Linda Dawkins, whose interview on creating magical toys can be found here in the Summer 2011 edition, has been kind enough to knit a pattern just for Rhythm of the Home readers. This summer cherry pattern is perfect for filling children’s baskets, placing in your nature table, or in the wee one’s kitchens. No matter where you use it, we hope you enjoy this special knit.
Materials
Hand spun yarn in red and green
Merino fleece for stuffing
Wool needle for sewing up
Size 4.5 mm circular needles
2 double-pointed needles
Pattern
Cast on 4 stitches and join for knitting in the round with the magic loop technique, or you could also knit with double-pointed needles in the round.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Knit into the front and back of each stitch. (8 stitches)
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Knit into the front and back of each stitch. (16 stitches)
Rows 5-8: Knit
Row 9: Knit 2 stitches together across the round. (8 stitches)
(Start to add the stuffing now so that when you are ready to cast off, your cherry is full of fleece).
Row 10: Knit
Leave a long thread of yarn, cut the thread and thread it onto the wool needle. Thread the wool needle through the remaining stitches, make sure your cherry is firmly stuffed with fleece and pull tight.
Pick up 2 stitches from the top of the cherry with the double pointed needle and join the green yarn.
Knit an I-cord for 16 rows, cast off and sew in the ends neatly.
Knit a second cherry with an I-cord.
Leaf
Cast on 3 stitches
Row 1: Knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch
Row 2: Knit into the front and the back of the first stitch, purl 1, knit into the front and back of the last stitch. (5 stitches)
Row 3: Knit 2 stitches, purl 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches.
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: Knit 2 stitches, purl 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches.
Row 6: Purl 2 stitches, knit 1 stitch, purl 2 stitches.
Row 7: Knit 2 stitches together, purl 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches together. (3 stitches)
Row 8: Knit 2 stitches together, purl 1 stitch. (2 stitches)
Row 9: Knit 2 stitches together.
Bind off
Finishing Off
Sew the top of the cherry stems together and then sew on the leaf halfway down the stems.
You are finished – enjoy!
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Linda Dawkins is a homeschooling mother of four amazing little souls, living in South Africa. She loves teaching her children and learning alongside them each day. She is a knitter, pattern designer, gardener, homesteader and is trying to be as self-sufficient as possible. Her children are her inspiration… and this inspiration led to her Etsy shop and blog, which is a visual diary of her family’s journey.