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Knit Lightning Bolt Toy

July 28, 2016 1 Comment

Knit a Harry Potter inspired lightning bolt toy in no time! This free pattern makes a great baby gift, gift topper, key chain or holiday ornament.

Accio knitting needles! As a Librarian and Harry Potter fan, this is a big week. A new Harry Potter book is being released for the first time in years on Saturday at midnight! Well, it’s a play in the form of a book and lots of people have lots of things to say about it, but I don’t care – I’m completely pumped. The release date is perfect, with Saturday, July 31 being Harry Potter’s birthday. To celebrate one of my childhood heroes and the release of the book I’ll stay up all night reading, I whipped up a little lightning bolt pattern for you all in honor of Harry Potter’s big day.

This wee lightning bolt makes a great baby toy, gift topper, key chain or holiday ornament. Knit in two pieces which are then stuffed and seamed together, it comes together in no time. The secret to getting the jog in the knitting is thoughtfully placed decreases as you work from the top down on each side, coupled with a clever cable cast on increase to form Harry’s signature lightning bolt shape.

And a giveaway!

I’ve teamed up with my friend Marissa of Rae Gun Ramblings and the dozens of great bloggers she’s assembled to celebrate Harry Potter with some of the best Harry Potter themed crafts and recipes around. In addition to making this free pattern, you can celebrate everyone’s favorite wizard by entering to win a prize pack giveaway – find a list of prizes, entry details and entry form at the bottom of this post. :)

Knit a Harry Potter inspired lightning bolt toy in no time! This free pattern makes a great baby gift, gift topper, key chain or holiday ornament. Knit Lightning Bolt Toy Pattern

Gauge: 4.5 sts and 7.5 rows per inch knit in stockinette stitch 
Finished Dimensions: 
2.25 (at its widest point) by 8 inches

Supplies

yellow yarn*
US size 3 knitting needles (or needles appropriate to your yarn)
scissors
tapestry needle
poly-fil
optional: key ring, ribbon and hand sewing supplies

*I used some Bijou Basin Ranch Lhasa Wilderness in laoghaire I had leftover from my Outlander Chevron Shawl.

Abbreviations

CO – cast on
WS – wrong side
p – purl
RS – right side
k – knit
sts – stitches
p2tog – purl 2 sts together
rpt – repeat
X sts  – X indicates the number of sts that should now be in the row.
cable CO – cable cast on (see recommended tutorial)
BO – bind off
sl – slip
psso – pass slipped stitch over

Side one (knit one of these)
CO 15 sts.
1. (WS) p across.
2. (RS) k across.
3. (WS) p to last 2 sts, p2tog.
4. rpt row 2.

Work rows 1-4 five times total (10 sts).
5. (WS) Turn work, cable CO 7 sts. p7, p2tog, p6, p2tog (15 sts).
6. (RS) k across.
7. (WS) p across.
8. rpt row 6.
9. (WS) p2tog, p to last 2 sts, p2tog (13 sts).
10. (RS) BO 4 sts, k across (9 sts).
11. (WS) p across.
12. (RS) k across.
Rpt rows 11 & 12.

13. (WS) p to last 2 sts, p2tog (8 sts).
14. (RS) k across.
15. (WS) p across.
16. rpt row 14.
17. rpt row 15.
18. rpt row 14.
19. (WS) p2tog, p across (7 sts).
Rpt rows 14-18.

Rpt rows 13-19 (5 sts).
Rpt rows 14-16.
20. (WS) p3, p2tog (4 sts).
Rpt row 14.
21. (WS) p2tog, p2 (3 sts).
Rpt row 14.
22. (WS) sl 1, p2tog, psso (1 st).

Break yarn and draw tail through.

Side two (knit one of these)
CO 15 sts.
1. (RS) k across.
2. (WS) p across.
3. (RS) k to last 2 sts, k2tog.
4. rpt row 2.

Work rows 1-4 five times total (10 sts).
5. (RS) Turn work, cable CO 7 sts. k7, k2tog, k6, k2tog (15 sts).
6. (WS) p across.
7. (RS) k across.
8. rpt row 6.
9. (RS) k2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (13 sts).
10. (WS) BO 4 sts, p across (9 sts).
11. (RS) k across.
12. (WS) p across.
Rpt rows 11 & 12.

13. (RS) k to last 2 sts, k2tog (8 sts).
14. (WS) p across.
15. (RS) k across.
16. rpt row 14.
17. rpt row 15.
18. rpt row 14.
19. (RS) k2tog, k across (7 sts).
Rpt rows 14-18.

