Tabitha the Destash Kitty

By Pen Connor OliverBoliver.typepad.com

Tabitha the Destash Kitty

Unlike some cats Tabitha is dependable but like all cats shes resourceful. Resouceful in that she is here to use up your odds and ends of stash which you simply cant bear to throw away. She is just the right project to help you to use up whats left after knitting a sweater or a pair of socks. Like all my toys, Tabitha can be made in any wool weight; just choose needles which are a few sizes smaller than those recommended on the label. I knitted Tabitha in Manos Del Uruguay Silk Blend (green kitty) on 3.25mm needles and Sokkusu-O (purple & orange kitty)on 2.25mm needles. As always, please do not use safety eyes if giving to a child under 3 years and if in doubt, always err on the side of caution and use felt or embroidered eyes instead. And of course, do drop me a line if you have any questions! Happy knitting and enjoy!

Pen x pen@oliverboliver.com

Tabitha the Destash Kitty v1

Copyright 2012 - Penny Connor

www.oliverboliver.typepad.com

A Quick Guide to Oliver Boliver Patterns 1) Needle size, Tension and Yarn Weight - You choose

Dont panic! All my patterns can be knitted using any yarn and any needle size. Simply reduce the size of the needles by at least 2 sizes recommended on the ball band. You will need to adjust the amounts of yarn as appropriate as thicker yarns are heavier so you will need more. I have provided the size of the creature knitted usually using DK weight yarn (although some are using worsted/aran). A worsted/aran weight will produce a bigger critter and a DK weight a smaller one.

2) Why does my critter not look like yours?

Ok - good question! The answer usually lies in the positioning of the eyes and in the actual stuffing of the critter. Trust me on this; spend a little time in positioning the eyes before sticking the washers on and it will make a huge difference. Then try not to over stuff it like the Thanksgiving turkey because if you do, thats exactly how its going to look! Add a little stuffing at a time and look at your increases and decreases and add a little more where there are increases and reduce it where there are decreases. Knitted fabric will s-t-r-e-t-c-h and too much is bad when trying to create a good shape for your toy. If your critter looks like hes been tucking into the biscuit barrel then hes probably over stuffed! Finally, dont be afraid to stop, pull all the stuffing out, swear a little at it and then start again. Your critter is not a parrot and wont embarrass you in front of the neighbours/children by repeating your expletives in polite company!

3) Patterns are good for the environment (ish)

Ive restyled my patterns so that you only need to print off the relevant pages. We all know that printer ink is expensive, especially coloured ink, so if you dont need to print off the photos then leave them on the computer! If you prefer to print off everything then thats ok too; I just want to give everyone the option either way.

4) Can I make this pattern to raise money for charity or for gifts?
My patterns are for personal use only which means you cant go into commercial production selling huge quantities of creatures. However, I am delighted if you would like to use the pattern to give as a gift or to raise money for charity. All I ask is that you credit me as the designer and state that patterns are available from www.oliverboliver.typepad.com.

5) Can I sell/swap/share your patterns or use them as teaching aids?

This pattern is an original, copyrighted design. Please do not reproduce, photocopy, scan, sell, swap, share or distribute this pattern or any part electronically or by paper. So, I guess thats a no! Sorry! Please contact me directly regarding using this as a teaching aid and we can discuss it! Also, please do not offer this pattern as a swap as youd be surprised how many times a pattern can be swapped which means theres less of an incentive for me to keep designing!

6) Any more questions?

Please drop me a line at pen@oliverboliver.com and Ill do everything within my power to help.

Tabitha the Destash Kitty v1

Copyright 2012 - Penny Connor

www.oliverboliver.typepad.com

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Materials
Set of DPNs (if using) or circular needle (if using magic loop method) Extra knitting needle to cast off using 3 needle bind off (if using magic loop method) Yarn - 4ply/Sock - approx 44 - 54m - DK - approx 42 - 52m - Aran/Worsted - approx 70 - 80m 2 x safety eyes or felt for eyes (8mm for sock weight/12mm for DK weight/15mm for Aran) Pink embroidery yarn (for nose) Toy Stuffing Blunt ended sewing needle Pins (optional) Row Counter (optional)

The Pattern
Construction Notes
The body and head are knitted as one piece before then picking up stitches along the head decreases for the ears. If using safety eyes, secure them in place before then stuffing and picking up the cast on stitches to close the bottom of the kitty. Knit the tail and feet separately and sew in place. Finally embroider a tiny nose.

