This toy uses stitches with different textures to stimulate the development of a baby’s tactile sense, which is very important in the early months. It exploits the self-striping pattern of the yarn as a cue to change stitch patterns.
The project is a sampler of some classic and very basic stitch patterns: stockinet, garter, seed, 1x1 rib, but it also uses more complex techniques – bobbles and loops/fur stitch.
This pattern is not written in the style where each little step and stitch is written out and explained. It leaves room for experiment and imagination. Please read carefully through the whole pattern before starting the project.
This pattern is not meant to serve beginner knitters. However, if you are a beginner that likes challenges and happily plunges into unknown waters, I’d be glad to help.

There are two pdf versions of the pattern - the full one with pictures to illustrate some finishing steps, and the printer-friendly version, without any photos at all.

2013 is the year of snake according to Chinese zodiac, so this toy could be a great symbolic gift for babies born in that year. People born under the sign of snake are said to be wise, intuitive, strong-willed. They are not outwardly emotional. Although not great communicators, Snakes are able to plan and scheme well ahead to make things turn out as they want.

Exact gauge is not vital for this project. If your swatch has more stitches per cm/in your snake will be thinner, if less – it will be thicker.

STITCHES AND TECHNIQUES USED
• Cast on
• Knitting in round (on dpn’s, two circulars or magic loop – any method suitable for very small diameters)
• Knit and purl
• Increase – knit front and back, make 1
• Decrease – knit two together
• Bobbles - here is my short video tutorial on how to make a bobble
• Loop or fur stitch - here is my short video tutorial on how to make a double loop.