level 2

Level 2 animals introduce simple shade changing. Cut your yarn after the change. You don’t need to worry about tying in the ends; just leave them inside the part. In addition, some of the organic shapes have been made using a free-form style of crochet; rather than the pattern being stated in rounds it will give the instruction for the whole piece as if it were one big round.

 Germaine

The Gorilla

Germaine is an OAG with attitude. She’s everyone’s surrogate grandma; she has a toy box full of wonders that she has collected over 60 years of babysitting and that has fired the imagination of hundreds of children. Her blue eyeshadow tells of an undying pride in her appearance and is so thick on her eyelids that many debate as to whether she ever washes it off. To keep herself in shape she marches over five miles a day looking through the neighbours’ windows, always perfectly made-up, with her trousers tucked into her socks and a rain cap on.

You will need

Main colour: Dark

Colour two: Medium

See also: You Will Need list in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard in Dark.

Head

Work as standard in Dark until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–11 Dc. (5 rnds)

Rnd 12 (Dc5, dc2tog) 6 times. (36)

Rnd 13 Dc.

Rnd 14 (Dc4, dc2tog) 3 times, dc18. (33)

Rnd 15 (Dc3, dc2tog) 3 times, dc18. (30)

Rnd 16 Dc.

Rnd 17 (Dc3, dc2tog) 6 times. (24)

Rnd 18 Dc12, (dc1, dc2tog) 4 times. (20)

Rnd 19 (Dc2, dc2tog) 5 times. (15)

Rnd 20 (Dc2tog) 7 times, dc1. (8)

Muzzle

Work as standard in Medium until:

Rnd 3 (Dc2, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (24 sts)

Rnds 4–6 Dc. (3 rnds).

Ears (make two)

Working in Medium, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 6 times. (12)

Rnd 2–4 Dc. (3 rnds)

Rnd 5 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Legs (make four)

Work two as standard in Medium, changing to Dark at Rnd 8.

Work two in the same way but continuing length by 6 rnds (to Rnd 30).

Eye PATCH

Working in Medium, ch16 and sl st to join into circle.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 4 times, dc4, (dc2 into next st) 4 times, dc4.

Sew the circle across to form a ‘mask’ shape with two rounded ends.

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

Notes

Stuff the muzzle and sew into place with the eye patch just above. Work 3 ch10 loops on the top of the head around one stitch to create a tuft.

 Winston

The Aardvark

Winston has four pet cats. He possesses a natural ability to make everyone smile with his ridiculously big grin that always quickly follows ‘good morning’, ‘good afternoon’ and ‘good evening’. Other than tending to his pets and working towards his grade 8 saxophone exam, he spends his spare time on the indoor ski slope. He hits the Alps three times a year clad in the same gear he’s been wearing for far too many seasons. But if anyone’s going to pull off a faded vintage onesie at 70 miles an hour, it’s this innately cool aardvark.

You will need

Main colour: Dark

Colour two: Medium

See also: You Will Need list inYarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard in Dark.

Head

Work as standard in Medium until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st)

6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–11 Dc. (5 rnds)

Rnd 12 (Dc5, dc2tog) 6 times. (36)

Rnd 13 (Dc4, dc2tog)

6 times. (30)

Rnd 14 Dc.

Rnd 15 (Dc3, dc2tog) 6 times. (24)

Rnd 16 Dc.

Rnd 17 (Dc2, dc2tog) 6 times. (18)

Rnds 18–24 Dc. (7 rnds)

Rnd 25 (Dc1, dc2tog) 6 times. (12)

Rnds 26–28 Dc. (3 rnds)

Rnd 29 (Dc1, dc2 into next st)

6 times. (18)

Do not gather sts.

Ears (make two)

Working in Medium, ch10 and join into circle.

Rnds 1–4 Dc. (4 rnds)

Rnd 5 (Dc4, dc2 into next st) twice. (12)

Rnd 6 Dc.

Rnd 7 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) twice. (14)

Rnds 8–10 Dc. (3 rnds)

Rnd 11 (Dc5, dc2tog) twice. (12)

Rnd 12 (Dc4, dc2tog) twice. (10)

Rnd 13 (Dc3, dc2tog) twice. (8)

Rnd 14 (Dc2, dc2tog) twice. (6)

Rnd 15 Dc.

Rnd 16 (Dc2tog) 3 times. (3)

Rnd 17 Dc3tog.

