Make this fun, whale-themed mobile to entertain your little one. It’s easy to personalize this to match your own taste or the décor in your nursery. With little fish, whales and clouds, this mobile is a whimsical addition to a chic nursery. Personalize it to your unique tastes by adding different shaped beads, a different color scheme such as rainbows, pastels or monochrome – the sky’s the limit!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Sizes: Large Whale: 5.5” long, Small Whale: 4.25” long, Assembled: 9” wide x approx. 20” tall
Gauge: 20 sts and 27 rnds = 4” [10 cm] in St st after stuffing
Materials
Yarn: Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted (100% Wool; 220 yards [201 meters]/100 grams): #12267 Dolphin (MC, 2 skeins), #14018 Rhapsody (CC1, 1 skein), #12288 Bashful Pink (CC2, 1 skein), #14016 Ice Flow (CC3, 1 skein)
Needle: US size 4 (3.5 mm) set of DPNs
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, polyester stuffing, fishing line, 9” diameter embroidery hoop (inner ring only), 19 (8mm) beads, 29 (3mm) beads, small amount of black yarn
Pattern Notes
Whales are worked in the round with tails knit flat and seamed.
Fish are worked entirely in the round.
Clouds are worked in the round. Sew all seams using mattress stitch
Pattern
Large Whale (make 1 with MC)
CO 8 sts, leaving a 6” tail. Divide evenly between DPNs and join to work in the rnd.
Shape Head
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: *K1, m1; rep from * to end. (16 sts)
Rnd 3: Knit.
Rnd 4: *K2, m1; rep from * to end. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Knit.
Rnd 6: *K3, m1; rep from * to end. (32 sts)
With beginning tail, close cast-on hole.
Body
Rnds 1-14: Knit.
Stuff Body.
Shape Tail
Rnd 1: K3, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k10, ssk, k4, ssk, k3. (28 sts)
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: K2, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k10, ssk, k3, ssk, k2. (24 sts)
Rnd 4: Knit.
Rnd 5: K1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k10, ssk, k2, ssk, k1. (20 sts)
Rnd 6: Knit.
Rnd 7: K3, k2tog, k10, ssk, k3. (18 sts)
Rnd 8: Knit.
Stuff Body & Tail.
Short-Row Section 1
Row 1 (RS): K10, W&T.
Row 2 (WS): P2, W&T.
Row 3: K2, k2tog next st tog with wrap, k2, W&T.
Row 4: P5, ssp next st tog with wrap, p2, W&T.
Row 5: K8, k2tog next st tog with wrap, k2, W&T.
Row 6: P11, ssp next st tog with wrap, p2, W&T.
Rnds 7-8: Knit, working tog rem 2 wraps.
Rnd 9: (K2tog) twice, k10, (ssk) twice. (14 sts)
Rnd 10: Knit.
Short-Row Section 2
Row 1 (RS): K8, W&T.
Row 2 (WS): P2, W&T.
Row 3: K2, k2tog next st tog with wrap, k1, W&T.
Row 4: P4, ssp next st tog with wrap, p1, W&T.
Row 5: K6, k2tog next st tog with wrap, k1, W&T.
Row 6: P8, ssp next st tog with wrap, p1, W&T.
Rnds 7-8: Knit, working tog rem 2 wraps.
End of Tail
Rnd 1: (K2tog, k2) twice, ssk, k2, ssk. (10 sts)
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: K2tog, k6, ssk. (8 sts)
Stuff Tail.
Top Fin
Row 1 (RS): K4, place next 4 sts on holder. Turn.
Row 2 (WS): P1, m1p, p2, m1p, p1. (6 sts)
Row 3: K1, m1, k4, m1, k1. (8 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K1, m1, knit to last st, m1, k1. (10 sts)
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: Rep Row 5. (12 sts)
Row 8: Purl.
Shape Fin with Short-Rows
Row 1 (RS): K4, W&T.
Row 2 (WS): P4.
Row 3: K2, W&T.
Row 4: P2.
Row 5: K2, k2tog next st tog with wrap, k1, k2tog next st tog with wrap, sl 2 pwise wyib, k5.
Row 6: P4, W&T.
Row 7: K4.
Row 8: P2, W&T.
Row 9: K2.
Row 10: P2, ssp next st tog with wrap, p1, ssp next st tog with wrap, sl 2 pwise wyif, p5.
BO all sts.
Bottom Fin
Join yarn, leaving 10” tail for seaming.
Knit a RS row.
Beg with WS Row 2, work as for Top Fin. Do not stuff Fin.
Seam Top and Bottom Fins tog using mattress stitch.
Left Side Fin
With center of Head facing you and Tail pointing upward, beg at Rnd 14 of Body and coming back toward the head, pick up 10 sts, 1 st per rnd. Begin Row 1 facing downward on top of the Body. Alternatively, CO 10 sts and seam the Fin to the Body.
Rows 1-2: Sl 1 pwise wyif, k9.
