Table of Contents
Guide
Cute Stuffed Toys to Knit
the Japanese Way
Hiroko Ibuki
C O N T E N T S
C O N T E N T S
NOTE: Toys with removable limbs and features are not
recommended for infants.
Preface
I have loved making things ever since I was very young. And Ive also always
loved animals. This book was born when these two loves came together.
While I was making the items in this book, I pored through animal encyclopedias
and photographs every day. I created each one not just to be cute, but to
reflect the unique characteristics of the animal it was representing. I paid a lot
of attention to the shapes of the ears, the tails and the manes, how the backs
were rounded, the soles of the feet, the rear view and more. I also knitted many,
many swatches to find the ones that best represented the fur of each animal. All
these fun trial and error explorations every day allowed me to make so many new
discoveries.
The main difference between knitted stuffed toys and ones made with fabric is,
of course, the material used for knitted toysyarn. The process of felting a knitted
piece is also a lot of fun, one thats unique to wool. It can be a bit of a shock to
plunge the piece youve lovingly knitted into hot water to felt it, but the results are
so soft and fluffy! Its as if the knitted surface becomes even more like the animal
its depicting. In addition, since knitted fabric can be stretched and shaped more
freely than a woven one, its important to visualize the final results as you make
the project. How much stuffing should you use to form the face and head that
you are imagining ? How much to round the body the way you want ? The key is to
always maintain the shapes you want to make while your hands are moving. Talk
to the item youre making, and tell it youre going to be so cute!
If youre hesitant to try the projects in this book, I urge you to try Charles, the
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on , for which I have provided detailed step
by-step instructions. Or try one of the easier projects first, such as Pinky the Pig on
.
After youve tried a few projects, youll want to change the colors, or make other
animals, and who knowsyou may even end up like me, poring through animal
encyclopedias for inspiration.
If I can open the door to the wonderful world of knitted animals to knitters
everywhere, or beginner knitters who are big animal lovers, Ill be so happy.
Try making a soft, warm, comforting cute knitted animal for your family, your
friends or yourself.
Hiroko Ibuki
Charles, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Charles is a bit of a baby, but hes so cute that hes loved and
spoiled by everyone. His main feature is that hes jointed and his
head can be moved, making him very expressive. Detailed step
by-step instructions are given for making him, so make your own
Charles to learn the basics of stuffed knitted animal making.
Instructions on
Louise the Toy Poodle
Louise is a rather grown up lady despite her
smallness, and she always has to have her hand
mirror to gaze into. Shes worried about the
fuzziness of her head again today, apparently.
I used big black button eyes and a different yarn
color for the bottoms of her feet, to make her more
toy poodle-like. Fluffing her fur up is a lot of fun too.
Instructions on
Socks the Black and White Cat
Socks is very proud of his white socks. This winter he wants to try out some new
Nordic pattern socks too. The cable pattern on Socks tummy and back make it
look like hes wearing a tuxedo, giving him classic style. He is made up with the
basic cat pattern that I use throughout this book.
Instructions on
a Va the Striped Cat
I have real cat whiskers, just like my friend Socks. Arent they so fine ? By the way,
my name, a Va, means How are you ? in French, you know.
a Va is a sitting cat, made like the leopard on . You can have fun
drawing out your own cat pattern on the chart if you like too.
Instructions on
Harry the Hedgehog
Normally hedgehogs dont move a whole lot, but
when they run they are very fast. Dont you think the
checkered pattern on my back looks really cool ?
The pattern on Harrys tummy is one I came up with
after observing a real hedgehog. The true-to-life size
makes Harry very hedgehog-like too.
Instructions on
Pinky the Pig
Pinky is a happy-go-lucky pig who loves to help
others. She is so cute, you cant help hugging her.
Another reason why shes so lovable is that shes
easy to make! The shapes and knitting are quite
simple, so Pinky is a perfect first project from this
book. A fluffy mohair yarn held double expresses
the soft, downy skin of a little pig.
Instructions on
Marie the Lamb
Marie is made to be like a small, newborn. You can
vary Maries pose by putting darts in her tummy,
which will make her stand up, or leaving them out,
which will make her lie down. Marie is jointed, so
her head can be moved into different poses. The
bumpy texture created through increases and
decreases is very cute.
Instructions on
Beatrix the Rabbit
Her name, Beatrix, is a homage to the great illustrator and
author Beatrix Potter, of course. I always carry a notebook
around with me, in the hopes that I may be able to write
wonderful stories like she did one day.
The keys to Beatrixs bunny-ness are in the well stuffed, puffy
cheeks, and the ears pointing straight up. By varying how
they are attached, you can turn them into floppy ears too.
Instructions on
Brownie the Bear
I am a bear, but I live indoors like most teddy bears. My
hobby is reading classic British literature. Im studying to
be able to recite Romeo and Juliet by heart.
This is a teddy bear knitted in seed stitch, which is very
beginner friendly. Although he has darts, hes also very
cute and rounded when made without them.
Instructions on
Neal the Spotted Seal
My mouth, like my friend Isaac the Polar Bears, is made by
rubbing a pencil on the wool. The way you shade me with
the pencil is the key, you know. Have fun with it!
Even though the shape is very simple, the seal-like surface is
quite challenging to knit. Neals shape also depends on how
you stuff him.
Instructions on
Isaac the Polar Bear
The land around the North Pole where I live, just like Antarctica
where my friend William lives, is quite big, but is shrinking every
year. What can I do about that ? William ponders that question
every day as he lumbers about.
The polar bear-like fur is created with double seed stitch, an
easy stitch to knit. If you use brown yarn, you can make a
woodland bear instead.
Instructions on
William the Penguin
Looking like hes just about to waddle
off, William is a baby emperor penguin.
Im the only one in this book thats
born from an egg. Im so happy to be
with my friends.
Instructions on
Frannie the Doe
Frannie, the ballerina of the forest, is dancing around
lightly again today. She wants to eat all the delicious