Knit Lightning Bolt Toy

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 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.

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.

Enter to win a trunkload of Harry Potter prizes!

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.