Legs (make four)

Work as standard in Medium, changing to Dark at Rnd 3.

Tail

Work in free-form style without rounds in Medium: ch12 and sl st to join into circle, dc36, dc2tog, dc30, dc2tog, dc30, dc2tog, dc20, dc2tog, dc15, dc2tog, dc15 dc2tog, dc2tog to a point.

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

Notes

Stuff the head and then close it off by rolling back the ‘trunk’ and dc a round of sts into the trunk sts two rows back from end. Gather these sts to close off the trunk. Stuff the tail firmly so it stands out from the body and then sew into position on the back.

 Penelope

The Bear

Penelope is a career bear at the top of her game. She expresses herself with her very extensive and obscenely expensive shoe collection. Possessing a very powerful blue-sky brain, she is a workaholic who gets results and brings out the best in any team she leads. Her signature drink is a complex champagne cocktail that no barman has ever heard of, but she is no party animal and has a reputation for always being the first to leave having secretly paid the whole bill. Her partner is equally impressive character, and together they will scuba dive the world.

You will need

Main colour: Dark

Colour two: Light

See also: You Will Need list in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard in Dark.

Head

Work as standard in Dark until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–11 Dc. (5 rnds)

Rnd 12 (Dc5, dc2tog) 6 times. (36)

Rnds 13–15 Dc. (3 rnds)

Rnd 16 Dc10, (dc2, dc2tog) 4 times, dc10. (32)

Rnd 17 Dc8, (dc2, dc2tog) 4 times, dc8. (28)

Change to Light.

Rnd 18 Dc6, (dc2, dc2tog) 4 times, dc6. (24)

Rnd 19 Dc4, (dc2, dc2tog) 4 times, dc4. (20)

Rnd 20 Dc4, (dc1, dc2tog) 4 times, dc4. (16)

Rnd 21 Dc.

Rnd 22 Dc4, (dc2tog) 4 times, dc4. (12)

Rnd 23 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Ears (make two)

Working in Dark, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st)

6 times. (12)

Rnds 2–5 Dc. (4 rnds)

Rnd 6 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Legs (make four)

Work as standard in Dark.

Tail

Working in Dark, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 6 times. (12)

Rnds 2–3 Dc. (2 rnds)

Rnd 4 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Rnd 5 (Dc2tog) 3 times. (3)

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

 Hank

The Dorset Down Sheep

Hank is a seriously well-travelled ram with a ewe on every farm. Even as a newborn lamb he possessed a charm that melted all the midwives, and in his life he has continued to win the heart of every woman who crosses his path. He’s a smooth-talking stud of a sheep who carries his twelve-string guitar on his back wherever he goes. Every year his fleece gets hand-spun by his grandmother and knitted up into an intricate Aran jumper that keeps him warm through the unpredictable British summers.

You will need

Main colour: Light

Colour two: Dark

See also: You Will Need list in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard in Light.

Head

Work as standard in Light until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–11 Dc. (5 rnds)

Rnd 12 (Dc5, dc2tog) 6 times. (36)

Rnds 13–14 Dc. (2 rnds)

Rnd 15 Dc4, (dc2tog) 3 times, dc26. (33)

Rnd 16 Dc3, (dc2tog) 3 times, dc24. (30)

Rnd 17 Dc.

Rnd 18 (Dc3, dc2tog) 6 times. (24)

Change to Dark.

Rnds 19–21 Dc. (3 rnds)

Rnd 22 (Dc2, dc2tog) 6 times. (18)

Rnd 23 Dc.

Rnd 24 (Dc1, dc2tog) 6 times. (12)

Rnd 25 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Ears (make two)

Working in Dark, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 6 times. (12)

Rnds 2–5 Dc. (4 rnds)

Rnd 6 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Legs (make four)

Work as standard in Dark.

Tail

Working in Light, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 6 times. (12)

Rnds 2–4 Dc. (3 rnds)

Rnd 5 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Rnd 6 Dc.

Fleece

Working in Light, work ch8 loops all over the body and head with the exception of the ‘nose’. Swap to ch4 loops at the bottom of the body to ensure balance when sitting.

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

Notes

Sew on all parts before working the fleece.

 Fiona

The Panda

Fiona is a student. One thing this very brainy panda has never turned her mind to during her three years at university is the development of time-management skills good enough to keep her on top of her laundry pile. Only when her chest of drawers stands empty and she is clothed in someone else’s borrowed pyjamas will she contemplate hauling a month’s worth of clothes to the launderette for a full day of washing and drying. She applies a similar philosophy to her crockery, and is frequently caught microwaving noodles in her teapot before reaching for the washing-up liquid.

