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  7. / Bernat® Baby Blanket™ Knit Ballerina Elephant
Time Required :
Over an hour
Intermediate
Intermediate
You're somewhat experienced with the skills necessary to complete this project, but you haven't mastered all the elements, yet.

bernat® baby blanket™ knit ballerina elephant

Knit this lovely little Bernat® Baby Blanket™, Ballerina Elephant is as soft and squishy as they come. Her head is constructed in one single piece, worked from the top down, using simple afterthought techniques to pick up stitches for the ears and trunk before it is stuffed to create a defined head. Her body is worked separately, using raglan increases and slipped stitches to create her adorable arm definition, while her ruffled tutu is picked up and knit around here tummy. Her floppy rag-doll body remains unstuffed to create the perfect toy for little-ones to cuddle.
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Print Project

Step 1

MEASUREMENT: Approx 15" [38 cm] tall.
GAUGE: 9 sts and 16 rows = 4” [10 cm] in stocking st.
SPECIAL STITCH(ES) EXPLANATION(S):
- Kfb (Knit Into Front and Back of Stitch): Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch
- Kfbf (Knit Into Front, Back, Front of Stitch): Increase 2 stitches by knitting into front and back and front of next stitch
- Pfb (Purl Into Front and Back of Stitch): Increase 1 stitch by purling into front and back of next stitch
- Sl1Pwyib (Slip Stich Purlwise With Yarn In Back): Slip next stitch purlwise with yarn in back of work
NOTES:
- Head and Body are worked separately and seamed together.
- Head is stuffed, but Body remains unstuffed.
- Beg work on double-pointed needles switching to circular needle as necessary.
- On knit and purl rows, slip markers as necessary.

Step 2

INSTRUCTIONS:
HEAD
With MC and set of double-pointed needles, cast on 6 sts leaving a tail approx 8" [20.5 cm] for seaming. Divide sts evenly onto 3 needles. Join in rnd, PM on first st.
Inc Section: Rnd 1: Kfb in each st around. 12 sts.
Rnd 2 and alt rnds: Knit.
Rnd 3: *Kfb. K1. Rep from * around. 18 st.
Rnd 5: *Kfb. K2. Rep from * around. 24 sts.
Rnd 7: *Kfb. K3. Rep from * around. 30 sts.
Rnd 9: *Kfb. K4. Rep from * around. 36 sts.
Rnds 10 to 12: Knit.
Note: Ear and Trunk openings are created by knitting sts with waste yarn (use contrast A), then knitting them again with working yarn (MC). Waste yarn will be removed later, and sts will be picked up and worked to add ears and trunk.
Rnd 13: K1. Drop MC. With A, K3 – ear opening made. Slip 3 sts just worked back onto left-hand needle. Break A. Cont with MC, knit same 3 sts. K3. Drop MC. With A, K4 – trunk opening made. Slip 4 sts just worked back onto left-hand needle. Break A. Cont with MC, knit same 4 sts. K3. Drop MC. With A, K3 – ear opening made. Slip 3 sts just worked back onto left-hand needle. Break A. Cont with MC. Knit same 3 sts. Knit to end of rnd.
Rnds 14 and 15: Knit.
Dec Section: Rnd 1: *K2tog. K4. Rep from * around. 30 sts.
Rnd 2 and alt rnds: Knit.
Rnd 3: *K2tog. K3. Rep from * around. 24 sts.
Rnd 5: *K2tog. K2. Rep from * around. 18 sts.
Rnd 7: *K2tog. K1. Rep from * around. 12 sts.
PM at beg of next rnd to mark rnd.
Rnd 8: Knit.
Slip rem 12 sts to waste yarn. Break MC, leaving approx 36" [91.5 cm] tail.
Trunk
With RS facing, carefully remove waste yarn for trunk opening. Place 8 released sts onto double-pointed needles.
Row 1: (RS). Join MC to first st along top edge of trunk opening. K4 from top edge. Pick up and knit 1 st in corner of opening. Turn, leaving rem 4 sts from bottom edge of Trunk Opening unworked. 5 sts.
Row 2: (WS). P5. Pick up and purl 1 st in corner of opening. Turn. 6 sts.
Row 3: (RS). K6. Pick up and knit 1 st in corner of opening. Turn. 7 sts.
Row 4: (WS) P7. Pick up and purl 1 st in corner of opening. Turn. 8 sts
Proceed in rnds as follows:
Rnd 1: (RS). K7. Knit tog next st and 1st st from bottom row of Trunk opening. K2. Knit tog last st from bottom row of Trunk opening with first st of next rnd. 10 sts. PM to mark beg of rnd.
Rnds 2 to 11: Knit.
Break yarn, leaving a tail. Thread tail through rem 10 sts, pull tight to close hole and fasten securely.
Weave tail from head cast-on through 1st rnd of head, pull tight to close hole and fasten securely.
Stuff head and trunk making sure trunk is facing down, head is round, and being careful not to overstuff.
Slip 12 sts from waste yarn back onto needles.
Cont dec head as follows:
Rnd 9: With MC (using tail), (K2tog) 6 times. 6 sts.
Break yarn. leaving a tail. Thread tail through rem 6 sts, pull tightly to close hole and fasten securely.
Left Ear
With RS facing, carefully remove scrap yarn for left ear opening. Place 6 released sts onto double-pointed needles.
Inc Section: Rnd 1: (RS). Join MC to first st along top edge of ear opening, leaving a long tail. *(Kfb) twice. K1. Pick up and knit 1 st in corner of opening. Rep from * once more. 12 sts. Join in rnd, PM on first st.
Rnd 2 and Alt Rnds: Knit.
Rnd 3:

