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Contemporary yarn crafts by Heidi Gustad. Knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame.

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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 an artist, author and crafts designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame. In addition to running the Hands Occupied Blog and Pattern Shop, you can find her making videos & co-hosting the Very Serious Crafts podcast.

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

Hi! I’m Heidi, an author, yarn craft designer and content creator specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. My work unapologetically features primary colors and vintage-meets-modern style. My first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is now available!

Professionally I’m most known for: advanced intarsia knitting design & modern latch hook design.

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Head to the link in bio for an update on my 2021 p Head to the link in bio for an update on my 2021 plans for Hands Occupied. The two words that best describe this post are self-care and boundaries. 😜 
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Much love to everyone who sent supportive messages about taking time off and creative burnout. I often deflect with humor, but it was genuinely touching to connect with folks who understand. I’ll have something new for y’all later this week, so stay tuned! ❤️💛💙 
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Pictured: An unblocked pile of four striped sweater panels in primary colors sitting on a blanket in my lap.
There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s ab There’s an update on the blog today, & it’s about how I’m going to take the next 2 weeks off to rest & recharge. ☺️🧶 No new content for y’all means I can also take a moment to zoom out & plan what’s next. Link is in bio. 
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A note on Very Serious Crafts: In the post I discuss stepping away from the @seriouscrafts podcast to give myself more time to devote to some minor medical issues. Don’t you worry - my health will be fine, & @molliejohanson @redhandledscissors and I are still pals, and after a short break of their own, the podcast will be back! Just sans moi. 💁🏼‍♀️😆 
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Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it shoul Been a little quiet this holiday week, as it should be. ☺️🎄The past few days have been filled with a lot of catching up on festive zoom calls & raising toasts to the camera. 🥂 Connecting with people has been a welcome change of pace! Now I’m feeling ready to meet my inevitable end-of-year deadlines. 😆
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Warmest wishes for the season, my friends! ❤️💛💙
Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker beh Hi, I’m Heidi, the craft book author & maker behind Hands Occupied! 👋🏻 I’ve been enjoying making Reels a lot lately, but I wanted to bop in to share a regular photo & say hello. 🤓 
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rather than giving you my bio right now, I have a question. I just got this new sweater & I can’t stop imaging how funny it would be to wear this to a knitting class ... is that bad? 🤣🤣🤣
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Pictured: a blond woman with glasses wearing a sweater that reads “all your sweaters are ugly” standing in front of a Christmas tree.
Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is o Wet blocking, also called immersive blocking, is one of the most common methods for finishing a knitting project and helping ensure its final size and shape. Learn basic blocking for absolute beginners in an easy-to-follow (non-Reel!) video tutorial! Catch the tutorial on YouTube or the Hands Occupied Blog, link is in bio. 🧶 #handsoccupied #stopswatchandblockit #KPAmbassadorsDec20 #sponsored
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