Critter Cushions

Skill Level: Easy

Size: Owl: 15.75” / [40 cm] x 13.75’ / [35 cm]; Fox: 15.75” / [40 cm] x 13.5” / [34 cm]; Badger: 15.75” / [40 cm] x 13.5” / [34 cm]

Gauge: 16 sts and 16 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking

Materials

Yarn: Studio Donegal Donegal Aran Tweed (100% Wool; 88 yards [80 meters]/50 grams):

Fox: 4814 Heather (MC, 4 balls); 4816 Fuchsia (CC1, 1 ball); 4843 Aubergine (CC2, 1 ball).

Badger: 4843 Aubergine (MC, 4 balls); Báinín (CC1, 1 ball); 4847 Teal (CC2, 1 ball).

Owl: 4847 Teal (MC, 3 balls); 1443 Báinín (CC2, 2 balls); 4816 Fuchsia (CC2, 1 ball); 4843 Aubergine (CC3, small amounts for embroidery).

Needles: US size 7(4.5 mm) 24” straight needles

Notions: Crochet hook for making tassels, toy stuffing, tapestry needle.

Special Stitches

CDD (Centered double decrease): Slip 2 stitches together knitwise, k1, pass slipped stitches over. 2 sts decreased.

m1r (Make 1 st right leaning): Pick up bar between stitches from the front with LN needle and knit through back.

m1l (Make 1 st left leaning): Pick up bar between stitches from the back with LN needle and knit through front.

Pattern Notes

This set of cushions are worked in intarsia from the bottom up. Front and back are worked separately before being sewn together and stuffed. Features are then added with embroidery as well as some knitted ears or ear tuffs.

Heather the Fox

Front

With CC2, CO 7 sts.

Follow Fox Chart from Row 1 through Row 94, including all shaping and color changes.

BO all sts

Back

With MC, CO 7 sts.

Row 1 (RS): Knit. (7 sts)

Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl.

Row 3: K1, kfb, k3, kfb, k1. (9 sts)

Row 5: K1, kfb, k5, kfb, k1. (11 sts)

Row 7: K1, m1r, k9, m1l, k1. (13 sts)

Row 9: K1, m1r, k11, m1l, k1. (15 sts)

Row 11: K1, m1r, k13, m1l, k1. (17 sts)

Row 13: K1, m1r, k15, m1l, k1. (19 sts)

Row 15: K1, m1r, k17, m1l, k1. (21 sts)

Row 17: K1, m1r, k19, m1l, k1. (23 sts)

Row 19: K1, m1r, k21, m1l, k1. (25 sts)

Row 21: K1 m1r, k23, m1l, k1. (27 sts)

Row 23: K1, m1r, k25, m1l, k1. (29 sts)

Row 25: K1, m1r, k27, m1l, k1. (31 sts)

Row 27: K1, m1r, k29, m1l, k1. (33 sts)

Row 29: K1, m1r, k31, m1l, k1. (35 sts)

Row 31: K1, m1r, k33, m1l, k1. (37 sts)

Row 33: K1, m1r, k35, m1l, k1. (39 sts)

Row 35: K1, m1r, k37, m1l, k1. (41 sts)

Row 37: K1, m1r, k39, m1l, k1. (43 sts)

Row 39: K1, m1r, k41, m1l, k1. (45 sts)

Row 41: K1, m1r, k43, m1l, k1. (47 sts)

Row 43: K1, m1r, k45, m1l, k1. (49 sts)

Row 45: K1, m1r, k47, m1l, k1. (51 sts)

Row 47 and all RS rows to Row 77: Knit.

Row 79: K1, ssk, k45, k2tog, k1. (49 sts)

Row 81: K1, ssk, k43, k2tog, k1. (47 sts)

Row 83: K1, ssk, k41, k2tog, k1. (45 sts)

Row 85: K1, ssk, k39, k2tog, k1. (43 sts)

Row 87: K1, ssk, k37, k2tog, k1. (41 sts)

Row 89: K1, ssk, k35, k2tog, k1. (39 sts)

Row 91: K1, ssk, k33, k2tog, k1. (37 sts)

Row 93: K1, ssk, k31, k2tog, k1. (35 sts)

Row 94: Knit.

