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Pebbles (R2)

knitted pebbles in three sizes

Not the most interesting of patterns on their own, but any knitted beach should come with knitted pebbles. I've written up three different sizes but make even greater variety by changing yarn and needle sizes.

A printable version of this pattern is available.

You will need:

  • yarn in browns and greys
  • toy stuffing
  • 4 x double ended knitting needles (3mm)
  • tapestry needle
  • scissors

Pattern:

(A list of abbreviations is available.)

Large Pebble:

Cast on 4 stitches, divide between three needles and join them into a round

  1. Round 1: [kfb] x 4 (8)
  2. Round 2: [kfb, k1] x 4 (12)
  3. Round 3: [k1, kfb x 3, k2] x 2 (18)
  4. Round 4: k –
  5. Round 5: [k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1, kfb] x 2 (24)
  6. Round 6: k –
  7. Round 7: [kfb x 2, k6, kfb x 2, k2] x 2 (32)
  8. Round 8: k –
  9. Round 9: [k5, kfb, k2, kfb, k7] x 2 (36)
  10. Rounds 10 & 11: k –
  11. Round 12: [k3, kfb, k8, kfb, k5] x 2 (40)

Knit 16 rounds straight.

  1. Round 29: [k4, k2tog, k8, k2tog, k4] x 2 (36)
  2. Rounds 30 & 31: k –
  3. Round 32: [k6, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k6] x 2 (32)
  4. Round 33: k –
  5. Round 34: [k1, k2tog x 2, k6, k2tog x 2, k1] x 2
  6. Round 35: k –
  7. Round 36: [k2, k2tog, k4, k2tog x 2] x 2 (18)
  8. Round 37: k –
  9. Round 38: [k2, k2tog x 3, k1] x 2 (12)
  10. Round 39: [k1, k2tog] x 4 (8)
  11. Round 40: k –

Without casting off, go to making up.

Medium Pebble:

Cast on 4 stitches, divide between three needles and join them into a round

  1. Round 1: [kfb] x 4 (8)
  2. Round 2: [kfb, k1] x 4 (12)
  3. Round 3: k –
  4. Round 4: [k1, kfb x 3, k2] x 2 (18)
  5. Round 5: k –
  6. Round 6: [k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1, kfb] x 2 (24)
  7. Round 7: k –
  8. Round 8: [kfb, k8, kfb, k2] x 2 (28)

Knit 12 rounds straight.

  1. Round 21: [k1, k2tog, k8, k2tog, k1] x 2 (24)
  2. Round 22: k –
  3. Round 23: [k2, k2tog, k4, k2tog x 2] x 2 (18)
  4. Round 24: k –
  5. Round 25: [k2, k2tog x 3, k1] x 2 (12)
  6. Round 26: k –
  7. Round 27: [k1, k2tog] x 4 (8)
  8. Round 28: k –

Without casting off, go to making up.

Small Pebble:

Cast on 4 stitches, divide between three needles and join them into a round

  1. Round 1: [kfb] x 4 (8)
  2. Round 2: [kfb, k1] x 4 (12)
  3. Round 3: k –
  4. Round 4: [kfb, k3, kfb, k1] x 2 (16)
  5. Round 5: k –
  6. Round 6: [k3, kfb, k4] x 2 (18)

Knit 6 rounds straight.

  1. Round 23: [k4, k2tog, k3] x 2 (16)
  2. Round 24: k –
  3. Round 25: [k1, k2tog, k3, k2tog] x 2 (12)
  4. Round 26: k –
  5. Round 27: [k1, k2tog] x 4 (8)
  6. Round 28: k –

Without casting off, go to making up.

Making Up:

Turn the knitting inside out so that the purled stitches are on the outside. This can be a little fiddly as the opening is a tight. Stuff the pebble lightly, thread yarn through the remaining stitches and pull tight. Loose any remaining loose ends in the body of the pebble.

Notes:

Shaping

Any stuffed knitted object tends to the round, but pebbles usually have a more irregular shape. I have three methods for shaping my pebbles once I have knitted them.

Squishing – press the pebble between your palms for a flattened oval shape. This type of shaping is quick and easy, but only temporary. I use it to prepare my pebbles for photographs.

Lumpification – use a long thread of yarn the same colour as the pebble. Thread it back and forth through the body of the pebble, snagging a single stitch each time. The pebble is pulled into irregular shapes with dimples where the yarn snags.

Sponge – instead of toy stuffing, which takes the shape of the knitting, cut a piece of sponge to shape and use that as stuffing.

Needle/Yarn Size

As with most ODDknit patterns the yarn and needle sizes in the "you will need" section are just a guide. Feel free to improvise with whatever needles and yarn you have lying around - that's half the fun!