To Market

We are so lucky to have so many creative people in our lives. As we try to avoid all things plastic and embrace homemade when it comes to play things for the boys, it is great to get wonderful woolen knitted goodness. The mama sow and piglets have been a staple in Asher's play thanks to mama Kellie. Asher got the sow for his first birthday and the piglets for his second- they were called luca and leo for some time.I of course wondered if I could also knit some and over the course of the year have given my own sets out as gifts for little ones. I have to say though mama sow turned me off as she really was a lot of stitches and I felt the need for an in between pig- you know one of good market weight.And so I altered the pig pattern to create the Market Pig. A quick knit, with some finishing work. Finishing work is not my strength, but I think I have this dude pretty well figured out at this point so I thought I would share my pattern.

The Market Pig:
Cast on 24 stitches
knit 8 rows
Bind off 4 at beginning of next two rows
knit 8 rows
Cast on 4 stitches at beginning of next two rows
Knit 8 rows
Cast off 5 at beginning of next 2 rows
Knit one row, begin head decrease (you should have 14 stitches on the needle)
The decrease will be on either side of the center stitch for the remaining rows until 4 stitches are left to bind off.
Knit 5 knit the next two stitches together from the front, knit the next 2 stiches together from the back, knit to end (12 stitches)
Knit 4 knit the next two stitches together from the front, knit the next 2 stiches together from the back, knit to end (10 stitches)
Repeat until 4 remain and bind off, loop last stitch through to secure and cut a long tail to sew up the pig.
It should look something like this. Sew him up as is. don't try to match right sides or anything like that just sew the seams the best way you like and stuff firmly as you go. I prefer to use wool to stuff them and wool for the knitting, but then they aren't machine washable. Sew him up using that long tail of wool you left when you finished knitting. Should look like this, a little scary, no worries this pig is all about the ears. I have attached ears numerous ways and this is the most secure. With yarn needle and a length of wool your arm span go in through the rump. You will be bringing in the yarn to the ear spot securing it in the rear so you don't have to worry about winding in any loose ends.Pick up 4 stitches and knit four rows with the lenth of wool. Decrease on next rows until one remains and tie it through.Repeat for other ear, then take the ends and go back to the tail.

With all your ends at the bootie, braid them up and tie a know to secure them all and make a tail. Give it to your favorite kid and make another.