The “Little Monkey (Lalu)” pattern provides instructions for knitting an adorable, small monkey toy, standing approximately 10cm (about 4 inches) tall. This project is perfect for using up small amounts of DK weight yarn and makes a charming gift or a delightful addition to your own collection of knitted creatures. The monkey, named Lalu, is described as the “Langur Lightnings Monkey Troupe Leader,” adding a touch of whimsy to the design.
The monkey is constructed from several knitted pieces: a body, head, muzzle, two ears, two arms, two legs, and a tail. The body and head are primarily worked in stocking stitch (alternating knit and purl rows), with shaping achieved through increases (kfb – knit front and back) and decreases (k2tog – knit two together). A small section of the body incorporates a simple intarsia technique, using two colors (brown and peach) to create a contrasting belly area. This adds a subtle but effective detail to the design.
The arms and legs are also primarily stocking stitch, with a color change to create contrasting hands and feet. The hands are cleverly shaped by working short rows on a portion of the stitches, creating a thumb-like detail. The legs are folded and sewn in a way that creates a bend at the ankle, giving the monkey a more natural, seated posture.
The muzzle is a small, gathered piece that adds dimension to the face. The ears are simple semi-circles, created by decreasing and then pulling the yarn tight to create a curved shape. The tail is a long, narrow tube of stocking stitch.
Once all the pieces are knitted, the monkey is assembled by sewing the seams together and stuffing with toy filling. The facial features are added last: small black beads are used for the eyes (or French knots can be embroidered for safety), and the nostrils and mouth are embroidered with dark brown yarn. A small loop of yarn is added to the top of the head, creating a tuft of “hair.”
- Measurements:
- Finished Size: 10cm (approximately 4 inches) height
- Skill Level: The pattern does not explicitly state a skill level, but based on the techniques, it’s likely best suited for Beginner-Intermediate knitters. While the basic stitches are simple, the shaping, small pieces, intarsia (though minimal), and seaming require some experience and attention to detail.
- Materials Needed:
- Yarn: DK weight yarn:
- [A] Brown DK (approximately 8g)
- [B] Peach DK (approximately 5g)
- [C] Dark Brown DK (small amount)
- Needles: 3.5mm (US 4) knitting needles
- Notions:
- A pair of 4mm black beads (or black yarn for embroidery)
- Black cotton thread
- Toy stuffing
- Sturdy card approx. 6 x 11cm (purpose not specified in instructions, possibly for winding yarn)
- Cardboard piece approx. 6 x 18cm (purpose not specified, maybe for blocking or as a template)
- White cotton thread
- Chenille needle (for yarn)
- All-purpose sewing needle
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
The pattern mentions that the listed gauge isn’t essential.
- Yarn: DK weight yarn:
