Totoro Knitalong Three

First of all, I did go back and undo the last few rows of the top of the head.  It was entirely too pointy to be a Totoro.  I knit through row 61 where I had just decreased to 12 stitches and then I broke the yarn and ran it through those 12 stitches.  That makes a nice round topped head . . .I think it looks much better.

This also shows the white felt behind the eyes.  It just isn't Totoro without that white.

The ears are knit exactly according to Rududu's notes.  This is a picture of them as they came off the needles.

I didn't like the shape of them as they came off the needles, so I turned them so the part with the most increases/decreases ran up the back of the ear.  I thought that made a much more pleasing shape.  I put the 'seam' side in the back and sewed them on the top of the head - between two of the decrease lines on the body.  I didn't stuff my ears with anything.

I didn't think the arms were wide enough with ten stitches, so I cast on 14 stitches.  I knit 14 rows and then started the decreases.  I decreased every row - 

SSK, K3, K2tog, SSK, K3, K2tog

SSK, K1, K2tog, SSK, K1, K2tog

then kitchener the last 3 stitches together to finish. 

I didn't stuff my arms with anything.

For feet, I just knit two pieces of Icord that are about 3 3/4 inches long.  

I placed them in a C shape on the bottom of the toy.  I pinned them in place and then stood him up several times to make sure they were in just the right place.  The only reason you need them is to make the toy stand up and not roll around, so make sure that they do their job before you sew them on.

This is how mine ended up, but yours may need to be closer to the center or farther front or back (see how close the front parts are to the middle of the animal?).

Then I sewed the roundish white belly on and used some of the body color to embroider the markings on it.

He still needs a tail!  

Once again, I ignored Rududu's notes and knit this my way.  I cast on 15 stitches, joined and knit 7 rounds.  I had mine on three double pointed needles, so it was easiest to decrease one stitch at the beginning of each needle until I was down to 6 stitches and then run the yarn through.  Spelled out that would be:

Rows 1-7 Knit

Row 8:  *K2 tog, K3*  Repeat from * to * 3 times

Row 9:  *K2 tog, K2*  Repeat from * to * 3 times

Row 10:  *K2 tog, K1*  Repeat from * to * 3 times

Cut yarn and run through remaining 6 stitches.

The picture shows the tail stuffed.

Embroider a mouth and nose - or just a mouth or just a nose - and he is done and as cute as he can be!

The finished product:

Cute, isn't he?