HOW TO KNIT A XLORMP DOLL
Very carefully.
Oh, ho, ho, I kid, I kid. I know some of you were interested in knitting the Xlormp doll I posted pictures of in Chapter 8. If you missed it, here is said doll:
There is no need to wait any longer, as what hides behind the lj-cut is the pattern. I've tested it myself, but if you find any problems while you're knitting, please let me know so I can fix them! And I would love to see pictures of your finished products!
OFFICIAL XLORMP ACTION FIGURE DOLL THING: THE MUSICAL KNITTING PATTERN
SIZE: There is but one size. Xlormp sized.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: 8" tall (10" including antennae), 7.5" from front to tail. Assuming you use the same yarn and needle size as I did. I encourage you to play with the materials!
SPEAKING OF MATERIALS:
Yarn: I used Patons Astra (100% Acrylic, 133 yd/122 m per 1 3/4 oz skein) in color 2911 (which is "spring green"), one skein.
Needles: Size 6 double points
Notions: Stitch markers, yarn needle, stuffing (the kind for toys, not the kind you eat), pipe cleaners, googly eyes, velcro, a little bit of red yarn (for the mouth).
GAUGE: 5 sts/7 rows = 1" (but gauge isn't terribly important, you're going to be stuffing the dude)
PATTERN NOTES: This pattern includes "Invisible Increases", or KRL and KLL (Knit Right Loop, Knit Left Loop).
KRL: Insert right needle into right loop of stitch just below next stitch; place it onto left needle and knit it; then knit the stitch on needle.
KLL: Insert left needle into left loop of stitch two rows below last completed stitch. Knit this stitch through the back loop.
If you are still confused, there are helpful videos from KnittingHelp.com, found here (just scroll down to KRL and KLL).
The pattern uses a lot of I-cord: Knit a row. Slide row to other end of needle. Do not turn the work. Continue knitting in this way. (Video for working I-cord can be found here, again, scroll down to "How to make I-cord")
And finally, the pattern includes short rows and wraps, much like the heel of a sock. When you read "wrap and turn", it means: With yarn in back (if knitting, yarn in front if purling), sl next st onto right needle. Bring yarn to front (back if purling) and sl st back onto left needle. Turn work. (Video here, scroll down to "Short Row with Wrap")
DIRECTIONS
TAIL
Cast on 3 sts.
Rounds 1-4: Work I-cord.
Round 5: K1, KRL, K2 (4 sts)
Rounds 6-9: Work I-cord.
Round 10: K2, KRL, K2 (5 sts)
Rounds 11 & 12: Work I-cord.
Round 13: K3, KRL, K2 (6 sts)
Split sts among two needles (3 sts per needle).
Next round: (setup round) Place Marker (PM) for beginning of round, K2, PM, K2, PM, K2
Note: As you continue working, you will be gradually increasing stitches. Switch to three needles when you feel it is necessary.
LOWER BODY
Round 1: K to marker, KRL, K to next marker, sl marker, KLL, K to end (8 sts).
Round 2: Knit even.
Rounds 3 & 4: Rep Rounds 1 & 2. (10 sts)
Round 5: Rep Round 1 (12 sts).
Round 6: Knit even.
Round 7: Rep Round 1.
Round 8: K to 2 sts before first marker, KRL, K to 2 sts after second marker, KLL, K to end.
Round 9: Knit even.
Round 10: Rep Round 1.
Rep Rounds 6-10 four times more (42 sts).
Next Round: Knit even.
Next Round: Rep Round 1.
Next Round: Knit even (44 sts).
FRONT BODY SHAPING
Divide sts onto needles as follows: Sl last 11 sts worked onto needle, then K 11 more with same needle (Needle One). Divide remaining 22 sts evenly among Needles Two and Three. Turn work so WS is facing.
Working only with sts on Needle One:
Row 1: P to last st, wrap and turn.
Row 2: K to last st, wrap and turn.
Row 3: P to last st before wrapped st, wrap and turn.
Row 4: K to last st before wrapped st, wrap and turn.
Rep Rows 3 & 4 five times more, ending on RS.
Row 15: P to first wrap st, P1 picking up wrap. Turn.
Row 16: Sl 1st st, K to next wrapped st, K1 picking up wrap. Turn.