Row 3: Sl 1 pwise wyif, k2tog, k7. (9 sts)
Row 4: Sl 1 pwise wyif, k5, ssk, k1. (8 sts)
Row 5: Sl 1 pwise wyif, k2tog, k5. (7 sts)
Row 4: Sl 1 pwise wyif, k3, ssk, k1. (6 sts)
Row 5: Sl 1 pwise wyif, BO all sts.
Right Side Fin
With center of Head facing you and Tail pointing upward, beg at Rnd 14 of Body and coming back toward the head, pick up 10 sts, 1 st per rnd. Begin Row 1 facing upward underneath the Body. Complete as for Left Side Fin.
Small Whale (make 4 with MC)
CO 8 sts, leaving a 6” tail. Divide evenly between DPNs and join to work in the rnd.
Shape Head
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: *K1, m1; rep from * to end. (16 sts)
Rnd 3: Knit.
Rnd 4: *K2, m1; rep from * to end. (24 sts)
With beg tail, close CO hole.
Body
Rnds 1-10: Knit.
Stuff Body.
Shape Tail
Rnd 1: (K2, k2tog) twice, k8, (ssk, k2) twice. (20 sts)
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: (K1, k2tog) twice, k8, (ssk, k1) twice. (16 sts)
Rnd 4: Knit.
Rnd 5: K2, k2tog, k8, ssk, k2. (14 sts)
Rnd 6: Knit.
Short-Row Section 1
Row 1 (RS): K9, W&T.
Row 2 (WS): P4, W&T.
Row 3: K4, k2tog next st tog with wrap, k2, W&T.
Row 4: P7, ssp next st tog with wrap, p2, W&T.
Rnds 5-6: Knit, working tog rem 2 wraps.
Rnd 9: (K1, k2tog) twice, k2, (ssk, k1) twice. (10 sts)
Rnd 10: Knit.
Short-Row Section 2
Row 1 (RS): K6, W&T.
Row 2 (WS): P2, W&T.
Row 3: K2, k2tog next st tog with wrap, k1, W&T.
Row 4: P4, ssp next st tog with wrap, p1, W&T.
Rnds 5-6: Knit, working tog rem 2 wraps.
End of Tail
Rnd 1: K2tog, k6, ssk. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: Knit.
Stuff Tail.
Top Fin
Row 1 (RS): K2. Place next 4 sts on holder. Turn.
Row 2 (WS): P1, m1p, p2, m1p, p1. (6 sts)
Row 3: K1, m1, k4, m1, k1. (8 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K1, m1, k6, m1, k1. (10 sts)
Row 6: Purl.
Shape Fin with Short-Rows
Row 1 (RS): K3, W&T.
Row 2 (WS): P3.
Row 3: K1, W&T.
Row 4: P1.
Row 5: K1, k2tog next st tog with wrap, k1, k2tog next st tog with wrap, sl 2 pwise wyib, k4.
Row 6: P3, W&T.
Row 7: K3.
Row 8: P1, W&T.
Row 9: K1.
Row 10: P1, ssp next st tog with wrap, p1, ssp next st tog with wrap, sl 2 pwise wyif, p4.
BO all sts.
Bottom Fin
Join yarn leaving 10” tail for seaming. Knit a RS row.
Beg with WS Row 2, work as for Top Fin. Do not stuff Fin.
Seam Top and Bottom Fins tog using mattress stitch.
Left Side Fin
With center of Head facing you and Tail pointing upward, beg at Rnd 10 of Body and coming back toward the head, pick up 6 sts, 1 st per rnd. Begin Row 1 facing downward on top of the Body.
Alternatively, CO 6 sts and seam the Fin to the Body.
Rows 1-2: Sl 1 pwise wyif, k5.
Row 3: Sl 1 pwise wyif, k2tog, k3. (5 sts)
Row 4: Sl 1 pwise wyif, k1, ssk, k1. (4 sts)
Row 5: Sl 1 pwise wyif, BO all sts.
Right Side Fin
With center of Head facing you and Tail pointing upward, beg at Rnd 10 of Body and coming back toward the head, pick up 6 sts, 1 st per rnd.
Begin Row 1 facing upward underneath the Body.
Complete as for Left Side Fin.
Fish (make 4 with CC1 and 4 with CC2)
CO 4 sts, leaving a 6” tail. Divide evenly between DPNs and join to work in the rnd.
Body
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: (K1, m1) 4 times. (8 sts)
Rnd 3: Knit.
Rnd 4: (K1, m1, k2, m1, k1) twice. (12 sts)
Rnds 5-11: Knit.
Rnd 12: (Ssk, k2, k2tog) twice. (8 sts)
Stuff Body.
Rnd 13: Knit.
Rnd 14: (Ssk, k2tog) twice. (4 sts)
Rnd 15: Knit.
Tail
Rnd 16: (K1, m1) 4 times. (8 sts)
Rnd 17: Knit.