You will need

Main colour: Dark

Colour two: Light

See also: You Will Need list in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard in Light and change to Dark in the middle of Rnd 17.

Head

Work as standard in Light until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–11 Dc. (5 rnds)

Rnd 12 (Dc5, dc2tog) 6 times. (36)

Rnds 13–15 Dc. (3 rnds)

Rnd 16 Dc10, (dc2, dc2tog) 4 times, dc10. (32)

Rnd 17 Dc8, (dc2, dc2tog) 4 times, dc8. (28)

Rnd 18 Dc6, (dc2, dc2tog) 4 times, dc6. (24)

Rnd 19 Dc4, (dc2, dc2tog) 4 times, dc4. (20)

Rnd 20 Dc4, (dc1, dc2tog) 4 times, dc4. (16)

Rnd 21 Dc.

Rnd 22 Dc4, (dc2tog) 4 times, dc4. (12)

Rnd 23 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Ears (make two)

Working in Dark, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 6 times. (12)

Rnds 2–5 Dc. (4 rnds)

Rnd 6 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Legs (make four)

Work as standard in Dark.

Tail

Working in Light, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 6 times. (12)

Rnds 2–3 Dc. (2 rnds)

Rnd 4 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Rnd 5 (Dc2tog) 3 times. (3)

Eye Patches (make two)

Working in Dark, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 6 times. (12)

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

 Juno

The Siamese Cat

Juno spends her days listening to other people’s problems; then she spends most evenings taking her problems out on other people. Many underestimate this dainty cat’s mastery of the martial arts, and that inevitably lands them on their back with little idea of how they got there. Each night after a heavy training session, or the defeat of yet another opponent, she collapses onto her oversized cream leather sofa and laps up a White Russian and the latest prize-winning novel or two.

You will need

Main colour: Light

Colour two: Dark

See also: You Will Need list in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard in Light.

Head

Work as standard in Light until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–11 Dc. (5 rnds)

Rnd 12 (Dc5, dc2tog) 6 times. (36)

Rnd 13 (Dc4, dc2tog) 6 times. (30)

Rnd 14 (Dc3, dc2tog) 6 times. (24)

Rnd 15 Dc.

Change to Dark.

Rnd 16 (Dc1, dc2tog) 8 times. (16)

Rnd 17 Dc.

Rnd 18 (Dc2, dc2tog) 4 times. (12)

Rnd 19 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Rnd 20 (Dc2tog) 3 times. (3)

Ears (make two)

Working in Dark, ch10 and sl st to join into circle.

Rnd 1 Dc.

Rnd 2 (Dc2 into next st)

10 times. (20)

Rnds 3–4 Dc. (2 rnds)

Rnd 5 (Dc8, dc2tog) twice. (18)

Rnd 6 (Dc7, dc2tog) twice. (16)

Rnd 7 Dc.

Rnd 8 (Dc6, dc2tog) twice. (14)

Rnd 9 (Dc5, dc2tog) twice. (12)

Rnd 10 Dc.

Rnd 11 (Dc4, dc2tog) twice. (10)

Rnd 12 Dc.

Rnd 13 (Dc3, dc2tog) twice. (8)

Rnd 14 (Dc2, dc2tog) twice. (6)

Rnd 15 (Dc1, dc2tog) twice. (4)

Rnd 16 Dc4tog.

Legs (make four)

Work as standard in Dark, changing to Light at Rnd 10.

Tail

Working in Dark, begin by dc8 into ring.

Rnds 1–26 Dc.

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

Notes

Sew the ears in place on the back of the head by oversewing around the bottom third of the ear, ensuring you can see them from the front.

 Angharad

The Donkey

Angharad is a surfer. In her VW camper she travels the south coast of the UK chasing waves in all seasons. A seaside donkey who never got over the feel of the sand and the taste of salt, she’s enjoying her retirement in a wetsuit with no obligation to carry children around. She takes her cream tea with the jam first and is mortally offended if it’s raspberry not strawberry. She is a collector of shells and unusual stones and can always be caught on the beach with her ass in the air happily minding her own business.

You will need

Main colour: Dark

Colour two: Light

See also: You Will Need list in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard in Dark.

