Mandragore (French Versions Mandrake)

Mandragore Knitted Toy by Phoenixknits

What Is Being Made

Mandragore is a knitted toy design featuring a whimsical mandrake root figure. The finished piece measures approximately 36 cm in total height, including the root system. This is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern suitable for creating a decorative or play toy with a distinctive character design inspired by folklore.

Yarn and Materials Required

The pattern calls for DK weight yarn in the following quantities and colors:

• Less than 50 grams of fine brown yarn for the main body
• Scraps of fine yarn in two shades of green for foliage details
• Fiberfill stuffing for padding and shaping
• Optional: two pipe cleaners (chenille) for structural support or poseable elements
• A plastic flower pot approximately 10 cm x 10 cm for presentation
• Black or dark brown colored pencil or eyeshadow for facial details

Tools and Equipment

This pattern is worked on 3 mm knitting needles with DK weight yarn. The gauge is 26 stitches and 36 rows over a 10 x 10 cm square, which is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Mandragore pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for toy construction:

• Stockinette stitch (garter stitch variations noted as "end." for right side and "env." for wrong side) forms the primary fabric structure
• Increases are worked by knitting into the same stitch twice, creating additional stitches for shaping the body
• Decreases are executed by knitting two stitches together ("2 m. ens.") to reduce stitch count and form contours
• Short row shaping (indicated by "TOURNER") is used to create three-dimensional form without cutting yarn, allowing the knitter to turn work mid-row and work back across selected stitches

Construction Approach

The pattern uses a modular knitting approach typical of amigurumi-style toys. Pieces are knitted flat or in the round, then stuffed with fiberfill and assembled. The short-row turning technique creates sculptural shaping for the mandrake's characteristic root-like body form. Facial features are added using colored pencil or eyeshadow after assembly, allowing for personalization and expression.

Design Notes

This French-language pattern was originally designed by Phoenixknits and adapted into French by Isabelle Dutailly. The design emphasizes creative use of yarn scraps and minimal yardage requirements, making it an economical project. The optional pipe cleaners provide flexibility for posing the finished toy, while the flower pot presentation adds a thematic, finished display element that complements the mandrake folklore inspiration.