Body & Head

Cast on 40sts, join in the round being careful not to twist. Rs1-18: K all Neck decreases R19: (K7, k2tog, K2, SSK, K7) x R20: and every even row - K all R21: (K6, k2tog, K2, SSK, K6) x R23: (K5, k2tog, K2, SSK, K5) x R25: (K4, k2tog, K2, SSK, K4) x Head increases R27: (K4, M1R, K4, M1L, K4) x R29: (K5, M1R, K4, M1L, K5) x R31: (K6, M1R, K4, M1L, K6) x R33: (K7, M1R, K4, M1L, K7) x R35: (K8, M1R, K4, M1L, K8) x R36: K all R37: and every odd row - K all Head decreases R38: (K8, K2tog, k2, R40: (K7, K2tog, k2, R42: (K6, K2tog, k2, R46: (K5, K2tog, k2, R48: (K4, K2tog, k2, R49: K6

Size
4ply/Sock - 10cm/4in high using 2.25mm needles DK - 14cm/5.5in high using 3.25mm needles. Aran/Worsted - 20cm/8in high using 4.5mm needles

2 - 36sts 2- 32sts 2 - 28sts 2 - 24sts

Abbreviations
Approx - approximately Beg - beginning Dec - decrease(s) Inc - increase(s) K - knit K2tog - knit 2 sts together (dec count by 1 st) K3tog - knit 3 sts together (dec count by 2sts) M1R - make 1 right - insert right hand needle under the horizontal bar between the sts and lift. Slip the st onto the left hand needle purlwise. Knit into the front of the st. M1L - make 1 left - insert right hand needle under the horizontal bar between the sts and lift. Slip the st onto the left hand needle knitwise. Knit into the back of the st. PSSO - pass slipped st over PU - pick up R - round Rem - remaining Rep - repeat RS - right side Sl1PW - slip 1st as if to purl SSK - slip slip knit - slip knitwise, slip knitwise, knit the 2 slipped sts together (decrease by 1) St(s) - stitch(es)

2 2 2 2 2

28sts 32sts 36sts 40sts 44sts

SSK, SSK, SSK, SSK, SSK,

K8) K7) K6) K5) K4)

x x x x x

2 2 2 2 2

40sts 36sts 32sts 28sts 24sts

Arrange the sts on DPNs or circular needle so that you have 12sts on one needle and 12sts on the other so that when laid flat you clearly have the increases and decreases running down the sides of the cat (not the front and back). Turn the work inside out by pushing it through the middle of the sts on the needles. Cast off using 3 needle bind off method. Alternatively, do not turn work inside out and graft sts together using kitchener stitch.

Tabitha the Destash Kitty v1

Copyright 2012 - Penny Connor

www.oliverboliver.typepad.com

Page 3 of 4

Ears
With the work turned the right side out PU 9sts along the SSK decrease edge.

Tail
NB. If using DK or 4ply yarn you will need to stuff the tail as you knit. Cast on 9 sts and join in the round being careful not to twist. Knit until the tail is approx the length of the head and body piece. Last Row: K3tog x 3 - 3sts Break yarn and thread through remaining 6sts and fasten off. Stuff the tail. Pass the yarn through the inside of the tail and pull. This will give the tail a slight bend. The more you pull, the more it will bend. Fasten off when you are happy with the curve factor!

Making Up
Fig. 1 Showing the first stitch to be picked up along the SSK edge

PU 9sts along the K2tog decrease edge. You will have 2 columns of knitted sts between the picked up sts. Working in the round, knit as follows:R1-2: K all R3: (K3, K3tog, K3) x 2 - 14sts R4: K all R5: (K2, K3tog, K2) x 2 - 10sts R6: K all R7: (K1, K3tog, K1) x 2 - 6sts R8: K all R9: (Sl1PW. K2tog, PSSO) x 2 - 2sts Break yarn and thread through remaining 2sts and fasten off. Repeat on the opposite side for the other ear

Position the safety eyes and attach the backs. Then stuff the head and body cavity. Do not overstuff the body as you are looking to achieve a flatish base for the kitty to sit on. Take your needles and PU40sts along the cast on edge starting with the first stitch at the centre back of the kitty. R1: R2: R3: R4: R5: R6: K all (K2tog, K all (K2tog, (K2tog, (K2tog, K6, SSK) x 4 - 32sts K4, SSK) x 4 - 24sts K2, SSK) x 4 - 16sts SSK) x 4 - 8sts

Break yarn and thread through rem 8sts and fasten off Position the tail at the back centre of the kitty just above the original cast on edge. Pin the feet in place along the original cast on edge. Bring the tail round the side of the body and bend it over in a kitty-like shape. Make sure the kitty will stand up on its own before sewing the feet and tail in place. If it doesnt re-arrange the feet and tail to create more stability. Finally sew horizontal stitches in a triangular shape for the nose.

Feet
NB. If using DK or 4ply yarn you will need to stuff the feet before breaking the yarn and fastening off. Cast on 12 sts and join in the round being careful not to twist R1-6: K all R7: K2tog x 6 - 6sts Break yarn and thread through remaining 6sts and fasten off. Fill with stuffing and using whip stitch to sew the cast on edges together.

Enjoy!

Tabitha the Destash Kitty v1

Copyright 2012 - Penny Connor

www.oliverboliver.typepad.com

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