RACCOON BAG
Note A very small amount of Fair Isle is used on the mittens, this is carried out at the same time shaping is being worked. If you prefer, the Christmas trees could be Swiss darned onto the mitten after knitting. The Christmas tree chart on the mittens starts on the wrong side row and is worked from left to right.
BAG BODY
Cast on 78 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn A, and work 4 rows in garter stitch.
Row 5 *K1, P1; rep from * to end.
Repeat the last row 3 more times.
Row 9 K2, *yo, k2tog, K2; rep from * to end. [78 sts] Row 10 *K1, P1; rep from * to end.
Repeat the last row 2 more times.
Starting with a knit row; work in st st for 50 rows**
Decrease the bottom of the bag as follows: Row 1 *K11, k2tog; rep from * to end. [72 sts] Row 2 *P2tog, P10; rep from * to end. [66 sts] Row 3 *K9, k2tog; rep from * to end. [60 sts] Row 4 *P2tog, P8; rep from * to end. [54 sts] Row 5 *K7, k2tog; rep from * to end. [48 sts] Row 6 *P2tog, P6; rep from * to end. [42 sts] Row 7 *K5, k2tog; rep from * to end. [36 sts] Row 8 *P2tog, P4; rep from * to end. [30 sts] Row 9 *K3, k2tog; rep from * to end. [24 sts] Row 10 *P2tog, P2; rep from * to end. [18 sts] Row 11 *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [12 sts] Row 12 *P2tog; rep from * to end. [6 sts]
1 Thread the end of the yarn through the remaining sts and through the loop of the yarn itself. Draw up the knitting tightly and finish off. 2 With RS together, sew down the row-end edges towards the cast-on edge. This seam runs down the back of the bag.
BAG TIE
Cast on 95 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn A. Row 1 Knit. Cast off. Sew in ends. Thread the Bag Tie through the eyelets at the top of the Bag and tie a knot in either end.
HEAD
Cast on 28 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn A. Starting with a knit row, work in st st for 20 rows.
Row 21 K6, (inc 1) twice, K12, (inc 1) twice, K6. [32 sts] Row 22 Purl.
Row 23 K7, (inc 1) twice, K14, (inc 1) twice, K7. [36 sts] Row 24 P8, (inc 1) twice, P16, (inc 1) twice, P8. [40 sts] Row 25 K9, (inc 1) twice, K18, (inc 1) twice, K9. [44 sts] Row 26 P10, (inc 1) twice, P20, (inc 1) twice, P10. [48 sts] Row 27 K11, (inc 1) twice, K22, (inc 1) twice, K11. [52 sts] Row 28 P12, (inc 1) twice, P24, (inc 1) twice, P12. [56 sts] Row 29 K13, (inc 1) twice, K26, (inc 1) twice, K13. [60 sts] Row 30 P14, (inc 1) twice, P28, (inc 1) twice, P14. [64 sts] Row 31 K15, (inc 1) twice, K30, (inc 1) twice, K15. [68 sts] Row 32 P16, (inc 1) twice, P32, (inc 1) twice, P16. [72 sts] Row 33 Knit.
Row 34 Purl.
Row 35 K16, k2tog, skpo, K32, k2tog, skpo, K16. [68 sts] Row 36 P15, (p2tog) twice, P30, (p2tog) twice, P15. [64 sts]
Break Yarn A and join Yarn B.
Row 37 K14, k2tog, skpo, K28, k2tog, skpo, K14. [60 sts] Row 38 Purl.
Row 39 K13, k2tog, skpo, K26, k2tog, skpo, K13. [56 sts] Row 40 Purl.
Row 41 K12, k2tog, skpo, K24, k2tog, skpo, K12. [52 sts] Row 42 P11, (p2tog) twice, P22, (p2tog) twice, P11. [48 sts] Row 43 K10, k2tog, skpo, K20, k2tog, skpo, K10. [44 sts] Row 44 P9, (p2tog) twice, P18, (p2tog) twice, P9. [40 sts] Row 45 K8, k2tog, skpo, K16, k2tog, skpo, K8. [36 sts] Row 46 P7, (p2tog) twice, P14, (p2tog) twice, P7. [32 sts] Row 47 K6, k2tog, skpo, K12, k2tog, skpo, K6. [28 sts] Row 48 P5, (p2tog) twice, P10, (p2tog) twice, P5. [24 sts] Row 49 K4, k2tog, skpo, K8, k2tog, skpo, K4. [20 sts] Row 50 P2, (p3tog) twice, P4, (p3tog) twice, P2. [12 sts] Cast off.
