Say “hello” to Hubble the Winter Wolf, the newest member of your pack! Courageous, playful, and loyal, Hubble is more than simply cute and cuddly. He’s there for you rain or shine, is always ready to play, and sure knows how to keep warm when it’s frigid. Hubble’s fur is knit from gorgeous heathered shades of Deluxe Worsted and soft, feathery Minou. But even creatures built to withstand the cold get chilly! That’s why Hubble wears a cozy beanie, decorated with a motif of his favorite winter snack: snow!

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate/Advanced

SIZES
One Size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Height: approx. 9½” from center-bottom to top of head

MATERIALS
Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted (100% wool; 100g/220 yds)
12503 Charcoal Heather (MC) – 1 skein
12502 Smoke Heather (A) – 1 skein
71662 Turquoise (C) – 1 skein
Universal Yarn Minou (52% nylon, 40% baby alpaca, 8% merino wool; 50g/158 yds)
104 Kitten (B) – 1 ball
Needles: US Size 6 32-40” circular for Magic Loop (recommended) or DPNS (or your preferred needle for knitting small circumferences) or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, two 10 mm safety eyes, stitch holders or waste yarn, black scrap yarn (approx. 5g), white scrap yarn (approx. 5g), Poly-Fil stuffing, 1” pom pom maker

GAUGE
22 sts x 28 rows/rnds = 4” in Stockinette stitch (St st)
Save time, check your gauge.

PATTERN NOTES
This stuffed toy is knit modularly. It begins with the Nose, which is worked flat. Then, stitches from around the edges of the nose are picked up and knit in the round for the Snout. Stitches for the bottom of the head are placed on hold, and the upper head is worked flat before rejoining in the round to form the back of the head. The ears are knit separately in the round and incorporate the stranded knitting method of trapping floats and carrying the contrast color along the inside of the work. They are sewn to the top of the head.

Stitches for the body are picked up from along the bottom of the head and from the held stitches, then joined in the round and knit seamlessly. Intarsia worked in the round creates the color-blocked chest. After the body is complete, stitches are picked up directly from the body for the legs and tail, each of which is worked in the round. Photos are included to illustrate where to pick these stitches up. This method minimizes the amount of seaming for assembly and creates a predominantly seamless project.

Safety eyes are placed before stuffing the head and body with Poly-Fil. It is easiest to sew the Ears to the head before stuffing it as well. The eyebrows are embroidered during finishing.

Hubble’s Hat is knit separately and can be removed. The brim is knit in the round, then the front and back are separated and worked flat to create an opening for the Ears. The front and back are rejoined again at the crown. A pom pom and embroidered snowflake are added to the hat during finishing.

Please note that a small amount of black and white worsted weight yarn is required for this project. Less than five grams of each color is adequate to complete the project and scrap yarn works great. The sample shown uses Deluxe Worsted in 12178 Turkish Coffee for the Nose and 12257 Pulp for the pom pom and snowflake on the Hat. These are not included in the kit, but you may wish to purchase them separately if you do not have similar colors on hand.

In this pattern, CC refers to yarns A and B held together as one strand.

Although you may use your preferred needle for knitting small circumferences in the round, we think that the magic loop method works best for this project.

Working the Legs and Tail in the Round: The Magic Loop method is highly recommended for the Legs, particularly for the first couple of rounds, which will feel a little fiddly as you are working with such close proximity to the Body. Photos are included to illustrate the set-up for each of these sections.

Modifying the Construction
If you prefer to work the legs and tail as individual pieces without picking up stitches, they can be completed as separate components. You can modify the pattern to work each of them separately and sew them to the Body instead. To do this, simply cast on the number of stitches required to be picked up for each Front Leg, each Back Leg, and the Tail. Work each piece as written, however, instead of stuffing them before closing the final live stitches, simple pull the live stitches taut to close work. Then, using the cast-on edge as an opening, stuff with Poly-Fil. To assemble, use the photos as a guide and sew each piece to the Body using whipstitch.