Silly Snake Friends Free Pattern

The second free pattern in our Christmas KAL is for the littl'uns: a snake friend suitable for snuggling, playing, bopping siblings over the head, and using up scraps of yarn. It uses Briggs and Little Heritage, worsted weight yarn.

I started making these snakes whimsically without following a pattern and each one was a tiny bit different to start, but the 'winning' adjustments are reflected in the pattern.  I plan on making one for each of the 11 of my nieces and nephews who are young enough to appreciate them. I am seven snakes in with only four left to go!

 When subbing yarn take care to match the gauge on the tighter side. When making toys, a tight gauge is important, not for finished size reasons, but so the fabric will keep the stuffing in place and not shed.  A snake with a 27 inch body will use just about one skein of Briggs and Little yarn. 

 To hear more chatter and pattern notes, scroll to the bottom!

Materials:

Size 3mm dpn

 Briggs and Little Heritage approx. 4 ounces, 215 yards

a small amount of red yarn for tongue

Polyfill/stuffing

safety eyes

 Gauge: 5 stitches and 8 rows per inch

Begin at tail:

Cast on 6 stitches, then divide them evenly among three needles. Join to work in the round. Knit 15 rows. When comfortable, add a marker to mark the beginning of the round.

Increase round: Knit to last stitch, increase in last stitch, repeat for each needle.

Knit 10 rows more.

Work increase round.

Now, repeat increase round every 6th row until you have 11 stitches per needle (33 stitches).

Work even until snake measures 27 inches, or however long you'd like her!

If you’re making stripes, make sure you use the jogless technique by picking up the shoulder of the first stitch on the second row of the new color and knitting it with the live stitch. 

Work head:

Increase in each stitch around.

Work even for 3 inches.

Divide stitches accordingly: 16 stitches on first needle, 33 stiches on 2nd needle, 17 stitches on last needle. 

Add safety eyes and stuff the snake firmly enough to be used as a weapon by toddlers (or, you know, not). I used waste wool from spinning for some of the snakes.

I noticed it was easier to add the eyes as you were knitting where you wanted them: it’s easier to make them straight!

Decrease round: Knit to last 3 stitches on first needle, knit two together, knit one. On needle 2, knit 1, slip 1, pass slipped stitch over, knit to last three stitiches, knit two together, knit one. On third needle, knit 1, slip 1, pass slipped stitch over, knit to end.

Repeat decrease round every other row, knitting even on the odd rows, until you have 18 stitches left. Knit two together around (9 stitches).  Begin icord tongue: Arrange the stitches like the second photo below (on one needle). Change to red yarn, knit first two together so you have 8 stitches.  Knit an icord tongue by knitting one row, slipping stitches to the end of the needle and bringing the yarn across the back, knit the row again, forming a tube. 

To fork the tongue, keep 4 stitches on hold. Knit 1, knit 2 together. knit remaining 3 stitches as an icord for 7 rows. cut yarn and thread through remaining stitches

Repeat for remaining 4 stitches. 

Chit Chat:

You'll notice some of these snakes look different, and that's because I was just sort of going for it before I decided to write the pattern. That's usually how I go about designing patterns! If you're curious, the brown snake most closely follows the pattern, as do the scrappy snakes. 

 My daughter came up with the idea for this photo...she tends to be a tad macabre for a five year old...

Fun fact though, Maine has no poisonous snakes! That's worth the snowstorms to me.