BO all sts.

Ears

Front (make 2)

With MC, CO 15 sts.

Follow Fox Ear Chart for color changes.

Row 1 (RS): Knit. (15 sts)

Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl.

Row 3: Knit.

Row 5: K1, ssk, k9, k2tog, k1. (13 sts)

Row 7: K1, ssk, k7, k2tog, k1. (11 sts)

Row 9: K1, ssk, k5, k2tog, k1. (9 sts)

Row 11: K1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1. (7 sts)

Row 13: K1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1. (5 sts)

Row 15: K1, CDD, k1. (3 sts)

Row 17: CDD. (1 st)

Break yarn and pull through live st to fasten off.

Back (make 2)

With MC, CO 15 sts.

Follow Fox Ear Chart for color changes.

Row 1 (RS): Knit. (15 sts)

Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl.

Row 3: Knit.

Row 5: K1, ssk, k9, k2tog, k1. (13 sts)

Row 7: K1, ssk, k7, k2tog, k1. (11 sts)

Row 9: K1, ssk, k5, k2tog, k1. (9 sts)

Row 11: K1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1. (7 sts)

Row 13: K1, ssk, k, k2tog, k1. (5 sts)

Row 15: K1, CDD, k1. (3 sts)

Row 17: CDD. (1 st)

Break yarn and pull through live st to fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in all ends and block to dimensions.

With right sides together, sew cushion together with matching yarn or thread, leaving a small gap to turn out and to stuff. Turn cushion right side out, stuff, and sew the gap closed with matching thread.

Sew Front of Ear to Back of Ear. Lightly stuff. Attach to head using photos as guideline. Repeat for other ear.

Onyx the Badger

Front

With CC2, CO 5 sts.

Follow Badger Chart from Row 1 through Row 96, including all shaping and color changes.

BO all sts.

Back

With MC, CO 5 sts.

Row 1 (RS): Knit. (5 sts)

Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl.

Row 3: K1, m1r, k3, m1l, k1. (7 sts)

Row 5: K1, m1r, k5, m1l, k1. (9 sts)

Row 7: K1, m1r, k7, m1l, k1. (11 sts)

Row 9: K1, m1r, k9, m1l, k1. (13 sts)

Row 11: K1, m1r, k11, m1l, k1. (15 sts)

Row 13: K1, m1r, k13, m1l, k1. (17 sts)

Row 15: K1, m1r, k15, m1l, k1. (19 sts)

Row 17: K1, m1r, k17, m1l, k1. (21 sts)

Row 19: K1, m1r, k19, m1l, k1. (23 sts)

Row 21: K1, m1r, k21, m1l, k1. (25 sts)

Row 23: K1, m1r, k23, m1l, k1. (27 sts)

Row 25: K1, m1r, k25, m1l, k1. (29 sts)

Row 27: K1, m1r, k27, m1l, k1. (31 sts)

Row 29: K1 m1r, k29, m1l, k1. (33 sts)

Row 31: K1, m1r, k31, m1l, k1. (35 sts)

Row 33: K1, m1r, k33, m1l, k1. (37 sts)

Row 35: K1, m1r, k35, m1l, k1. (39 sts)

Row 37: K1, m1r, k37, m1l, k1. (41 sts)

Row 39: K1, m1r, k39, m1l, k1. (43 sts)

Row 41: K1, m1r, k41, m1l, k1. (45 sts)

Row 43: K1, m1r, k43, m1l, k1. (47 sts)

Row 45: K1, m1r, k45, m1l, k1. (49 sts)

Row 47: K1, m1r, k47, m1l, k1. (51 sts)

Row 49 and all RS rows to Row 79: Knit.

