Knitted mobile

By Spotlight

This whimsical knitted mobile, inspired by the colours of Mexican folk art, is the perfect challenge for the creative knitter.

Final Result

Materials

• assorted colours "Basics" Pure Wool 8Ply
• 1 pair 4mm knitting needles
• 4.0mm crochet hook
• wooden beads
• scissors, yarn needle, tape measure
• hobby fill

Step 1

Body base
Make 3 in stocking stitch and 2 in garter stitch. Cast on 6 sts and work one row. Inc 1 st at the end of each row, until 18 sts, AT THE SAME TIME, add yellow for the beak into the inc st on one side, and cont until there are 22 sts over all.

Note: Ensure that you twist the yellow yarn with the body yarn at the start of every change to ensure no holes are created.

Inc 1 st at beg and end of each row by knitting or purling into the front and back of each st, until 30 sts.

Note: When inc at the beg of a row, K or P into the previous row st and the actual stitch to avoid a purl looking stitch.

Work a further 4 rows without shaping. Work 2tog at the end of each row, until 22 sts. Work 2tog at the beg of each row until 18 sts, working the yellow out of the body and cutting off yarn. K2tog at the beg of each row, until there are 6 sts. Work 1 row and cast off.

Step 2

Wings
Work 3 in garter stitch and 2 in stocking stitch. Cast on 4 sts and work 2 rows. Inc 1 st at the end of each row as for body until 16 sts. Work 6, work 2tog, turn. Cont on these sts. Work 1 row. Work 2tog at the end of each row until 2 sts, cast off.

Re-join yarn to remaining 8 sts, sl1, K1, psso, K to end of 1st row, cont to shape in reverse to first wing.

Step 3

Finishing
Body: With right sides facing sew body leaving a 3cm gap at the base. Turn to right side and fill with hobby fill. Blind stitch opening closed.

Wings: Sew wings in place along centre back. Using black yarn, sew eyes.

For tail cut lengths of yarn, thread through end and tie off.

Mobile: Using black yarn, make 120ch. Fasten off loosely, as you may need to chain more or undo to suit size needed.

Thread the end of the chain length onto the yarn needle, make a knot at the start of the chain twice to ensure it will hold beads. Start by threading on 4 beads of mixed colours. Insert the needle into the base of a stocking stitch bird and pull out through the top. Cont threading 4 beads and a bird, alternating garter stitch birds with stocking stitch birds. Thread 4 beads at the top and tie a knot to secure. Make a loop and tie off again. Weave in any loose ends.

Abbreviation

st/s = stitch/es
inc = increase
cont = continue
beg = beginning
K = knit
P = purl
sl1 = slip 1 st
ch = chain
2tog = K or P 2 sts together
psso = pass slipped stitch over (the knitted stitch)

Handy Hint

For a musical mobile add some small bells to each bird when filling the body.