Free Pattern: Ron the Friendly Stash Moth

EEEEK! THERE'S A GIANT MOTH IN MY STASH.

Oh wait. That's just Ron. Whew.



The other moths aren't too fond of Ron, because he'd rather to snuggle with wool than eat it- and he won't let anyone else eat it either. Maybe it's his attitude. Maybe it's his size. Or maybe it's the fact that his butt is full of moth-repellent herbs. Who knows? All I know is that Ron is welcome in my stash any day.




Every stash needs a Ron! Yes, I know it'd be way easier to toss your lavendar/cedar/clove/whatever into an old sock and call it a day, but Ron is way cuter (and a good way to use up some scraps.) And lucky for you, I've got your pattern right here:


Ingredients:
-Rowan Pure Wool DK- 1 ball white (013), 1 ball brown (017)
-Ironstone Harmony- Beige (16118)
-Paton's Merino - Black
-Size 6 dpns
-Size 8 dpns
-Size 6 straights
-Lavendar, cedar, or another moth-repellant herb
-The foot of a pair of pantyhose or a knee high
-Stuffing
-Handful of pipe cleaners (3 if they are 9 inches or longer, 6 if not)
-2 feathers, preferably with long "stem"

(basically, you need brown, white, and black worsted weight (or whatever color you want) and light brown bulky yarn. I didn't take gauge because it just wasn't terribly crucial- but don't worry if the bulky part comes out really tight.)



Abdomen

CO 30 with white Rowan on size 6 needles

1-8: Knit
9: (P4, p2tog) around
10-16:Knit
17: (p3, p2tog) around
18-22: knit
23: (p2, p2tog) around
24-26: knit
27: (p1, p2tog) around
27-28: knit
29: k2tog around

Cut yarn and draw through loops. Turn inside out (so that the primarily reverse stockinette side is out)

Thorax & Head

At the open end of the abdomen and using the Harmony on size 8 needles, pick up 30 stitches.
Work in stockinette for 7 rounds.
Switch back to the white Rowan yarn and size 6 needles
Work 6 rounds in stockinette

At this point, fill the pantyhose toe with 2 or 3 inches of lavendar or whatever herb you chose. Stuff this herb ball along with some stuffing into the body of the moth, filling it up as much as possible.

Work face as follows:

1. K18, turn
2. p5, p2tog, turn
3. k5, k2tog, turn
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until there are 16 stitches left total. Add more stuffing. 2
k2tog around until there are 6 stitches. Cut yarn and thread the tail through. Top off stuffing if necessary, then pull shut. Weave in end.


Small Wings (make one of each)

(Wing 1)
CO 15 using brown Rowan and size 6 needles.

1. k
2. k
3. k1, p to last stitch, k1
4. p1, ssk, k to last stitch, p1

Repeat 3 & 4 until 5 stitches remain. Bind off.

(Wing 2)
CO 15 using brown Rowan on size 6 needles.

1. k
2. k
3. k1, p to last stitch, k1
4. p1, k to the last 3 stitches, k2tog, p1

Repeat 3 & 4 until 5 stitches remain. Bind off.

Big Wings

Work as small wings, but CO 25 stitches and BO when you have 9 left.


Eyes (make 2)

Using black yarn and size 6 needles, co 12 and join in the round (leave a long tail)

1. k
2. k2tog around
3. k2tog around

Cut yarn and thread through stitches. Turn inside out.
Use the long tail to sew the eyes on near the "corners" where the short rows started on the face.


Legs

Cut 6 4.5 inch pipe cleaner pieces
For each leg:

Work 4 inches of 4 stitch icord around pipe cleaner (I recommend inserting the pipe cleaner after the first round or two and working around it, but you can also try and insert it into the middle of the icord afterwards.

Don't bind off, just cut a long tail, draw through the stitches, and use it to sew the leg onto the body, inserting the extra half inch of pipe cleaner into the body itself.




Assemble all the pieces, weave in all the ends, and stick some little feathers in for antennae :-) I just sort of wove mine in but you could also use a little glue or a few stitches with sewing thread to secure them.


I'm trying to figure out how to make the perfect curly little mouth-bit, but I haven't yet. Let me know if you guys come up with anything ;-)

*** I haven't test knitted this yet, so if you find an error, please let me know!***





Photogenic, innit he?



(the fine print: Your use of this pattern constitutes your agreement to use this pattern only for personal, non-profit use without specific written permission from the designer (just email me!) Items made from this pattern may not be sold without permission, nor may the pattern itself be copied, sold, or distributed in any way. You may print one copy for personal use. Please do not reproduce the text of this document on other sites- just post a link :-) Thanks guys!)

If you need to contact me with questions, my email address is presentsknits@gmail.com - please email instead of commenting since it's much easier for me to reply that way! Thanks!