Row 81: K1, ssk, k45, k2tog, k1. (49 sts)

Row 83: K1, ssk, k43, k2tog, k1. (47 sts)

Row 85: K1, ssk, k41, k2tog, k1. (45 sts)

Row 87: K1, ssk, k39, k2tog, k1. (43 sts)

Row 89: K1, ssk, k37, k2tog, k1. (41 sts)

Row 91: K1, ssk, k35, k2tog, k1. (39 sts)

Row 93: K1, ssk, k33, k2tog, k1. (37 sts)

Row 95: K1, ssk, k31, k2tog, k1. (35 sts)

Row 96: Purl.

BO all sts.

Ears

Front (make 2)

With MC, CO 12 sts.

Follow Badge Front of Ear Chart for color changes.

Row 1 (RS): Knit. (12 sts)

Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl.

Row 3: K1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. (10 sts)

Row 5: K1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. (8 sts)

Row 7: K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. (6 sts)

Row 9: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. (4 sts)

Row 10: Purl.

BO all sts.

Back (make 2)

With MC, CO 12 sts

Follow Badge Back of Ear Chart for color changes.

Row 1 (RS): Knit. (12 sts)

Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl.

Row 3: K1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. (10 sts)

Row 5: K1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. (8 sts)

Row 7: K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. (6 sts)

Row 9: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. (4 sts)

Row 10: Purl.

BO all sts.

Finishing

Weave in all ends and block to dimensions.

With right sides together, sew cushion together with matching yarn or thread, leaving a small gap to turn out and to stuff. Turn cushion right side out, stuff, and sew closed the gap with matching thread.

Sew Front of Ear to Back of Ear. Lightly stuff. Attach to head using photos as guideline. Repeat for other ear.

Sapphire the Owl

Front

With CC2, CO 15 sts.

Follow Owl Chart from Row 1 through Row 94, for color changes.

Row 1 (RS): K1, m1r, k13, m1l, k1. (17 sts)

Row 2 and all WS rows to Row 50: Purl.

Row 3: K1, m1r, k15, m1l, k1. (19 sts)

Row 5: K1, m1r, k17, m1l, k1. (21 sts)

Row 7: K1, m1r, k19, m1l, k. (23 sts)

Row 9: K1, m1r, k21, m1l, k1. (25 sts)

Row 11: K1, m1r, k23, m1l, k1. (27 sts)

Row 13: K1, m1r, k25, m1l, k1. (29 sts)

Row 15: K1, m1r, k27, m1l, k1. (31 sts)

Row 17: K1, m1r, k29, m1l, k1. (33 sts)

Row 19: K1, m1r, k31, m1l, k1. (35 sts)

Row 21: K1, m1r, k33, m1l, k1. (37 sts)

Row 23: K1, m1r, k35, m1l, k1. (39 sts)

Row 25: K1, m1r, k37, m1l, k1. (41 sts)

Row 27: K1, m1r, k39, m1l, k1. (43 sts)

Row 29: K1, m1r, k41, m1l, k1. (45 sts)

Row 31: K1, m1r, k43, m1l, k1. (47 sts)

Row 33: K1, m1r, k45, m1l, k1. (49 sts)

Row 35: K1, m1r, k47, m1l, k1. (51 sts)

Row 37 and all RS rows to Row 49: Knit.

Row 50: K1, p49, k1

Row 51 and all RS rows to 67: Knit.

Row 52: K2, p22, k3, p22, k2.

Row 54: (K3, p21) twice, k3.

Row 56: K4, p20, k3, p20, k4.

Row 58: (K5, p18) twice, k5.

Row 60: K6, p16, k7, p16, k6.

Row 62: K7, p14, k9, p14, k7.

Row 64: K8, p13, k9, p13, k8.

Row 66: K10, p10, k11, p10, k10.

Row 68: K12, p8, k11, p8, k12.

Row 69: K1, ssk, k45, k2tog, k1. (49 sts)

Row 70: K12, p5, k15, p5, k12.

Row 71: K1, ssk, k43, k2tog, k1. (47 sts)

Row 72 and all WS rows: Knit.

