Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Knit Mini Minion



I don't know about you, but we are obsessed with "Despicable Me" in our house.  And I can't wait to see the new movie.  I found a crochet pattern for minions and made a few, but we all know that the smaller something is the cuter it is, so...  I made up a pattern for a knit mini minion.  And every time I give one to someone, someone else requests one, so I am posting the pattern here so everyone can make their own.

A few notes before I get started...
1.  I used standard 4-ply worsted weight yarn split in half (using 2 ply).  You could use a smaller yarn, if you want.  I just used what I already had on hand.

2.  I used size 0 knitting needles.  You could use larger needles and larger yarn and make a larger finished product.

3.  Minions have different hair, different heights, and one or two eyes, so make yours your own.

4.  I think I've made five of these so far and I tend to alter the pattern slightly each time for one reason or another.  I have photos included of three different minions if you are wondering why the photos don't match up.

Mini Minion

Finished Measurements
Each minion is about 1½ to 2 inches tall
Needles
US 0 or 1 (2.25 mm) double-pointed needles (set of 4), 2 spare needles (size 1 or smaller)

Legs

With black, cast on 6 sts and distribute them onto 3 needles to work in a round.
Knit 1 round in black, switch to blue, knit 3 rounds.
Break the yarn, and place the sts onto 2 spare needles with the first 3 sts on one needle and the last 3 sts on second needle.


Repeat for second leg without breaking the yarn. Place the first 3 sts on one needle and the last 3 sts on another needle.
Place the two legs side by side on their needles with the working yarn attached to the rightmost stitch on the back needle.


Transfer the stitches from the spare needles onto the adjacent working needles, so that the first 3 sts of each leg are on the needle in front, and the last 3 sts of each leg are on the needle in back.


Pick up a third needle, and beginning with the sts on the front needle, knit one round, flipping the needles around to work the back needle. This will join the legs together into one round.

Torso and head

Distribute the 12 sts onto 3 needles to continue working in rnds as follows:
Rnd 1: With blue [Kfb, k2] 4 times: 16 sts.
Rnd 2: Knit all sts.
[2 overall top rows - make sure spacing is right, may need to knit one blue st before starting next round]
Rnd 3: With blue, k5; switch to yellow, k3; repeat once.
Rnd 4: With blue, k5; switch to yellow, k3; repeat once.
Rnd 5: With all yellow, knit around.
Rnds 6-18: Knit around.
Rnd 19: [K2tog] 8 times: 8 sts.
Break the yarn. Use needle to weave through remaining sts, pull tightly to close.

Eyes & Goggles

With black, embroider eyes with 4 sts for each, spaced about 2 sts apart, if making two eyes.
With white, embroider around the black.
With gray, embroider around the white.
With black, stitch a strap around from the side of the goggles, around the back of the head, and to the other side of the goggles, if two eyes.

Arms - Make 2

With black, cast on 3 sts onto one needle.  Knit one row of I-cord.
Switch to yellow.  Knit 6 rows of I-cord.
Break the yarn and draw it tightly through the sts with needle.
Sew to side of body and weave in loose ends.

Overall straps

Use blue to stitch overall straps from corner of overalls, over arm, and connect to back overall corner.  Repeat for the other side.


Hair

Use black to make hair as you wish.


One of the earlier versions

A view from the side

My first mini minion... with two eyes