NOW AVAILABLE AS A SINGLE PATTERN! Pinglewin first appeared as one of 11 engaging patterns from Penguin: a Knit Collection by Anna Maltz - a printed book packed with patterns, photographs, illustrations and stories, all inspired by penguins. Available from annamaltz.com and your LYS.

Pinglewin lost her family in an oil spill. The shock of it turned her permanently white. She doesn’t always fancy dealing with the curiosity of others for being an all-white penguin, and so she has knitted herself a tuxedo hoodie. Wearing it helps her blend in when she doesn’t feel like answering questions. On other days, depending on her mood, you might see her wearing a pink, chartreus or violet one.

Firstly you will knit a little single colour penguin in the round on DPNs or circular needles (your choice) and then make her a little outfit. The reverse stocking stitch tuxedo hoodie is knitted separately, inside out, so you can knit the whole thing, rather than purl.

Making your own Pinglewin will be a little adventure encompassing a range of techniques you may or may not be familiar with. If you have them down pat, it’s a great opportunity to apply your skills. If they are new to you, you’ll find them a joy to have in your arsenal for next time. All of the techniques come in small doses, so if one takes a little practice or requires a redo, you’re not frogging a sweater or even a socks worth and you’ll have that skill at your disposal for future projects.

SIZE
One size: 26cm / 10¼ ” tall, but Pinglewins can come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the yarn you chose.

TENSION
Regular: 20 sts x 28 rows = 10cm / 4” over stocking stitch on larger needles after blocking
Tight: 24 sts x 38 rows = 10cm / 4” over stocking stitch on smaller needles after blocking

The idea is that you will work the Tight tension with a needle a full size smaller than what you will use for the Regular tension:
if you use 4.5mm for the Regular tension, you would use 3.5mm for the Tight, if 3.75mm then a 2.75mm, or 4mm then a 3mm etc.

Select the working needle size to achieve the Tight tension and size your needles up from there for the Regular tension.

You want the Tight tension to make a knitted fabric that is very dense – tighter than you would have it for a sweater and even a bit tighter than for socks. You are going to stuff Pinglewin and don’t want fluff poking out!

If you are substituting the yarn, make sure it knits up tight, rather than to the correct tension, and use needles with the same ratio between them.

YARN
Snældan 3Ply (DK/worsted weight; 100% wool; 260m / 284yds per 100g)
A: Fleece White x 1 (approx. 50g required)
B: Charcoal x 1 (approx. 40g required)
C: Viking Gold x 1 (approx. 5g required)

NOTIONS
At least 6 stitch markers – it helps if they are look different to each other

Wool or polyester stuffing.

2 x 8mm / 1/3” buttons with 4 holes, rather than 2. Mother of pearl works well, as do black ones. Embroider eyes if Pinglewin will go to an infant and you feel that is safer; in which case, you might want to sew them in black mercerised embroidery cotton to make them a little glossier than the wool.