This pattern is to make a knitted decorative or toy newt, life sized, using stocking stitch and moss (seed) stitch. The newt in the pattern is a male great crested newt in spring when they grow a large crest to attract a mate. The crest shrinks later in the summer and is reabsorbed into the body. They have a very shiny skin when wet so using a mercerized cotton will make a good reproduction of this. Their skin is also very warty which is represented by the moss stitch body. The newt is made up of 8 pieces, four body pieces and four limbs, knitted on straight needles and seamed together. Two bobbles are made for the eyes and the limbs are partly made from i-cord. Very little yarn is required so you could use leftovers from other projects. The white tail stripe and black belly spots of a great crested newt are reproduced either by embroidery or attaching felt pieces. You will not need felt if you are embroidering all the features on.

The gauge is 32 stitches and 40 rows to 10 cm when knitted in stocking stitch. The moss stitch gauge is 36 st and 46 rows to 10 cm.

Materials Needed

1 x 50g ball of Yarn and Colours Must Have 4 ply cotton yarn in anthracite (099).
1 x 10g ball of Yarn and Colors Must Have (Minis) 4 ply cotton yarn in mustard (015).
Small oddment of black embroidery thread or lace weight yarn, (e.g. Rico Essentials Crochet in black (12)) for eyes and nostrils and black belly spots.
Small oddment of white embroidery or sewing thread for mouth. If you intend to embroider the tail streak, use embroidery thread or a very small amount of white or pale cream wool.
Very small pieces of black and white felt for black belly spots and white tail streak if not using embroidery.
2.75 mm straight needles.
2.0 mm double pointed or single pointed needles for the crest and limbs.
wool or polyester toy stuffing.
Large and small eyed tapestry needles for stitching the pieces together and for the embroidery.