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1 With RS facing inwards, sew the row ends together from cast-on to cast-off edge. This seam runs down the underside of the Head. Flatten the cast-off edge and sew along the bottom edge. 2 Lightly stuff the face part of the Head. It’s easier if you sew everything to the Head before you sew the Head to the Body.
NOSE
Cast on 10 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn A. Row 1 K3, cast off the next 4 sts, K2. [6 sts] Row 2 Purl.
Row 3 Skpo, K2, k2tog. [4 sts]
Starting with a purl row work in st st for 12 rows. Row 16 (WS) Inc 1, P2, inc 1. [6 sts] Cast off. The Nose strip runs down the centre of the face from the first white row to the cast-off edge of Head. The hole that you made in the start of the Nose is the buttonhole and this hangs off the end of the face. Position, pin and sew into place.
EYE PATCHES (MAKE 2)
Cast on 6 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn C. Row 1 Kfb, K5. [7 sts]
Row 2 Pfb, P6. [8 sts]
Row 3 Knit.
Row 4 P2tog, P6. [7 sts]
Row 5 Skpo, K5. [6 sts] Cast off. 1 The Eye Patches slant from the top of the Nose strip down and outwards. Position, pin and sew.
2 Using image as a guide, push 18mm black safety eyes through the Eye Patches at the rounded ends (nearest the Nose strip) and through the inside of the Head. Push on the safely back discs that affix the eyes.
3 Flatten the cast-on edge of the Head and oversew to seal the Head.
EARS (MAKE 2)
Cast on 4 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn A. Row 1 *Kfb; rep from * to end. [8 sts]
Row 2 *P1, pfb; rep from * to end. [12 sts]
Row 3 *K2, kfb; rep from * to end. [16 sts]
Leave Yarn A attached and join Yarn B for next 2 rows. Row 4 Purl.
Row 5 Knit.
Break Yarn B and continue with Yarn A to end. Row 6 *P2, p2tog; rep from * to end. [12 sts]
Row 7 *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [8 sts] Row 8 *P2tog; rep from * to end. [4 sts]
1 Thread the end of the yarn through the remaining sts and through the loop of the yarn itself. Draw up the knitting tightly and sew the ends to secure.
2 With the right-sides together, fold in half to bring the row ends together taking care to line up the colour changes. Sew the row ends together from the drawn-up point down to the white knitting. 3 At the cast-on edge sew a row of running sts along the cast-on edge and draw up. Turn the work right side out and sew the grey row-end edges together using mattress stitch.
4 Position, pin and sew the Ears to the corners of the Head just before the long straight part. This is the lid flap.
5 To make a flap pin the cast-on edge of the Head to the centre back of the Bag on the first st st row after the ribbing. Sew into place. 6 With the neck of the Bag drawn up with the Tie, flip the Head over so that it rests on the front side of the Bag. Put a pin in the front centre of the Bag where the buttonhole in the Nose rests. Sew a black button in place of the pin. This button will keep the Bag closed.
TAIL
Cast on 8 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn A. Row 1 *Kfb; rep from * to end. [16 sts] Row 2 Purl.
Row 3 *K1, kfb; rep from * to end. [24 sts] Starting with a purl row, st st 3 rows.
Break Yarn A and join Yarn C. Starting with a knit row, st st 6 rows.
Break Yarn C and join Yarn A.
Row 13 Knit.
Row 14 Purl.
Row 15 *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [16 sts] Row 16 Purl.
Row 17 Knit.
Break Yarn A and join Yarn C. Starting with a purl row, st st 5 rows.
Break Yarn C and join Yarn A. Starting with a knit row, st st 4 rows.
Break Yarn A and join Yarn C.
Row 27 Knit.
Row 28 *P2, p2tog; rep from * to end. [12 sts] Row 29 Knit.
Row 30 Purl.
Break Yarn C and join Yarn B. Starting with a knit row, st st 3 rows.
Break Yarn B and join Yarn C. Starting with a purl row, st st 3 rows.
Row 37 *K2tog; rep from * to end. [6 sts]
1 Thread the end of the yarn through the remaining sts and through the loop of the yarn itself. Draw up the knitting tightly and finish off. 2 With the right-sides together, fold the tail in half lengthways, taking care to line up the colour changes. Sew the row-end edges together from the drawn-up part down to the cast-on edge. Turn right-sides out and stuff.
