Free pattern as follows:
This dolphin is knitted from nose to tail. I knit the body mostly in the round - except when forming buttonholes for the side fins and top fins. Later stitches are picked up round the buttonholes to knit the fins. It is a very seamless pattern, which does not require any piecing together afterwards although I do make the buttonholes a little long for flexibility (a few stitches sews them to be smaller. You do not have to use two colours, it is easier if you do not. Use only one colour for an easier knit - pattern included after this one.
I started with short needles, 3.25mm wooden, but when done with nose, switched to my regular metal 4mm needles. Use any wool you like, I used bamboo cotton but it was slippery. I liked how it revealed my design. If you use regular wool it will look even better. I knit through the back loop when I create animals, for a denser fabric.
NOSE
Cast on 6 onto 3 dp needles (short if possible).
1. (K1, m1, k1) repeat 3 times (9 sts)
2. (Kfb, k1, kfb) repeat 3 times (15 sts)
3. K15
4. (K2, kfb, k2) repeat 3 times (18 sts)
5. K18
6. (Kfb, k6) repeat 3 times (21 sts)
7. K21
8. K21
9. (K7, kfb) repeat 3 times (24 sts)
10. K24
11. K24
12. K24
13. There are 8 sts on each needle. Slip last st from previous needle onto working needle (bottom needle) so 9 sts. Now knitting to reg length needles - 4mm, K10 onto same needle so bot needle has 10 sts. Onto next new reg length 4mm needle (k, kfb) seven times - 21 sts on that needle (dolphin top). Bot: (K2, kfb) 3 times, k1 - 13 sts on bot needle. Now this point is start of round. (34 sts)
14. K34
15. (K3, kfb) until 2 sts left on top needle, k2 - 25 sts top. K4, kfb, k2, kfb, k4 - 15 sts bot.
(40 sts)
FOREHEAD (BOTTLE) SHAPING
16. K to last st of top needle (k25), turn.
17. Sl1, p to last st, turn.
18. Sl1, k to last 2 sts, turn.
19. Sl1, p to last 2 sts, turn.
20. Sl1, k to last 3 sts, turn.
21. Sl1, p to last 3 sts, turn.
22. Sl1, k to last 4 sts, turn.
23. Sl 1, p to last 4 sts, turn.
24. Sl1, k to last 5 sts, turn.
25. Sl1, p to last 5 sts, turn.
26. Sl 1, k to last 6 sts, turn.
27. Sl1, p to last 6 sts, turn.
28. Sl1, k to last 7 sts, turn.
29. Sl1, p to last 7 sts, turn.
30. Sl1, k to last 8 sts, turn.
31. Sl1, p to last 8 sts, turn.
32. Sl1, k to last 9 sts, turn.
33. Sl1, p to last 9 sts, turn.
34. K to end of needle, then continue knitting to finish round (keep gauge tight).
Divide sts from bot needle so that the gauge will be easier to balance, 7 onto two needles, then continue knitting with 7 st on it until there are about 20 on first needle, and the second needle will have 20. Continue knitting - 5 rounds.
35. K40
36. K40
37. K40
38. K40
39. K40
Sl last 7 sts from round onto new needle. K7 sts, this is bot needle again. This will distribute sts to 14 sts on each of 3 needles.
40. K40
FIN BUTTONHOLES
Work on 28 sts (top 2 needles) in stockinette for 9 rows. This will create two “buttonholes” where fins will extend from:
41. K28
42. P28
43. K28
44. P28
You can knit all stitches onto one needle at this point, it’s easier.
45. K28
46. P28
47. K28.
48. P28
49. K28. Place on hold.
Work on 14 sts on bottom of dolphin in stockinette for 10 rows; I changed to a lighter colour for this:
50. K14
51. P14
52. K14
53. P14
54. K14
55. P14
56. K14
57. P14
58. K14
59. P14
TOP FIN HOLE
Keep knitting to join round, but change to deeper colour to continue top, twist colours when change:
60. K14, turn.
61. Sl1, p13, p14 lighter colour, introduce another strand of same blue for top and p14, turn.
62. Sl 1, k13, k14 lighter colour, k14, turn.
63. Sl 1, p13, p14 lighter colour, p14, turn.
Repeat rows 62-63 twice more (4 more rows of stockinette).