Head

Begin in Dark as standard until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–12 Dc. (6 rnds)

Rnd 13 (Dc5, dc2tog) 6 times. (36)

Rnd 14 (Dc1, dc2tog) 12 times. (24)

Rnd 15 (Dc2, dc2tog) 6 times. (18)

Change to Light.

Rnds 16–22 Dc. (7 rnds)

Rnd 23 (Dc1, dc2tog) 6 times. (12)

Rnd 24 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Ears (make two)

Working in Dark, ch20 and sl st to join into circle.

Rnd 1 (Dc8, dc2tog) twice. (18)

Rnd 2 Dc.

Rnd 3 (Dc7, dc2tog) twice. (16)

Rnds 4–7 Dc. (4 rnds)

Rnd 8 (Dc6, dc2tog) twice. (14)

Rnd 9 Dc.

Rnd 10 (Dc5, dc2tog) twice. (12)

Rnd 11 (Dc2, dc2tog) 3 times. (9)

Rnd 12 (Dc1, dc2tog) 3 times. (6)

Rnd 13 (Dc2tog) 3 times. (3)

Legs (make four)

Work as standard in Light, changing to Dark at Rnd 9.

Tail

Working in Dark and using four strands of the yarn held together, ch8 big sts. Attach three ch15 loops to end.

Mane

In Dark work a mane up the back of the head with ch12 loops. Add more between the ears to create a fringe.

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

 Benedict

The Chimpanzee

Show-off Benedict hasn’t stopped raving since the early 1990s and is never happier than when throwing shapes in the centre of a circle. He has a cheesy grin and a fixed thousand-yard stare that is only broken in the frenzied ten minutes in which he needs to purchase next year’s Glastonbury ticket. His wardrobe principally consists of a wide selection of neon bobble hats and flip-flops, which he supplements with various sweaty band T-shirts that he picks up on his travels. That said, in his job as head gardener at a stately home, he has won awards for his topiary maze design (and the plants don’t care what he wears).

You will need

Main colour: Dark

Colour two: Light

See also: You Will Need list in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard in Dark.

Head

Work as standard in Dark until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–11 Dc. (5 rnds)

Rnd 12 (Dc5, dc2tog) 6 times. (36)

Rnd 13 Dc.

Rnd 14 (Dc4, dc2tog) 3 times, dc18. (33)

Rnd 15 (Dc3, dc2tog) 3 times, dc18. (30)

Rnd 16 Dc.

Rnd 17 (Dc3, dc2tog) 6 times. (24)

Rnd 18 Dc12, (dc1, dc2tog) 4 times. (20)

Rnd 19 (Dc2, dc2tog) 5 times. (15)

Rnd 20 (Dc2tog) 7 times, dc1. (8)

Muzzle

Work as standard in Light until:

Rnd 3 (Dc2, dc2tog into next st) 6 times. (24 sts)

Rnds 4–7 Dc. (4 rnds)

Ears (make two)

Working in Light, begin by dc4 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 4 times. (8)

Rnd 2 (Dc2 into next st) 8 times. (16)

Rnds 3–4 Dc. (2 rnds)

Rnd 5 (Dc2tog) 8 times. (8)

Rnd 6 (Dc2tog) 4 times. (4)

Legs (make four)

Work two as standard in Light, changing to Dark at Rnd 3.

Work two as standard with colour change as for first two legs but continuing length by 6 rnds (to Rnd 30) (these legs become the ‘arms’).

Eye Patches (make two)

Working in Light, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 6 times. (12)

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

Notes

Stuff the muzzle and sew into place with the eye patches just above. Flatten the ears so the foundation ring is in the centre of the ear and sew into position.

 Samuel

The Koala

Samuel went on a gap year at the turn of the millennium and has never come back. In his travels around Europe he has become fluent in five languages and, as a current resident of Asia, has never tired of eating dim sum for breakfast. He has no place to call his own but instead keeps moving around; his home is wherever he takes his trainers off. He is a self-proclaimed artist who would maybe have something to show off, but he keeps losing track of his sketchbooks. Perhaps one day he will finally ‘find himself’ (and some drawings) in a bowl of pho soup and blow us all away with the talent he’s been assuring us he has.

You will need

Main colour: Medium

Colour two: Dark (scrap)

Colour three: Light (scrap)

See also: You Will Need list in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard in Medium.

Head

Work as standard in Medium until:

Rnd 7 (Dc6, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (48)

Rnds 8–12 Dc. (5 rnds)

Rnd 13 (Dc4, dc2tog) 8 times. (40)

Rnd 14 Dc.

