The Nutcracker

designed for Rowan by Janice Anderson

You will need:

 Yarn:
 Rowan Super Fine Merino 4ply (100%
wool, Fingering weight, 165 m/181 yds per
50 g):
 (A) 1 x 50g in Black (shade 273)
 (B) 1 x 50g in Tomato (shade 272)
 (C) 1 x 50g in Polar (shade 261)
 (D) 1 x 50g in Blush (shade 266)
 Needles:
 1 set of 2.5 mm (US 1½) (or size required
to achieve gauge) ― circular or DPNs to
work small diameter in the round
 Notions:
 Stitch Marker
 Waste yarn to use as stitch holders
 Darning needle
 Toy stuffing
 (optional) Stuffing fork
 Gauge:
32 sts and 50 rows / 10cm (4˝) measured over
St st worked in the round.
 Size:
 Height: approx.. 39 cm (15½˝)

Inspiration
The Nutcracker, a beautiful hand carved gift from Clara's Godfather – the magician and
toymaker Drosselmeyer – is accidentally broken whilst the children play. Clara is devastated!

When the party is over and the guests gone, Clara creeps quietly back to the Christmas tree
and finds her beloved Nutcracker. She takes a ribbon from her dress to use as a bandage with
which she mends her broken toy. Suddenly the clock chimes midnight and the Nutcracker
begins to grow…

1 ― © Copyright 2016 Janice Anderson / whippety ― All rights reserved. This pattern is subject to copyright.
In downloading this pattern you agree to print and use it only for your personal non-commercial use. No part of this pattern may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission from the designer and publisher.
http://theauldwoollyalliance.wordpress.com | whippetystourie@gmail.com
Legs (make 2)
Abbreviations
With yarn A, cast on 10 sts. Join in the round, st / sts stitch / stitches
being careful not to twist. Place marker to
indicate beg of round. ndl / ndls needle(s)

Knit 4 rounds. DPNs double pointed needles

RS / WS right / wrong side
Next round (inc): (M1, k2) five times. 15 sts
LN / RN left / right hand needle
Cont in St st until leg measures 7.5 cm (3˝).
St st stocking stitch – knit every round
Break yarn A. Join in yarn B. when working circularly
Knit 3 rounds. beg beginning
Break yarn B. Join in yarn C and cont in St st cont continue
until leg measures 18 cm (7˝).
rem remaining
Break yarn C, leaving a 15cm (6˝) tail. Place sts rep repeat
on holder.
dec decrease
Thread cast-on tail to darning needle and run
yarn through each loop of cast-on edge. Pull inc increase
tight to close opening, secure and darn in end. k2tog knit next two stitches together
Stuff leg through top opening. Aim for a firm p2tog purl next two stitches together
leg without stretching the fabric. ssk slip 1 st as if to knit, slip 1 st as if to
purl, knit these 2 sts together.
ssp slip 1 st as if to knit, slip 1 st as if to
Arms (make 2) knit, return these 2 sts to left
needle, purl them together
With yarn D, cast on 8 sts. Join in the round,
through the back loops.
being careful not to twist. Place marker to
indicate beg of round. CDD centred double decrease – slip
next 2 sts as if to knit them
Knit 2 rounds. together, k1, pass 2 slipped sts
Next round (inc): (M1, k4) twice. 10 sts over.
M1 make 1 st. Pick up loop which lies
Knit 2 rounds.
before next stitch, place on left
Next round (inc): (M1, k5) twice. 12 sts hand needle and knit (or purl)
into back of loop.
Knit 4 rounds.
Kfb knit into front and back of next
Break yarn D. Join in yarn A. stitch.
Knit 3 rounds. w&t wrap and turn – slip next stitch as
Break yarn A. Join in yarn B and cont in St st if to purl, take yarn to opposite
side of work between needles,
until arm measures 12.5 cm (5˝).
then slip same stitch back to left
Break yarn B. Place sts on holder. needle. Turn work.

Thread cast-on tail to darning needle and run

yarn through each loop of cast-on edge. Pull
tight to close opening, secure and darn in end.
Stuff arm through top opening. Aim for a firm
arm without stretching the fabric.