Rpt rows 13-19 (5 sts).
Rpt rows 14-16.
20. (RS) k3, k2tog (4 sts).
Rpt row 14.
21. (RS) k2tog, k2 (3 sts).
Rpt row 14.
22. (RS) sl 1, k2tog, psso (1 st).

Break yarn and draw tail through.

Knit lightning bolt toy in progress, before seaming together.

Finishing
With wrong sides facing, sew both sides of your lightning bolt together using the mattress stitch. Stop sewing a couple inches before you’ve made it all the way around and stuff your lightning bolt before closing your seam and weaving in ends.

If you’d like to make this into a keychain, I’d recommend leaving an opening at the top for stuffing and sewing in a ribbon to attach a keyring to your creation.

Knit lightning bolt in progress - before stuffing. Visit handsoccupied.com for the free pattern!

Enter to win a trunkload of Harry Potter prizes!

So many awesome Harry Potter gift ideas. Great for readers

Learn more about each prize & sponsor here and be sure to enter to win another equally awesome prize pack while you’re there! Winner must have a US address or be willing to pay for international shipping.

  • Black Wand Holster and Magic Wand (toddler, child, and adult sizes available)
  • Character Shirt (Choice of Snape, Hermione, or Luna)
  • Make Love Book Bag
  • Words are Magic Quote Pillow
  • The Unofficial Guide to Crafting the World of Harry Potter
  • Personalized Hogwarts Acceptance Letter
  • World of Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit
  • One Dozen Harry Potter Cookies
  • Hedwig Owl Post Necklace
  • Lit Joy Crate June Box
  • Harry Potter Character Funko of Choice (restrictions apply)
  • 10$ Worth of Harry Potter Art Prints
  • Classic Maillot Swimsuit SEWING PATTERN

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Knit a Harry Potter inspired lightning bolt toy in no time! This free pattern makes a great baby gift, gift topper, key chain or holiday ornament.

Filed Under: Free Patterns, Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored, Knitting, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: baby toy, free knitting pattern, free pattern, happy harry potter, harry potter, harry potter and the cursed child, keychain, knit lightning bolt, knit toy, lightning bolt

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now!

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Comments

  1. Pattymac

    July 28, 2016 at 8:16 pm

    What a fun pattern!! I will absolutely try this one out!! I have some sunny yellow yarn that will be perfect. I love seeing other people who express their love of Harry Potter in their crafts! It makes me feel like I’m part of a club.

    Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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Craft book author & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
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Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on How to do a one-step provisional knitting cast on / a.k.a. crochet provisional cast on, scrap yarn cast on
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I read recently that tiktok and Instagram are being used as search engines more and more. 🤔 I thought since I’m going to all the work of making tutorials on YouTube, I should experiment with making a quick version of them for other platforms. There are obvious teaching limitations to vertical video, short-form content like this, but I think I covered the gist of this cast on in a minute. The YouTube version also covers how to unzip this cast on because there was time for it 👍🏻 L1nk is in my profile. 
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I’m very much looking for feedback as I continue to make instructional knitting & craft videos. Sometimes good tutorials are hard to find, and (ideally polite) feedback helps me improve. 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #knititngtutorial #knittersofinstagram #crochethook #knittingtutorial
For the first time in a long time, there’s a new For the first time in a long time, there’s a new tutorial from Hands Occupied! 🎉 The video is live on YouTube & the blog. 
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The post covers what provisional cast ons are & how they differ, and the video covers how to work a one-step provisional cast on using scrap yarn and a crochet hook. (This is a great one to save for future reference.)
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I learned several names for this method while researching this video & post. Crochet provisional cast on, one-step cast on, scrap yarn cast on - if you know even more names for this technique, please share! 
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#handsoccupied #provisionalcaston #knitting #scrapyarn #crochethook
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
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What’s on your needles this week? 
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Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
Peg boards and craft room organization go together Peg boards and craft room organization go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, as you can see, do latch hook tools and screwdriver organizers! 🪛 
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I think this trick translates to any tool with a thick handle, so leather working tools, punch needles, print making tools, etc. should work! What other tools am I, a needlecrafter, blanking on right now? 
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#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies, so getting a few hung in my new studio has been a priority. Here’s my first attempt. 🔨 
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Details: This pegboard panel is for organizing my knitting needles, latch hook tools, sewing thread, etc. It doesn’t need to hold much weight, so I didn’t anchor this into a stud - just used basic drywall anchors. I’ve also got a set of two 2’x4’ panels for another spot in my studio, and those will need a stud/more than 3 drywall anchors. Wish me luck! 
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[description: video features a woman hanging a panel of pegboard using a square dowel and drill]
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