Craft Focus - Dec/Jan (Issue 70)

Adapted from Knitted Safari by Sarah Keen (RRP £14.99). The book is available from The GMC Group. thegmcgroup.com Beak Note: two separate balls of C are required. Using the long tail method and A, cast on 20 sts. Row 1: Purl. Join on C and D and work in intarsia, twisting yarn when changing colour to avoid a hole. Row 2: C–k5, D–k10, C (second ball)–k5. Row 3: C–p5, D–p10, C–p5. Rows 4 to 7: Rep rows 2 and 3 twice more. Row 8: C–k5, D–k3, (k2tog) twice, k3, C–k5 (18 sts). Row 9: C–p5, D–p8, C–p5. Row 10: C–k5, D–k8, C–k5. Rows 11 to 13: Rep rows 9 and 10 once then row 9 once. Row 14: C–k5, D–k2, (k2tog) twice, k2, C–k5 (16 sts). Row 15: C–p5, D–p6, C–p5. Row 16: C–k5, D–k6, C–k5. Row 17: As row 15. Row 18: C–k5, D–k2tog, k2, k2tog, C–k5 (14 sts). Row 19: Cont in A and purl. Row 20: K2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (12 sts). Row 21 and foll alt row: Purl. Row 22: (K2tog) to end (6 sts). Row 24: (K2tog) to end (3 sts). Thread yarn through sts on needle, pull tight and secure by threading yarn a second time through sts. Tail Using the long tail method and B, cast on 14 sts. Row 1 and foll alt row: Purl. Row 2: K3, m1, k8, m1, k3 (16 sts). Row 4: K4, m1, k8, m1, k4 (18 sts). Rows 5 to 7: Beg with a p row, work 3 rows in st-st. Change to A and shape: Row 8: K4, m1, k10, m1, k4 (20 sts). Rows 9 to 11: Beg with a p row, work 3 rows in st-st. Row 12: K5, m1, k10, m1, k5 (22 sts). Rows 13 to 15: Beg with a p row, work 3 rows in st-st. Cast off. Tip To begin embroidery invisibly, tie a knot in the end of the yarn. Take a large stitch through the work, coming up to begin the embroidery. Allow the knot to disappear through the knitting and be caught in the stuffing. To fasten off invisibly, sew a few stitches back and forth through the work, inserting the needle where the yarn comes out. Wings (make two) Using the long tail method and A, cast on 12 sts. Row 1: Purl. Row 2: K1, m1, k10, m1, k1 (14 sts). Rows 3 to 5: Beg with a p row, work 3 rows in st-st. Row 6: K2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (12 sts). Row 7: Purl. Rows 8 to 11: Rep rows 6 and 7 twice more (8 sts). Row 12: (K2tog) to end (4 sts). Thread yarn through sts on needle, pull tight and secure by threading yarn a second time through sts. Feet (make two) Using the long tail method and E, cast on 8 sts. Rows 1 to 3: Work 3 rows in st-st. Cast off. Making up Note: Sew up all row-end seams on right side using mattress stitch one stitch in from the edge, unless otherwise stated; a one-stitch seam allowance has been allowed for this. Body and head Weave in all loose ends around intarsia. Sew up row ends at centre front from top of head to lower edge. Stuff head and body. Fold cast- on stitches in half and oversew. Beak Sew up row ends of beak sewing tightly to curve beak. Stuff tip of beak with tweezers or tip of scissors and stuff rest of beak. Pin and sew cast-on stitches of beak to head. Features Embroider eyes in black and mark their position with two pins on sides of head (see tip). Make a chain stitch for each eye and a second chain stitch on top of first. Tail Oversew row ends of tail and with this seam at centre of underneath edge, oversew cast- on and cast-off stitches. Sew tail to lower back, sewing around edges of white part. Wings Sew up row ends of wings and oversew cast- on stitches. Sew each wing to either side of toucan. Feet With right side of stocking stitch outside, oversew cast-on and cast-off stitches of each foot. Fold each foot in half and join seam at lower edge. Place toucan on a flat surface, position feet and sew in place. 100 craft focus