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Moon & Star Softies – Free Knitting Pattern

July 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

This post is brought to you by Knit Picks, which also provided yarn support. Post contains affiliate links. See site policies.

If you're looking for a baby knitting idea that isn't your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket. Get the free knitting patterns on the Hands Occupied Blog.

In a world where visiting newborn babies is ill-advised, a handmade gift can be a comfort to both make and give. If you’re looking for a baby knitting idea that isn’t your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket!

On a personal note, I have a niece that was born this month, and this set of toys is definitely for her. It’s a small way to send her parents a show of support, and for me to send small objects of (choke hazard-free) love to my niece. Even if she doesn’t have them forever because she teethes them to death (or whatever babies do), working on this project felt really good and was a welcome anxiety distraction this week. <3

If you're looking for a baby knitting idea that isn't your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket. Get the free knitting patterns on the Hands Occupied Blog.

MOON SOFTIE – FREE Knitting PATTERN

Please note: One skein of Knit Picks Billow yields both a moon and a star when knit at the listed gauge.

Skill level: easy

Supplies
1 skein Knit Picks Billow in Turmeric
US size 10.5 (6.5 mm) knitting needles, double pointed or circular
scissors
tapestry needle
poly-fil
stitch holder or scrap yarn

If you're looking for a baby knitting idea that isn't your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket. Get the free knitting patterns on the Hands Occupied Blog.

Abbreviations & Terms
CO – cast on
sts – stitches
WS – wrong side
p – purl
RS – right side
k – knit
M1R – make 1 right-leaning stitch. Here’s a tutorial.
(X sts) – X indicates the number of sts that will now be on your needle
M1L – make 1 left-leaning stitch. Here’s a tutorial.
rep – repeat
ssk  – slip one st knitwise, slip one st purlwise, k2tog through the back loop
k2tog – knit 2 sts together as one
mattress stitch – A seaming technique for joining knit pieces. Here’s a tutorial.

Gauge & Dimensions: 12 sts & 16 rows over 4″ (10 cm), knit in stockinette stitch. Finished Moon measures approx. 8.5″ tall and 6″ wide after seaming and stuffing.

If you're looking for a baby knitting idea that isn't your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket. Get the free knitting patterns on the Hands Occupied Blog.

THE PATTERN

Moon Front
First Crescent
CO 16 sts
odd rows 1-27. (WS) p all sts.
row 2. (RS) k1, M1R, k to last st, MIL, k1. (18 sts)
even rows 4-10. rep row 2. (26 sts)
row 12. k1, M1R, k9, k2tog, k1. (13 sts) Leave remaining 13 sts on stitch holder.
row 13. (WS) p13.
row 14. (RS) rep row 12.
rows 16, 18 & 20. k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (7 sts)
row 22. k1, ssk, k4. (6 sts)
row 24. k1, ssk, k3. (5 sts)
row 26. k1, ssk, k2. (4 sts)
row 28. ssk, k2tog. (2 sts)
row 29. p2tog.
Break yarn and draw tail through to secure.

Second Crescent
Transfer the 13 live sts on your holder to a knitting needle.
Setup: (RS) k1, ssk, k9, M1L, k1. (13 sts)
odd rows 1-15. (WS) p all sts.
row 2. (RS) rep setup row.
even rows 4-8. k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (7 sts)
even rows 10-14. k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (4 sts)
row 16. ssk, k2tog. (2 sts)
row 17. p2tog.
Break yarn and draw tail through to secure.

—

Moon Back
First Crescent
CO 16 sts and rep rows 1-11 from Moon Front: First Crescent.
row 12. (RS) k1, m1R, k9, k2tog, k2, ssk, k9, M1L, k1. (26 sts)
row 13. (WS) p13, turn.
rows 14-23. rep rows 2-17 from Moon Front: Second Crescent.
Break yarn and draw tail through to secure.

Second Crescent
row 1. (WS) p 13.
rows 2-16. rep rows 16-29 from Moon Front: First Crescent.
Break yarn and draw tail through to secure.

—

Finishing
If you wish, you may block the Moon Front and Moon Back pieces now. When completely dry, join front and back pieces with wrong sides facing using mattress stitch, stuffing with poly-fil as you go. Weave in all ends.

