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Devil's Toenail (R2)

devil's toenail fossil

Devil's Toenail is the nickname for a type of fossil commonly found in Britain. They are actually a type of Jurassic Oyster.

A printable version of this pattern is available.

You will need:

  • 4 ply or sock wool in greys
  • toy stuffing
  • 4 x double ended knitting needles (3mm)
  • tapestry needle
  • scissors

Pattern:

(A list of abbreviations is available.)

Cast on 7 and work in the flat, in reverse stocking stitch.

  1. Row 1: [kfb] x 7 (14)
  2. Row 2: p12, w&t/ k10, w&t/ p8, w&t/ k6, w&t/ p4, w&t/ k2, w&t/ p – (14)
  3. Row 3: k1, kfb, k – (15)
  4. Row 4: p1, pfb, p11, w&t/ k12, w&t/ p10, w&t/ k8, w&t/ p6, w&t/ k4, w&t/ p2, w&t/ k – (16)
  5. Row 5: p1, pfb, p – (17)
  6. Row 6: k1, kfb, k13, w&t/ p14, w&t/ k12, w&t/ p10, w&t/ k8, w&t/ p6, w&t/ k4, w&t/ p2, w&t/ k – (18)
  7. Row 7: p1, pfb, p – (19)
  8. Row 8: k1, kfb, k15, w&t/ p16, w&t/ k14, w&t/ p12, w&t/ k10, w&t/ p8, w&t/ k6, w&t/ p4, w&t/ k2, w&t/ p – (20)
  9. Row 9: k1, kfb, k – (21)
  10. Row 10: p1, pfb, p17, w&t/ k18, w&t/ p16, w&t/ k14, w&t/ p12, w&t/ k10, w&t/ p8, w&t/ k6, w&t/ p4, w&t/ k2, w&t/ p – (22)
  11. Row 11: k1, kfb, k – (23)
  12. Row 12: p1, pfb, p19, w&t/ k20, w&t/ p18, w&t/ k16, w&t/ p14, w&t/ k12, w&t/ p10, w&t/ k8, w&t/ p6, w&t/ k4, w&t/ p2, w&t/ k – (24)
  13. Row 13: p – (24)

Change to stocking stitch and join into the round.

  1. Round 1: k – (24)
  2. Round 2: [k4, k2tog] x 4 (20)
  3. Round 3: [k1, k2tog, k2] x 4 (16)
  4. Round 4: [k2, k2tog] x 4 (12)
  5. Round 5: [k2tog, k1] x 4 (8)
  6. Round 6: k – (8)

Thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight.

Making Up:

Stuff the fossil through the small opening left at the centre (shown shaded in the picture). Make sure to fill the whole length of the fossil.

Diagram showing the knitted devil's toenail before making up.

Press the centre of the fossil flat and sew the sides of the opening together. Pull the stitches tight to gather the shape into a spiral. Finish off by fixing the blunt end of the shell to the circular end with a couple of stitches.

Sew in any remaining loose ends.

Notes:

Short Rows

Short rows are used to shape knitting. At their most basic they are made by working part of a row, turning, and then working back in the opposite direction. Turning the knitting in the middle of a row can create a small hole so we work a wrap and turn (w&t/) to close the gap.

See short rows in notes for more information.

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!