A classic pet for the teenage boy, the cornsnake eats dead mice and live crickets. Although appearing self-contained, a friend of mine’s snake escaped from its vivarium only to be found three months later on the front door step. Perhaps a snake is more attached than we imagine?
Very easy to make, even easier if knitted in one colour, without stripes.
Length: 50cm (20in)
Height to top of head: 3cm (1¼in)
Pair of 3¾mm (US 5) knitting needles
10g (¼oz) of Rowan Kid Classic in Rosewood 870 (rd)
10g (¼oz) of Rowan Kid Classic in Earth 872 (ea)
Tiny amount of Rowan Pure Wool 4ply in Black 404 (bl) for eyes
Tiny amount of Rowan Pure Wool 4ply in Shell 468 (sh) for tongue
Crochet hook for tongue
See here.
See for Scarf Fringe Method.
With rd, cast on 3 sts.
Beg with a k row, work 6 rows st st.
Row 7: Inc, k1, inc. (5 sts)
Row 8: Purl.
Change to ea (do not cut off rd yarn, hold at side of work).
Work 2 rows st st.
Change to rd (do not cut off ea yarn, hold at side of work).
Work 4 rows st st.
Change to ea.
Work 2 rows st st.
Change to rd.
Work 4 rows st st.
Change to ea.
Work 2 rows st st.
Change to rd.
Row 23: Inc, k3, inc. (7 sts)
Work 3 rows st st.
Change to ea.
Work 2 rows st st.
Change to rd.
Work 4 rows st st.
Rep last 6 rows once more.
Change to ea.
Work 4 rows st st.
Change to rd.
Row 43: Inc, k5, inc. (9 sts)
Work 3 rows st st.
Change to ea
Work 4 rows st st.
Change to rd.
Work 4 rows st st.
Rep last 8 rows twice more.
Change to ea.
Work 4 rows st st.
Change to rd.
Row 75: Inc, k7, inc. (11 sts)
Work 3 rows st st.
Change to ea.
Work 6 rows st st.
Change to rd.
Work 4 rows st st.
Rep last 10 rows twice more. Change to ea.
Row 109: K2tog, k7, k2tog. (9 sts)
Work 5 rows st st.
Change to rd.
Work 2 rows st st.
Change to ea.
Work 4 rows st st.
Change to rd.
Row 121: K2tog, k5, k2tog. (7 sts)
Row 122: Purl.
Change to ea.
Work 4 rows st st.
Change to rd.
Work 2 rows st st.
Change to ea.
Work 4 rows st st.
Change to rd.
Row 133: K2, inc, k1, inc, k2. (9 sts)
Row 134: P2, inc, p3, inc, p2. (11 sts)
Change to ea.
Row 135: K2, inc, k5, inc, k2. (13 sts)
Row 136: P3, inc, p5, inc, p3. (15 sts)
Change to rd.
Row 137: K3, inc, k7, inc, k3. (17 sts)
Row 138: P4, inc, p7, inc, p4. (19 sts)
Change to ea.
Work 2 rows st st.
Row 141: K4, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k4. (17 sts)
Row 142: P3, p2tog, p7, p2tog, p3. (15 sts)
Row 143: K3, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k3. (13 sts)
Row 144: P2, p2tog, p5, p2tog, p2. (11 sts)
Row 145: K2, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k2. (9 sts)
Row 146: Purl.
Row 147: K2, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2. (7 sts)
Row 148: Purl.
Cast (bind) off.
SEWING IN ENDS Sew in ends, leaving ends from cast on and cast (bound) off rows for sewing up.
BODY AND STUFFING With WS together and using one of the two colours, start at tail and sew short section of body together. Stuff that section, then sew up a bit more of body and stuff, until whole snake is stuffed and head is sewn up. Mould body into shape.
EYES With bl, sew 3-loop French knots positioned as in photograph.
TONGUE Cut a 2.5cm (1in) length of sh. Use crochet hook and scarf fringe method to attach tongue to tip of head.
EYES
The eyes are French knots, but you could use black beads.
