Squashed Rat Knitted Bookmark

Squashed Rat Knitted Bookmark by Amalia Samios

What is Being Made

The Squashed Rat is a small knitted toy designed as a bookmark, created by independent designer Amalia Samios. This intermediate-level knitting project produces a three-dimensional stuffed rat figure measuring approximately 15 cm (6 inches) long when worked in 4 ply yarn, or 17 cm (7 inches) when made in 8 ply yarn. The finished toy does not include the tail in these measurements. This charming project combines functional bookmark design with decorative toy construction, making it suitable for crafters seeking a quick, satisfying knitting project with visible results.

Techniques Used

The Squashed Rat employs fundamental knitting construction techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters. The pattern utilizes three-dimensional toy assembly methods, where individual components are knitted separately and then sewn together. Key techniques include:

• Increasing stitches to shape the head pieces and create dimensional form
• Decreasing stitches using k2tog (knit two together) and p2tog (purl two together) to taper and close sections
• Seaming with right sides facing, leaving strategic openings for turning and stuffing
• Turning right side out to create a finished appearance on the exterior
• Stuffing with filling material to achieve three-dimensional form
• Embellishment through sewn details including cross-stitch eyes and a sewn nose

Stitches Used

The pattern employs stockinette stitch (abbreviated as st st) as the primary fabric structure, which creates a smooth, classic knitted surface ideal for a toy. The pattern also incorporates:

• Knit stitches (k) for forward rows
• Purl stitches (p) for reverse rows, creating the stockinette texture when alternated
• Knit two together (k2tog) for right-leaning decreases
• Purl two together (p2tog) for left-leaning decreases on purl rows
• Increases (inc) to expand stitch counts during shaping
• Cast on and cast off techniques to begin and finish sections

Pattern Components

The Squashed Rat consists of multiple knitted pieces that are assembled to create the finished bookmark:

• Head — made as 2 identical pieces, cast on with 3 stitches and increased to 15 stitches, then worked in stockinette stitch before being decreased back down to close the shape
• Ears — made as 2 pieces, cast on with 5 stitches and quickly decreased to 3 stitches for a small, pointed ear shape
• Body — implied as the main component, with the pattern noting measurements of approximately 15 cm in 4 ply or 17 cm in 8 ply
• Tail — mentioned as a separate element not included in the stated length measurements

Materials and Tools

The Squashed Rat pattern requires specific materials to achieve proper gauge and construction:

• Yarn weight: 4 ply or 8 ply yarn (the pattern is designed to work with both weights, with 8 ply producing a slightly larger finished toy)
• Needles: 3.00 mm (US size 2) knitting needles, or appropriately sized needles to achieve correct tension for your chosen yarn weight
• Stuffing: Toy filling material for creating the three-dimensional form
• Embellishment materials: Thread or yarn for sewing cross-stitch eyes and a sewn nose

Gauge Considerations

The pattern notes that gauge does not matter significantly for this project, as the Squashed Rat is a small toy where minor size variations do not affect the final result. This flexibility makes the pattern more accessible to knitters of varying experience levels, as achieving exact gauge tension is less critical than in fitted garments. However