Product Description
This is a knitting pattern PDF to make Nativity Theatre Finger Puppets. You can make Mary with baby Jesus, Joseph, Three Wise men, Three Shepherds, Sheep, Donkey, and a Bull.
The project is knitted flat and sewn up at the end. No circular knitting is required. Double-pointed needles are to make i-cords for the little arms. The i-cord instruction is given in the pattern. The knitting skills required are the basic knit and purl, however, you need to take care when you are sewing up the project.
18 pages.
Finished size: 9cm
This project requires small amounts of yarn of different colours, so it’s an ideal way to use up your stash. I have used DK (8-ply) for the basic bodies, and 4-ply (fingering) for the coats.
Tension 28 sts x 36 rows = 10cm measured over St st (not essential)
Needles used 2.75mm DPNs
Other supplies Lightweight garden wire, 24cm (Joseph) Liquid glue (Joseph) Chenille needle or tapestry needle Wooden skewers Toy stuffing
Nativity Finger Puppets Complete Set by Sachiyo Ishii
What is Being Made
This downloadable knitting pattern creates a complete set of Nativity Theatre finger puppets, each measuring approximately 9cm in height. The set includes multiple characters from the Nativity scene, designed to be worn on the fingers for interactive puppet theatre play. The puppets are constructed as hollow finger puppets, though they can alternatively be stuffed to serve as decorative ornaments.
Ideal for Stash Busting
This project is specifically designed as an excellent way to use up small amounts of leftover yarn from your stash. Each puppet requires only small quantities of yarn in different colours—up to 5g per colour—making this pattern perfect for crafters looking to minimize waste and creatively repurpose yarn scraps.
Knitting Techniques Used
The pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques suitable for knitters with some experience:
- Flat knitting: All sections of each puppet are knitted flat on needles rather than in the round, then carefully sewn together at the completion of knitting
- I-cord construction: Double-pointed needles are used to create i-cords, a technique described within the pattern instructions for making decorative or structural cord elements
- Increases and decreases: Shaping techniques including kfb (knit through front and back) for increases and k2tog (knit two together) and skpo (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) for decreases
- Seaming: Pieces are joined together using a chenille needle, requiring basic sewing skills to create finished three-dimensional puppets
Stitches and Stitch Patterns
The pattern primarily uses stocking stitch (also called stockinette stitch), which creates the smooth, classic knit fabric appearance ideal for finger puppets. Stocking stitch is formed by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a neat, uniform fabric surface.
Materials and Tools Required
Yarn: DK weight yarn in multiple colours appropriate to the Nativity characters (such as skin tones, robes, and accents). Small quantities of each colour are needed, making this pattern economical.
Needles and Tools: 2.75mm double-pointed needles for both the main knitting and i-cord construction, plus a chenille needle for seaming the finished pieces together.
Pattern Specifications
Tension: 28 stitches by 36 rows over 10cm in stocking stitch, which is important to achieve the correct 9cm finished puppet height.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate, suitable for knitters who are comfortable with basic stitches and simple shaping but may be developing their skills with techniques like i-cords and seaming.
Format: Downloadable PDF pattern, allowing immediate access to complete instructions and abbreviation guides for all Nativity character puppets in the set.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | DK |
| Pages: | 18 |
| Designer: | Sachiyo Ishii |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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