Newborn pattern based on the Knitty pattern.
Tension 18 sts. row tension not an issue.
In RED cast on 60 stitches, join. Place marker after 30 stitches to denote top and bottom.
Knit four rows and then change to C1(blue) do one row then do the W+T rows. Pick up the wraps, the original pattern says you don’t have to, but it does look dicky if you don’t.
Row 1: Knit 18, w+t
Row 2: purl 6, w+t
Row 3: knit 7, w+t
Row 4: purl 8, w+t
Row 5: knit 9, w+t
Row 6: purl 10, w+t
Row 7: knit 12, w+t
Row 8: purl 14, w+t
Row 9: knit 16, w+t
Row 10: purl 18, w+t
Row 11: knit 20, w+t
Row 12: purl 22, w+t.
Knit 44 stitches, w+t, then repeat from Row 2 to Row 12.
Knit in stocking stitch for about 2.5 inches. (here I went around to the middle of the bottom and changed from CC1 to Red again)
Do 1 row Red and then
Dec Row 1: k8, k2tg (54 sts remain)
Now knit 1.5 inches.
Dec Row 2: k7, k2tg (48 sts)
change to CC2 in the middle of the bottom section (purple).
Now knit 2.5 inches. (a few rows were in the purple and then I changed back to MC red)
Dec Row 3: k6, k2tg (42)
knit 1.25 inches
Dec Row 4: k5, k2tg (36)
Knit .5 inch
Dec Row 5: k4, k2tg (30)
knit 1.25 inches
Dec Row 6: K1, k2tg seven times, k1, k2tg seven times.
TAIL: K 12, put last 8 knitted stitches on a holder, work on the other eight stitches forward for the first fin WHICH WILL BE KNITTED IN THE ROUND. The beginning of the round in in the V between the fins.
Row 1: *K1, Kfb* (12)
Row 2: knit
Row 3: *k1, kfb* (18)
Row 4: knit
Row 5: k3, kfb, k4, kfb twice, k3, kfb. (22)
Row 6: knit
Row 7: knit
Row 8: knit
Row 9: K1, ktg, knit until last three stitches, ssk, k1
Repeat Row 9 until there are 4 stitches left.
Row 18, k2g, ssk.
Break wool and pull through the remaining two stitches.
Return to the held eight stitches, do the remaining tail fin the same. The decreases should be on the V side which is the beginning of the row as seen in the pic below.
Dorsal.
In the middle of the head, mark 3.5 inches back and pick up 10 stitches along the column.
Row 1: kfb to the end of the row (20)
Row 2 to 6: K1, P1
Cast off.
Pectoral fins.
These are place on the side and the front of these fins lines up with the start of the dorsal.
Pic up five stitches in a column.
Row 1: kfb to the end of the row (10)
Row 2 to 6: K1, P1.
Cast off.
Eyes, do some little crochet eyes. Sew on. Please don’t use buttons on anything that baby could end up chewing off.
Sizes 6 to 12months and toddler to come.
