Free Pattern: Sand Pennies

This is a beginning-level BONUS pattern from Adventures in Mochimochi Land, now available from book sellers everywhere. (Signed copies are available from the Mochimochi Shop!)

We hold on to summer days at the beach with little treasures gathered there, but this little knit is perfect for those of us whose feet are stuck under a desk instead of in the sand this summer. In Adventures in Mochimochi Land, the Soggy Sea is scattered with these lovely little sand pennies. Use them to carry for good luck, or to embellish your knitted aquarium!

You’ll need:
—Fingering-weight yarn in a few light colors, plus a small amount of white
—Set of size 1 US (2.25mm) double-pointed needles
—Tapestry needle

Note:
—The finished project is very small and is not suitable for children aged three and under.
—A list of pattern abbreviations can be found here.

Pattern

Cast on 4 stitches onto one DPN.
Rnd 1 (work as I-cord): [Kfb] 4 times (8 sts).
Distribute the stitches onto 3 DPNs to continue working in a round.
Rnd 2: [Kfb] 8 times (16 sts).
Rnds 3 and 4: Knit.
Rnd 5: [K2tog, k2] 4 times (12 sts).
Rnd 6: [K2tog, k1] 4 times (8 sts).
Break the yarn and draw it tightly through the stitches. Stitch all the way through to the bottom of the piece to form it in a flat circular shape.

Finishing

Embroider a lazy daisy stitch to form the petal pattern.

Note: This is the same as the regular embroidery stitch; the only difference is that because you’re working with a small, 3-dimensional piece, you will make your stitches go through the entire piece each time. Each time you insert the needle to begin the next stitch, insert it into the same place that you brought it out, so that you don’t make a visible stitch on the back of the piece.

Step 1: Cut a 12″ (or so) piece of white yarn, thread onto a tapestry needle, and bring the needle from the back of the piece out through the front, in the center of the cinched-up stitches. Leave a tail out the back to weave in later.

Step 2: Insert the needle back into the center of the piece and out the back to form a big loop.

Step 3: Make a small stitch at the edge of the piece, catching the end of the loop as you do so, to tack it in place.

Step 4: Bring the needle out through the center of the piece again, and repeat Steps 2 and 3 to form a petal opposite from the first one.

Step 5: Embroider 2 more petals, then weave in the loose ends.

For more quick and quirky knits, check out Adventures in Mochimochi Land, available from retailers like Amazon and also from us in the Mochimochi Shop!

© 2015 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.