loops & threads® sweet snuggles™ knit kitty basket

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Height = 8” (20cm)

GAUGE: 7 sts x 14 rows = 4” (10cm) with larger needles; save time and check your gauge

INSTRUCTIONS:

Side

With Blush and circular needles, cast on 16 sts.

Knit 45 rows.

Ear

Row 1 (RS): Kfb, knit to end – 17 sts.

Row 2 (WS): Knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1 – 18 sts.

Rows 3-4: Repeat Rows 1-2 – 20 sts.

Row 5: Repeat Row 1 – 21 sts.

Rows 6-7: Knit.

Row 8: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog – 20 sts.

Row 9: K2tog, knit to end – 19 sts.

Rows 10-11: Repeat Rows 8-9 – 17 sts.

Row 12: Repeat Row 8 – 16 sts.

Knit 14 rows.

Repeat Rows 1-12 of Ear.

Knit 44 rows.

Bind off leaving a long tail.

Using tail, sew cast-on and bind-off to form a loop, being careful not to twist.

Bottom

(Note: when stitches no longer fit comfortably around circular needle change to double pointed needles to finish shaping the bottom.)

With Blush, circular needle, and right side facing, pick up and knit 64 sts along the bottom edge of the basket (1 stitch in each ridge along the garter stitch).

Rnd 1: Purl.

Rnd 2: *K6, k2tog, place marker; rep from * around – 56 sts.

Rnd 3: Knit.

Rnd 4: *Knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog; rep from * around – 8 stitches decreased.

Repeat Rows 3-4, 3 more times – 24 sts.

Repeat Row 4 only, 2 more times – 8 sts.

Cut yarn and thread through remaining stitches, pull snug to close bottom of basket.

Finishing: Use Lilac to embroider on a nose and to accent the inner ears. Use Silver to embroider wiskers. Sew on 2 buttons for eyes.

Note: For babies and toddlers, embroidering eyes instead of using buttons. Weave in ends.

Lining

Cut an 8” (20cm) by 34” (86cm) piece of foam. Sew the two short ends together with white thread and a sewing needle to make a loop (check fit inside basket first to make sure it fits smoothly inside, trim if needed before joining). Insert the foam loop inside the basket and evenly arrange the sides. Sew the bottom edge of the loop to the edge round along the bottom of the side of the basket. Sew the top edge of the loop just below top edge.

TIP: You can spray the outside of the foam loop with an adhesive spray if needed to help the knitted fabric stick to the loop while sewing or use clips or pins to hold the basket to the foam while sewing.

ABBREVIATIONS:

K = Knit

Kfb = Knit Into The Front And Back Of The Next St (1 St Inc’d)

K2tog = Knit 2 Sts Together (1 St Dec’d)

Rep = Repeat(ing)

Rnd(S) = Round(s)

RS = Right Side

St(s) = Stitch(es)

WS = Wrong Side

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