JIJI THE CAT - FREE KNITTING PATTERN

As many of my friends and followers know I'm a big fan of Studio Ghibli. In the winter I can usually be found snuggled up in a Totoro onesie and slippers watching Spirited Away. I've knitted bits and pieces before as gifts and Jiji the cat's no exception - well the only difference this time is I'm posting the pattern on my blog for free! 

There's nothing more I love than knitting animal toys, or basing my wearables on cute animals. I couldn't wait to get knitting Jiji as like most knitters I have an abundance of black DK yarn!

I hope you all enjoy the pattern, if you have any queries just drop me an email at info@sincerelylouise.co.uk

JIJI THE CAT

Jiji the cat is worked in the round for his body and tail, with his ears knitted on straight needles. Templates have been provided on a downloadable A4 sheet for the eyes and nose.


What you'll need:
1 x 100g Ball of Black DK Yarn
A small amount of Purple DK yarn for the inner ears
4mm DPNS
4mm Straight Needles
White Felt
Black Felt
Pink Felt
Toy Stuffing
Fabric Glue

Tension
22 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm on 4mm needles

Finished Size:
31cm high x 12cm wide

Colours
A - Black
B - Purple

The Body

Co 6 stitches in A and split evenly between three 4mm DPNs
Round 1 *Kfb* all stitches (12 sts)
Round 2 K
Round 3 *Kfb, K1* all stitches (18 sts)
Round 4 K
Round 5 *Kfb, K2* all stitches (24 sts)
Round 6 K
Round 7 *Kfb, K3* all stitches (30 sts)
Round 8 K
Round 9 *Kfb, K4* all stitches (36 sts)
Round 10 K
Round 11 *Kfb, K5* all stitches (42 sts)
Round 12 K
Round 13 *Kfb, K6* all stitches (48 sts)
Round 14 K
Round 15 *Kfb, K7* all stitches (54 sts)
Round 16 K
Round 17 *Kfb, K8* all stitches (60 sts)
Round 18 K
Round 19 *Kfb, K9* all stitches (66 sts)
Round 20 K
Round 21 *Kfb, K10* all stitches (72 sts)
Rounds 22 - 40 K
Round 41 *K2tog, K4* all stitches (60 sts)
Round 42 K
Round 43 *K2tog, K3* all stitches (48 sts)
Round 44 K
Round 45 *Kfb, K3* all stitches (60 sts)
Round 46 K
Rounds 46 - 60 K
Add some of your stuffing before decreasing the piece.
Round 61 *K2tog, K8* all stitches (54 sts)
Round 62 K
Round 63 *K2tog, K7* all stitches (48 sts)
Round 64 K
Round 65 *K2tog, K6* all stitches (42 sts)
Round 66 K
Round 67 *K2tog, K5* all stitches (36 sts)
Round 68 K
Round 69 *Kfb, K1* all stitches (54 sts)
Round 70 *Kfb, K2* all stitches (72 sts)
Round 71 *Kfb, K3* all stitches (90 sts)
Rounds 72 - 90 K
Add some of your stuffing before decreasing the piece.
Round 91 *K2tog, K7* all stitches (80 sts)
Round 92 *K2tog, K6* all stitches (70 sts)
Round 93 *K2tog, K5* all stitches (60 sts)
Round 94 *K2tog, K4* all stitches (50 sts)
Round 95 *K2tog, K3* all stitches (40 sts)
Round 96 *K2tog, K2* all stitches (30 sts)
Round 97 *K2tog, K1* all stitches (20 sts)
Add the final amount of stuffing to the head evenly.
Round 98 *K2tog* all stitches (10 sts)
Round 99 *K2tog* all stitches (5 sts)
Thread the yarn through the 5 remaining stitches, pull and weave in the loose end.