3 Sew a row of running sts along the cast-on edge and draw the knitting up. This is the base of the Tail.
4 Position, pin and sew the base of the tail to the bottom right-hand corner of the bag.
LEFT MITTEN
Cast on 8 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn D. Row 1 (RS) *K1, P1; rep from * to end. Repeat last row once more.
Row 3 Knit.
Row 4 Purl.
Row 5 Inc 1, K7. [9 sts]
PLACE CHART
Row 1 (WS) P1, purl the first row of Chart, bringing in Yarn B where needed, P1.
Row 1 sets positioning for the Chart. Once put in place you need to continue with the shaping of the mitten below AND AT THE SAME TIME, knit the Chart.
Row 2 Knit.
Row 3 Purl.
Row 4 Inc 1, K8. [10 sts] Row 5 Purl.
Row 6 Inc 1, K9. [11 sts] Row 7 Purl. Row 8 K3tog, K8. [9 sts]
Cont in Yarn D only.
Row 9 P7, p2tog. [8 sts] Row 10 Knit.
Row 11 Purl.
Row 12 Skpo, K4, k2tog. [6 sts] Row 13 Purl.
Row 14 Skpo, K2, k2tog. [4 sts] Row 15 (P2tog) twice. [2 sts]
Thread the end of the yarn through the remaining sts and through the loop of the yarn itself. Draw up the knitting tightly and finish off. Sew in ends. Position, pin and sew the mitten to the Raccoon’s tummy making sure that the thumb points upwards.
RIGHT MITTEN
Cast on 8 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn D Row 1 (RS) *K1, P1; rep from * to end. Repeat last row once more.
Row 3 Knit.
Row 4 Purl.
Row 5 K7, inc 1. [9 sts]
PLACE CHART
Row 1 (WS) P1, purl the first row of Chart, bringing in Yarn B where needed, P1.
Row 1 sets positioning for the Chart. Once put in place you need to continue with the shaping of the mitten below AND AT THE SAME TIME, knit the Chart.
Row 2 Knit.
Row 3 Purl.
Row 4 K8, inc 1. [10 sts]
Row 5 Purl.
Row 6 K9, inc 1. [11 sts]
Row 7 Purl.
Row 8 K8, K3tog. [9 sts]
Cont in Yarn D only. Row 9 P2tog, P7. [8 sts] Row 10 Knit.
Row 11 Purl.
Row 12 Skpo, K4, k2tog. [6 sts] Row 13 Purl.
Row 14 Skpo, K2, k2tog. [4 sts] Row 15 (P2tog) twice. [2 sts]
Thread the end of the yarn through the remaining sts and through the loop of the yarn itself. Draw up the knitting tightly and finish off. Sew in ends. Position, pin and sew the mitten to the Raccoon’s tummy making sure that the thumb points upwards.
HAT
Cast on 36 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn E. Knit 8 rows.
Break Yarn E and join Yarn D.
Starting with a knit row, st st 4 rows.
Row 13 *K4, k2tog; rep from * to end. [30 sts] Starting with a purl row, st st 3 rows.
Row 17 *K3, k2tog; rep from * to end. [24 sts] Starting with a purl row, st st 3 rows.
Row 21 *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. [18 sts] Starting with a purl row, st st 3 rows.
Row 25 *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [12 sts] Starting with a purl row, st st 3 rows.
Row 29 *K2tog; rep from * to end. [6 sts]
Row 30 Purl.
Break Yarn D and join Yarn E for the bobble at the end. Row 31 *K1, inc 1; rep from * to end. [9 sts]
Knit 7 rows.
Row 39 K1, *k2tog; rep from * to end. [5 sts]
1 Thread the end of the yarn through the remaining sts and through the loop of the yarn itself. Draw up the knitting tightly and finish off. 2 With right-sides together, and taking care to line up colour changes, sew row ends together.
3 Turn right sides out. Lightly stuff the base of the hat. 4 Position, pins and sew the hat to the top of the head, behind the ears.
HANDLE
Cast on 16 sts using 4mm needles and Yarn A. Starting with a knit row, st st 66 rows. Cast off.
1 Fold the knitting in half lengthways with right-sides together and sew down the row-end edge. Turn right sides out.
2 Put the seam you have just sewn on one side of the Bag, flatten the cast-on edge and oversew along to close the Handle. Repeat the process for the cast-off end of the Handle.
3 With the ends of the strip side by side, pin and sew them directly below the lid flap at the back of the Bag.