Thursday, January 06, 2011

The Dreaded Percy

Perhaps you don't hang out in the same shadowy corners of the interwebs that I do. Perhaps you have not yet encountered the phenomenon that is Princess Tomato and the Salad Kingdom, and it's breakout star, Percy the Persimmon.

If not, you may feel compelled to keep surfing, and I can't say I blame you. This is probably not the pattern for you. Go on your merry way, and we will never speak of this again. However, if you do lurk the same corners of the tubes, or maybe just have a soft spot for obscure D-list 8-bit characters and anthropomorphic vegetable matter, then come on in, the water's fine.



Percy the Persimmon

Materials:
Patons Classic Wool (100% Wool)
[MC] New Denim, 1 skein
[CC1] Aran, 1 skein
[CC2] Currant, 1 skein

US size 3/3.25 mm dpn, set of 5
Polyfil stuffing
Black thread
Green felt
Two 1/4 inch buttons

Gauge: 30 st over 4 inches in stockinette st

Notes: I found it easiest to start stuffing each part as it was completed. The legs were stuffed after the first few rounds of the body were knit, then started stuffing the body when I got to the color change. He should feel firm but kinda squishy, like an overripe fruit (BA-DUM CHING!)

Many thanks to my Festivus giftee, Garrison, for getting the gauge I'd neglected to measure before sending Percy off to him.

Directions:

Leg (Make 2):
In CC2, CO 6 st. Div between 3 needles
*Rounds 1 & 2: K
Round 3: K1, K1F&B across
Rounds 4-9: Repeat from * twice
Round 10: K. Switch to MC.
Rounds 11-31: K
BO

Body:
Pick up st from BO ends of legs as follows:
1st needle: PU 5 sts from ea leg
2nd needle: PU 9 st from 2nd leg after 1st needle
3rd needle: PU last 5 st from 2nd leg after 2nd needle, PU 5 st from 1st leg
4th needle: PU last 9 st from 1st leg after 3rd needle
*Note* All BO sts from both legs should be picked up. The 5 st picked up from the 1st leg on the 3rd needle should be the next sts on that leg after the 5 picked up on the 1st needle. Basically you're making a crotch. Try not to think about that too hard.

*Round 1: K
Round 2: K to last st. M1, K1.
Round 3: 1st needle: K1, M1, k to last st, M1, K1. Rep for 2nd and 3rd needles. 4th needle: K1, M1, k to end.
Rounds 4-9: Repeat from *
Rounds 10-26: K. Switch to CC1
Rounds 27-34: K.
Round 35: K to last 2 sts, SKP
Round 36: 1st needle: K2Tog, K to last 2 sts on needles, SKP. Rep for 2nd and 3rd needles. 4th needle: K2Tog, K to end
Rounds 37 & 38: K
Rounds 39-41: Rep last 3 rounds
Round 42: Rep round 36
Round 44-49: Rep last 2 rounds 3 times
Round 50: K - 21 sts remain on needles. Switch to CC2
Round 51: K
Round 52: K to last st, M1, K1
Round 53: 1st needle: K1, M1, K to last st, M1, K1. Rep for 2nd and 3rd needle. 4th needle: K1, M1, K to end
Rounds 54-55: K1, M1, K to last st, M1, K1 on all needles
Round 56: Rep round 52
Round 57: Rep round 53
Rounds 58-59: Rep last 2 rounds
Rounds 60-63: K
Round 64: K to last 2 sts, SKP
Round 65: 1st needle: K2Tog, K to last 2 sts on needle, SKP. Rep for 2nd and 3rd needle. 4th needle: K2Tog to end
Round 66: K
Round 67-69: Rep last 3 rounds
Rounds 70-79: Rep rounds 64 & 65 5 times.
Cut yarn, leaving about a 4 in tail. Finish stuffing doll. Using tapestry needle, draw tail through live stitches to draw top closed.

Arms:
On one side of doll, about 1 in below neck line and centered between decreases, PU 16 sts in a circle, 4 on each needle.
K 8 rounds in CC1. Switch to CC2. K 7 rounds.
Next round: K2Tog at beginning of each needle.
Repeat last round until 4 sts remain. Cut yarn, and stuff arm. Using tapestry needle, draw tail through live stitches to draw top closed.
Repeat all steps on other side of doll for 2nd arm.

Finishing:
Duplicate st overall straps in MC as pictured.
Using thread, embroider mouth onto face and attach buttons for eyes as pictured.
Cut leaf pattern out of felt. Sew to top of head.

Leaf pattern
Should measure about 2 inches on each side.












Now, marvel in horror at what your hands have made flesh. Or, you know, cuddle him. Whatever floats your boat.