One Skein Rats

This spook-tacular pattern is the perfect Halloween knitting project. Knit Halloween decorations don't have to be complicated--these One Skein Rats can be made in a matter of hours. With just one ball of yarn, you can create two of these creepy little rats for Halloween. Scatter them around your yard for a chilling effect. Use them to scare guests at your Halloween bash. If you're not into Halloween decor, these rats can easily be turned into cute knit toys by switching their eye color.

Intermediate

Knitting Needle Size6 or 4 mm, Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

MEASUREMENT
Approx 6½" [16.5 cm] long (excluding tail).

MATERIALS

Lily® Sugar’n Cream® (70.9 g/2.5 oz; 109 m/120 yds) 00002 (Black) 1 ball Note: 1 ball makes 2 Rats.
Size 4 mm (U.S. 6) knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge.
Pair of size 4 mm (U.S. 6) double-pointed knitting needles. Stuffing.
Black pipe cleaner. Small red beads.

GAUGE
21 sts and 28 rows = 4" [10 cm] in stocking st.

ABBREVIATIONS
Alt = Alternate.
Approx = Approximately.
Beg = Beginning.
Inc = Increase 1 stitch in next
stitch by knitting into front and
back loop of stitch.
K = Knit.
K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches
together.
Psso = Pass slipped stitch over.
Rep = Repeat.
Rem = Remaining.
RS = Right side.
Sl1 = Slip next stitch knitwise.
Ssk = Slip next 2 stitches knitwise
one at a time. Pass them back
onto left-hand needle, then knit
through back loops
St(s) = Stitch(es).
WS = Wrong side.

INSTRUCTIONS

BODY
Beg at end of Body, cast on 5 sts.
1st row: (RS). (Inc 1 st in next st) 4 times. K1. 9 sts.
2nd and alt rows: Purl.
3rd row: (Inc 1 st in next st) 8 times. K1. 17 sts.
5th row: (Inc 1 st in next st. K1) 8 times. K1. 25 sts.
7th row: Inc 1 st in first st. K10. (Inc 1 st in next st) twice. K10. Inc 1 st in next st. K1. 29 sts. Beg with a purl row, work 9 rows even.
Next row: (RS). K12. ssk. K1 (mark as center st). K2tog. K12. 27 sts.
Beg with a purl row, work 3 rows even.
Next row: Knit to 2 sts before center st. ssk. K1 (center st). K2tog. Knit to end of row.
Rep last 4 rows once more. 23 sts.
Beg with a purl row, work 3 rows even.
Next row: K1. (K2tog. K1) 7 times. K1. 16 sts.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: K1. (Inc 1 st in next st. K2) 5 times. 21 sts.
Beg with a purl row, work 7 rows even.
Next row: K1. (K2tog. K5. ssk. K1) twice. 17 sts.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: K1. (K2tog. K3. ssk. K1) twice. 13 sts.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: K1. (K2tog. K1. ssk. K1) twice. 9 sts.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: (K2tog) 4 times. K1. 5 sts. Break yarn, leaving a long end.
Draw end tightly through rem sts (nose).

Tail: **With pair of double-pointed needles, cast on 3 sts.
1st row: (Inc 1 st in next st) twice. K1. 5 sts. Slide sts to opposite end of
needle.

2nd row: K5. Slide sts to opposite end of needle.**
Rep last row until Tail measures 6" [15 cm]. Cast off. Insert pipe cleaner
into center of Tail.
Legs (make 4): Work from ** to ** as given for Tail.
Rep last row until Leg measures 1½" [4 cm]. Cast off.

Ears (make 2): Cast on 3 sts.

1st row: (RS). (Inc 1 st in next st) twice. K1. 5 sts.
Knit 3 rows garter st.
Next row: (RS). K1. Sl1. K2tog. psso. K1. 3 sts.
Cast off knitwise (WS).

FINISHING
Sew underbelly seam of Body leaving an opening for stuffing at back
end. Stuff Body. Sew seam closed.
Sew Ears, Tail and Legs in position as shown. Sew beads in position for eyes.