Bubble Badger and Squeak Mouse

Bubble Badger and Squeak Mouse Knitting Pattern by Amanda Berry

What is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern features two charming stuffed toy animals: Bubble Badger and Squeak Mouse, described as best friends in the Woolly Woods. Each completed toy stands 11cm tall, making them perfect small handmade gifts or decorative pieces. The pattern allows crafters to create both characters from a single design document, offering versatility for those who want to make one animal or a pair.

Knitting Techniques Used

The pattern employs several essential knitting techniques suitable for intermediate-level crafters. Most pieces are worked flat using the back-and-forth method on straight single-pointed needles, rather than working in the round, which makes the construction straightforward and accessible. The exception is the mouse's tail, which is created using an i-cord tube technique worked on double-pointed needles (DPNs), adding a special finishing detail to that character.

Assembly techniques are clearly specified to ensure professional results. Mattress stitch is the primary seaming method used throughout the pattern, with a one-stitch seam allowance already calculated into the pattern pieces. The heads of both toys are finished using Kitchener stitch, an advanced grafting technique that seamlessly joins two sets of live stitches together. This method, commonly used for closing sock toes, creates an invisible seam for a polished final appearance.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Stockinette stitch (also known as stocking stitch): The primary stitch pattern used throughout the toys. This classic stitch is created by purling wrong-side rows and knitting right-side rows, producing a smooth, flat fabric with a distinctive V-pattern on the front.
• Kitchener stitch: A grafting technique used to close the heads of both animals by seamlessly joining live stitches
• Mattress stitch: The seaming technique used to join pieces together with an invisible, professional finish
• I-cord: A tubular knitted cord technique used specifically for creating the mouse's tail
• Knitted cast on: The standard cast-on method specified for beginning the pattern pieces

Materials and Specifications

This pattern is designed for DK weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that works at a tension of 24 stitches by 2 rows over a 10cm square in stockinette stitch. The pattern requires straight single-pointed knitting needles for the main construction and double-pointed needles for the i-cord tail detail. Crafters will also need basic finishing supplies for seaming and stuffing the completed toys.

Pattern by Amanda Berry. For more information, contact fluffandfuzz@googlemail.com or visit fluffandfuzz@weebly.com