 rows. Work from *** to *** of Front. Next Row; Inc in 1st st, knit to last 2sts, inc in next st, k1. 23 sts. Beg with a purl row work 11 rows in st-st.
Next Row: K2, (k2tog, k2) twice, k3tog, (k2tog, k2) twice, k2. 17 sts. Next Row: Purl.
Next Row: (K2tog) 4 times, k1, (k2tog) 4 times. 9 sts. Break yarn and thread through rem sts.
LEGS (Make 2)
Foot
Using 3.25mm needles and M cast on 10 sts.
Next Row: Purl.
Next Row: Inc in every st knitways to last st, k1. 19 sts. Next Row: Purl.
Next Row: K8, (inc in next st) 3 times, k8. 22 sts.
Next Row: Purl.
Next Row: K6, (k2tog) 5 times, k6. 17 sts.
Next Row: P6, (p2tog) 3 times, p5. 14 sts.
Next Row: K5, (k2tog) twice, k5. 12 sts.
Next Row: P5, p2tog, p5. 11 sts. Leg
Working in stripe sequence of 2 rows in C and 2 rows in M, commencing with C work 18 stripes (9 contrast and 9 main).
Cast off in M.
Next Row: K7M, k4C, k7M. Next Row: P7M, p4C, p7M. Next Row: K8M, k2C, k8M
Next Row: Using M only, purl. Next Row: (K2tog) 9 times. 9 sts. Break off yarn and thread through rem sts.
MAKE UP
Sew side edges of foot and stuff lightly. Sew side edges of leg without stuffing. Embroider 4 long stitches in M, around the foot, giving 3 separate sections for toes.
ARMS (Make 2)
Using 3.25mm needles and M cast on 10 sts. Working in stripe sequence of 4 rows in M and 4 rows in C, proceed as follows:Work 9 stripes (5 main and 4 contrast).
Hand
Change to C and proceed as follows:
K2, * inc in next st, rep from * to last st, k1. Beg with a purl row work 3 rows in st-st.
Next Row: K6, cast off 5 sts, k5. 12 sts.
Next Row: Purl across all sts. Work 4 rows in st-st.
Next Row: (K2tog) 6 times. 6 sts. Break yarn and thread through rem sts.
MAKE UP
With rem sts fastened securely, sew side edges of hand and slip stitch the tiny thumb section. Stuff lightly. Sew remaining side edges of arm without stuffing.
NOSE
Using 3.25mm needles and M cast on 26 sts. Work 6 rows in st-st.
Next Row: K2tog to end. 13 sts. Next Row: Purl.
Next Row: (K2tog) 3 times, k1, (k2tog) 3 times. 7 Break yarn and thread through rem sts.
MAKE UP
With rem sts fastened securely sew side edges.
EARS (Make 2)
Using 3.25mm needles and M cast on 18 sts. Working in st-st proceed as follows:
Next Row: K6M, k6C, k6M. Next Row: P6M, p6C, p6M.
MAKE UP
With rem sts fastened securely, sew side edges.
TUFT
Using 3.25mm needles cast on 7 sts.
Next Row: Cast off 6 sts leaving last st on right hand needle. * Place last st back onto left hand needle and cast on 6 sts. Cast off 6 sts, leaving last st on right hand needle. Rep from * once more.
Break off yarn and thread through rem st.
TAIL
Using 3.25mm needles cast on 10 sts.
Work in st-st until tail measures 24cm (9½in), ending with a purl row.
Next Row: (K2tog) 5 times. 5 sts. Break off yarn and thread through rem sts.
MAKE UP
With rem sts fastened securely sew side edges.
If required enclose a pipe cleaner, folded in half, to the inside of the tail, to give the tail permanent ‘curl’. Please use appropriate judgement for this.
TO COMPLETE
Sew side edges of head together and stuff firmly. Continue to sew side edges of body and stuff.
Run a gathering thread around the cast on edge and close the opening. Sew nose to face placing in line with the eye section. Place ears, with contrast colour to the front, in line with the eyes and sew to the head seam line.
Sew tuft to top of head over the gathered section. Using black yarn embroider eyes, in the centre of the eye section, with a French Knot in the centre and a straight stitch at each side of the knot. Using black again work ‘v’ for the nose as illustrated.
Sew arms to neck section on the centre seam. Sew legs to underneath body, to each side of the gathered section 2.5cm, (1in) apart.
Sew tail to the back, which should now give the monkey balance to sit.
■ This pattern is supplied by Hobbycraft. For alternative free designs visit Hobbycraft.co.uk and search for ‘free knitting patterns’