64. Repeating 62
65. Repeating 63
66. Repeating 62
67. Repeating 63
68. Follow pattern for next row of colour changes but repeat (K6, k2tog) until 4 sts left in row,
k4, turn.
69. P12, p12 lighter colour, p13, turn.
70. (K6, k2tog) repeat three times, then k12, turn.
71. P13, p8 lighter colour, p13, turn.
Divide sts equally onto 2 needles evenly (I had been knitting on one working needle), knitting to join rounds (top fin buttonhole ends), now only in original colour (cut off ball of lighter but leave long tail):
72. K10, k2tog, k8, k2tog, k10 (30 sts)
73. K30
74. K14, k2tog, k15 (one from next round) - 29 sts
75. K until last 2, k2tog (28 sts)
76. K28
77. K4, k2tog, k to last 6, k2tog, k4 (26 sts)
78. K26
79. K9, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k4 (23 sts)80. K4, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k9, k2tog (20 sts)
81. K20
82. K11, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k2 (18 sts)
83. K18 (Stuff as you go!)
TAILFINS SHAPING
Starting with 18 sts, 9 top needle, 9 bottom. First expand base of tail:
84. (Kfb, k3, kfb, k3, kfb), repeat (24 sts)
85. K24
86. (K2, kfb, k6, kfb, k2), repeat (28 sts)
87. (K5, kfb, k2, kfb, k5), repeat (32 sts)
88. (Kfb, k14, kfb), repeat (36 sts)
89. K36
90. (k3, kfb, k10, kfb, k3), repeat (40)
91. (k8, kfb, k2, kfb, k8), repeat (44)
Divide half of each needle, slip sts onto 2 needles so 11sts on 4 needles. 2 needles will be worked with at a time to knit each tailfin separately. Working on right side 2 needles first (if tail to ceiling, belly facing you):
1. Needle 1 - kfb, k8, k2tog,
Needle 2 - k11 (22 sts)
2. Needle 1 - k11,
Needle 2 - k2tog, k8, kfb (22 sts)
3. Needle 1 - kfb, k8, k2tog,
Needle 2 - k11 (22 sts)
4. Needle 1 - k11,
Needle 2 - k2tog twice, k5, kfb twice (22 sts)
5. Needle 1 - Kfb twice, k5, k2tog twice,
Needle 2 - k11 (22 sts)
6. Needle 1 - K11,
Needle 2 - k2tog twice, k5, kfb twice (22 sts)
7. Needle 1 - k7, k2tog twice,
Needle 2 - k2tog, k9 (19 sts)
8. Needle 1 - k7, k2tog,
Needle 2 - k2tog twice, k6 (16 sts)
9. Needle 1 - k4, k2tog twice,
Needle 2 - k2tog, k6 (13 sts)
10. Needle 1 - k4, k2tog,
Needle 2 - k2tog twice, k3 (10 sts)
11. Needle 1 - k2tog, k3,
Needle 2 - k3, k2tog (8 sts)
12. Needle 1 - k1, k2tog, k1,
Needle 2 - repeat (6 sts)
Draw string through last 6 sts, secure. Cut string but leave a long tail hanging off point of tail. Stuff fin.
LEFT TAILFIN
Return to other two needles on left side, stuff this fin as you go:
1. Needle 1 - k2tog, k8, kfb,
Needle 2 - k11 (22 sts)
2. Needle 1 - k11,
Needle 2 - kfb, k8, k2tog (22 sts)
3. Needle 1 - k2tog, k8, kfb,
Needle 2 - k11 (22 sts)
4. Needle 1 - k11,
Needle 2 - kfb twice, k5, k2tog twice (22 sts)
5. Needle 1 - K2tog twice, k5, kfb twice,
Needle 2 - k11 (22 sts)
6. Needle 1 - K11,
Needle 2 - kfb twice, k5, k2tog twice (22 sts)
7. Needle 1 - k2tog twice, k7,
Needle 2 - k9, k2tog (19 sts)
8. Needle 1 - k2tog, k7,
Needle 2 - k6, k2tog twice (16 sts)
9. Needle 1 - k2tog twice, k4,
Needle 2 - k2tog, k6 (13 sts)
10. Needle 1 - k2tog, k4,
Needle 2 - k3, k2tog twice (10 sts)
11. Needle 1 - k3, k2tog,
Needle 2 - k2tog, k3 (8 sts)
12. Needle 1 - (k1, k2tog, k1)
Needle 2 - repeat (6 sts)
Draw string through last 6 sts, secure. Cut string but leave a long tail hanging off point of tail.
