Cascade Yarns Pink Pig Toy Knitting Pattern

Cascade 128 Superwash Pink Pig

What Is Being Made

This is a charming stuffed toy pig designed by Betty Balcomb. The project creates a small, three-dimensional plush pig suitable as a decorative accessory or gift. The design is particularly welcoming to knitters who have experience with sock knitting or those seeking an introduction to working in the round on double point needles.

Project Overview and Skill Level

Rated as an intermediate difficulty project, this pig is an excellent stepping stone for knitters. The pattern explicitly states that if you can knit a sock, you can make this pig. For those new to sock knitting, this project serves as a classic introduction to the technique. The designer has provided very explicit and detailed directions to guide knitters through each step, making the project accessible despite its longer instruction set.

Techniques Used

This pattern combines multiple knitting techniques to create the finished pig:

• Knitting in the round – The primary construction method using double point needles
• I-cord technique – Used to create the tail and establish the foundation for the body
• Increases – Including make one (M1) and knit front and back (Kfb) increases to shape the pig
• Wrap and turn (W&T) – A short-row shaping technique employed to create dimensional form
• Single crochet – Used exclusively for the tail chain, which naturally curls to create an authentic pig tail appearance

Stitches and Construction Details

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with strategic shaping methods. The knit front and back (Kfb) stitch creates increases by working into both the front and back loops of a single stitch, adding one stitch per execution. The make one (M1) increase is used to add stitches between existing stitches for smoother shaping. The wrap and turn (W&T) technique is a short-row method that allows the knitter to work back and forth on a subset of stitches without completing the full row, creating shaping without visible holes. This technique requires reversing the knit method on purl rows by pulling yarn back as if to knit, slipping the next stitch purlwise, wrapping yarn around the stitch, and returning it to the left needle before turning.

The tail begins with a crochet chain of 14 stitches worked in single crochet, which naturally curls to form an authentic pig tail shape. The body transitions to knitting in the round using double point needles, with stitches picked up from the tail's edge to seamlessly integrate the two sections.

Materials Required

The project calls for Cascade 128 Superwash yarn, a superwash wool blend that is machine washable and durable for stuffed toys. Two 100-gram skeins are needed: one in Color #901 (hot pink) for the body and one in Color #1963 (pale pink) for the tail. Additional materials include size 10 double point needles for the knitted body, a size I crochet hook for the tail, scrap black yarn for embellishing details such as eyes, and polyfil or similar polyester stuffing to fill the completed pig.

Gauge and Fabric Considerations

The pattern specifies a gauge of 4 stitches per inch. While the designer notes that gauge is not critically important for a stuffed toy, maintaining a sufficiently tight fabric is essential to prevent stuffing from leaking through the knitted material. This consideration ensures the finished pig maintains its shape and structural integrity over time.