Rnd 15 Dc20, (dc1, dc2tog) 5 times, dc5. (35)

Rnd 16 Dc20, (dc2tog) 5 times, dc5. (30)

Rnd 17 (Dc3, dc2tog) 6 times. (24)

Rnd 18 Dc6, (dc1, dc2tog)

6 times. (18)

Change to Dark.

Rnds 19–21 Dc. (3 rnds)

Rnd 22 (Dc2tog) 9 times. (9)

Ears (make two)

Work as standard in Medium until Rnd 5. (36)

Fold circle in half RS out and dc edge using Light.

Legs (make four)

Work as standard in Medium.

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

Notes

Koalas do not have tails.

You can leave out the Light edgings on the ears if you don’t have the necessary yarn – they are a bit of an indulgence!

 Douglas

The Highland Cow

Douglas is a family bull with a heart even bigger than his massive head. He has a tendency towards being very tidy and, when left alone, loves nothing more than dusting around the house in his brightly coloured pants. He has an insatiable appetite, but is quite a health-conscious soul who has made a habit of reading the nutritional information on all the food in the supermarket. Endlessly well intentioned, but occasionally blinded by hunger, he has been known (more than once) to land himself short of a sandwich and white-knuckle-grasping the wrong end of a stick.

You will need

Main colour: Medium

Colour two: Light

Colour three: Dark

See also: You Will Need list in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard in Medium.

Head

Work as standard in Medium until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–11 Dc.

Rnd 12 (Dc5, dc2tog) 6 times. (36)

Rnd 13 Dc.

Rnd 14 (Dc4, dc2tog) 3 times, dc18. (33)

Rnd 15 (Dc3, dc2tog) 3 times, dc18. (30)

Rnd 16 Dc.

Rnd 17 (Dc3, dc2tog) 6 times. (24)

Change to Light.

Rnd 18 (Dc3, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (30)

Rnds 19–21 Dc. (3 rnds)

Rnd 22 (Dc3, dc2tog) 6 times. (24)

Rnd 23 (Dc2, dc2tog) 6 times. (18)

Rnd 24 (Dc1, dc2tog) 6 times. (12)

Stuff head and close by sewing the stitches in a horizontal line (not gathering).

Ears (make two)

Working in Medium, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 6 times. (12)

Rnds 2–6 Dc. (5 rnds)

Rnd 7 (Dc2tog) 6 times (6).

Legs (make four)

Work as standard in Dark and change to Medium at Rnd 6.

Tail

Working in Medium and using four strands of the yarn held together, ch12 big sts. Attach three ch12 hair loops to end in Medium.

Top knot

Work a fringe between the ears in Medium with two rows of ch10 hair loops.

Horns (make two)

Working in Light in free-form style without rounds: ch10, join into circle, dc12, dc2tog, dc12, dc2tog, dc12, dc2tog, dc10, dc2tog, dc10, dc2tog to a point.

Making up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

Notes

Stuff horns before attaching and sew into position before adding top knot.

 Laurence

The Tiger

Laurence is a foodie who is utterly convinced that he is fluent in every language, but in reality speaks only a few quite badly. Chivalrous to the extreme, he has missed many a train by carrying bags up and down stairs for tigresses in distress, and is secretly shivering when socializing with female friends. Perhaps chivalry goes hand in hand with romance, for this tiger wines and dines in style. He’ll happily spend all day making pasta, slow-roasting lamb and hand-rolling sushi, only to spend all night eating and whispering sweet nonsensical nothings to one very lucky lady.

You will need

Main colour: Dark

Colour two: Medium

Colour three: Light (scrap)

See also: You Will Need list in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard, beginning in Dark and working two-round stripes with Medium throughout (the dc6 into ring and Rnd 1 form the first stripe).

Head

Work as standard in Dark and working stripes as body until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–11 Dc. (5 rnds)

Rnd 12 Dc10, dc2tog, (dc5, dc2tog) 3 times, dc9. (38)

Rnd 13 Dc14, dc2tog, dc6, dc2tog, dc14. (36)

Rnd 14 (Dc4, dc2tog) 6 times. (30)

Rnd 15 (Dc3, dc2tog) 6 times. (24)

Rnd 16 Dc9, dc2tog, dc2, dc2tog, dc9. (22)

Rnd 17 Dc7, dc2tog, dc2, dc2tog, dc9. (20)

Change to Light.