Step 3

ABBREVIATIONS:
Alt = Alternate(ly)(ing)
Approx = Approximately
Beg = Begin(ning)
Cont = Continue(ity)
Dec = Decrease(ing)
Inc = Increase(ing)
K = Knit
Kfb = Knit Into Front and Back of Stitch
Kfbf = Knit Into Front, Back, Front of Stitch
K2tog = Knit Next 2 Stitches Together
P = Purl
PM = Place Marker
Pfb = Purl Into Front and Back of Stitch
Rem = Remain(ing)
Rep = Repeat
Rnd(s) = Round(s)
RS = Right side
Sl1Pwyib = Slip Stich Purlwise With Yarn In Back
SM = Slip Marker
St(s) = Stitch(es)
Tog = Together
WS = Wrong Side

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Supplies
Materials
Materials
 
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Loops & Threads® Carabiner Stitch Markers, 20ct.

    Item # 10154196 
    $7.49
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    The Original Poly-fil® Premium Fiber Fill Bag, 20oz.

    Item # 10509852 
    $2.97
    $8.49
    clearance
    clearance
    *No additional coupons or discounts may be applied. While supplies last. No rain checks.
 
Tools
Tools
 
  • img
    You’ll Need: 1

    Susan Bates® Plastic Yarn Needles

    Item # 10031585 
    $3.29
  • img
    809187847
    You’ll Need: 1

    Takumi Bamboo Double Pointed Knitting Needles, 7"

    Item # 10376123 
    $14.99
    • Color: None
    • Size: 10.5
    • Color: None
    • Size: 10.5
    +More Sizes
    • Color: None
    • Size: 10.5
    +More Sizes
    +More Options
  • img
    809187846
    You’ll Need: 1

    36" Circular Knitting Needles by Loops & Threads®

    Item # 10632865 
    $10.49
    • Color: Assorted
    • Size: US 10.5 / 6.5mm
    • Color: Assorted
    • Size: US 10.5 / 6.5mm
    +More Sizes
    • Color: Assorted
    • Size: US 10.5 / 6.5mm
    +More Sizes
    +More Options
 
You’ll Also Need
  • 1 - Bernat® Orange Flamingo Baby Blanket™ Yarn (10654292)
  • 1 - Bernat® Strawberry Sprinkle Baby Blanket™ Yarn (10654306)
  • 1 - Bernat® Orange Flamingo Baby Blanket™ Yarn (10655936)
Instructions
Step 1

MEASUREMENT: Approx 15" [38 cm] tall.
GAUGE: 9 sts and 16 rows = 4” [10 cm] in stocking st.
SPECIAL STITCH(ES) EXPLANATION(S):
- Kfb (Knit Into Front and Back of Stitch): Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch
- Kfbf (Knit Into Front, Back, Front of Stitch): Increase 2 stitches by knitting into front and back and front of next stitch
- Pfb (Purl Into Front and Back of Stitch): Increase 1 stitch by purling into front and back of next stitch
- Sl1Pwyib (Slip Stich Purlwise With Yarn In Back): Slip next stitch purlwise with yarn in back of work
NOTES:
- Head and Body are worked separately and seamed together.
- Head is stuffed, but Body remains unstuffed.
- Beg work on double-pointed needles switching to circular needle as necessary.
- On knit and purl rows, slip markers as necessary.