Rep Rows 15 & 16 until all wraps have been picked up, ending on RS.
UPPER BODY
Arrange sts on needles as follows: Place next 22 sts onto one needle (Needle One) and divide remaining 22 sts evenly onto Needles Three and Four. Needle One is the beginning of the round.
Knit 2 rounds even.
Round 1: SSK, K to last two sts on Needle One, K2tog, K to end of round.
Round 2: Knit even.
Rep Rounds 1 & 2 until 24 sts total remain.
Redistribute sts evenly on three needles. Without binding off, stuff body as firmly as desired, taking care to distribute stuffing evenly to avoid bunching.
NECK & HEAD SHAPING
Round 1: (K2, K2tog) six times (18 sts).
Rounds 2 & 3: Knit even.
Round 4: (K2, K in front and back of next st) six times (24 sts).
Round 5: Knit even.
Round 6: (K3, K in front and back of next st) six times (30 sts).
Rounds 7 & 8: Knit even.
Round 9: (K4, K in front and back of next st) six times (36 sts).
Rounds 10-17: Knit even.
Stuff head as firmly as desired. As you continue to knit, you may add more stuffing if needed.
Round 18: (K4, K2tog) six times (30 sts).
Continue to evenly decrease 6 sts each round until only 6 sts remain. Cut yarn and pull tail through remaining loops, pull tightly.
ANTENNAE
Cut a pipe cleaner in half. Thread a yarn needle with the pipe cleaner. At top center of head, insert needle through 1 cm of center and pull pipe cleaner through. Adjust pipe cleaner so that the ends stick up evenly, forming antennae.
For each antenna:
Pick up 3 sts in front of pipe cleaner, as close as possible.
Rounds 1 & 2: Work I-cord around pipe cleaner.
Round 3: K1, KRL, K2 (4 sts).
Rounds 4 & 5: Work I-cord around pipe cleaner.
Round 6 K2, KRL, K2 (5 sts).
Continue working 5 sts in I-cord around pipe cleaner until the pipe cleaner is completely surrounded. BO, leaving a tail. Thread tail on yarn needle and pull through bound off sts to tighten.
APPENDAGES
Flippers (Make 4):
Cast on 10 sts.
Row 1: (K1, P2) three times, K1.
Row 2 & 3: Work as established.
Row 4: P1, K2tog, P1, K2, P1, K2tog, P1 (8 sts).
Row 5: Work as established.
Row 6: P1, K1, P1, K2tog, P1, K1, P1 (7 sts).
Row 7: Work as established.
Row 8: P1, K1, Sl 1 Kwise, K2tog, Slip sl st over st just worked (dec 2 sts), K1, P1 (5 sts).
Row 9: K1, P3, K1.
Row 10: P1, Sl 1 Kwise, K2tog, slip sl st over st just worked (dec 2 sts), P1 (3 sts).
Round 11 & 12: Work I-cord.
Round 13: K1, KRL, K2 (4 sts).
Round 14 & 15: Work I-cord.
Round 16: K2, KRL, K2 (5 sts).
Continue working 5 sts in I-cord until piece measures 4" from start of I-cord. Leave tail.
Tentacles (Make 4):
Cast on 3 sts.
Rounds 1-3: Work I-cord.
Round 4: K1, KRL, K2 (4 sts).
Rounds 5-7: Work I-cord.
Round 8: K2, KRL, K2 (5 sts).
Work 5 sts in I-cord until piece measures 4". Leave tail.
FINISHING
Thread a yarn needle with a pipe cleaner. Being careful to work through center of I-cord, pull pipe cleaner through length of Flipper. Cut excess off. Thread yarn needle with tail left on Flipper, weave through bound off sts to tighten. Repeat for all Flippers and Tentacles.
Stick a 1/2" x 1/2" piece of velcro at the "shoulder" portion of each Flipper and Tentacle, stick them wherever on body.
Stick velcro to the back of five (or more!) googly eyes, place them wherever on body.
Mouth: Thread yarn needle with length of red yarn, weave in desired pattern on head to form mouth.
Neck shaping: Thread yarn needle with length of green yarn. Weave around circumference of neck, pull to cinch neck slightly. Tie off.
Weave in all loose ends.
