[d]
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Copyright © 2005-2008, Kimberly Chapman. All knitting graphics/patterns/instructions on this page were created by Kimberly Chapman. You may link to this page, but please do not steal/hotlink the graphics or copy the patterns to other sites without my written permission. Feel free to print graphics/patterns/instructions for personal or non-profit use, but absolutely no for-profit reproduction is allowed, including selling of finished items (except for registered charitable causes).
Note: these instructions assume you are familiar with including short rows in round knitting to create a curve. If you are not, please see my Rings Tutorial for the basics, including a short video.
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Aran, Caron Perfect Match in Sunflower and Espresso
Needles: US size 3 double pointed needles (see my double-pointed needle tutorial to learn how they work)
Gauge: gauge isn't particularly important, but you should ensure the peel is going to fit over the banana by testing it out on the banana frequently as you knit, and adjusting accordingly.
Purl backwards along the first and second needles enitrely (see Rings Tutorial for photos), for a total of 12 purled stitches.
Knit forwards along first and second needle as normal, continuing along third needle to complete the round.
With Aran, cast 6 sts, two on each needle (2 2 2)
Knit 1 round
Inc1, k1; repeat around (3 3 3)
Inc1, k2; repeat around (4 4 4)
Inc1, k3; repeat around (5 5 5)
Inc1, k4; repeat around (6 6 6)
Knit 5 rounds
Work one Curve Section as above.
Repeat these two steps 8 times.
Knit 5 rounds
Stuff and put in squeaker, if desired.
K2tog the first two sts on each needle (5 5 5)
K2tog the first two sts on each needle (4 4 4)
K2tog the first two sts on each needle (3 3 3)
K2tog the first two sts on each needle (2 2 2)
Break yarn and pull through remaining 6 sts.
Embroider on a face as desired.
With Espresso, cast 6 sts, 2 on each needle (2 2 2)
Inc1, k1; repeat around (3 3 3)
Knit half an inch long.
Next row: knit all, but change middle stitch on each needle to Sunflower (colour scheme on each needle: brown yellow brown)
Inc1 in all yellow sts, (4 4 4, colour: b y y b)
Inc1 in all yellow sts, (6 6 6, colour: b y y y y b)
Change 1st st on each needle to Sunflower, inc1 on 2nd st on each needle (7 7 7, colour: y y y y y y b)
Next row: knit all as yellow (cut brown yarn).
Inc1 on 1st st of each needle (8 8 8)
Do the following four times:
Knit 6 rounds.
Next round: knit all of needle 1, knit 5 sts of needle 2, purl back along needle 2, purl 5 backwards on needle 1, then knit forwards again all the way around the row.
Work 6 rows of flat st-st on first two needles only, leaving stitches on third needle alone.
*On next knit row, knit all on needle 1, then 5 on needle 2, leaving 3 sts on needle 2. Turn, purl back 5 on needle 2 and 5 on needle 1, leaving 3 sts on needle 1. Turn. Knit to end of needle 2, then do a complete purl row back.*
Work 6 rows st-st on first two needles, repeat between *s as above.
Work 7 rows of st-st on needle 1 only (leave sts on needle 2 alone).
On next purl row, purl 5 sts, turn, knit same 5 sts, turn, purl back entire row.
K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog, then purl the next row back; repeat until 2 sts remain.
Break yarn and pull through remaining two stitches.
Reattach yarn to second needle and work 6 rows of st-st starting with a knit row.
On next knit row, knit first 5 sts, turn, purl back the same 5 sts, turn, knit complete row.
Purl the next row.
K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog, then purl the next row back; repeat until 2 sts remain.
Switch to brown, knit 2.
Inc1 in both sts. (4 sts)
Put two sts on another needle, knit in the round until stem measures about a half inch.
Inc1 in the stitches on one needle but not the other. (6 sts total, 2 on one needle and 4 on the other)
Knit two rounds.
Break yarn and sew through all 6 stitches, pulling tight, and then feed the yarn end down through the middle of the bunch and pull down through the stem to form a slightly dimpled end. Weave the end through the lower part of the stem to secure and hide.
Reattach yellow yarn to third needle.
Inc1 into first two sts, knit 4, inc1 into last 2 sts. (12 sts)
Work st-st until about an inch of the banana remains when pushed fully down into the bottom of the peel (it is easier to knit without the banana in place, but push it in near the end of working this section of peel to be able to gauge how long you need it to be to meet the other sections).
K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog, then purl the next row back; repeat until 2 sts remain.
Break yarn and pull through remaining two stitches.
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Page last updated January 25, 2008.
Email me at crafts@kimberlychapman.com
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