Tom Kitten choc orange cover / toy

Tom Kitten Chocolate Orange Cover or 15cm Toy

What is Being Made

This is a knitted toy or decorative cover inspired by Tom Kitten, designed by Andrew Lucas. The finished piece measures approximately 15 centimeters and can function either as a standalone stuffed toy or as a cover. The design features a two-tone color scheme with a blue base transitioning to brown, creating a charming character-like appearance suitable for children or as a decorative item.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project is created using knitting as the primary craft method. The design is classified as beginner level, making it an excellent introduction to toy knitting for those new to the craft. The construction method involves knitting flat pieces that are subsequently assembled and stuffed to create a three-dimensional form.

Stitches and Knitting Techniques Used

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Stocking stitch (abbreviated st st) – the primary stitch used throughout most of the garment, created by alternating knit rows and purl rows to produce a smooth, classic fabric
• Garter stitch (abbreviated gs) – created by knitting every row for a textured, reversible finish
• Increases (abbreviated inc) – used to expand stitch counts, particularly in the initial row of the body where stitches are increased in every stitch to double the cast-on count
• Decreases (abbreviated dec) – including k2tog (knit two stitches together) and p2tog (purl two stitches together) to reduce stitch counts and shape the piece
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (abbreviated skpo) – an alternative decrease technique
• Bind and tie (abbreviated B and T) – a finishing technique where yarn ends are threaded on a tapestry needle and passed through remaining stitches, then drawn up and tied off to close openings

Materials and Specifications

The project requires minimal materials, making it economical and accessible:

• Needles: 3.25mm knitting needles
• Yarn: Double knitting weight wool in multiple colors – brown, dark brown, beige, blue, black, pale pink, green, and white. The pattern uses oddments (small leftover pieces) of these colors, allowing crafters to use yarn scraps from other projects
• Additional materials: Small amount of polyester stuffing (if making the toy version rather than a flat cover) and a tapestry needle for finishing

Construction Overview

The toy is constructed in distinct sections that are knitted separately and then assembled. The body begins with a blue section created from a cast-on of 25 stitches that is immediately increased to 50 stitches in the first row, establishing the base width. This section is worked in stocking stitch for 11 rows before transitioning to brown wool for an additional 10 rows. The piece is then systematically decreased across three rows using knit two together techniques, reducing from 25 stitches to 13 stitches to 7 stitches, creating a tapered shape. The head section is cast on separately with 16 stitches and increased to 24 stitches in the second row using alternating knit and increase stitches. This modular construction approach simplifies the knitting process for beginners while allowing for color blocking that defines the toy's character.