Blow up some planets.
Oh, ho, ho, I kid, I kid. I know some of you were interested in knitting the Xlormp doll I posted pictures of in Chapter 8. If you missed it, here is said doll:
There is no need to wait any longer, as what hides behind the lj-cut is the pattern. I've tested it myself, but if you find any problems while you're knitting, please let me know so I can fix them! And I would love to see pictures of your finished products!
OFFICIAL XLORMP ACTION FIGURE DOLL THING: THE MUSICAL KNITTING PATTERN
SIZE: There is but one size. Xlormp sized.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: 8" tall (10" including antennae), 7.5" from front to tail. Assuming you use the same yarn and needle size as I did. I encourage you to play with the materials!
SPEAKING OF MATERIALS:
Yarn: I used Patons Astra (100% Acrylic, 133 yd/122 m per 1 3/4 oz skein) in color 2911 (which is "spring green"), one skein.
Needles: Size 6 double points
Notions: Stitch markers, yarn needle, stuffing (the kind for toys, not the kind you eat), pipe cleaners, googly eyes, velcro, a little bit of red yarn (for the mouth).
GAUGE: 5 sts/7 rows = 1" (but gauge isn't terribly important, you're going to be stuffing the dude)
PATTERN NOTES: This pattern includes "Invisible Increases", or KRL and KLL (Knit Right Loop, Knit Left Loop).
KRL: Insert right needle into right loop of stitch just below next stitch; place it onto left needle and knit it; then knit the stitch on needle.
KLL: Insert left needle into left loop of stitch two rows below last completed stitch. Knit this stitch through the back loop.
If you are still confused, there are helpful videos from KnittingHelp.com, found here (just scroll down to KRL and KLL).
The pattern uses a lot of I-cord: Knit a row. Slide row to other end of needle. Do not turn the work. Continue knitting in this way. (Video for working I-cord can be found here, again, scroll down to "How to make I-cord")
And finally, the pattern includes short rows and wraps, much like the heel of a sock. When you read "wrap and turn", it means: With yarn in back (if knitting, yarn in front if purling), sl next st onto right needle. Bring yarn to front (back if purling) and sl st back onto left needle. Turn work. (Video here, scroll down to "Short Row with Wrap")
DIRECTIONS
TAIL
Cast on 3 sts.
Rounds 1-4: Work I-cord.
Round 5: K1, KRL, K2 (4 sts)
Rounds 6-9: Work I-cord.
Round 10: K2, KRL, K2 (5 sts)
Rounds 11 & 12: Work I-cord.
Round 13: K3, KRL, K2 (6 sts)
Split sts among two needles (3 sts per needle).
Next round: (setup round) Place Marker (PM) for beginning of round, K2, PM, K2, PM, K2
Note: As you continue working, you will be gradually increasing stitches. Switch to three needles when you feel it is necessary.
LOWER BODY
Round 1: K to marker, KRL, K to next marker, sl marker, KLL, K to end (8 sts).
Round 2: Knit even.
Rounds 3 & 4: Rep Rounds 1 & 2. (10 sts)
Round 5: Rep Round 1 (12 sts).
Round 6: Knit even.
Round 7: Rep Round 1.
Round 8: K to 2 sts before first marker, KRL, K to 2 sts after second marker, KLL, K to end.
Round 9: Knit even.
Round 10: Rep Round 1.
Rep Rounds 6-10 four times more (42 sts).
Next Round: Knit even.
Next Round: Rep Round 1.
Next Round: Knit even (44 sts).
FRONT BODY SHAPING
Divide sts onto needles as follows: Sl last 11 sts worked onto needle, then K 11 more with same needle (Needle One). Divide remaining 22 sts evenly among Needles Two and Three. Turn work so WS is facing.
Working only with sts on Needle One:
Row 1: P to last st, wrap and turn.
Row 2: K to last st, wrap and turn.
Row 3: P to last st before wrapped st, wrap and turn.
Row 4: K to last st before wrapped st, wrap and turn.
Rep Rows 3 & 4 five times more, ending on RS.
Row 15: P to first wrap st, P1 picking up wrap. Turn.
Row 16: Sl 1st st, K to next wrapped st, K1 picking up wrap. Turn.
