In true “Friend” tradition, we are appealing to the generous hearts of our readers to make the Love Darg 2020 a resounding success.
Once more we are asking you to help support the work of Cats Protection by knitting or crocheting a cat toy or comforter and donating them for cats in their care or to sell in their charity shops.
Why not knit the above toy . . .
Just follow these simple directions.
You can also download these instructions by clicking here.
Materials
- 1 x 50-gram ball each of Double Knitting Yarn in main shade and contrast shade (note each mouse requires approx. 15 g of two yarns or 30 g of one for solid colour)
- Small amount of Pink
- 4 mm (No. 8) knitting needles, large-eyed darning needle
- Toy stuffing, small squeaker (optional) and catnip (optional).
Note: Cats Protection colours are blue or black and yellow, but any combination of colours is welcome.
Size
10 cm (4 inches)
Tension
22 sts and 28 rows to 10 cm measured over st-st using 4 mm needles.
Abbreviations
Alt – alternate;
foll – following;
K – knit;
M1 – make one stitch by picking up the horizontal loop lying before the next stitch and knitting into the back of it;
P – purl;
st(s) – stitches;
st-st – stocking-stitch (knit one row, purl one row)
Body
With 4 mm needles and main shade, cast on 2 sts.
1st row – Knit.
2nd and every foll alt row – Purl.
3rd row – K1, M1, K1 – 3 sts.
5th row – K1, M1, K1, M1, K1 – 5 sts.
7th row – K1, M1, K3, M1, K1 – 7 sts.
9th row – K1, M1, K5, M1, K1 – 9 sts.
11th row – K1, M1, K7, M1, K1 – 11 sts.
13th row – K1, M1, K9, M1, K1 – 13 sts.
15th row – K1, M1, K11, M1, K1 – 15 sts.
17th row – K1, M1, K13, M1, K1 – 17 sts.
18th row – Purl.
Change to contrast shade.
19th row – K1, M1, K15, M1, K1 – 19 sts.
20th row – Purl.
Change to main shade.
21st row – K1, M1, K17, M1, K1 – 21 sts.
22nd row – Purl.
Change to contrast shade
23rd row – K1, M1, K19, M1, K1 – 23 sts.
24th row – Purl.
Change to main shade.
25th row – K1, M1, K21, M1, K1 – 25 sts.
26th row – Purl.
Change to contrast shade.
27th row – Knit.
28th row – Purl.
Change to main shade. Keeping stripe sequence correct, repeat last 2 rows 4 times more.
Break off yarn leaving a tail of about 15 cm. Thread yarn through remaining sts and draw tight to form round tail- end of mouse.
Fasten off.
Ears
With 4 mm needles and pink, cast on 5 sts.
Beginning with a knit row, work 5 rows in st-st.
Break off yarn leaving a tail of about 10 cm. Thread yarn through stitches and draw tight to make round part of ear.
Darn in yarn end.
Sew cast-on yarn through bottom sts and draw tight to make lower part of ear.
To make up
Sew sides of mouse body together from tail end to nose end, matching stripes. Leave a hole for stuffing.
Insert stuffing and, if using, squeaker and catnip into the mouse body. Wrap squeaker and catnip in stuffing before inserting to make sure they are squidgy and don’t make the mouse lumpy.
Finish sewing body. Sew on ears using cast-on yarn ends.
Embroider nose with pink yarn, securing end tightly in the body. Secure a length of yarn through body and out the tail end to form a tail.
Tie a knot at the end of the tail. Make sure all ends are very tightly secured.
Launch towards nearest cat!
Important Note
Remember, do not use stretchy yarn, yarns that split easily, very fluffy yarns or yarns with sequins or beads.
Use stitches that create a firm fabric, avoid loose weave and drop stitches and don’t use very large needles.
Make sure all stitching is very secure, sewing in all ends, and don’t use plastic eyes.
Cats Protection also suggests that cat owners regularly inspect their own cat toys for signs of wear or damage and recommends not leaving cats unattended with knitted toys.
Do not use knitted toys or comforters with cats that have wool-chewing habits.
Queries
If you are writing to us with any queries about the Love Darg, please remember to include an SAE if you would like a reply.
Click the tag below for more on the Love Darg 2020.
For information on how to donate your makes, click here.
Iain McDonald I am the Digital Content Editor at the “Friend”, making me responsible for managing the flow of interesting and entertaining content on the magazine’s website and social media channels.
