Two Monkeys

Two Monkeys Toy Knitting Pattern by knitvana

What Is Being Made

The Two Monkeys pattern is a downloadable knitting design for creating decorative monkey tea cozies. These intermediate-level knitted toys feature a charming monkey design with a head, body, tail, and facial features. The pattern produces functional yet whimsical tea cozy pieces that can be used to keep teapots warm while serving as decorative home accessories or handmade gifts.

Craft and Technique Overview

This is a knitting project designed by knitvana that combines fundamental knitting techniques with shaping methods to create a three-dimensional toy form. The pattern demonstrates intermediate knitting skills, requiring knitters to work with multiple yarn weights simultaneously and execute various stitch increases to build the monkey's rounded head and body structure. The project incorporates stuffing techniques to maintain the toy's shape and dimension.

Stitches and Shaping Methods Used

The Monkey Tea Cozy pattern employs several essential knitting stitches and techniques:

• Knit stitch (K) - Used throughout odd rows to create texture and structure
• Purl stitch (P) - Forms the base of the body construction and creates visual interest through stockinette variations
• Make One increase (M1) - Applied strategically across multiple rows to gradually expand stitch counts from 6 stitches to 60 stitches, creating the rounded head and body shape
• Cast on - The pattern begins with a 6-stitch cast on in maroon yarn using size #4 needles

The increases are distributed progressively: rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 each incorporate make one increases paired with purl stitches, allowing the knitter to build the monkey's form methodically. Rows 18-38 transition to all purl stitches, creating a stockinette section that forms the main body.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn Requirements: The pattern specifies cotton yarn in two colors:

• Cotton maroon yarn - used for the head and eyes (1 thread) and the body and tail (2 threads)
• Cotton yellow yarn - used as a single thread for accent details

The designer notes that the cotton yarns used were sourced from AC Moore and purchased by pound. The pattern explicitly states that any other yarn can be substituted if the specified cotton yarns are unavailable, offering flexibility for knitters with different yarn stash options.

Needle Specifications: The project requires two different needle sizes:

• Bamboo needles size #7 - used for knitting the body and tail sections
• Bamboo needles size #4 - used for the more detailed work on eyes and mouth areas

The use of bamboo needles provides a traditional crafting experience and helps prevent stitches from slipping, which is particularly useful when working with cotton yarn and executing precise increases.

Stuffing and Finishing

To achieve the three-dimensional toy appearance, the pattern incorporates poly-fil stuffing to keep the monkey in shape. This synthetic fiberfill is inserted into the knitted form to create structure and maintain the toy's dimensional quality throughout use.

Pattern copyright by MELENAR, LLC 2009. All rights reserved.