Miniature Knit Poufs

These charming miniature knitted poufs just might become an obsession, especially since there are two styles to choose from!  This scrap happy project will help you use up all of those lonely little remnants that are lurking about in your yarn collection.  So much fun to make – and even more fun deciding how to use all of the wonderful, colorful little poufs!

Loom:  KB Sock Loom 2

Yarn:  Approximately 5 yards of a basic worsted weight yarn per pouf.  Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand was used in the samples.

Notions:  Knitting tool, scissors, yarn needle

Finished Size:  Each knitted pouf is approximately 1.56” in diameter

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.

Instructions:

Basic Pouf:  Prepare the loom to work over 16 pegs, in the round.  Choose a yarn color for the pouf.  Using the drawstring cast on method, cast on 16 stitches.  Work 12 rows using the u-wrap knit stitch.  Remove from the loom using the gathered bind off method.  Your knitted piece will look like this:

Gently stretch the tube to help set the stitches in place.  Pull the yarn tail from the gathered bind off to close up one end of the tube.  Pull the yarn tail from the drawstring cast on to close up the other end of the tube.  Your pouf will look like this:

Place your pointer finger on the gathered center from the drawstring cast on and your thumb on the gathered center from the gathered bind off.  Pinch to flatten the pouf.  Thread the yarn tail from the drawstring cast on through the tapestry needle.  Pull the yarn tail down through the gathered center and out through the bottom of the pouf.  Both yarn tails will now be at the bottom of the pouf.  Tie the yarn tails together, then weave in both ends.  Your finished pouf will look like this:

Textured Pouf:  Prepare the loom to work over 16 pegs, in the round.  Choose a yarn color for the pouf.  Using the drawstring cast on method, cast on 16 stitches.  Work 12 rows in ribbing stitch:  *K2, P2, repeat from * to end of round.  Remove from the loom using the gathered bind off method.

Gently stretch the tube to help set the stitches in place.  Pull the yarn tail from the gathered bind off to close up one end of the tube.  Pull the yarn tail from the drawstring cast on to close up the other end of the tube.  Your pouf will look like this:

Place your pointer finger on the gathered center from the drawstring cast on and your thumb on the gathered center from the gathered bind off.  Pinch to flatten the pouf.  Thread the yarn tail from the drawstring cast on through the tapestry needle.  Pull the yarn tail down through the gathered center and out through the bottom of the pouf.  Both yarn tails will now be at the bottom of the pouf.  Tie the yarn tails together, then weave in both ends.  Your finished pouf will look like this:

Now for the best part – deciding what to do with all of those darling little poufs!

Have fun creating!