If you're looking for a baby knitting idea that isn't your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket. Get the free knitting patterns on the Hands Occupied Blog.
If you're looking for a baby knitting idea that isn't your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket. Get the free knitting patterns on the Hands Occupied Blog.

Star SOFTIE – FREE Knitting PATTERN

Guess what? The Star Softie is knit with my Knit Star Ornament pattern on US 10.5 (6.5 mm) needles and Knit Picks Billow in Turmeric.

Supplies
See moon pattern above.

Gauge & Dimensions: 12 sts & 16 rows over 4″ (10 cm), knit in stockinette stitch. Made with the materials listed in this blog post, finished Star Softie measures approx. 11″ x 11″ after seaming and stuffing.

Get the free star knitting pattern here.

If you're looking for a baby knitting idea that isn't your standard blanket or sweater, this quick-to-make set of stuffed knit toys is just the ticket. Get the free knitting patterns on the Hands Occupied Blog.

This post is brought to you by Knit Picks, which also provided yarn support. Post contains affiliate links. See site policies.

Filed Under: Free Patterns, Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored, Knitting Tagged With: baby knitting, cotton yarn, free pattern, knit baby toys, knit moon, knit picks, knit star, mattress stitch, seamed knitting

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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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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handsoccupied

Craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admitte Nobody panic. This is just the back of an (admittedly insane) intarsia project. One day, this will be a seamed sweater, but today is not that day. 🧶 
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Have a good weekend, everyone! 
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Yarn: @universal_yarn’s Fibra Natura Cobblestone in Antarctica & Dragon’s Breath 
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#handsoccupied #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #wip #knitting
Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for e Here’s how to work a Norwegian purl stitch for easier continental style knitting. With this purling method, the working yarn says tensioned (held) at the back of your knitting at all times. For many knitters, always holding the yarn at the back helps with tension issues, as well as feeling a little more comfortable. 
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Have you ever encountered this style of purling before? If you’ve tried it, have you found it helps with your purl tension and knitting speed? I’m curious.
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For a written tutorial, visit handsoccupied-dot-com. For video, you guessed it, You2be. Both of these platforms allow for longer, more in-depth versions of this tutorial, including full transcripts, alt text & the ability to pause, slow down or speed up at will. (Like if you really want to learn this, I recommend using a platform that doesn’t keep your hands occupied. Thinking of putting this in all my captions these days tbh - shout out to you if you made it this far. 🙌🏻😂)
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#handsoccupied #learntoknit #continentalknitting #howtoknit #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #knit #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knittinghack  #handknitting #handknit #norwegianpurling
Have you ever tried this style of purl? . All thi Have you ever tried this style of purl? 
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All this recent talk about throwing vs. continental style knitting made it clear many people struggle with purling in continental knitting. Turns out that Norway may have the answer! In Norwegian purling, the working yarn stays tensioned at the back at all times, helping with speed and tension. 🤯
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Head to the bl0g (🔗 in bi0) for a more in-depth look at how to work a Norwegian purl stitch, including a photo tutorial with animated GIF & a video tutorial. Wrapping your mind around how to work a stitch you’re familiar with in a totally new way can be confusing, so I tried to give a few options for clarity. 🤙🏻 Video is also on You2be. 
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#handsoccupied #norwegianpurl #norwegianknitting #norwegianpurling #continentalknitting #howtoknit #learntoknit #knitterofinstagram #knitters
It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or reintroduced myself, so here goes! I’m Heidi Gustad, a craft book author, pattern designer, and tutorial creator who specializes in yarn crafts. Lately, I’ve been focused on releasing quality knitting videos and related blog posts to help teach things like the difference between provisional cast ons and how to fix common knitting mistakes. Next week I’m shooting requested crochet and latch hook videos, so h👀kers, your time is coming! And if you ever have tutorial requests, please let me know. ☺️
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TLDR: I’m Heidi. I design & teach yarn crafts. You can find tutorials on my blog (est. 2010) & You2be. I also have several knitting & crochet patterns + a book about latch hook available. / All of these can be found on my website, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Contine Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Continental or English Style? Here’s a quick overview of the differences between the two most common knitting styles, including a side by side comparison. (A good one to save for future reference. 👍🏻) 
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There’s more on the differences between picking and throwing in my latest blog post & You 2ube video - the l1nk is where you’d think!
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