how to knit a bird, a boat and a woolly sheep
Two small friends of mine are learning to knit and getting quite good at it, so I have been looking around for things they can make with knitted squares. I’m not a big fan of the scarf as the traditional first knitting project. Scarves take ages, they’re very unforgiving and plus, in these parts, its thirty-three degrees.
So I’ve been fiddling around with little knitted squares, just twelve stitches long, and this is what I’ve come up with so far.
The bird is a square folded in half diagonally and sewn up with a bit of stuffing. I put in a couple of stitches in to make a slight head-and-tail shape, added felt wings and did the eyes and beak with black embroidery silk.
For the sheep I more-or-less followed this brilliant tutorial by jo so & sew, though I sewed my stuffing in by giving him a little felt base so he could stand up.
The boat is a square folded in half and sewn up the sides. For the mast I cast on twelve stitches, knitted a row, purled a row, knitted a row, cast off and sewed the two curling edges together. And the sail is two rows of five stitches, then each row reduced by one until there’s nothing there. (Pick the pattern-illiterate knitter, anyone?)
Loads of fun!
Anyone else know any good tricks with knitted squares?
Oh my goodness, this post is such a trip down memory lane, Anna! As you know, I’m a Steiner-educated gal and knitted squares take me RIGHT back to when I was about six! … I remember making a slightly larger version of that bird – it had little felt feet/claws stitched on at the front-base.
Also, I am sure I recall making a rudimentary lamb using a knitted square. Something about pinching in the sides but leaving the corners out for legs? Only I can’t figure out how the head was done. Have tried googling but can’t find a pattern …
A lamb! I am very intrigued and shall ask around and see if anyone knows. Thank you Emily
Aha! I’ve just remembered – it wasn’t a lamb, but a RABBIT. (We did make a lamb, just to a different pattern, for which I am looking now.)
It was done like this, although I think we sewed the heads on separately. (I suppose that made it a tad less complex)
http://www.mamamoontime.com/2010/09/how-to-make-knitted-rabbit.html
But that’s what I meant about “pinching in the sides but leaving the corners out for legs”, lol.
And this is the lamb pattern. (I am having so much fun looking at all these familiar yet long-ago things.
)
http://ithacawaldorf.blogspot.com/2009/03/cute-knit-lamb-or-sheep.html
Emily you are a star! Thank you so much for these. I know a rabbit pattern but it’s different from the one in the link you’ve sent and I think I like yours more…my knitting needles are twitching
I love your little bird. The wings make all the difference- I’ve made chickens before but they always relied a lot on the imagination of the child playing with them!
I’ve also made a cat and a pig- very like the pattern for the rabbit that Emily gives above. I also have a different rabbit pattern- the corners stick out to be the ears not the legs- maybe it’s the same as yours. I think I might make some of your gorgeous boats too.
You’re welcome, Anna! If you make any of them I’d love to see. You are so talented.
So cute! The only thing I can knit is a square!! How funny,now I can do something else with them besides dish rags…I am so excited! Thanks. I will come back for a longer visit,when I’m not late for work Yikes!Happy Friday!
I love the simplicity of these (not-)patterns. Thank you for sharing your instructions.
I came via Natural Suburbia
Oh, they are adorable! i particularly love the sheep – so cute! I’m afraid I can’t help with any suggestions – I never managed to master knitting – which is why I crochet instead – although I think if I’d had someone like you to teach me I’d have got a lot further!
Very cute designs, great idea! I am inspires to make some little sheep to add to my herd. Thanks for sharing!
Hello! Vow these little knittings are so adorable! It’s amazing how many wonderful things it’s possible to create with some yarn and needles! You have so beautiful blog and I’m happy to meet you!
Thank you for your visit and lovely words!
Teje
What perfect timing. I’m teaching my fourth grade to knit and I started with just a little bookmark. They will love it if they can make an animal. They can make one for their first grade reading buddies.
Thanks for all the ideas.
Glad the tutorial was helpful… love what you did with boat and bird!
so sweet! I agree–way better than a scarf! & as I have a 6 year old about ready to start knitting these are now on our to-do list. thanks.
They are all three very lovely and creative. The sheep is my favorite – such a simple form, and yet, the perfect little sheep! Thanks for sharing them!
Wow so inventive. I think I will have to try these. Well done!
The only one I know is the rabbit one (formed with a cleverly routed running stitch). Probably the one you already know. I’m planning to make a warren of them this spring.
Your creations are a delight, and my 3 you is now asking for a boat.
This is a great first knitting book http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Home_Garden/Crafts_Hobbies/Needlework_Knitting/Knitting/9780946206551/?cf=3&rid=911413801&i=1&keywords=A+First+Book+of+Knitting+for+Children+ and this one is maybe more fabulous http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Health_Wellbeing/Family_Relationships/Activities/9781903458686/?cf=3&rid=1982298562&i=2&keywords=knitted+animals
Shannon, thank you so much for these links – the books look excellent. My needles are twitching