Free Pattern: Baby Gators

This pattern appears in Knitting Mochimochi, my new book of 20 knitted toy patterns that is now available from Amazon and other bookstores. You can also purchase a signed copy from the Mochimochi Shop!

Photograph by Brandi Simons

They came from the sewer… and now they’re coming for your pets! They will also accept chewy candies.

Techniques: Kfb, k2tog, bobble stitch (see Stitch Pattern), mattress stitch

You’ll Need:
Worsted-weight yarn in green (MC) and yellow (CC): Samples knit with Cascade 220
Set of 5-inch size 6 US (4.0mm) double-pointed needles
Safety eyes (size 9mm)
Tapestry needle
Stuffing

Finished Size: Approx 4.5 inches long

Abbreviations:

CO = cast on

rnd(s) = round
(s)
k = knit
p = purl

st(s) = stitch(es)

kfb = knit into front and back of stitch (increases by 1 stitch)

k2tog = knit 2 stitches together (decreases by 1 stitch)
k3tog = knit 3 stitches together (decreases by 2 stitches)
p2tog = purl 2 stitches together (decreases by 1 stitch)
ssk = slip 2 stitches knitwise, insert left needle back into both slipped stitches and knit together
st st = stockinette stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side)
bobble1 = knit into front and back of stitch (kfb) twice before slipping stitch off left needle. Then, beginning with the rightmost stitch, pass the first, second, and third stitches on your right needle over the fourth (leftmost) stitch on your right needle.

——– Pattern starts here! ——–

Body

With MC, CO 6 sts onto 3 needles and join in a rnd.
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2 and all even rnds (unless noted otherwise): Knit.
Rnd 3: P1, k1, p1, k3.
Rnds 5 and 7: Same as Rnd 3.
Rnd 8: [Kfb, k1] 3 times (9 sts). Place marker.
Rnd 9: [K1, p1] twice, k5.
Rnds 11 and 13: Same as Rnd 9.
Rnd 14: Kfb, k3, kfb, k1, kfb, k2 (12 sts).
Rnd 15: [K1, p2] twice, k6.
Rnds 17 and 19: Same as Rnd 15.
Rnd 20: Kfb, k5, [kfb, k2] twice (15 sts).
Rnd 21: K2, p2, k1, p2, k8.
Rnd 23: Same as Rnd 21.
Rnd 24: K9, kfb, k2, kfb, k1, kfb (18 sts).
Rnd 25: [K1, p3] twice, k10.
Rnds 27, 29, 31 and 33: Same as Rnd 25.

Separate top jaw
Begin the first rnd as usual, then switch to straight knitting in the first rnd.

Row 34: K1, kfb, k5, kfb, k1, and place remaining 9 sts on one needle to work later.
You should now have 11 sts on your needles. Place these 11 sts onto one needle to work straight, and turn.
Row 35: Purl.
Row 36: K3, bobble1, k3, bobble1, k3.
Row 37: Purl.
Row 38: K3, k2tog, k1, ssk, k3 (9 sts).
Rows 39-43: Beginning with a purl row, work 5 rows St st.
Row 44: K3, bobble1, k1, bobble1, k3.
Row 45: P1, p2tog, p3, p2tog, p1. (7 sts)
Row 46: K3tog, k1, k3tog (3 sts).
Switch to CC.
Row 47: Purl.
Row 48: [Kfb] 3 times (6 sts).
Row 49: Purl.
Row 50: K1, kfb, k2, kfb, k1 (8 sts).
Rows 51-55: Beginning with a purl row, work 5 rows St st.
Row 56: K1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1 (10 sts).
Rows 57: Purl.
Break yarn and place these 10 sts on one needle to work later.

Work bottom jaw

Reattach MC to your 9 held sts to work straight.
Row 58: K1, k2tog, k3, ssk, k1 (7 sts).
Rows 59-61: Work 3 rows St st.
Row 62: K1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k1 (5 sts).
Rows 63-67: Work 5 rows St st.
Row 68: K1, k3tog, k1 (3 sts).
Switch to CC.
Row 69: Purl.
Row 70: K1, kfb, k1 (4 sts).
Rows 71-73: Work 3 rows St st.
Row 74: K1, [kfb] twice, k1 (6 sts).
Rows 75-79: Work 5 rows St st, finishing with a purl row.
Row 80: Knit 6, then instead of turning, knit across 10 sts on other needle.
Distribute 16 sts onto 3 needles, and join to continue to work in a rnd. The resulting piece will look like a smaller, yellow alligator joined at the lips to your green gator.

Rnds 81-88: Knit 8 rnds.
Rnd 89: [K2tog, k2] 4 times (12 sts).
Rnds 90-93: Knit 4 rnds.
Rnd 94: [K2tog] 6 times (6 sts).
Break yarn and draw tightly through sts with tapestry needle.

Feet (make 4)

With MC, CO 6 sts onto 1 needle to work as I-cord, leaving a tail for seaming.
Knit 3 rnds.
Next rnd: [K2tog] 3 times (3 sts).
Knit 2 rnds.
Next rnd: [Kfb] 3 times (6 sts).
Knit 1 more rnd, then break yarn and draw tightly through sts with tapestry needle.

Finishing

Weave in all loose ends except for the tails on the feet.

Attach safety eyes directly under the first two bobbles on the head.

Lightly stuff tail and fold yellow inner lining into body. Add a little more stuffing to the head, between the eyes.

Attach lining to top and bottom jaws using mattress stitch, beginning at the top front of jaw, sewing around to the bottom and continuing around the other side.

Attach feet to body at a forward-pointed angle.

Photograph by Brandi Simons

© 2010 Anna Hrachovec / Mochimochi Land
Please do not copy or distribute any part of this pattern without permission.
Please do not sell items made from this pattern without permission.