2 ― © Copyright 2016 Janice Anderson / whippety ― All rights reserved. This pattern is subject to copyright.
In downloading this pattern you agree to print and use it only for your personal non-commercial use. No part of this pattern may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission from the designer and publisher.
http://theauldwoollyalliance.wordpress.com | whippetystourie@gmail.com
 Stuff lower body.
Body Next round (inc): (K1, M1, k13, M1, k1) twice.
34 sts
Joining in legs
Knit 4 rounds.
With yarn C, proceed as follows:
Next round (inc): With yarn B, k1, M1, k4; with
 start at beg of round and knit 8 sts from first yarn A, p7, slip yarn A sts back to LN then with
leg (leave rem sts on holder), yarn B, k11, M1, k2, M1, k to last st, M1, k1. 38 sts
 knit across all sts from holder of second leg,
 finally, knit across rem 7 sts of first leg. Knit 3 rounds.
 place marker to mark beg of round. 30 sts Next round (inc): With yarn B, k1, M1, k4; with
yarn A, p9, slip yarn A sts back to LN then with
yarn B, k13, M1, k2, M1, k to last st, M1, k1. 42 sts
Lower body
Knit 3 rounds.
Work in St st until body measures 3 cm (1¼˝). Next round: With yarn B, k5; with yarn A, p11,
Stuff abdomen area. slip yarn A sts back to LN then with yarn B, k to
end.
Threading yarn C ends (from top of legs) to
darning needle, make a couple of horizontal Rep last 4 rounds once more.
stitches to the centre top of each leg. This will Stuff upper body area.
create a simple joint and keep leg stuffing in
place.
Break yarn C. Join in yarn B. Joining in arms
Knit 1 round. With yarn B, proceed as follows:
Purl 1 round.  start at beg of round and knit across all 12
Join in yarn A. sts from holder for left arm,
 k5 from body; with yarn A, p11, slip yarn A
Knit 1 round. sts back to LN then with yarn B, k16,
Purl 1 round.  knit across all 12 sts from holder for right
arm,
Rep last 2 rounds, three times more.  knit rem sts from body.
 place marker to mark beg of round. 66 sts
Upper Body Knit 3 rounds.

Join in yarn B.
Knit 4 rounds. Neck and Shoulder shaping

Round 1 (dec): K2tog, k8, ssk, k2tog, k3; with

yarn A, p11, slip yarn A sts back to LN then with
yarn B, k14, ssk, k2tog, k8, ssk, k2tog, k to last 2
sts, ssk. 58 sts
Round 2 (dec): (K2tog, k6, ssk, k2tog, k15, ssk)
twice. 50 sts
Round 3 (dec): (K2tog, k4, ssk, k2tog, k13, ssk)
twice. 42 sts
Round 4 (dec): (K2tog, k2, ssk, k2tog, k11, ssk)
twice. 34 sts
Resume stuffing upper body area.

3 ― © Copyright 2016 Janice Anderson / whippety ― All rights reserved. This pattern is subject to copyright.
In downloading this pattern you agree to print and use it only for your personal non-commercial use. No part of this pattern may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission from the designer and publisher.
http://theauldwoollyalliance.wordpress.com | whippetystourie@gmail.com
Round 5 (dec): K2tog, ssk; with yarn A, p2tog, Purl 1 round.
p9, ssp, slip yarn A sts back to LN then with yarn
Knit 4 rounds.
B, k11, k2tog, ssk, k2tog, k9, ssk. 26 sts
Next round (inc): *M1, k2, M1, k3; rep from * to
Round 6 (dec): (K2, k2tog, k7, ssk) twice. 22 sts
end. 28 sts
Round 7 (dec): (K2, k2tog, k5, ssk) twice. 18 sts
Knit 4 rounds.
Round 8 (dec): (K2, k2tog, k3, ssk) twice. 14 sts
Next round (inc): *M1, k7; rep from * to end of
Break yarn B. Join in yarn C. round. 32 sts
Knit 1 round. Knit 4 rounds.
Purl 1 round. Next round (inc): *M1, k4; rep from * to end of
round. 40 sts
Rep last 2 rounds, twice more.
Knit 2 rounds.
Break yarn C. Join in yarn D.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 1 round.
Knit 2 rounds.
Next round (dec): (K2tog, k5) twice. 12 sts
Stuff hat.
Knit 1 round.
Next round (dec): *K7, CDD; rep from * to end
Stuff neck and shoulder area.
of round. 32 sts
Knit 1 round.
Head Next round (dec): K1, (CDD, k5) three times,
Round 1 (inc): *M1, k1; rep from * to end of CDD, k4. 24 sts
round. 24 sts Knit 1 round.
Knit 2 rounds. Next round (dec): K2, (CDD, k3) three times,
Round 4 (inc): *M1, k1, M1, k2; rep from * to CDD, k1. 16 sts
end of round. 40 sts Knit 1 round.
Knit 2 rounds. Next round (dec): (CDD, k1) four times. 8 sts
Round 7: K27, p6, k7. Break yarn and thread through rem 8 sts, pull
Round 8: K25, p2, k6, p2, k5. up tight and secure sts. Take end down
through centre of hat, bringing needle out at
Knit 2 rounds. start of inc rounds. Pull end to flatten top of
Round 11: K23, p2, k10, p2, k3. hat, secure and darn in.
Knit 2 rounds.
Round 14: K21, p2, k14, p2, k1. Hat peak
Knit 8 rounds. With yarn A, cast on 12 sts.
Stuff head. Short row 1: K10, w&t;
Short row 2: K8, w&t;
Hat Short row 3: K7, w&t;

