Craft Focus - Dec/Jan (Issue 70)

project craft focus 99 TOUCAN Take a look at this colourful knitted toucan, designed by Sarah Keen play that game Finished size Toucan stands 4in (10cm) high Tension 26 sts x 34 rows measure 4in (10cm) square over stocking stitch using 3.25mm needles and DK yarn before stuffing Method Body and head Beg at base using the long tail method and A, cast on 18 sts. Row 1 and foll alt row: Purl. Row 2: K2, (m1, k2) to end (26 sts). Row 4: K8, (m1, k2) 6 times, k6 (32 sts). Rows 5 to 11: Beg with a p row, work 7 rows in st-st. Row 12: K13, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k13 (30 sts). Row 13 and foll alt row: Purl. Row 14: K12, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k12 (28 sts). Row 16: K11, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k11 (26 sts). Row 17: Purl. Cut 2 pieces of B, each 80in (200cm) long. Cut 2 pieces of C, each 60in (150cm) long. Join on colours as needed and work in intarsia, twisting yarn when changing colour to avoid a hole. Row 18: B–k6, A–k4, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k4, B (second piece)–k6 (24 sts). Row 19: B–p6, A–p12, B–p6. Row 20: B–k6, A–k3, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k3, B–k6 (22 sts). Row 21: B–p6, A–p10, B–p6. Row 22: B–k6, A–k2, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k2, B–k6 (20 sts). Row 23: B–p6, A–p8, B–p6. Row 24: B–k6, A–k8, B–k6. Rows 25 to 29: Rep rows 23 and 24, twice more then row 23 once. Row 30: Join on C and C–k6, A–k8, C–k6 (second piece). Row 31: C–p6, A–p8, C–p6. Rows 32 to 35: Rep rows 30 and 31 twice more. Cont in A and shape: Row 36: (K2tog) to end (10 sts). Row 37: Purl. Row 38: (K2tog) to end (5 sts). Thread yarn through sts on needle, pull tight and secure by threading yarn a second time through sts. Materials • Any DK (US: light worsted) yarn (amounts given are approximate): • 10g black (A) • 5g white (B) • 5g orange (C) in two divided balls • 5g gold (D) • 2g grey (E) • Oddment of black for embroidery • 1 pair of 3.25mm (UK10:US3) needles • Knitters’ pins and a blunt-ended needle for sewing up • Tweezers (optional) • Acrylic toy stuffing