Whimsical Loom Knits – September 2016

Designed by Jenny Stark

This itty bitty baby skunk was designed for my husband.  He had a favorite little skunk toy when he was little.  He’s not actively collecting skunks, but over the years we’ve given him a little skunk figurine or other related item just for fun.  Whiffy is the newest member in his very small collection of these little critters.  I hope you’ll enjoy knitting this mini skunk for your favorite skunk enthusiast. 

Knitting Loom: KB Sock Loom 2

Yarn: Small amounts of Red Heart Super Saver, in black, and Bernat Pipsqueak, in white.

Notions: knitting tool, scissors, yarn needle, small amount of fiberfill, 2 beads (for eyes), small amount of thread in color of choice (for nose).

Gauge: Not critical for this project.

Finished Measurements: Approximately 1” by 2.5”

Instructions

Legs (make 4):

Using the black yarn, cast on 3 pegs.  Work a 3 peg i-cord for 2 rows.  Bind off.  Set cords aside for now.

Body:

Prepare the loom to work over 10 pegs, in the round.  With the black yarn, cast on 10 stitches using the drawstring cast on method.

Work 2 rounds using the u-wrap knit stitch.

Next 10 rounds:  Knit pegs 1-7 with the black yarn, knit the 8^th peg with the white yarn, and knit the last 2 stitches with the white yarn.  Cut the black yarn, leaving a 20” yarn tail.  Using the black yarn, bind off with the gathered bind off method, skipping pegs 7, 8, and 9.  Pull the yarn tail to cinch the bottom of the skunk closed.  Continue on to the tail section.

Tail:

Work the tail using the 3 stitches remaining on the loom.

Row 1:  Knit peg 7 with the black yarn, peg 8 with the white yarn, and peg 9 with the black yarn.

Row 2:  Knit peg 9 with the black yarn, peg 8 with the white yarn, and peg 7 with the black yarn.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 twice more. Cut the white yarn.  Using the black yarn, bind off using the basic bind off method. Use the yarn needle to weave in the yarn ends at the end of the tail.

Finishing: 

Lightly stuff body.

Locate yarn tail from the drawstring cast on and pull until the opening is cinched closed.  Use the remaining yarn end to stitch an ear on each side of the skunk’s head.  Weave in any remaining length.

Using the yarn tails from the cast on, sew the legs to the bottom of the body.  Weave in all yarn ends.

Sew a bead on each side of the skunk, near the front.  Using thread, stitch a little nose on the front of the skunk, just below the eyes.  Weave in any remaining threads.