Northern Friends Vol. 2 is a collection of four fun and unique knitting patterns that will have you smiling. The collection includes Acer the Beaver, Mayfie the skunk, Procyon the raccoon and Skya the squirrel. The knitting patterns for the four friends along with their accessories are included. I provide row-by-row instructions and pictures and tips throughout the book.

Finished Dimensions: The “friends” range in size from 6.5 to 8 inches (16 to 21 cm).

Materials Required:

• Yarn: 1 ball (50g) * of various colours depending on which “friends” and which accessories you would like to make.

• Sewing needle made for thread.

• Thin yarn or thread for eyes.

• Size 4 mm knitting needles.

• Size 4 mm double pointed needles (2): if you have some great, if not, don’t worry I’ll explain what you can do instead.

• Poly-fill stuffing.

• I ask for 50g of yarn of various colours but it took less than a third of a ball to complete any one friend. Feel free to change the colours you use.

Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 x 4 square using stockinette stitch and 4 mm knitting needles. This gauge is an approximation. I used a medium (worsted) weight yarn. Since these are meant to be toys, I wouldn’t worry too much if your gauge is off by a few stitches – it may simply make your “friends” a bit smaller or larger depending on the yarn and needles you use.

Techniques Used:

• Stockinette stitch: knit the right side, purl the backside.
• Garter stitch: knit all rows.
• Increase 1 stitch by knitting once in the front of the stitch and once in the back of the stitch.
• Decrease 1 stitch by knitting two stitches together.
• Making an I-cord. I explain how to do this.

published in February 2015