Seedstripe the Natural Lamb Toy

SEEDSTRIPE, the natural lamb toy

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A simple cloth in natural cotton is transformed into a soft lamb toy

Skill Level: Easy

Size: Before folding, piece measures approx. 7” square when laid flat

Finished toy: approx. 10.5” long (head to tail) x 4” high

Materials:

200 yds. worsted weight cotton yarn in a natural color

Sample shown in Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc. “Peaches & Crème” Art. 930 (worsted weight, 100% cotton - cones are 14 oz and contain approximately 688 yards. 2.5 oz balls contain approximately 122 yards. 2.0 oz balls contain approximately 98 yards)

Pair of size 8 (5 mm) knitting needles, or size needed to achieve gauge

Stitch markers

Row counter (optional)

Tapestry needle

1 yd. of dark brown or black embroidery floss & a thin tapestry needle (for embroidered facial features)

Polyester fiberfill (for stuffing)

Gauge: 17 sts & 20 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch on size 8 (5 mm) needle

Pattern notes:

Piece is worked flat, then folded in half, seamed and stuffed. Ears are sewn to head section, and facial features are embroidered on.

Stitch markers are used to note border stitches.

A row counter is useful for keeping track of rows in pattern.

Special stitches:

Seed stitch (on an even number of sts):

Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1, rep from * across.

Row 2 and all remaining rows: Purl the knit sts and knit the purl stitches as they face you.

Seed stitch (on an uneven number of sts):

Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1, rep from * across to last st, k1.

Row 2 and all remaining rows: Knit the purl sts and purl the knit stitches as they face you.

Stockinette stitch:

Row 1: K.

Row 2: P.

Repeat Rows 1-2 for stockinette stitch.

Garter stitch: Knit every row.

Terms/Abbreviations: beginning (beg), bind off (BO), cast on (CO), established (est), knit (k), needle (ndl), pattern (patt), place marker (pm), purl (p), remaining (rem), repeat (rep), right side (RS), stitch (st), stockinette stitch (st st), wrong side (WS)

Lamb toy

Note: Five sts at each edge are maintained in seed stitch pattern throughout. Place markers as instructed on Row 1 and slip them every row to keep track of where border stitches begin/end.

CO 32.

First seed st section:

Row 1 (RS): K1, p1, k1, p1, k1, pm, *p1, k1, rep from * to last 5 sts, pm, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1.

Row 2 (WS): Maintaining patt as established, work in seed st across, slipping markers as you come to them.

Rows 3-6: Rep Row 2.

First stockinette st section:

Row 7 (RS): Maintaining seed st patt as established on border sts, seed st 5, k across to last 5 sts, seed st 5.

Row 8: Seed st 5, p across to last 5 sts, seed st 5.

Rows 9-12: Rep Rows 7-8.

Second seed st section:

Rows 13-18: Work in seed st across.

Second stockinette st section:

Rows 19-24: Rep Rows 7-12.

Third seed st section:

Rows 25-30: Work in seed st across.

Third stockinette st section:

Rows 31-36: Rep Rows 7-12.

Last seed st section:

Rows 37-42: Work in seed st across.

Begin head and tail sections (Note: head & tail are worked in garter stitch):

Head:

Row 43 (RS): BO 10, k 12 (for base of head), k 10 (to get to end of row).

Row 44: BO 10, k12. Continue on rem 12 sts.

Rows 45-60: K. At end of Row 60, bind off.

Tail:

Working on opposite end of piece (i.e., the cast-on row), skip the first 12 sts, pick up and k across the next 8 sts (i.e., the 8 sts in the center of the row). Leave rem sts unworked.

Rows 2-6: K. At end of Row 6, bind off.

Ears (make 2):

CO 4.

Rows 1-6: K. At end of Row 6, bind off. Cut yarn, leaving 16” tail for sewing.

Assembly:

Fold piece in half with “stripes” running vertically, so that head section is formed at one end and tail section is formed at other end. Sew around entire piece with overcast st, leaving an opening for stuffing. Stuff piece with fiberfill and sew remainder of seam closed.

Sew ears to top of head on either side.

Finishing:

Embroider facial features, using French knots for eyes and backstitches for nose and mouth, as shown:

+ +

Weave in all tails and squish to shape.

Alternatives:

Work the square entirely in seed stitch.

Work the head, tail and ears in contrast colors.

Work the square in a multicolor yarn and use solid colors for the head, tail and ears.

For personal or charity use only. Do not duplicate pattern for commercial purposes.