Friday

Jul252008

Whit's Knits: Toadstool Baby Rattle

These baby rattles tap into our love of mushrooms. Maybe you spend weekends traipsing through the woods turning over rotten logs in search of rare fungi; or you have fond memories of childhood lore where toadstool domiciles sheltered whole families of woodland creatures; or you just really enjoy a good mushroom omelet. As hobby, folkloric tradition, or food, mushrooms fascinate. A unique gift, these baby rattles will definitely elicit a smile!

Materials

Several colors of Koigu Premium Merino. An entire skein is enough to make at least one whole rattle, but if you want a multi-colored rattle you'll need small amounts of a few colors.
A set of US #2 double pointed needles
Stuffing
A cat toy with a bell inside about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. This design is commonly found at pet stores, drug stores and supermarkets.

The Pattern

Gauge

8 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch

Finished Size

About 3 inches in diameter and 4 1/2 inches high

The Cap

Cast 72 stitches onto 3 double pointed needles. (You may want to visit our Double Pointed Needles Tutorial if this is your first time using them.)

Join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.

Knit 5 rounds.

Next round: *K7, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (64 stitches)

Knit 14 rounds.

Next round: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (48 stitches)

Knit 7 rounds.

Next round: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (32 stitches)

Knit 1 round.

Next round: *k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (16 stitches)

Cut the tail and thread it through the remaining stitches.

The Gills

With the wrong side of the cap facing you and using a new color if you want, pick up and knit a round of 64 purl bumps from the inside of the cap. Try to pick up the round right above the first decrease round.

If you find it tricky to pick up adjacent stitches, try first threading a contrasting yarn through the round of purl bumps that you are going to pick up. (Remove the waste yarn as you pick up the purl bumps.)

Next round: *K2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat the last round 4 more times.

Now is a good time to weave in all the ends, and to generously fill the cap with stuffing, nestling the cat toy in the center of the cap.

Next round: *K2tog, p2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (32 stitches)

Next round: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat the last round 2 more times.

Cut the tail, if you plan to change colors.

The Stem

Changing colors if you want,

Round 1: Knit.

Bring the two tails to the outside of the work so that you'll be able to later weave them in.

Round 2: Purl.

Repeat the last two rounds 2 more times.

Knit 12 rounds.

Increase Round: *K4, make 1, repeat from * to end of round. (40 stitches)

Knit 2 rounds.

Repeat Increase Round. (50 stitches)

Knit 3 rounds.

Next round: *K3, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (40 stitches)

Purl 1 round.

Knit 2 rounds.

Next round: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (30 stitches)

Knit 1 round.

Fill the stem with stuffing.

Next round: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (20 stitches)

Knit 1 round.

Next round: *K2tog, repeat from * to end of round. (10 stitches)

Cut the tail and thread it through the remaining stitches.

Decorating Ideas

Stripes

Stripes are an easy way to add lots of visual interest to your toadstool. I striped the cap, but a striped stem would look cute too. So would more than two colors.

The stripe pattern for this cap is:
    12 rounds with Color A
    8 rounds with Color B
    5 rounds with A
    3 rounds with B
    2 rounds with A
    1 round with B