Rnds 18–19 Dc. (2 rnds)

Rnd 20 (Dc2tog) 10 times. (10)

Rnd 21 (Dc2tog) 5 times. (5)

Ears (make two)

Working in Medium, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 6 times. (12)

Rnds 2–4 Dc. (3 rnds)

Change to Dark.

Rnd 5 Dc.

Rnd 6 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Legs (make four)

Work as standard using Dark until Rnd 3 and then continue in two-round stripe pattern with Medium.

Tail

Working in Dark, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnds 1–6 Dc.

Change to Medium and continue in two-round stripes to end of Rnd 26.

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

Notes

Sew on the ears Dark part downwards onto the Dark ring on the back of the head.

 Chardonnay

The Palomino Pony

Chardonnay is a glitter girl whose sharp business sense hides behind her white shoes and fake tan. As the owner of a luxury dog spa where rich and famous pooches come to get pampered, she is certainly used to being her own boss. It’s all diamantés on toenails, sparkly suede collars and hand-knitted cashmere hoodies for these seriously indulged pets and the lady who makes it all happen. She has been online dating for the last two years and is tiring of someone else picking up the bill, especially as she’s never yet found conversation to match the quality of the caviar.

You will need

Main colour: Medium

Colour two: Light

See also: You Will Need list in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard in Medium.

Head

Work as standard in Medium until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–12 Dc. (6 rnds)

Rnd 13 (Dc5, dc2tog) 6 times. (36)

Rnd 14 (Dc1, dc2tog) 12 times. (24)

Rnd 15 (Dc2, dc2tog) 6 times. (18)

Rnds 16 (Dc2, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (24)

Rnds 17–23 Dc. (7 rnds)

Rnd 24 (Dc2, dc2tog) 6 times. (18)

Rnd 25 (Dc1, dc2tog) 6 times. (12)

Ears (make two)

Working in Medium, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 6 times. (12)

Rnd 2 (Dc1, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (18)

Rnds 3–4 Dc. (2 rnds)

Rnd 5 (Dc1, dc2tog) 6 times. (12)

Rnd 6 Dc.

Rnd 7 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Rnd 8 (Dc2tog) 3 times. (3)

Legs (make four)

Work as standard in Light, changing to Medium at Rnd 9.

Tail

Ch30 loops in Light around one stitch.

Mane

Working in Light, work a mane up the back of the head with ch12 loops. Add more loops between the ears to create a fringe.

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

 Claudia

The Saddleback Pig

Claudia is a koumponophobic. Her irrational fear of buttons has set her back a few times in her life. She now works in HR by day and is planning her wedding by night. She has been engaged for just over a year and the big day is approaching at speed. Determined for everything to be perfectly unique, she has drawn the invites, sewn her bridesmaids’ dresses, and plans to bake the favours. Claudia and her husband-to-be are childhood sweethearts and she knows that the day she says ‘I do’ will be the best day of her life. Needless to say, her dress fastens with a hidden zip.

You will need

Main colour: Dark

Colour two: Light

See also: You Will Need list in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard in Dark, changing to Light in middle of Rnd 19.

Head

In Dark work as standard until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–11 Dc. (5 rnds)

Rnd 12 (Dc5, dc2tog) 6 times. (36)

Rnd 13 Dc.

Rnd 14 (Dc4, dc2tog) 3 times, dc18. (33)

Rnd 15 (Dc3, dc2tog) 3 times, dc18. (30)

Rnd 16 Dc.

Rnd 17 (Dc3, dc2tog) 6 times. (24)

Rnd 18 Dc12, (dc1, dc2tog) 4 times. (20)

Rnd 19 (Dc2, dc2tog) 5 times. (15)

Rnds 20–21 Dc. (2 rnds)

Rnd 22 (Dc1, dc2tog) 5 times. (10)

Rnd 23 (Dc2tog) 5 times. (5)

Ears (make two)

Work as standard in Dark until Rnd 5. (36)

Legs (make four)

Work as standard, making two in Light and two in Dark.

Tail

Working in Dark, ch10, then turn and work dc2 into every stitch back along. (20)

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

Notes

To finish the ears, fold the circles in half RS out and dc halfway around the semi-circle before opening this up and sewing into position with the points forwards.

Add the nostrils in Light.