Rnd 18: (K1, m1, k2, m1, k1) twice. (12 sts)
Rnd 19: Knit.
Rnd 20: (K1, m1, k4, m1, k1) twice. (16 sts)
Rnd 21: Knit.
Do not stuff Tail. Place first 8 sts on one DPN, place last 8 sts on separate DPN. Graft the two sets of sts tog using Kitchener st. Alternatively, BO all sts leaving 8” tail. Sew Bind-off edge tog to form end of Tail.
Cloud (make 4 with CC3)
CO 6 sts leaving a 6” tail. Divide evenly between DPNs and join to work in the rnd.
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: (K1, m1, k2, m1) twice. (10 sts)
Rnd 3: (K1, m1, k4, m1) twice. (14 sts.
Rnd 4: (K1, m1, k6, m1) twice. (18 sts.
Rnd 5: (K1, m1, k8, m1) twice. (22 sts.
Rnds 6-7: Knit.
Rnd 8: (K1, k2tog, k6, ssk) twice. (18 sts)
Rnd 9: (K1, k2tog, k4, ssk) twice. (14 sts)
Rnd 10: (K1, k2tog, k2, ssk) twice. (10 sts)
Rnd 11: Knit.
Rnd 12: (K1, m1, k4, m1) twice. (14 sts)
Rnd 13: (K1, m1, k6, m1) twice. (18 sts)
Rnd 14: (K1, m1, k8, m1) twice. (22 sts)
Rnds 15-16: Knit.
Rnd 17: (K1, k2tog, k6, ssk) twice. (18 sts)
Rnd 18: (K1, k2tog, k4, ssk) twice. (14 sts)
Rnd 19: (K1, k2tog, k2, ssk) twice. (10 sts)
Stuff.
Rnd 20: (K1, k2tog, ssk) twice. (6 sts)
Close CO hole. Break yarn leaving 6” tail. Pass tail through rem live sts, pull taut, fasten off.
Finishing
With black yarn, embroider smiles and eyes on Small and Large Whales.
Weave in any ends.
Assembly
Cut 4, 2-yd pieces of fishing line.
A Strands (make 2)
Form a small loop in one end of one of the 2-yd pieces of fishing line and tie an overhand knot to secure. Tie an additional knot if needed so that beads do not slide off. Slide down an 8mm bead, then a 3 mm bead. Thread fishing line through a Small Whale, using photo as a guide. Take care to test that the whale is balanced. Arrange whale so that there is 2-3” between the last bead and bottom of whale. Tie a knot or two in the fishing line through the top of the whale to secure. Tie a large knot 2-3” above top of whale.
Slide down a 3 mm bead, 8 mm bead, and another 3 mm bead. Thread fishing line through a CC2 Fish. Tie a knot or two in the fishing line through the top of the fish to secure. Tie a large knot 2-3” above top of fish.
Slide down a 3 mm bead, 8 mm bead, and another 3 mm bead. Thread fishing line through a cloud. Tie a knot or two in the fishing line through the top of the cloud to secure. Tie a large knot 2-3” above top of cloud. Slide down a 3mm bead, 8 mm bead, and another 3 mm bead. Thread fishing line through a CC1 Fish. Tie a knot or two in the fishing line through the top of the fish to secure. Set aside.
B Strands (make 2)
Assemble in the same way as A Strands, stringing stuffed items in the following order: CC1 Fish, Cloud, Small Whale, CC2 Fish.
Center Strand (make 1)
Cut 1, 1½-yd piece of fishing line. Form a small loop in one end of one of the 2-yd pieces of fishing line and tie an overhand knot to secure. Tie an additional knot if needed so that beads do not slide off. Slide down an 8 mm bead, then a 3 mm bead. Thread fishing line through the large whale, using photo as a guide. Take care to test that the whale is balanced.
Connecting to Hoop
Tie an A Strand to the embroidery hoop in an overhand knot, leaving 2-3” from top of last piece at top of Strand before joining to hoop. Tie the other A Strand directly across from the first A Strand. Tie B Strands centered in between A Strands. Take care to place Strands at equal distances from each other to ensure balance. Bring Center Strand up through middle of hoop leaving 2-3” from top of Large Whale and hoop. Holding all 5 strands together, trim ends even, leaving as much length as possible. Slide down 2 8mm beads through all strands. Tie an overhand knot over the top of the beads to secure.
Hanging Loop I Cord
With MC, CO 4 sts to DPN, *k4, slide sts to other end of needle and place in left hand; rep from * until Rope meas 9”.
BO all sts. Sew cast-on edge to bind-off edge. Still holding the 5 strands together as one, thread through tapestry needle and through the center of the Hanging Loop I Cord, entering at cast-on edge and exiting at bind-off edge. Tie strands in several overhand knots to secure. Trim close to knots. Secure knot by heating – hold a lighter or flame to the knot, but only briefly so as to not melt. With MC, wrap around knot to cover. Hide ends inside I Cord.