Giant Mr. Fox Trophy Taxidermy Head

Giant Mr. Fox Trophy Taxidermy Head by Louise Walker

What is Being Made

This is a large decorative knitted taxidermy-style fox head designed to be displayed as a wall-mounted trophy piece. Created by designer Louise Walker, the finished Mr. Fox Trophy Head measures 43 cm in height, 33 cm in width, and 38 cm in length, making it a substantial and eye-catching home décor item. The project combines knitting with stuffing and assembly techniques to create a three-dimensional sculptural form that captures the character of a forest fox.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several intermediate-level construction techniques to achieve its dimensional form. Intarsia is the primary color work method used throughout the pattern, allowing the knitter to work with distinct blocks of color rather than carrying yarn across the back of the work. This technique is particularly useful for creating the detailed facial features and markings characteristic of a fox.

The pattern incorporates increases and decreases to shape the head structure. Increases are created using the kfb (knit into front and back) technique, which adds stitches to expand sections of the knitting. Decreases are worked using k2tog (knit 2 stitches together) and SKP (slip, knit, pass stitch over) methods to taper and contour the piece. These shaping techniques are essential for creating the three-dimensional form of the fox head.

The construction process involves knitting multiple pieces that are then assembled together. The pattern includes detailed instructions for the top piece of the fox head, with specific row-by-row guidance for color placement and stitch manipulation. After knitting is complete, the pieces are sewn together using scrap DK yarn in burnt orange, and the head is stuffed with toy filling to create volume and dimension.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K): The fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl (P): Used in combination with knit stitches to create stocking stitch/stockinette
• Stocking Stitch (St st) / Stockinette: The primary fabric structure, created by alternating knit rows and purl rows, producing a smooth, flat surface ideal for color work
• Kfb (Knit into front and back): An increase stitch that creates two stitches from one, used for shaping and expanding the head
• K2tog (Knit 2 stitches together): A decrease stitch that reduces stitch count and helps shape the contours
• SKP (Slip, knit, pass stitch over): An alternative decrease method for tapering sections

Materials and Specifications

The project is worked in Cygnet Seriously Chunky yarn, a super chunky weight 100% acrylic yarn that knits quickly and creates a substantial, durable fabric. The yarn requirements are modest: 3 balls of Burnt Orange (Color A), 1 ball of Black (Color B), and a tiny amount of Cream (Color C). The Burnt Orange serves as the primary color for the fox's body, while Black is used for details and facial features, and Cream provides highlights.

Knitting is worked on 9 mm straight needles, which are appropriately sized for the super chunky yarn weight. The recommended tension is 8 stitches and 11 rows to 10 cm over stocking stitch on 9 mm needles, which helps ensure the finished piece achieves the intended dimensions.

Assembly and finishing materials include 2 x 24 mm black safety eyes with washers for creating the fox's expressive gaze, scrap DK burnt orange yarn for sewing the knitted pieces together, and 250g of toy stuffing to fill the head and create its three-dimensional form. A small amount of 55 lbs weight fishing line is included for hanging or securing the piece, and an MDF back provides structural support for wall mounting.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as Easy to Intermediate in skill level. While the basic stitches are fundamental, the combination of color work using intarsia technique, shaping through increases and decreases, and the assembly process of multiple pieces require some knitting experience. The super chunky yarn works up quickly, making the project more manageable than it might appear at first glance, though attention to