Tinsel Spiders in King Cole Tinsel Chunky - 9086pdf - Downloadable PDF

Tinsel Spiders Knitting Pattern – King Cole Tinsel Chunky (Leaflet 9086)

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole provides instructions for creating two sizes of decorative knitted spiders using King Cole Tinsel Chunky yarn. These fun, tactile toys and accessories are perfect for Halloween displays, seasonal decorations, or novelty gifts. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and is suitable for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques. Both spiders are worked in reverse stocking stitch, meaning the wrong side of the fabric is intentionally used as the right side, giving the finished pieces a distinctive textured, purl-face appearance that suits the sparkly, tinsel character of the yarn beautifully.

Designs Included

Large Spider

The large spider is the more substantial of the two designs. Its body is shaped through a series of increase and decrease rows to create a rounded, stuffed form. The construction begins by casting on stitches and working through multiple increase rows using the M1 (Make One) technique, gradually building up the stitch count before decreasing back down with K2tog (Knit Two Together) to form the rounded body shape. Once knitted, the body seam is sewn together while stuffing is added as you go, creating a three-dimensional, plump spider body. Eyes are positioned and secured at specific rows to ensure correct placement on the finished piece.

The large spider features eight legs, each knitted separately. Each leg is cast on with six stitches and worked in stocking stitch until it measures 15cm in length. The legs are finished by threading yarn through the remaining stitches and pulling tight, then seaming and stuffing before being sewn — four to each side of the body — to complete the spider's characteristic silhouette.

Small Spider

The small spider follows the same construction principles as the large spider but is worked to more compact dimensions. The body is cast on with fewer stitches and shaped through a similar sequence of increase and decrease rows, again using M1 and K2tog techniques, resulting in a smaller stuffed body. Eyes are secured at the appropriate rows for correct positioning on this scaled-down version.

The small spider also has eight legs, each cast on with five stitches and worked in stocking stitch to a finished length of 12cm. As with the large spider, the legs are finished, seamed, stuffed, and then attached — four per side — to complete the design.

Techniques and Stitches Used

• Reverse Stocking Stitch – The body of both spiders is worked throughout in reverse stocking stitch, where the purl side faces outward. This is a deliberate design choice that enhances the textured, fluffy appearance of the tinsel yarn.
• Stocking Stitch – Used for the legs of both spiders, alternating knit and purl rows to create a smooth, tubular structure.
• M1 (Make One) – An increase stitch worked by picking up and knitting into the loop between stitches, used to shape the body sections.
• K2tog (Knit Two Together) – A right-leaning decrease used to reduce stitch counts and shape the tapered ends of the body.
• K (Knit) and P (Purl) – The fundamental stitches forming the basis of all sections of the pattern.
• Stuffing and seaming – Both the body and legs are seamed and stuffed as part of the finishing process, giving the spiders their three-dimensional, toy-like quality.
• Eye placement and securing – Safety or decorative eyes are attached at specified row positions to ensure accurate, symmetrical placement on both spider sizes.

Materials and Tension

Both spiders are knitted using King Cole Tinsel Chunky yarn. The pattern notes that only one 50g ball is required for the large spider, making this an economical and quick project well suited to using up yarn from a single ball. The recommended needle size is 5mm throughout, used for both the body and leg sections of each spider.

The stated tension is 20 stitches x 28 rows to a 4 inch (10cm) square. The pattern emphasises that achieving this tension is essential, particularly to ensure that only one ball of yarn is needed for the large spider.