Tabitha the Destash Kitty

By Pen Connor
OliverBoliver.typepad.com

Tabitha the Destash Kitty

Unlike some cats Tabitha is dependable but like all cats shes resourceful. Resouceful in that she is here
to use up your odds and ends of stash which you simply cant bear to throw away. She is just the right
project to help you to use up whats left after knitting a sweater or a pair of socks.

Like all my toys, Tabitha can be made in any wool weight; just choose needles which are a few sizes
smaller than those recommended on the label. I knitted Tabitha in Manos Del Uruguay Silk Blend (green
kitty) on 3.25mm needles and Sokkusu-O (purple & orange kitty)on 2.25mm needles.

As always, please do not use safety eyes if giving to a child under 3 years and if in doubt, always err on
the side of caution and use felt or embroidered eyes instead.

And of course, do drop me a line if you have any questions!

Happy knitting and enjoy!
Pen x
pen@oliverboliver.com

Tabitha the Destash Kitty v1

Copyright 2012 - Penny Connor www.oliverboliver.typepad.com
 A Quick Guide to Oliver Boliver Patterns

1) Needle size, Tension and Yarn Weight - You choose

Dont panic! All my patterns can be knitted using any yarn and any needle size. Simply reduce the
size of the needles by at least 2 sizes recommended on the ball band. You will need to adjust the
amounts of yarn as appropriate as thicker yarns are heavier so you will need more. I have
provided the size of the creature knitted usually using DK weight yarn (although some are using
worsted/aran). A worsted/aran weight will produce a bigger critter and a DK weight a smaller one.

2) Why does my critter not look like yours?

Ok - good question! The answer usually lies in the positioning of the eyes and in the actual stuff-
ing of the critter. Trust me on this; spend a little time in positioning the eyes before sticking the
washers on and it will make a huge difference. Then try not to over stuff it like the Thanksgiving
turkey because if you do, thats exactly how its going to look! Add a little stuffing at a time and
look at your increases and decreases and add a little more where there are increases and reduce
it where there are decreases. Knitted fabric will s-t-r-e-t-c-h and too much is bad when trying to
create a good shape for your toy. If your critter looks like hes been tucking into the biscuit barrel
then hes probably over stuffed! Finally, dont be afraid to stop, pull all the stuffing out, swear a
little at it and then start again. Your critter is not a parrot and wont embarrass you in front of the
neighbours/children by repeating your expletives in polite company!

3) Patterns are good for the environment (ish)

Ive restyled my patterns so that you only need to print off the relevant pages. We all know that
printer ink is expensive, especially coloured ink, so if you dont need to print off the photos then
leave them on the computer! If you prefer to print off everything then thats ok too; I just want to
give everyone the option either way.

4) Can I make this pattern to raise money for charity or for gifts?
My patterns are for personal use only which means you cant go into commercial production
selling huge quantities of creatures. However, I am delighted if you would like to use the pattern
to give as a gift or to raise money for charity. All I ask is that you credit me as the designer and
state that patterns are available from www.oliverboliver.typepad.com.

5) Can I sell/swap/share your patterns or use them as teaching aids?

This pattern is an original, copyrighted design. Please do not reproduce, photocopy, scan, sell,
swap, share or distribute this pattern or any part electronically or by paper. So, I guess thats a no!
Sorry! Please contact me directly regarding using this as a teaching aid and we can discuss it! Also,
please do not offer this pattern as a swap as youd be surprised how many times a pattern can be
swapped which means theres less of an incentive for me to keep designing!

6) Any more questions?

Please drop me a line at pen@oliverboliver.com and Ill do everything within my power to help.