Then more more shaping, draw string through inside the top of fin for half the fin, then down through stuffing to centre, then pull a little. This will cinch the first half of the fin a little tighter for more curvy shape. Then sew up the gap between the two fins with remnant strings - then draw inside after securing (make a knot inside dolphin fabric).
TOP FIN (DORSAL)
Pick up 28 stitches around buttonhole onto two of the short needles, 14 each one. I had sewed it a little shorter so it matched a dolphin better - about 4cm in length after.
Start knitting nearest dolphin nose.
1. K28
2. K26, k2tog (27 sts)
3. K12, k2tog twice, k11 (25 sts)
4. K25
5. K2tog, k9, k2tog twice, k8, k2tog (21 sts)
6. K21
7. K2tog, k7, k2tog, k8, k2tog (18 sts)
8. K7, k2tog, k7, k2tog (16 sts)
9. K2tog, k2, k2tog (14 sts)
10. K2tog, k3, k2tog twice, k3, k2tog (10 sts)
11. K2tog, k2, kfb, k3, k2tog (9 sts)
12. K2tog, k7 (8 sts)
13. K2tog, k4, k2tog (6 sts)
14. K2tog, k2, k2tog (4 sts)
15. K4
Draw string through 4 sts, secure.
(facing belly nose up)
Pick up 16 sts onto two short wooden needles, 8 on each needle.
Start knitting nearest dolphin nose (knits under the fin first).
1. K16
2. K16
3. K7, kfb twice, k7 (18 sts)
4. K8, kfb twice, k8 (20 sts)
5. K9, kfb twice, k9 (22 sts)
6. K10, kfb twice, k10 (24 sts)
7. K24
8. K2tog, k20, k2tog (22 sts)
9. K9, k2tog, k9, k2tog (20 sts)
10. K2tog, k16, k2tog (18)
11. K2tog, k14, k2tog (16)
12. K2tog, k6, kfb, k5, k2tog (15)
13. K2tog, k11, k2tog (13 sts)
14. K2tog, k9, k2tog (11 sts)
15. K2tog twice, k1, kfb twice, k2, k2tog (10 sts)
16. K2tog, k4, k2tog twice. (7 sts)
17. K2tog, k5 (6 sts)
18. K2tog, k2, k2tog (4 sts)
Draw string through last 4 sts, secure.
Do the same for the other side, but reverse pattern as follows:
RIGHT SIDE FIN
(facing belly nose up)
Pick up 16 sts onto two short wooden needles, 8 on each needle.
Start knitting nearest dolphin nose (knits over the fin first).
1. K16
2. K16
3. K7, kfb twice, k7 (18 sts)
4. K8, kfb twice, k8 (20 sts)
5. K9, kfb twice, k9 (22 sts)
6. K10, kfb twice, k10 (24 sts)
7. K24
8. K2tog, k20, k2tog (22 sts)
9. k2tog, k9, k2tog, k9 (20 sts)
10. K2tog, k16, k2tog (18)
11. K2tog, k14, k2tog (16)
12. K2tog, k5, kfb, k6, k2tog (15)
13. K2tog, k11, k2tog (13 sts)
14. K2tog, k9, k2tog (11 sts) ,
15. K2tog, k2, kfb twice, k1, k2tog twice (10 sts)
16. K2tog, k4, k2tog twice. (7 sts)
17. K2tog, k5 (6 sts)
18. K2tog, k2, k2tog (4 sts)
On vacation to Houhora, making this - after a walk through forest which had been left to itself.
31 DEC 2018
I followed a path towards the top of the hill.
Everything looked sacred.
I wanted to be careful where I stepped, for everything was alive.
I took care to step around small plants and even the leaf litter felt alive.
I thought about how everything is
Papatuanuku - Earth Mother, everything is alive - except where humans have cleared all life away - we have forgotten we live on Mother Earth, all the time.
