Thing 1 and Thing 2

Thing 1 and Thing 2 Knitted Toys by Andrew Lucas

Project Overview

Thing 1 and Thing 2 are beginner-friendly knitted dolls or small toy covers, each approximately 15 centimeters in finished size. Designed by Andrew Lucas as part of the Dolls and Dolls Accessories collection, these projects use basic knitting techniques and colorwork to create whimsical character toys suitable for crafters new to knitting.

What Is Being Made

These are small stuffed knitted toys featuring a segmented construction with distinct body and head sections. The dolls are worked in the round using flat knitting techniques, with color changes to define different parts of the toy. The finished pieces are stuffed with fiberfill to create three-dimensional plush toys.

Materials Required

• 3.25mm knitting needles
• Double knitting wool in red, white, blue, and black (oddments or small quantities)
• Small amount of polyester fiberfill or toy stuffing
• Tapestry needle for finishing and weaving in ends

Knitting Techniques Used

The pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginners. Stocking stitch forms the primary fabric structure, created by alternating knit rows and purl rows to produce the classic smooth, V-textured knit fabric. Garter stitch, made by knitting every row, may be used for textured sections. Shaping is achieved through strategic increases and decreases to form the body and head sections, with decreases worked at the shoulders to narrow the piece before transitioning to the head.

Stitches and Abbreviations

• inc – increase (adding stitches to widen the fabric)
• dec – decrease (removing stitches to narrow the fabric)
• k – knit stitch
• p – purl stitch
• sl – slip stitch
• st st – stocking stitch (alternating knit and purl rows)
• tog – together (working stitches as one unit)
• gs – garter stitch (knitting every row)
• psso – pass slip stitch over (a decrease method)
• B and T – bind and tie (finishing technique using a tapestry needle to thread through remaining stitches, draw them closed, and secure)

Construction Method

The toy is constructed in two main sections. The body begins with casting on 25 stitches in red wool using 3.25mm needles. The first row involves increasing in every stitch to create 50 stitches, which establishes the widest point of the body. Stocking stitch is then worked for 21 rows to build the body depth. Shoulder shaping is created by knitting two stitches together across the entire row, reducing the stitch count to 25 stitches before transitioning to white wool for the head section.

The head is shaped with increases worked across a row using the pattern "knit 1, increase in next stitch, knit 1" repeated to the end, expanding the stitches to 37. Stocking stitch continues for 17 rows to form the head height. The head is then decreased using knit two together decreases, worked as "knit 1, knit 2 together, knit 1" repeated, reducing to 25 stitches. Further decreases follow, working purl 2 together stitches to taper toward the top.

Color Work and Details

The pattern incorporates color changes to distinguish different parts of the toy. Red wool forms the body, while white wool creates the head section. Additional colors including blue and black are used for facial features and details, likely applied through embroidery or additional knitted elements after the main toy is assembled.

Finishing and Assembly

After knitting is complete, the toy is stuffed with fiberfill to create a soft, three-dimensional form. The bind and tie finishing technique closes the top of the head by threading the yarn end through a tapestry needle, passing it through the remaining stitches on the knitting needle, drawing them tight, and securing with a knot. Loose ends are woven in using the tapestry needle for a neat finish.