Tabitha the Destash Kitty v1

Copyright 2012 - Penny Connor
www.oliverboliver.typepad.com Page 2 of 4
 Materials The Pattern
Set of DPNs (if using) or circular needle (if using
magic loop method)
Extra knitting needle to cast off using 3 needle bind Construction Notes
off (if using magic loop method)
Yarn The body and head are knitted as one piece
- 4ply/Sock - approx 44 - 54m before then picking up stitches along the head
- DK - approx 42 - 52m decreases for the ears. If using safety eyes,
- Aran/Worsted - approx 70 - 80m secure them in place before then stuffing and
2 x safety eyes or felt for eyes (8mm for sock picking up the cast on stitches to close the bottom
weight/12mm for DK weight/15mm for Aran) of the kitty. Knit the tail and feet separately and
Pink embroidery yarn (for nose) sew in place. Finally embroider a tiny nose.
Toy Stuffing
Blunt ended sewing needle Body & Head
Pins (optional)
Row Counter (optional) Cast on 40sts, join in the round being careful not
to twist.
Rs1-18: K all
Size
Neck decreases
4ply/Sock - 10cm/4in high using 2.25mm needles R19: (K7, k2tog, K2, SSK, K7) x 2 - 36sts
DK - 14cm/5.5in high using 3.25mm needles. R20: and every even row - K all
Aran/Worsted - 20cm/8in high using 4.5mm needles R21: (K6, k2tog, K2, SSK, K6) x 2- 32sts
R23: (K5, k2tog, K2, SSK, K5) x 2 - 28sts
R25: (K4, k2tog, K2, SSK, K4) x 2 - 24sts
Abbreviations
Head increases
R27: (K4, M1R, K4, M1L, K4) x 2 - 28sts
Approx - approximately R29: (K5, M1R, K4, M1L, K5) x 2 - 32sts
Beg - beginning R31: (K6, M1R, K4, M1L, K6) x 2 - 36sts
Dec - decrease(s)
R33: (K7, M1R, K4, M1L, K7) x 2 - 40sts
Inc - increase(s)
K - knit R35: (K8, M1R, K4, M1L, K8) x 2 - 44sts
K2tog - knit 2 sts together (dec count by 1 st) R36: K all
K3tog - knit 3 sts together (dec count by 2sts) R37: and every odd row - K all
M1R - make 1 right - insert right hand needle under
the horizontal bar between the sts and lift. Slip the Head decreases
st onto the left hand needle purlwise. Knit into the
front of the st. R38: (K8, K2tog, k2, SSK, K8) x 2 - 40sts
M1L - make 1 left - insert right hand needle under R40: (K7, K2tog, k2, SSK, K7) x 2 - 36sts
the horizontal bar between the sts and lift. Slip the R42: (K6, K2tog, k2, SSK, K6) x 2 - 32sts
st onto the left hand needle knitwise. Knit into the R46: (K5, K2tog, k2, SSK, K5) x 2 - 28sts
back of the st. R48: (K4, K2tog, k2, SSK, K4) x 2 - 24sts
PSSO - pass slipped st over
R49: K6
PU - pick up
R - round
Rem - remaining Arrange the sts on DPNs or circular needle so
Rep - repeat that you have 12sts on one needle and 12sts on
RS - right side the other so that when laid flat you clearly have
Sl1PW - slip 1st as if to purl the increases and decreases running down the
SSK - slip slip knit - slip knitwise, slip knitwise, knit sides of the cat (not the front and back). Turn the
the 2 slipped sts together (decrease by 1) work inside out by pushing it through the middle
St(s) - stitch(es) of the sts on the needles. Cast off using 3 needle
bind off method.

Alternatively, do not turn work inside out and graft

sts together using kitchener stitch.

Tabitha the Destash Kitty v1

Copyright 2012 - Penny Connor
www.oliverboliver.typepad.com Page 3 of 4
 Ears Tail
With the work turned the right side out PU 9sts along NB. If using DK or 4ply yarn you will need to
the SSK decrease edge. stuff the tail as you knit.
Cast on 9 sts and join in the round being careful
not to twist. Knit until the tail is approx the length
of the head and body piece.

Last Row: K3tog x 3 - 3sts

Break yarn and thread through remaining 6sts

and fasten off. Stuff the tail. Pass the yarn
through the inside of the tail and pull. This will
give the tail a slight bend. The more you pull, the
more it will bend. Fasten off when you are happy
with the curve factor!

Making Up
Fig. 1 Showing the first stitch to be picked up along the Position the safety eyes and attach the backs.
SSK edge Then stuff the head and body cavity. Do not over-
stuff the body as you are looking to achieve a
PU 9sts along the K2tog decrease edge. You will have flatish base for the kitty to sit on.
2 columns of knitted sts between the picked up sts.
Take your needles and PU40sts along the cast
Working in the round, knit as follows:- on edge starting with the first stitch at the centre
back of the kitty.
R1-2: K all
R3: (K3, K3tog, K3) x 2 - 14sts R1: K all
R4: K all R2: (K2tog, K6, SSK) x 4 - 32sts
R5: (K2, K3tog, K2) x 2 - 10sts R3: K all
R6: K all R4: (K2tog, K4, SSK) x 4 - 24sts
R7: (K1, K3tog, K1) x 2 - 6sts R5: (K2tog, K2, SSK) x 4 - 16sts
R8: K all R6: (K2tog, SSK) x 4 - 8sts
R9: (Sl1PW. K2tog, PSSO) x 2 - 2sts
Break yarn and thread through rem 8sts and
Break yarn and thread through remaining 2sts and fasten off
fasten off. Repeat on the opposite side for the other
ear Position the tail at the back centre of the kitty just
above the original cast on edge. Pin the feet in
Feet place along the original cast on edge. Bring the
tail round the side of the body and bend it over in
NB. If using DK or 4ply yarn you will need to stuff a kitty-like shape. Make sure the kitty will stand
the feet before breaking the yarn and fastening off. up on its own before sewing the feet and tail in
place. If it doesnt re-arrange the feet and tail to
Cast on 12 sts and join in the round being careful not create more stability.
to twist
Finally sew horizontal
R1-6: K all stitches in a triangular
R7: K2tog x 6 - 6sts shape for the nose.

Enjoy!
Break yarn and thread through remaining 6sts and
fasten off. Fill with stuffing and using whip stitch to
sew the cast on edges together.

Tabitha the Destash Kitty v1

Copyright 2012 - Penny Connor
www.oliverboliver.typepad.com Page 4 of 4