Front Ear Panel - Make 2

Cast on 16 stitches in A on 4mm straight needles
Row 1 K4a, K8b, K4a
Row 2 P4a, P1b, K6b, P1b, P4a
Row 3 K4a, K1b, P6b, K1b, K4a
Row 4 Repeat row 2
Row 5 Repeat row 3
Row 6 Repeat row 2
Row 7 Repeat row 3
Row 8 Repeat row 2
Row 9 Repeat row 3
Row 10 Repeat row 2
Row 11 Repeat row 3
Row 12 Repeat row 2
Row 13 K2tog in a, K3a, K1b, P4b, K1b, K3a, K2tog in a (14 sts)
Row 14 P4a, P1b, K4b, P1b, K4a
Row 15 K4a, K1b, K4b, K1b, K4a
Row 16 Repeat row 14
Row 17 Repeat row 15
Row 18 Repeat row 14
Row 19 K2tog in a, K1b, P2b, K1b, K3a, K2tog in a (12 sts)
Row 20 P4a, P1b, K2b, P1b, P4a
Row 21 K2tog in a, K3a, P2b, K3a, K2tog in a (10 sts)
Row 22 P4a, K2b, K4a
Row 23 Working all in A from here on K2tog, K6, K2tog (8 sts)
Row 24 P
Row 25 K2tog, K4, K2tog (6 sts)
Row 26 P
Row 27 K2tog, K2, K2tog (4 sts)
Row 28 P
Row 29 BO

Back Ear Panel - Make 2

Cast on 16 stitches in A on 4mm straight needles
Row 1 K
Row 2 P all even rows
Row 3 K
Row 5 K
Row 7 K
Row 9 K
Row 11 K
Row 13 K2tog, K12, K2tog (14 sts)
Row 15 K
Row 17 K
Row 19 K2tog, K10, K2tog (12 sts)
Row 21 K2tog, K8, K2tog (10 sts)
Row 23 K2tog, K6, K2tog (8 sts)
Row 25 K2tog, K4, K2tog (6 sts)
Row 27 K2tog, K2, K2tog (4 sts)
Row 29 BO

Tail

Co 6 stitches in A and split evenly between three 4mm DPNs
Round 1 *Kfb, K1* all stitches (9 sts)
Round 2 K
Round 3 *Kfb, K2* all stitches (12 sts)
K every round until the piece measures 20cm
Then work: *K2tog, K2* all stitches (9 sts)
Add a small amount of stuffing into the tail using a needle to push it all the way down.
*K2tog, K1* all stitches (6 sts)
*K2tog* all stitches (3 sts)
Thread the yarn through the remaining three stitches, pull and weave in the loose end. 

Sewing Up

Click this link to download the templates from my google drive.

Draw two eyes onto the white felt using the eye templates and cut out.
Draw two pupils onto the black felt using the pupil template and cut out.
Draw one nose onto the pink yarn using the nose template and out out.

On the front of your Jiji
Position each eye 19cm from the base of Jiji. Leave a 1.6cm gap between them. Glue into place using fabric glue. Position each pupil 0.5cm into the eye and 0.5cm from the top of the eye. Glue into place. Position the nose between the eyes, 19.7cm from the base. Glue into place. Weave the loose end once sewn up.


Take a front and back ear piece, pin together with the wrong side facing in. Sew up in A using a mattress stitch. Leave the cast on edge open then add a very small amont of stuffing. Repeat for the second ear. 

Place the ears on the top of Jiji's head, roughly 2cm from the glued on eyes. Position each ear in line with the edge of the eye, leave a 2.5cm gap between them. The ears should sit slightly diagonally on the head. Pin and sew into place using A. 

On the back of your Jiji
Place the tail on the bottom of Jiji, 3cm away from the cast on stitches. Sew neatly into place using black yarn. Place another stitch 5cm along the tail to secure the tail in place.

I'd love to see your finished Jijis! I love sharing your projects on my social media! Find me on Instagram @sincerelylouise
Twitter: @sincerelylouise
or www.facebook.com/sincerelylouise


© Copyright Louise Walker, 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without the written permission of the copyright holder. This pattern is not to be used for commercial purposes.

Happy knitting xox