Pocket Monster Finger Puppet

Designed by Mary J. Saunders

Materials: Small amounts of yellow, red, and black worsted weight yarn. Needles: US size 5 double pointed needles, tapestry needle. Miscellaneous items: Cotton balls and 1/4" doll eyes (the goggly kind). Hot glue gun for gluing eyes in place. Abbreviations: St/sts =stitch/stitches Dpn = double pointed needle(s) K = knit P = purl K2tog = knit 2 together K2tog-b =knit 2 together in the back loop BI = bar increase, knit in front loop of st and knit in back loop of same st I-cord = a type of tubular knitting. Have base sts on dpn. Do not turn work. At the end of each row slip the sts to the other end of the dpn and knit pulling the yarn tightly from the opposite end. Sl = slip Beg = beginning Rnd/rnds = round/rounds Stst = stockinet stitch (k1 row, p1 row) With yellow, cast on 12 sts, divide on 3 needles and join being careful not to twist. Rnds 1-3: * k1, p1, rep from * to end. Rnds 4-13: k. Rnd 14: * k1, k2tog, rep from * to end (8 sts). Rnd 15: k2tog to end (4 sts).

Rnd 16: k working BI in each st (8 sts). Rnd 17: * k1, k1 working BI in this st, rep from * to end (12 sts). Rnds 18-23: k. Rnd 24: k2tog to end (6 sts). Using tapestry needle, pull end of yarn through remaining sts and leave open for now. With red and tapestry needle, work 2 rows duplicate st across back each 5 sts wide and separated by 2 rows. With red, work 2 duplicate sts on face for cheeks. With black, and tapestry needle, make one sts on face between cheeks for mouth. Secure ends of yarn inside puppet. Stuff head with cotton ball, then pull sts tight, secure yarn and pull end of yarn to inside of head to conceal it. Make tail: In middle of back, just above ribbing, pick up and k 3 sts in triangle shape. Work in Icord for 3 rows change to yellow and work 1 row I-cord. Next row: move sts to other end of needle, as if doing I-cord. BI in each st and change to dpn, placing 2 sts on each needle. Work 3 rnds. Place 3sts on one dpn and 3 sts on 2nd dpn. Hold these needles parallel and bind off together. Using tapestry needle, pull end of yarn through remaining st and to inside of tail to conceal it. Make 2 arms: With yellow, pick up and knit 4 sts on side of body in square shape. Make 4 st I-cord for 6 rows. Using tapestry needle, pull end of yarn through remaining sts, secure yarn and pull end of yarn back through arm to conceal it. Pull beginning end of yarn up through arm also to conceal it. Make 2 ears: Using yellow, with front of puppet facing you, pick up and k 3 sts on one side of the top of head. Row 1: sl1, p to end. Row 2: sl1, k to end. Rep these 2 rows once then rep row 1. Change to black and purl across all sts. Next row: left ear, k2tog-b, k1; right ear, k1, k2tog. Pass 2nd st from end of right-hand needle over 1st st. Pull end of yarn through remaining st. Finishing: Finish by threading loose yarn ends to the inside of puppet to conceal ends and trimming any excess. Glue eyes in place on face