Knitting Pattern for Funky Colored Snake

Funky Colored Snake
by Stana D. S.
Finished Toy Size: up to 6' tall
Yarn: It depends on how colorful the snake will be, you will need approximately three or four balls of yarn. The more colors you use the less amount of the yarn is required. I love to mix leftover yarns to create unique snakes.
Recommended Needle size: DPN US #3/3.25mm (set of 5)
Notions: Yarn needle, crochet hook, stitch holders, scissors, stitch marker, polyester fiberfill (1 small bag), small amount of black embroidery yarn, small amount of red yarn or red felt for the snake tongue.
Abbreviations: KFB= Knit in front and back of the same sts, this creates 2sts from 1 st.
SSK= slip sts, slip st and knit the 2sts together. This decrease 2sts to 1st.
I-cord= the sts are knitted from one needle to second needle, do not turn the needle with sts around, just push the sts to the beginning of the needle and knit again. This technique makes tube.
INSTRUCTION:
The snake is knitted in one piece from the tail to the head. Change the various yarns to create different length of stripes. The pattern could be random or if preferred create some precise mathematical pattern.
With first color of yarn and three double pointed needles cast on 6sts (2sts per needle). Place a stitch marker on the first sts and begin working in the round. Keep knitting in the round. Thread the tail of yarn from cast on stitches on a yarn needle. Stitch through all of the cast on stitches, pull up tight to close the hole, and stitch to secure. Begin to stuff the snake with fiberfill.
To increase sts to total 30sts for the head add 1st only per row every 20 or 30 rows. I add the sts in the round pattern to make the increase in the snake's body very smooth and subtle. First st increase I add on first needle, second st increase I add on second needle, third st increase I add on third needle, fourth st increase I add on first needle. Continue knitting in the round in this increase pattern until you have 30sts total (10sts per needle) and desired length of snake. Do not forget to keep stuffing the snake with fiberfill while knitting.
Continue with Head:
transfer the 30sts from 3 to 4 DPN, remember there are 15sts for top and 15 sts for bottom of the snake's head (7 or 8 sts per needle).
Row 1 - 3: Knit around, 7 or 8 sts per needle (30sts total)
Row 4: Knit 1, KFB, knit 11, KFB, knit 2, KFB, knit 11, KFB, knit 1 (34sts total)
Row 5,6: Knit around (34sts total)
Row 7: Knit 1, KFB, knit 13, KFB, knit 2, KFB, knit 13, KFB, knit 1 (38sts total)
Row 8,9: Knit around (38sts total)
Row 10: Knit 1, KFB, knit 15, KFB, knit 2, KFB, knit 15, KFB, knit 1 (42sts total)
Row 11,12,13,14: Knit around (42sts total)
Row 15: Knit 1, KFB, knit 17, KFB, knit 2, KFB, knit 17, KFB, knit 1 (46sts total)
Row 16,17,18,19: Knit around (46sts total)
Row 20: Knit 1, SSK, knit 17, SSK, knit 2, SSK, knit 17, SSK, knit 1 (42sts total)
Row 21,22,23,24: Knit around (42sts total)
Row 25: Knit 1, SSK, knit 15, SSK, knit 2, SSK, knit 15, SSK, knit 1 (38sts total)
Row 26,27: Knit around (38sts total)
Row 28: Knit 1, SSK, knit 13, SSK, knit2, SSK, knit 13, SSK, knit 1 (34sts total)
Row 29: Knit around (34sts total)
Row 30: Knit 1, SSK, knit 11, SSK, knit 2, SSK, knit 11, SSK, knit 1 (30sts total)
Row 31: Knit around (30sts total)
Row 32: Knit 1, SSK, knit 9, SSK, knit 2, SSK, knit 9, SSK, knit 1 (26sts total)
Row 33: Knit around (26sts total)
Row 34: Knit 1, SSK, knit 7, SSK, knit 2, SSK, knit 7, SSK, knit 1 (22sts total)
Row 35: Knit around and cast off. Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, and thread the end on a yarn needle. Finish stuffing the snake with fiberfill. Sew together the bottom and top of the snake's mouth, stitch to secure.
Finishing: With the black yarn embroider the snake's eyes. With a red yarn cast on one DPN needle 4sts and I-cord the snake's tongue, after approximately 2" split the I-cord in two and I-cord the first 2sts for another 1". Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, and thread the end on a needle. Pull the end through the 2sts on needle, gather up and close, stitch to secure. With the red yarn attach it to the remaining 2sts and continue the I-cord for 1". Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, and thread the end on a needle. Pull the end through the 2sts on needle, gather up and close, stitch to secure. Weave in all the loose ends. Sew the tongue to the snake's mouth. Another alternative is to cut the snake's tongue out of red felt and sew it to the snake's mouth. Use the picture as a guide.


Copyright: This pattern was design and written by Stana D. S.
The pattern is for personal use only. The finished items may not be sold for profit, except for charity purposes.
Please acknowledge the author. Thank you.