Break yarn D. Join in yarn A. Short row 4: K6, w&t;

Knit 1 round. Short row 5: K5, w&t;

Next round (dec): *P2tog; rep from * to end of Short row 6: K4, w&t;
round. 20 sts Short row 7: K3, w&t;
Knit 1 round. Short row 8: Knit.
4 ― © Copyright 2016 Janice Anderson / whippety ― All rights reserved. This pattern is subject to copyright.
In downloading this pattern you agree to print and use it only for your personal non-commercial use. No part of this pattern may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission from the designer and publisher.
http://theauldwoollyalliance.wordpress.com | whippetystourie@gmail.com
Break yarn A. Join in yarn B.
Knit 2 rows.
Next row (inc): (Kfb, k2) four times. 16 sts
Cast off loosely.
Whip/over stitch in place to front of hat, using
photographs as a guide.

Uniform Skirt

With yarn B and cable cast-on method, cast

on 38 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to
twist. Place marker to indicate beg of round.
Knit 1 round.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 6 rounds.
Next round (dec): (K1, ssk, k13, k2tog, k1) twice.
34 sts
Knit 6 rounds.
Next round (dec): (K1, ssk, k11, k2tog, k1) twice.
30 sts
Knit 1 round. Lines in yellow indicate the direction of
embroidery stitches to form hair.
Cast off.

Moustache
Making Up
With yarn A, cast on 1 st.
Darn in all loose ends while at the same time
closing any small holes that may have formed Row 1: K1.
at underarms and gusset. Row 2 (inc): Kfb. 2 sts
Row 3: K2.
Hair Row 4 (inc): Kfb, k1. 3 sts
The purl bumps situated on the back of the Row 5: K3.
head act as a guide to positioning the hair. Row 6 (inc): Kfb, p1, k1. 4 sts
Cut a long length of yarn A and thread to wool
needle. Fix end to base of hat directly above Row 7: K4.
first purl bump on right. Make a large vertical Row 8: K1, p2, k1.
stitch by inserting the needle immediately
below the first purl bump and bringing the Row 9 (dec): K1, k2tog, k1. 3 sts
needle out again through the base of hat to Row 10: K1, p1, k1.
right of starting point. (DO NOT pass needle
Row 11 (dec): K1, k2tog. 2 sts
through bumps.) Continue stitching in this
manner, positioning the stitches according to Row 12: K2.
the purl bumps until back of head is complete.
Row 13 (dec): K2tog. 1 st
Row 14 (inc): Kfb. 2 sts
Row 15: K2.
5 ― © Copyright 2016 Janice Anderson / whippety ― All rights reserved. This pattern is subject to copyright.
In downloading this pattern you agree to print and use it only for your personal non-commercial use. No part of this pattern may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission from the designer and publisher.
http://theauldwoollyalliance.wordpress.com | whippetystourie@gmail.com
Row 16 (inc): Kfb, k1. 3 sts Thread yarn through rem st, pull tight to secure.
Darn in one end to WS of moustache. Run rem
Row 17: K1, p1, k1.
end to centre of moustache and use this end
Row 18 (inc): K1, kfb, k1. 4 sts to stitch moustache in place.
Row 19: K1, p2, k1.
Row 20: K4. Beard
Row 21 (dec): K1, p2tog, k1. 3 sts With yarn A, cast on 7 sts.
Row 22: K3. Row 1: Knit.
Row 23 (dec): K2tog, k1. 2 sts Row 2: K1, p5, k1.
Row 24: K2. Rep last 2 rows once more.
Row 25 (dec): K2tog. 1 st Row 5 (dec): K1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1. 5 sts
Row 26: K1. Row 6: K1, p3, k1.
Row 7: K5.
Row 8: K1, p3, k1.
Row 9 (dec): K1, CDD, k1. 3 sts
Row 10: K1, p1, k1.
Row 11 (dec): CDD. 1 st
Thread end through rem stitch and pull tight to
secure. Darn in end to WS of beard. Use cast-
on end to whip/over stitch beard in place,
using photographs as a guide.

Uniform Skirt

Pull uniform skirt over legs and position under

belt. Whip/over stitch skirt to waist of doll
passing needle under front loops of cast-off
edge then purl bumps immediately below belt
at waist.

Beyond the Nutcracker…

To create more characters, including the delicate Clara, and
produce your own ballet, check out other designs by Janice
Anderson:
www.ravelry.com/designers/janice-anderson

6 ― © Copyright 2016 Janice Anderson / whippety ― All rights reserved. This pattern is subject to copyright.
In downloading this pattern you agree to print and use it only for your personal non-commercial use. No part of this pattern may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission from the designer and publisher.
http://theauldwoollyalliance.wordpress.com | whippetystourie@gmail.com