Rep Rows 15 & 16 until all wraps have been picked up, ending on RS.
UPPER BODY
Arrange sts on needles as follows: Place next 22 sts onto one needle (Needle One) and divide remaining 22 sts evenly onto Needles Three and Four. Needle One is the beginning of the round.
Knit 2 rounds even.
Round 1: SSK, K to last two sts on Needle One, K2tog, K to end of round.
Round 2: Knit even.
Rep Rounds 1 & 2 until 24 sts total remain.
Redistribute sts evenly on three needles. Without binding off, stuff body as firmly as desired, taking care to distribute stuffing evenly to avoid bunching.
NECK & HEAD SHAPING
Round 1: (K2, K2tog) six times (18 sts).
Rounds 2 & 3: Knit even.
Round 4: (K2, K in front and back of next st) six times (24 sts).
Round 5: Knit even.
Round 6: (K3, K in front and back of next st) six times (30 sts).
Rounds 7 & 8: Knit even.
Round 9: (K4, K in front and back of next st) six times (36 sts).
Rounds 10-17: Knit even.
Stuff head as firmly as desired. As you continue to knit, you may add more stuffing if needed.
Round 18: (K4, K2tog) six times (30 sts).
Continue to evenly decrease 6 sts each round until only 6 sts remain. Cut yarn and pull tail through remaining loops, pull tightly.
ANTENNAE
Cut a pipe cleaner in half. Thread a yarn needle with the pipe cleaner. At top center of head, insert needle through 1 cm of center and pull pipe cleaner through. Adjust pipe cleaner so that the ends stick up evenly, forming antennae.
For each antenna:
Pick up 3 sts in front of pipe cleaner, as close as possible.
Rounds 1 & 2: Work I-cord around pipe cleaner.
Round 3: K1, KRL, K2 (4 sts).
Rounds 4 & 5: Work I-cord around pipe cleaner.
Round 6 K2, KRL, K2 (5 sts).
Continue working 5 sts in I-cord around pipe cleaner until the pipe cleaner is completely surrounded. BO, leaving a tail. Thread tail on yarn needle and pull through bound off sts to tighten.
APPENDAGES
Flippers (Make 4):
Cast on 10 sts.
Row 1: (K1, P2) three times, K1.
Row 2 & 3: Work as established.
Row 4: P1, K2tog, P1, K2, P1, K2tog, P1 (8 sts).
Row 5: Work as established.
Row 6: P1, K1, P1, K2tog, P1, K1, P1 (7 sts).
Row 7: Work as established.
Row 8: P1, K1, Sl 1 Kwise, K2tog, Slip sl st over st just worked (dec 2 sts), K1, P1 (5 sts).
Row 9: K1, P3, K1.
Row 10: P1, Sl 1 Kwise, K2tog, slip sl st over st just worked (dec 2 sts), P1 (3 sts).
Round 11 & 12: Work I-cord.
Round 13: K1, KRL, K2 (4 sts).
Round 14 & 15: Work I-cord.
Round 16: K2, KRL, K2 (5 sts).
Continue working 5 sts in I-cord until piece measures 4" from start of I-cord. Leave tail.
Tentacles (Make 4):
Cast on 3 sts.
Rounds 1-3: Work I-cord.
Round 4: K1, KRL, K2 (4 sts).
Rounds 5-7: Work I-cord.
Round 8: K2, KRL, K2 (5 sts).
Work 5 sts in I-cord until piece measures 4". Leave tail.
FINISHING
Thread a yarn needle with a pipe cleaner. Being careful to work through center of I-cord, pull pipe cleaner through length of Flipper. Cut excess off. Thread yarn needle with tail left on Flipper, weave through bound off sts to tighten. Repeat for all Flippers and Tentacles.
Stick a 1/2" x 1/2" piece of velcro at the "shoulder" portion of each Flipper and Tentacle, stick them wherever on body.
Stick velcro to the back of five (or more!) googly eyes, place them wherever on body.
Mouth: Thread yarn needle with length of red yarn, weave in desired pattern on head to form mouth.
Neck shaping: Thread yarn needle with length of green yarn. Weave around circumference of neck, pull to cinch neck slightly. Tie off.
Weave in all loose ends.
Blow up some planets.