The Making of the Houhora Dolphin

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)

RIGHT TAILFIN

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.

LEFT 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 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)

Draw string through last 4 sts, secure.

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.

2018 - Chi the turtle, NZ fantail, Plasmo the elasmosaurus, Starry Sky Dolphin, and Amulet bags

Chi the turtle - next generation from Isadora

Created for a lovely teacher friend who works very hard, helping children who need that boost in life.  Her young daughter renamed it Myrtle and sleeps with it every night.

Piwakawaka (NZ fantail) - for Kohanga friends

Recorded the pattern exactly - like everything else - a work in progress!  Created for a Kohanga friend.  

Plasmo for Lucan. 

He is an Elasmosaurus (water dinosaur) which really once lived on Earth as nearly complete skeletons have been found. I like this dinosaur because it was the perfect size that in an imaginary world a child could have it for a friend and ride on its back. Elasmo was a kind of plesiosaurus with a super long neck for catching fish.  Made with lots of love. 

              

Starry Sky - for a newborn (and named by a 2 year old)

For a baby of Shane's work friend.  

See the smile?

Knitted crystal amulet bags - to wear round necks

Because crystal's don't like metal wire around them!  To hold the vibration near, when life becomes dear...

Isadora - Knitted Sea Turtle (for Fynn).

Design as it came to life, from scale to finish.

Side project from October 5 (scale) and finished just before Christmas so over 2 months.  She became so alive, like a Jim Henson creature, that I took a little while to let go and mail her!  But rather a child to enjoy her than me.

Step 1 - one scale at a time

Create 1 scale, idea to sew all the turtle scales together.  I studied images of sea turtle shells, it was all about the shell to start.

Step 2 - redesign to knit shell as one piece (using superior planning)

However, the result was a mess, with the different wools I chose not pulling perfectly together, so I started again.  I drew up a plan to knit it all in one piece, basing my knitting graph paper on the dimensions of one scale I had knitted, creating the most natural shell based upon a real sea turtle's shell pattern (on the computer using a graphics program).  The scales and the graph lines were kept separate in Photoshop - leaving me the possibility to scale down the shells size for later (baby) turtles!

It was beautiful, after all the work was done in planning, just to follow it and have the shell turn out perfectly.  Very fun to knit.

Sewing the rim scales to the main.

Step 3 - quilting shell

I quilted the shell, with some quilt batting inside - but it did take away a little from the beauty of the design to have it look again sewn together - but was the right choice for this creation.  (Later with smaller ones choosing not to...) 

Step 4 - knitting turtle

Making the turtle, headfirst.  My first go did not have the top and bottom separated, no open mouth, but it looked just like a nipple - so redid it with top and bottom parts.  I left large "buttonholes" for the fins to start from, picked up stitches round these gaps and knitted each fin.  Though turtle was knitted by eye, had to record stitches for fins exactly and then repeat for second appendage as repeating exact symmetry by eye impossible.

Step 5 - shaping and personality 

Not looking great - due to no eyelid - shaping etc!  Personality later to be added with sewing overtop using same wool.

Step 6 - putting shell onto turtle 

Final design decision - how to attach shell to the turtle?  My friend Diane suggested this solution, where it can be removed (like a jumper) and a hook at either side of the tail fastens it on when she wears her shell - for cleaning reasons (and fascination of children and for play).

A few projects I haven't shared - 2016

There are quite a few knitting projects I haven't posted.   Some labours that helped keep me sane, on the train - commuting to and from work long hours in the city.

Pink dolphins, rainbow horses...  for various rainbow people I know.

I will be knitting at a less rapid rate now - for a good reason.  Not needed as much - so that is good.  I am doing what I am meant to do now - again.

Have a few precious patterns to share at some point as well - designs.


Rainbow horse - for Sariah (Canada)

This too quite a few iterations before I got the design right.  I remember walking through the train station with trailing rainbow wool...listening to podcasts from my brother.

My sister-in-law termed this an "alicorn", as in all.  She has both wings and a horn - made from a shell found on a NZ beach.

Blue dog and blue hat for Elizabeth and Emma (Canada)

Made out of same stretchy blue yarn as the dog, knitted the toque first (to be warm and comfy). So the blue dog that came later matched.

Rainbow dolphin for Mel (NZ)

Interesting - the thing about dolphins.

Love the shape - the first dolphins I knitted were small ones for my daughter.  Then larger ones for her and her friend (orcas, they are actually dolphins).  Then for the first time I used a beautiful rainbow wool for a special person at work named Mel.

Pink dolphin for Phoebe (NZ)

Then the dolphin rampage began.  I was creating the perfect pink dolphin for a lovely friend I worked with's daughter.  Still knitting the dolphin from the tail up.  I wanted a really bright pink.  I gave this lovely pink dolphin to my little longtime pal Phoebe.

Fluoro pink dolphin for Charlotte (Christchurch, NZ)

I knitted the dolphin a huge circle of water as well, the first time I graphed out a circle.  I was covered in the huge circle blanket on the bus!  The first photo is taken at a coffee shop with Shane.  We are feeling strain from me always being absent at work at this time.

Purple dophin for Hannah (South Africa)

For Shane's close friend's daughter Hannah, a few special girl.

Night Star dolphin for Hanool (NZ)

The final iteration I made of a dolphin was for a close colleague's newly born son, Hanool.  This was a design I really worked on, and realised how much better it was to knit it from the nose, and ending at the tail.  The shaping is easier - and the tail could be made more realistically at it is a wide shape with delicate swerves, not a double leaf sort of shape.  The fins are made by leaving large buttonholes (knitting back and forth to create a gap), later I pick up stitches and knit the fin.  I recorded my design as I created it.  Interestingly, I can often feel intuitively some things about a person when I make them something as I am connecting my energy to theirs.  I felt this child would be full of laughter.

The Story Teepee (Christmas 2016)

Then in a moment where I helped my recovery from burnout by creating a "story teepee" intended for storytelling to children, storming around neighbourhood cutting down bamboo poles (although I did not feel well).  Attaching together a huge semicircle in an empty community hall.   Borrowing a sewing machine to sew a teepee (a gift from a friend).  Figuring out the crazy shenanigan of making the calculated top fit.  Dyeing it with the kids,  some of their friends, Shane.  It did get used for a couple of stories, but mostly was a necessary act - rather than a useful teepee to be used in future.

Note:  In the end as it got smaller I realised it's far easier to throw over and sew cloth onto the poles - like the First Nations people in Canada did with their skins...  And was a bit too tender a matter to talk about until now.