The gymnasts of the jungle, spider monkeys can move with incredible speed through high branches of trees in search of delicious tropical fruit that is their favourite food. They also enjoy playing together in the treetops, testing out their gymnastic skills by leaping through the foliage, using their powerful tails as a fifth limb and screeching with delight at the thrill of the chase.

These knitted spider monkeys have floppy limbs so they can drape themselves over a table, bed or shoulder in just the right way, or perform their own gymnastics - with a little help from a human friend! They’re just as happy being carried by one foot, upside down, or cradled in the crook of a child’s arm.

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

The mother spider monkey is approximately 26 inches tall. The pattern requires 120 g DK dark brown mohair (or other smooth yarn); 40g DK in mid brown for the face, ears and hands; and scraps of DK in black for the nostrils and mouth.

The pattern recommends substituting non-mohair yarn 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