Raccoons are mischievous animals, notorious as food thieves, garbage raiders and escape artists. Physically they are quite unmistakable: a fox-like face with a black mask across the eyes, a stout cat-like build, a ringed tail and a characteristic rolling walk that makes them look as if they couldn’t possibly climb into a trash can to delve for left-overs.

This air of amicable innocence may be why young raccoons are often popular as pets. It’s only when the raccoon matures that even the most devoted of owners may realise their mistake. The raccoon’s insatiable curiosity, destructive nature and general untrustworthiness could try anyone’s patience. So if there’s chaos in your house after you’ve knitted this raccoon, you’ll know who caused it… probably!

The pattern for the raccoon is from the book Kath Dalmeny’s World of Knitted Toys, and the full list of over 50 projects is shown below.

The finished raccoon will be approximately 34 cm (13 1/2 inches) long, excluding the tail.

Materials
The pattern calls for: 100 g DK in mid brown for the main parts; 20 g DK in brown mohair for the tail stripes and inner ears; 10 g DK in white mohair for the snout and ear rims; and a small amount of DK in black for the eye patches, nose and mouth.

The pattern recommends substituting non-mohair yarn in DK weight if you find fluffy yarn difficult to work with or are knitting for an infant.

The pattern also suggests using 14mm (1/2 inch) toy safety eyes, but felt eyes or black stitches would also be appropriate.

KATH DALMENY’S WORLD OF KNITTED TOYS patterns list

The book contains over 50 patterns for making adorable knitted toys – people and animals from all over the world. Each chapter covers a different habitat, the animals that make their homes there, and one of the people who live there, with accessories to represent their lives or work. The knitting patterns are listed under three categories – Easy; Straightforward; and Challenging, to help knitters choose the project that is right for you. The projects are as follows:

BASIC PERSON PATTERN
(which is then adapted for the people patterns below)

IN THE JUNGLE

• South American Indian
• Spider monkey – mother and baby
• Snake
• Tiger cub
• Gorilla
• Orang utan
• Parrot
• Banana

AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK

• Australian sheep farmer (complete with corks hanging from his hat!)
• Merino sheep
• Koala bear
• Duck-billed platypus
• Wombat
• Kangaroo and Joey

DOWN ON THE FARM

• Farmer
• Highland bull
• Pigs and piglets
• Cat
• Mallard duck
• Chicken, cockerel and chicks

THE DEEP BLUE SEA

• Pearl fisherman
• Dolphin
• Shark
• Killer whale
• Turtle
• Octopus
• Clownfish

FOREST FRIENDS

• Canadian Mountie
• Horse
• Grizzly bear
• Beaver
• Raccoon
• Chipmunk
• Moose

ON SAFARI

• African Park Ranger
• Zebra
• Lion family – lion, lioness and lion cub
• Rhinoceros
• Elephant
• Warthog

THE SNOWY REGIONS

• Eskimo
• Husky dog
• Fish
• Penguins – Emperor penguins and Adelie penguins – parents and chicks
• Seal
• Walrus
• Polar bear

PATTERN VARIATIONS

• Sea lion
• Panda bear