Step 2

INSTRUCTIONS:
HEAD
With MC and set of double-pointed needles, cast on 6 sts leaving a tail approx 8" [20.5 cm] for seaming. Divide sts evenly onto 3 needles. Join in rnd, PM on first st.
Inc Section: Rnd 1: Kfb in each st around. 12 sts.
Rnd 2 and alt rnds: Knit.
Rnd 3: *Kfb. K1. Rep from * around. 18 st.
Rnd 5: *Kfb. K2. Rep from * around. 24 sts.
Rnd 7: *Kfb. K3. Rep from * around. 30 sts.
Rnd 9: *Kfb. K4. Rep from * around. 36 sts.
Rnds 10 to 12: Knit.
Note: Ear and Trunk openings are created by knitting sts with waste yarn (use contrast A), then knitting them again with working yarn (MC). Waste yarn will be removed later, and sts will be picked up and worked to add ears and trunk.
Rnd 13: K1. Drop MC. With A, K3 – ear opening made. Slip 3 sts just worked back onto left-hand needle. Break A. Cont with MC, knit same 3 sts. K3. Drop MC. With A, K4 – trunk opening made. Slip 4 sts just worked back onto left-hand needle. Break A. Cont with MC, knit same 4 sts. K3. Drop MC. With A, K3 – ear opening made. Slip 3 sts just worked back onto left-hand needle. Break A. Cont with MC. Knit same 3 sts. Knit to end of rnd.
Rnds 14 and 15: Knit.
Dec Section: Rnd 1: *K2tog. K4. Rep from * around. 30 sts.
Rnd 2 and alt rnds: Knit.
Rnd 3: *K2tog. K3. Rep from * around. 24 sts.
Rnd 5: *K2tog. K2. Rep from * around. 18 sts.
Rnd 7: *K2tog. K1. Rep from * around. 12 sts.
PM at beg of next rnd to mark rnd.
Rnd 8: Knit.
Slip rem 12 sts to waste yarn. Break MC, leaving approx 36" [91.5 cm] tail.
Trunk
With RS facing, carefully remove waste yarn for trunk opening. Place 8 released sts onto double-pointed needles.
Row 1: (RS). Join MC to first st along top edge of trunk opening. K4 from top edge. Pick up and knit 1 st in corner of opening. Turn, leaving rem 4 sts from bottom edge of Trunk Opening unworked. 5 sts.
Row 2: (WS). P5. Pick up and purl 1 st in corner of opening. Turn. 6 sts.
Row 3: (RS). K6. Pick up and knit 1 st in corner of opening. Turn. 7 sts.
Row 4: (WS) P7. Pick up and purl 1 st in corner of opening. Turn. 8 sts
Proceed in rnds as follows:
Rnd 1: (RS). K7. Knit tog next st and 1st st from bottom row of Trunk opening. K2. Knit tog last st from bottom row of Trunk opening with first st of next rnd. 10 sts. PM to mark beg of rnd.
Rnds 2 to 11: Knit.
Break yarn, leaving a tail. Thread tail through rem 10 sts, pull tight to close hole and fasten securely.
Weave tail from head cast-on through 1st rnd of head, pull tight to close hole and fasten securely.
Stuff head and trunk making sure trunk is facing down, head is round, and being careful not to overstuff.
Slip 12 sts from waste yarn back onto needles.
Cont dec head as follows:
Rnd 9: With MC (using tail), (K2tog) 6 times. 6 sts.
Break yarn. leaving a tail. Thread tail through rem 6 sts, pull tightly to close hole and fasten securely.
Left Ear
With RS facing, carefully remove scrap yarn for left ear opening. Place 6 released sts onto double-pointed needles.
Inc Section: Rnd 1: (RS). Join MC to first st along top edge of ear opening, leaving a long tail. *(Kfb) twice. K1. Pick up and knit 1 st in corner of opening. Rep from * once more. 12 sts. Join in rnd, PM on first st.
Rnd 2 and Alt Rnds: Knit.
Rnd 3:

Step 3

ABBREVIATIONS:
Alt = Alternate(ly)(ing)
Approx = Approximately
Beg = Begin(ning)
Cont = Continue(ity)
Dec = Decrease(ing)
Inc = Increase(ing)
K = Knit
Kfb = Knit Into Front and Back of Stitch
Kfbf = Knit Into Front, Back, Front of Stitch
K2tog = Knit Next 2 Stitches Together
P = Purl
PM = Place Marker
Pfb = Purl Into Front and Back of Stitch
Rem = Remain(ing)
Rep = Repeat
Rnd(s) = Round(s)
RS = Right side
Sl1Pwyib = Slip Stich Purlwise With Yarn In Back
SM = Slip Marker
St(s) = Stitch(es)
Tog = Together
WS = Wrong Side

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