Sunday, July 6, 2008

Cardinal


Cardinal
© 2008, Mychawd

Finished Measurements:
after felting, 5” high x 8” long (including tail)

Material:
  • Knit Picks Wool of the Andes; one skein of each red, yellow, and black.
  • US size 10 needles
  • Tapestry needle
  • Polyester fill for stuffing

Gauge: 12 sts/14 rows =4 inches in stockinet stitch

Pattern Notes:
knit using two strands of yarn.

Wings:
(Make 2)
Cast on 2 sts
Finished measurements 1½ x 5”
K1, M1, K1
Purl row
K1, M1, K1, M1, K1 Tail: (Make 2)
Purl row Cast on 7 stitches
K1, M1, K3, M1, K1 (7sts) Stockinett stitch for 5 inches.
Purl row Bind Off
K1, M1, K1, K2tog, K2, M1, K1 (8sts)
Purl row
K1, M1, K2, K2tog, K2, M1, K1 (9sts)
Purl row
K1, M1, K1, M1, K1, K2tog, K2, M1, K1, M1, K1 (12sts)
Purl row
K1, M1, K1, M1, K1, M1, K2, K2tog, K2, M1, K1, M1, K1, M1, K1 (17sts)
Purl row
K2, M1, K2, M1, K2, M1, K1, K2tog, K2, M1, K2, M1, K2, M1, K2 (22sts)
Purl row
K2, M1, K2, M1, K5, K2tog, K7, M1, K2, M1, K2 (25sts)
Purl row
K11, K2tog, K12 (24sts)
Purl row
K11, K2tog, K11 (23sts)
Purl row
K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, SK2togPSO, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2 (17sts)
P1, *P2tog, P1 repeat from * across row to last st, P1 (12 sts)
K5, K2tog, K5 (11sts)
Purl row
K4, K2tog, K5 (10sts)
P4, P2tog, P4 (9sts)
K2, K2tog, K1, K2tog, k2 (7sts)
Bind off

Body:
Finished measurements ~7 ½” high ~5” at widest point
Cast on 2 stitches
Knit into the front and back of both stitches (4sts)
Purl 1 row
K1, M1, K2, M1, K1 (6 sts)
Purl 1 row
K1, M1, K1, M1, K2, M1, K1, M1, K1 (10sts)
Purl 1 row
K2, M1 across row to last 2 stitches, K2 (14sts)
Purl 1 row
K2, M1, K3, M1, PM, K4, PM (these 4 stitches mark the center of the belly) M1, K3, M1, K2
Purl 1 row
K2, M1, K2, M1, K3, M1, K4, M1, K3, M1, K2, M1, K2
Purl 1 row
K2, M1, K4, M1, K4, M1, K4, M1, K4, M1, K4, K2
Purl 1 row
K2, M1, K3, M1, K3, M1, K5, M1, K4, M1, K5, M1, K3, M1, K3, M1, K2

Work Stockinet for 6 rows
K to marker, K6 wrap and turn
P8, wrap and turn
K9, wrap and turn
P10, wrap and turn
K11, wrap and turn
P12, wrap and turn
K13, wrap and turn
P14, wrap and turn
Knit across the remainder of the row
Purl 1 row
K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K6, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2
Purl 1 row
K2, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K4, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K2 (24sts)
Purl 1 row
K2, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2, M1 with black K2 (center 4+1), K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2 (19sts)
Purl 1 row using the same color as the previous row
K8 in red, K3 in black, K8 in red
Purl in the same colors
K8 in red, K3 in black, K8 in red
P6 in red, P7 in black, P6 in red
K6 in red, K2 in black then center 3 in yellow, K2 in black, K6 in red
P6 in red, P2 in black, do center 3 BEAK as noted above, purl across the top of the beak in black, P2 in black, P6 in red.
K6 in red, K7 in black, K6 in red (19sts)
P4 in red, P4 in black, P1 in red, P4 in black, P4 in red
K2, K2tog, K1 in red, K3 in black, K3 in red, K3 in black, K1 , K2tog, K2 (17 sts)
Purl row in red
K4, K6, wrap and turn
Purl 5, wrap and turn
Knit 5, K2tog, wrap and turn
Purl 6, K2tog, wrap and turn
Knit 7, K2tog, wrap and turn
Purl 8, K2tog, wrap the last stitch and turn (13sts)
Knit 9, K2tog, wrap the last stitch and turn (12sts)
Purl 11
K2tog across the row (6sts)
P1, P2tog, P2tog, P1 (4sts)
Treat as I-cord P4 stitches
K2tog two times
K2tog
Bind off

Beak:
using yellow yarn P3, turn, K3, turn, P3 turn, K1 K2tog turn, P2 turn, K2tog, cast off 1 stitch. Separately cast on 1 stitch, P1 turn, K into the front and back of the stitch, turn, P2, K1 M1 K1, P3 turn, K3 turn, P3. Place the 3 stitches on the left needle above the lower portion of the beak.

Finishing:
Felt until desired measurements are achieved. When sewing the body, make sure the top of the head is flat. Sew the back of the beak together closing the hole. Sew all pieces together leaving an opening in the back for stuffing. Place the tails at the center back above the tip of the body at slightly different heights and somewhat overlapping. Cut the two tails in half lengthwise and rub your finger on the cut edges achieving the same finish as the rest of the piece. Allow to dry, stuff with polyester fill, and finish sewing. Now place in house plants to confuse cats.

6 comments:

Shay said...

How pretty! I love cardinals. What a great way to use up some leftover wool.

Anonymous said...

Hi, Mychawd
I was looking at the pattern and am having trouble following instructions on and around the Tail; and further down the Beak. Could you help me out?
Suzanne in northern BC Canada

Mychawd said...

Hi NorthernSuze,
I'll be happy to explain if you want to send me your email. I think you might just need help conceptualizing. The tail is knit as a square and then after felting cut into four tail feathers if you will. The beak is knit in the shape of two triangles, you knit from the base to the peak of one and then increase back to the base width. This creates a top and a bottom for the beak. Hope that helps.
Mychawd

Kim Goldbach said...

Hi love your cardimal it is so sweet can you write to me the wrapping instructions take care Kim G

Anonymous said...

How come it only takes 3 rows to make a wing?

Betsy

Mario's Knitting Studio said...

Hello,

I just came across your beautiful cardinal, however I am having problems understanding the beginning of the Wings (mixed up with the tail)

Wings: (Make 2)
Cast on 2 sts
Finished measurements 1½ x 5”
K1, M1, K1
Purl row
K1, M1, K1, M1, K1 Tail: (Make 2)
Purl row Cast on 7 stitches
K1, M1, K3, M1, K1 (7sts) Stockinett stitch for 5 inches.
Purl row Bind Off
K1, M1, K1, K2tog, K2, M1, K1 (8sts)
Purl row
K1, M1, K2, K2tog, K2, M1, K1 (9sts)
Purl row...
etc...

Your help figuring out where the wings and the tail start would greatly be appreciated