 Alice

The Zebra

Alice is one of those best kinds of friends. She leads a staunchly independent life working hard, and when she’s not knee-deep designing logos she’s chasing the party around the world with an overloaded suitcase that doesn’t quite close. While she is distracted by taste-testing her way across the finest delis in London, or planning her annual mane trim, you’ll never hear a word out of her. But with this zebra you need never worry if the phone doesn’t ring; the moment your lives collide again it will be just like the last time you met.

You will need

Main colour: Dark

Colour two: Light

See also: You Will Need list in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard, beginning in Dark and working two-round stripes with Light throughout (the dc6 into ring and Rnd 1 form the first stripe).

Head

Work as standard, beginning in Light and working two-round stripes with Dark until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–12 Dc. (6 rnds)

Rnd 13 (Dc5, dc2tog) 6 times. (36)

Rnd 14 (Dc1, dc2tog) 12 times. (24)

Rnd 15 (Dc2, dc2tog) 6 times. (18)

Rnd 16 (Dc2, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (24)

Rnds 17–23 Dc. (7 rnds)

Continue in Dark to end:

Rnd 24 (Dc2, dc2tog) 6 times. (18)

Rnd 25 (Dc1, dc2tog) 6 times. (12)

Ears (make two)

Working in Light, begin by dc6 into ring.

Rnd 1 (Dc2 into next st) 6 times. (12)

Rnd 2 (Dc1, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (18)

Rnds 3–4 Dc. (2 rnds)

Rnd 5 (Dc1, dc2tog) 6 times. (12)

Rnd 6 Dc.

Rnd 7 (Dc2tog) 6 times. (6)

Rnd 8 (Dc2tog) 3 times. (3)

Legs (make four)

Work as standard but with Rnds 1–8 in Dark, then return to the striped pattern.

Tail

Working in Light and using four strands of the yarn held together, ch8 big sts. Attach three ch15 loops to the end in Dark.

Mane

Working in Dark, work a mane up the back of the head with ch12 loops. Add more loops between the ears to create a fringe.

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.

 Audrey

The Nanny Goat

Audrey is a sharp-witted old goat with a penchant for sarcasm. She is a bit of a prankster and will take a schoolboy trick further than any eleven-year-old kid would dare. She takes all her hot drinks black and bitter, and saves up her annual dairy quota to be redeemed in one big cream liqueur binge in the days surrounding Christmas. Children have always found her a bit scary, as it’s impossible to judge whether she’s being serious or whether she’s just got hold of your leg and is dragging you down the river towards a tasty-looking piece of foliage.

You will need

Main colour: Medium

Colour two: Light

See also: You Will Needl ist in Yarns and Other Materials section and Abbreviations.

Body

Work as standard in Medium.

Head

Work as standard in Medium until:

Rnd 6 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) 6 times. (42)

Rnds 7–12 Dc. (6 rnds)

Rnd 13 (Dc5, dc2tog) 6 times. (36)

Rnd 14 (Dc1, dc2tog) 12 times. (24)

Rnd 15 Dc6, (dc1, dc2tog) 6 times. (18)

Rnds 16–18 Dc. (3 rnds)

Change to Light.

Rnds 19–21 Dc. (3 rnds)

Rnd 22 (Dc2tog) 9 times. (9)

Beard

In Light, work three ch10 loops under the chin around one stitch.

Ears (make two)

Working in Medium, ch10 and sl st to join into circle.

Rnds 1–4 Dc. (4 rnds)

Rnd 5 (Dc4, dc2 into next st) twice. (12)

Rnd 6 Dc.

Rnd 7 (Dc5, dc2 into next st) twice. (14)

Rnds 8–10 Dc. (3 rnds)

Rnd 11 (Dc5, dc2tog) twice. (12)

Rnd 12 (Dc4, dc2tog) twice. (10)

Rnd 13 (Dc3, dc2tog) twice. (8)

Rnd 14 (Dc2, dc2tog) twice. (6)

Rnd 15 Dc.

Rnd 16 (Dc2tog) 3 times. (3)

Rnd 17 Dc3tog.

Legs (make four)

Work as standard in Light, changing to Medium at Rnd 12.

Tail

Working in Medium and using four strands of the yarn held together, ch8 big sts then work three ch8 loops on the end.

Horns (make two)

Working in Light in free-form style: ch8 and join into a circle, dc30, dc2tog, dc5, dc2tog, (dc1, dc2tog) twice, dc4, dc2tog to a point.

Making Up

See the Stuffing and Sewing and Adding Face Details sections.