Row 73: K1, ssk, k41, k2tog, k1. (45 sts)

Row 75: K1, ssk, k39, k2tog, k11. (43 sts)

Row 77: K1, ssk, k37, k2tog, k1. (41 sts)

Row 79: K1, ssk, k35, k2tog, k1. (39 sts)

Row 81: K1, ssk, k33, k2tog, k1. (37 sts)

Row 83: K1, ssk, k31, k2tog, k1. (35 sts)

Row 85: K1, ssk, k29, k2tog, k1. (33 sts)

Row 87: K1, ssk, k27, k2tog, k1. (31 sts)

Row 89: K1, ssk, k25, k2tog, k1. (29 sts)

Row 91: K1, ssk, k23, k2tog, k1. (27 sts)

Row 93: K1, ssk, k21, k2tog, k1. (25 sts)

Row 94: Knit.

BO all sts.

Back

With MC, CO 15 sts.

Row 1 (RS): K1, m1r, k13, m1l, k1. (17 sts)

Row 2 and all WS rows to Row 50: Knit

Row 3: K1, m1r, k15, m1l, k1. (19 sts)

Row 5: K1, m1r, k17, m1l, k1. (21 sts)

Row 7: K1, m1r, k19, m1l, k. (23 sts)

Row 9: K1, m1r, k21, m1l, k1. (25 sts)

Row 11: K1, m1r, k23, m1l, k1. (27 sts)

Row 13: K1, m1r, k25, m1l, k1. (29 sts)

Row 15: K1, m1r, k27, m1l, k1. (31 sts)

Row 17: K1, m1r, k29, m1l, k1. (33 sts)

Row 19: K1, m1r, k31, m1l, k1. (35 sts)

Row 21: K1, m1r, k33, m1l, k1. (37 sts)

Row 23: K1, m1r, k35, m1l, k1. (39 sts)

Row 25: K1, m1r, k37, m1l, k1. (41 sts)

Row 27: K1, m1r, k39, m1l, k1. (43 sts)

Row 29: K1, m1r, k41, m1l, k1. (45 sts)

Row 31: K1, m1r, k43, m1l, k1. (47 sts)

Row 33: K1, m1r, k45, m1l, k1. (49 sts)

Row 35: K1, m1r, k47, m1l, k1. (51 sts)

Row 50 and all rows to Row 68: Knit.

Row 69: K1, ssk, k45, k2tog, k1. (49 sts)

Row 70 and all WS rows to Row 94: Knit.

Row 71: K1, ssk, k43, k2tog, k1. (47 sts)

Row 73: K1, ssk, k41, k2tog, k1. (45 sts)

Row 75: K1, ssk, k39, k2tog, k11. (43 sts)

Row 77: K1, ssk, k37, k2tog, k1. (41 sts)

Row 79: K1, ssk, k35, k2tog, k1. (39 sts)

Row 81: K1, ssk, k33, k2tog, k1. (37 sts)

Row 83: K1, ssk, k31, k2tog, k1. (35 sts)

Row 85: K1, ssk, k29, k2tog, k1. (33 sts)

Row 87: K1, ssk, k27, k2tog, k1. (31 sts)

Row 89: K1, ssk, k25, k2tog, k1. (29 sts)

Row 91: K1, ssk, k23, k2tog, k1. (27 sts)

Row 93: K1, ssk, k21, k2tog, k1. (25 sts)

Row 94: Knit.

BO all sts.

Finishing

Weave in all ends and block to dimensions.

With right sides together, sew cushion together with matching yarn or thread, leaving a small gap to turn out and to stuff. Turn cushion right side out, stuff, and sew closed the gap with matching thread.

Ear Tufts

With CC2, cut 4 lengths of yarn approx. 12” / [30 cm] in length.

Hold yarn together in the center and use crochet hook to pull yarn through Owl’s head, using photo as a guide.

Loop the uncut end over the cut ends and pull tight.

Trim to your desired length.