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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 (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. 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), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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