Mike Monster Knit Pattern

Last year over the summer while we were visiting family, I gave my newly born nephew a knitted frog (because nothing says welcome to the planet like a knitted amphibian).  My brother told me at that time that if I really wanted my shy almost-three-year-old nephew to like me (he didn't speak to me the entire two weeks we were there) I should make him a Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc.  I didn't really like any of the patterns I found online, so I decided I would try to make my own thinking, "it can't be that hard, right?  He is only a ball with legs and arms, after all."  So, here is my first attempt at making up my own knitting pattern.

The pattern is as follows:

Using size 6 needles and worsted weight yarn (gauge is relatively unimportant--just make sure you like the fabric you are producing).

Back (make one):

Cast on 8 sts (I used the long tail cast on).
Purl next row (considered row two for these instructions).
Row 3: Knit, increasing two stitches at the beginning and end of this row (12 sts).
Row 4: Purl across.
Row 5: Repeat row 3 (16 sts).
Row 6: Purl across.
Row 7: Knit increasing one stitch at the beginning and end of this row (18 sts).
Rows 8-17: Repeat rows 6-7 (28 sts).

Row 18-20: Cont. with stockinette evenly.
Row 21: Knit, decreasing two stitches at the beginning and end of this row (24 sts).
Row 22: Purl across.
Rows 23-28: repeat rows 21-22 (12 sts).
Row 29: Knit, decreasing one stitch at the beginning and end of row (10 sts).
Rows 30-33: Continuing in pattern, decreasing as for Row 29 on knit rows (6 sts).
Row 34: Bind off in purl.

Front (make one):
 
Work as for back, incorporating the following chart for intarsia mouth and eye beginning with row 6.



Leg (make 2):

Cast on 5 sts.
Stocking stitch for 14 rows.
Next row: Knit 4, turn
Working on these three stitches, cont. in stockinette for three rows.
Next row: Knit across (including end stitch)
Next row: Purl on all five stitches
Next row (begin "toes"): K1, M1, K1, turn (will be working on these three stitches)
Next row: *Purl 3.
Next row: Knit 3.
Next row: P2tog, P1.
Next row: K2tog, pull yarn through.*
Rejoin yarn (for second toe) on right side: M1 (I use an invisible increase) then K1FB (again we have 3 sts).
Work as for first "toe" from * to *.
Rejoin yarn on right side (final toe): K1, M1, K1, turn.
Work again as for first "toe" from * to *.


Arms (make 2):

Cast on 5 sts.
Stocking stitch for 12 rows.
Next row: K1, M1, K1, M1, K1, turn.
Next row: Purl these 5 sts.
Next row: K5, turn.
Next row: P2tog, P1, P2tog.
Next row: K2tog, K1, turn.
Next row: P2tog, pull yarn through.
Rejoin yarn to remaining two stitches: K1, M1, K1 (3 sts).
Work as for "toe" above from * to *.


Finishing

Embroider eye and teeth using satin stitch. Outline eye with yarn using a back stitch.
Seam front and back together leaving space to stuff your monster and then finish seaming.
Sew up legs and arms and along "toe" and hand lines.
Attach legs and arms to body.
Weave in all ends.
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So, I think if I were to do it again I would actually refrain from using intarsia for the eye and maybe even the mouth.  Especially for the eye, I think I may have achieved a more professional look if I had appliqued those parts and embroidered on them instead.  Not to mention that embroidery is a great deal more easily done on more tightly knit/woven fabrics.

I also learned that you must write everything down when you make a pattern, and all in one place!  This is true especially if you are going to wait nearly a year to write it all out.