Bilbies.
Size variations come from using thicker wool and bigger needles
This tiny bilby is made using four size 14 double pointed needles and 2 ply wool.
Body using four double-pointed needles.
Cast on 6 stitches across three of the needles. Join into ring using 4th needle to knit next round.
Round 1. M1K, K1 on each needle (oen) (9 stitches)
Round 2. Knit
Round 3. M1K, K1, M1K oen (15 stitches)
Round 4. Knit
Round 5. K1, M1K, M1K, M1K, K1 oen (24 stitches)
Round 6. Knit
Round 7. K1, M1K, M1K, K2, M1K, M1K, K1 oen (36 stitches)
Knit 7 rounds
Round 15. Sl1, K1, psso, K8, K2tog oen (30 stitches)
Round 16. Knit 5 rounds
Round 21. Sl1, K1, psso, K2, K2tog, K2, k2tog oen (21 stitches)
Round 22. Knit 2 rounds
Round 24. Sl1, K1, psso, K3, k2tog oen (15 stitches)
Round 25. Knit
Round 26. Sl1, K1, psso, K1, k2tog oen (9 stitches)
Round 27. Knit
Before the final round, stuff the body while it is still on the needles. Cut the wool with 20-25 centimetres to spare.
Round 28. Pull the wool through each stitch and remove it from the needle.
Once all the stitches are off the needles, pull the wool to close the opening and sew the body closed.
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Head using four double-pointed needles.
Cast on 6 stitches across three of the needles. Join into ring using 4th needle to knit next round.
Round 1. M1K, K1 oen (9 stitches)
Round 2. Knit
Round 3. M1K, K1, M1K oen (15 stitches)
Round 4. Knit
Round 5. K1, M1K, K1, M1K, K1 oen (21 stitches)
Round 6. Knit
Round 7. K1, M1K, K3, M1K, K1 oen (27 stitches)
Knit 4 rounds
Round 12. Sl1, K1, psso, K5, K2tog oen(21 stitches)
Round 13. Knit 4 rounds
Round 17. Sl1, K1, psso, K3, K2tog oen(15 stitches)
Round 18. Knit 2 rounds
Round 20. Sl1, K1, psso, K1, k2tog oen (9 stitches)
Round 21. Knit
Before the next round, stuff the body while it is still on the needles. Cut the wool with 25-30 centimetres to spare.
Round 22. Sl1, K1, psso, K1 oen (6 stitches)
Pull the wool through next stitch and remove the stitch from the needle.
Once all the stitches are off the needles, pull the wool to close the opening and sew the head closed.
Stitch the head to the body and embroider eyes and nose in black. This may be done after the ears are attached to better align the features.
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Foreleg using two double-pointed needles.
Technique used is called ‘I-cord knitting’
I-cord knitting:
- Knit all stiches on the needle, do not turn work around.
- Push the stitches back to the right hand end of the needle.
- Pull the wool behind work and knit next row.
This forms a small tube.
Cast on 3 stitches.
Rows 1-8: I-cord knit.
For the paw.
Row 9: M1K, K1, M1K (5 stitches)
Turn work around and use SS starting with a purl row.
Rows 10-12: SS
Row 13: Sl1, K1, psso, K1, k2tog (3 stitches)
Row 14: Purl
Row 15: Sl1, K1, psso, slip last stitch back over stitch remaining on right hand needle.
Sew paw back on itself to form a ball at the end of the foreleg.
Knit 2 forelegs and stitch to body.
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Hindleg using two double-pointed needles.
Technique used is I-cord knitting as for forepaw.
Cast on 3 stitches.
Rows 1-8: I-cord knit.
Row 9: M1K, K1, M1K (5 stitches)
For the foot, use stocking stitch (SS) as for paw.
Row: 10: Purl
Row 11: M1K, K3, M1K (7 stitches)
Rows 12-16: SS
Row 17: Sl1, K1, psso, K3, k2tog (5 stitches)
Row 18: P2tog, P1, P2tog (3 stitches)
Row 19: Sl1, K1, psso, slip last stitch back over stitch remaining on right hand needle.
Sew sides of foot together to form a long foot at the end of the leg.
Knit 2 hindlegs and stitch to underside of body.
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Tail using two double pointed needles.
Technique used is I-cord knitting as for forepaw.
Cast on 3 stitches
Rows 1-12: I-cord knit
Row 13: K2tog, K1 (2 stitches)
Change to white wool for tip of tail.
Rows 14-21: I-cord knit
Row 12: K2tog
Pull wool through remaining stitch to fasten off.
Stitch tail to underside of body between hindlegs.
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Ear using two needles (single or double pointed).
Outer Ear
Cast on 5 stitches
Row 1. Knit
Row 2. Purl
Row 3. M1K, K3, M1K (7 stitches)
Row 4-6: SS
Row 7: M1K, K2, M1K, K2, M1K (10 stitches)
Row 8-14: SS
Row 15. Sl1, K1, psso, K6, K2tog (8 stitches)
Row 16-18: SS
Row 19. Sl1, K1, psso, K4, K2tog (6 stitches)
Row 20-22: SS
Row 23. Sl1, K1, psso, K2, K2tog (4 stitches)
Row 24. Purl
Row 25. Sl1, K1, psso, K2tog (2 stitches)
Row 26. P2tog
Pull the wool through remaining stitch.
Inner Ear
Using contrasting colour for inside of ear
Cast on 4 stitches
Row 1. Knit
Row 2. Purl
Row 3. M1K, K2, M1K (6 stitches)
Row 4-6: SS
Row 7: M1K, K1, M1K, K2, M1K (9 stitches)
Row 8-14: SS
Row 15. Sl1, K1, psso, K5, K2tog (7 stitches)
Row 16-18: SS
Row 19. Sl1, K1, psso, K3, K2tog (5 stitches)
Row 20-22: SS
Row 23. Sl1, K1, psso, K1, K2tog (3 stitches)
Row 24. Purl
Row 25: Sl1, K1, psso,K1 (3 stitches)
Row 26: P2tog
Pull the wool through remaining stitch.
Knit one outer and one inner for each ear and sew together. The inner ear is slightly smaller so that it sits within the outer ear. Stitch in place on head.
