What you'll need
| One size only: | 14cm |
|---|---|
MothyandtheSquid Worsted Weight - Seaglass
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Product Description
This friendly five-eyed alien is very affectionate and you can knit him using this written pattern with photographic illustrations.
To create your alien you'll need to be able to knit in the round, increase, decrease, pick up stitches and knit i-cord. There is an optional provisional cast on, which I prefer, but alternative instructions are included for knitting your new alien friend without this too. Youtube is an excellent resource if there are any stitches you don't know and I also offer help by email.
I've used worsted (aran) weight yarn and US5 (3.75mm) needles for the alien pictured and it is about 5.5" (14cm) tall but you could easily use a different weight if you wanted a smaller or larger extraterrestrial.
Sold for personal use only.
Knitted Alien by Jillian Thom
What is Being Made
The Knitted Alien is a friendly stuffed toy featuring a five-eyed extraterrestrial character inspired by a beloved children's story. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a complete plush toy with a distinctive body, multiple eyes, arms, and legs that can be customized to represent aliens from different planets with varying numbers of features.
Construction Techniques
This pattern employs advanced knitting techniques to create the alien as an integrated piece. The primary construction method uses a provisional cast on, which allows the crafter to knit the alien's lower body (referred to as the "intergalactic derrière") and then use those same cast-on stitches to seamlessly continue knitting the upper body and central eye all in one continuous piece. This method minimizes seaming and creates a cohesive form.
The pattern recognizes that the one-piece construction method requires significant increases to accommodate the expanding body shape. To accommodate different skill levels and preferences, alternative bottom-up construction instructions are included, though this approach requires managing multiple increases and may result in tighter knitting in certain areas.
After the main body is completed, additional features are added afterwards: four supplementary eyes are attached to the head, along with small legs and thin, spindly arms. This modular approach allows for flexibility in customization and personalization of the finished toy.
Stitches and Stitch Work
While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the provided content, the pattern incorporates increases as a fundamental shaping technique to expand the body from the cast-on edge. The construction involves working in the round using double-pointed needles, which is essential for creating a seamless tubular toy form.
Materials Required
Crafters will need the following materials to complete this project:
- Yarn: Worsted or aran weight yarn in three colors—a primary body color, a contrasting eye color, and a small scrap for the mouth detail
- Needles: A set of 3.75mm (US 5, UK 9) double-pointed needles (DPNs) and/or circular needle(s) for working in the round
- Embellishments: Five 6mm black safety eyes for the alien's distinctive gaze, or alternatively, yarn scraps to sew on pupils by hand
- Filling: Toy stuffing to create a soft, plush interior
Design Flexibility
The pattern encourages creative customization, noting that your alien could easily be from a different planet and have any number of eyes, arms and legs. This adaptability makes the project suitable for personal expression while following the core construction techniques demonstrated in the provided instructions and photographic guides.
Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Worsted |
| Designer: | Jillian Thom |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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