Whimsical Loom Knits – Capricorn

Capricorn

The alignment of the stars influences us all and how we interact with each other and the Capricorn is no different. The spiritual energy fuels us all.

According to Chinese Astrology, 2015 is the year of the goat. Knit a whimsical little goat to keep you company throughout the year.

Materials

Knitting Loom: KB Sock Loom 2

Yarn: Patons Divine was used for the goat’s body. Red Heart Super Saver was used for the horns, hooves, and nose.

Notions: Knitting tool, scissors, yarn needle, fiberfill for stuffing, needle and thread, 6 mm buttons for eyes.

Finished Size: Approximately 3″ in length.

Gauge: Not essential for this project.

Special Techniques:

Drawstring Cast-On: Step 1: Pass the working yarn in front of peg 1. Pass the working yarn behind peg 2. Pass the working yarn in front of peg 3. Pass the working yarn behind peg 4. Continue weaving the working yarn in front of and behind the pegs until the working yarn reaches peg 1 again.

Step 2: Lay the working yarn against peg 1, above the wrap from step 1. Knit the lower wrap over the top wrap. Pass the working yarn in front of peg 2. Lay the working yarn against peg 3, above the wrap from step 1. Knit the lower wrap over the top wrap. Pass the working yarn in front of peg 4. Continue working in this manner until the working yarn reaches peg 1 again. Cast on is now complete. Continue on as directed in the pattern.

Adding a Gathering Thread: Cut a 12″ length of yarn and thread it on to the yarn needle. Push the yarn needle up under the stitch on peg 1. Pull the length of yarn out through the stitch, stopping when an inch or two remains at the bottom of the stitch. Move to the next peg and pull the yarn needle up under the stitch. Pull the length of yarn until all of the slack is gone between the two pegs. Continue working in this manner until the gathering line has been pulled up under the last stitch in the round. Remove the yarn needle. Leave the gathering line in place. It will be used later to shape the goat’s neck. Continue on as directed in the pattern.

3 Stitch I-Cord: Using the double E-wrap cast-on method, cast on 3 stitches. *Working yarn will be at peg 3. Take the working yarn behind peg 2 and peg 1. Bring the working yarn around the front of peg 1 and lay it across pegs 1, 2, and 3. Knit peg 2, then peg 1, then peg 3. Repeat from * as directed in pattern, or until I-cord reaches the desired length. Gently pull on the cord every few inches to help set the stitches.

Bind the I-cord off by moving the stitch on the second peg over to the first peg, placing it above the stitch on the peg. Knit the bottom stich over the top stitch. Move the stitch from peg 3 over to peg 1, placing it above the stitch on the peg. Knit the bottom stitch over the top stitch. With the working yarn, wrap peg 1 and knit it. Cut the working yarn, leaving a yarn tail measuring about 4″. Draw the working yarn out through the last stitch remaining on peg 1, then remove the cord from the loom. Gently pull on the yarn tail to secure the bind off. Weave in all yarn ends.

Instructions

Head and Body:

Prepare the loom to work over 16 pegs, in the round. Work the head and body in Patons Divine. (If Patons Divine is not available, use a fluffy, bulky yarn with the same wpi = approximately 7 wpi) Using the drawstring cast-on method, cast on 16 stitches. Work 10 rows using the u-wrap knit stitch.

Add a gathering thread. (See special techniques)

Work 15 more rows using the u-wrap knit stitch. Remove from the loom using the gathered bind off method, but do not gather yet. Set aside.

Legs (Make 4):

Using the Red Heart Super Saver, cast on 3 pegs. Work a 3 stitch I-cord for 2 rows. Switch to the Patons Divine. Work the 3 stitch I-cord for 8 more rows. Bind off and set aside. Repeat this process for the remaining legs.

Ears/Tail (Make 3):

Using the Patons Divine, cast on 3 pegs.

Rows 1-6: Sl 1, K2.

Row 7: Sl 1, K2tog.

Row 8: K2tog.

Fasten off and set aside.

Horns (Make 2):

Using the Red Heart Super Saver, cast on 3 pegs. Work a 3 stitch I-cord for 4 rows. Bind off and set aside.

Finishing:

Work with the head and body piece first. Turn the knitted tube inside out so that the purl bumps are on the outside. Gather the top of the head closed by pulling on the yarn tail from the drawstring cast-on. Use the yarn needle to weave the tail in.

Stuff the head section with fiberfill. Reach inside the tube to find the yarn tails of the gathering thread. Gather the neck area by pulling on the yarn tails to draw the neck area in. Secure the neck shaping by tying a knot in the gathering thread. The yarn tails from the gathering thread should be inside the knitted tube and don’t need to be woven in. They can be left as is.

Stuff the body section with fiberfill. Gather the body closed by pulling on the yarn tail from the gathered bind off. Use the yarn needle to weave the tail in. (Note: the Patons Divine is a bulky textured yarn and is a bit trickier to gather than other yarns. It is possible, it just takes a bit more work and patience.)

Use the yarn needle to sew the tail to the back of the body, near the gathered bind off. Attach two legs to each side of the body, near what will become the underside of the goat.

Use the needle and thread to sew the button eyes onto the face, near the gathered cast on. With the Red Heart Super Saver, embroider a little nose near the bottom of the face. Sew the ears to the side of the goat’s head and attach the horns to the top of the head. Weave in any remaining yarn tails.

Wishing each of you happiness, health, and prosperity in 2015!