Introducing Bath Puppets!

I was looking for some gifts to knit for a friends children, and had noticed that all kids seem to go through a stage where they HATE to bathe. So, bath puppets are born. These puppets are made of 100% cotton, and can go right into the tub to make bath time fun time! They are sized to be big enough to fit most kids, but will probably be a bit too small for adult hands.

FROGGY BATH PUPPET

This little guy was the second bath puppet I knit up. So far he's my favorite, and he works up quick!

Materials:

worsted weight cotton yarn: 1oz bright green, scraps of black and white

several scraps of waste yarn (preferably something smooth like mercerized cotton) in a contrasting colour

US7 DPN's, set of five

yarn needle

Gauge: approx 5sts to the inch, but not terribly important

Stitches/abbreviations used:

K- knit

STst- stockinette stitch (knit all stitches when in the round)

K2Tog- knit two stitches together

SSK- slip, slip, knit- individually slip two stitches knitwise, insert left needle into the front of these two slipped stitches and knit together

st(s)- stitch(es)

WY- waste yarn

rnd- round

Special Instructions: When WY is used in pattern, instructions will read (for example) WY K3. The 3 sts should be knit in the WY, leaving a tail of a few inches at both ends, and then those stitches should be slid back onto the left needle and knit again with the main yarn. If the WY sts cross over 2 needles be careful to return them to the correct needle after knitting them with the main yarn. These instructions will not be repeated in the pattern directions.

Directions:

With Green Cast on 36sts

Divide the sts between 4 needles, 9 sts to each, and (being careful not to twist the sts) join. insert a stitch marker into the center of the sts on the first needle. The needle with the stitch marker will be needle 1, and following the direction of your knitting the next will be needle 2, and so on.

knit in STst until you have a tube 3 inches long

K3, WY K12, K to end of rnd- this round creates the space for the lower jaw

Knit in Stst for another 1.25 inches

K20, WY K4, K6, WY K4, K2- this rnd creates the 2 eye spaces

K 3 rounds

*Begin Decrease*

Rnd 1) needle 1 and 3: SSK, K to end needle 2 and 4: K to last 2sts, K2tog

Rnd 2) K around

*repeat the 2 decrease rounds until 12 sts remain, end with Rnd 2 of decrease*

Cut yarn , using a yarn needle, thread the tail through the remaining sts and pull tight, secure and hide yarn end.

To make lower jaw:

Remove waste yarn, place live sts onto four needles, and pick up sts on the sides of the opening to total 28 sts. there should be 7 sts on each needle. Needle1 should be the bottom right needle (place a marker on this needle to keep track)

K in STst for 1.25 inches.

Begin decrease, using same directions as above.

When 8 sts remain finish as above.

To make eyes:

for the eyes there is no need to keep track of needle numbers, and since the sts will not divide evenly amongst the needles I had 4 sts on one, and 5 sts on the other two. They need not be oriented in any special way. Just choose a starting point and go from there.

starting with white yarn

Remove waste yarn, place live sts on 3 needles, and pick up sts from sides of the opening to total 14 sts.

rnds 1 and 2) K all

rnd 3) switch to black, K all

rnd 4) K2tog around

cut yarn, using yarn needle thread yarn through remaining sts, pull tight, secure yarn, and hide end.

Repeat for second eye.

Silly Snake Bath Puppet

The snake is very similar in construction to the frog. I have omitted the 3 dimensional eyes in favor of quicker embroidered eyes here, but the 3D eyes can be easily used by following the directions above. Or some buttons could be sewn on, if the recipient is not proned to putting things in his/her mouth. Although I never choked on anything as a child, I remember feeling that nothing had been adequately understood until it had been tasted and chewed. So, I never add buttons to anything intended for a child.

Materials:

US7 DPN's, set of five

US3 DPN's or circular needle for I-cord

1 ball worsted weight cotton in variegated greens

small amount of Crochet Cotton size 3 in red

small amount of black embroidery floss (I used size 10 cotton)

scrap of smooth waste yarn in contrasting colour

Abbreviations/ Special instructions/ gauge: Same as for Froggy and:

KFB- knit into the front and back of the stitch (increases by 1st)

Directions:

with US7's and green Cast on 36 sts

Divide the sts between 4 needles, 9 sts to each, and (being careful not to twist the sts) join. insert a stitch marker into the center of the sts on the first needle. The needle with the stitch marker will be needle 1, and following the direction of your knitting the next will be needle 2, and so on.

Knit in STst for 6 inches

K3, WY K12, K to end of rnd- this round creates the space for the lower jaw

Knit in Stst for another 1.25 inches

*Begin Decrease*

Rnd 1) needle 1 and 3: SSK, K to end needle 2 and 4: K to last 2sts, K2tog

Rnd 2) K around

*repeat the 2 decrease rounds until 8 sts remain, end with Rnd 2 of decrease*

Cut yarn , using a yarn needle, thread the tail through the remaining sts and pull tight, secure and hide yarn end.

For lower jaw:

Remove waste yarn, place live sts onto four needles, and pick up sts on the sides of the opening to total 28 sts. there should be 7 sts on each needle.

Needle1 should be the bottom right needle (place a marker on this needle to keep track)

K in STst for 1.25 inches.

Begin decrease, using same directions as above.

When 8 sts remain finish as above.

For tongue:

Using red Crochet cotton and size 3 DPN's

cast on 3 sts leaving a long tail that will be used to sew tongue into mouth

Knit I cord for 2.5 inches

Now working in rows:

K1, KFB, K1

**(K2, turn) 3x *you should be ignoring the 2 unused sts right now*

K2 tog

cut yarn, pull through and secure (I used a knot here) **

with the remaining 2 live sts re-attach red and repeat the steps between the ** symbols.

using the tail from the cast on and a yarn needle, sew tongue into center of mouth, making sure the yarn end is secure.

Eyes should be embroidered on as you wish.