Blair the Witch Jack O'Lantern and Dera Mog in Paintbox Simply DK

Blair the Witch Jack O'Lantern and Dera Mog Halloween Knitting Set

Project Overview

This Halloween-themed knitting pattern set by Amanda Berry includes three charming decorative pieces: a 31cm tall witch character, a 9cm tall pumpkin, and an 18cm tall cat. These finished toys and accessories are perfect for seasonal decoration or as handmade gifts. The set combines intermediate knitting techniques to create a complete Halloween display.

What Is Being Made

• Blair the Witch: A 31cm tall witch figure including a body, head, and hat
• Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin: A 9cm tall pumpkin decoration with stalk
• Dera Mog the Cat: An 18cm tall cat character

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. All pieces are knitted flat, meaning they are worked back and forth on straight needles rather than in the round. The primary stitch used throughout is stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a distinct right and wrong side. The pattern incorporates strategic increases using kfb (knit front and back) stitches to shape the pieces, and k2tog (knit two together) decreases to taper sections. A long tail cast on is used to begin all pieces, providing a sturdy foundation edge.

Stitches and Construction Details

The witch's body demonstrates the core stitch work: cast on 10 stitches in purple yarn, then work 36 rows before beginning strategic increases. Row 2 uses nine kfb stitches to increase from 10 to 19 stitches, creating the body's width. Row 4 continues shaping with another increase sequence, reaching 28 stitches. Row 6 adds further definition with five kfb increases spaced across the row, resulting in 33 stitches. After establishing the body width, rows 7 through 35 maintain stockinette stitch without shaping. The neckline begins at row 37, where the beige yarn is introduced for the head. The head section uses similar increase and decrease techniques: row 38 creates 37 stitches using twelve kfb increases, and subsequent rows maintain stockinette stitch before tapering with k2tog decreases in rows 56 and 58 to shape the head's crown.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern originally called for Deramores Studio DK yarn, which has been discontinued. The recommended substitute is Paintbox Yarns Simply DK, a medium-weight yarn ideal for creating well-defined, durable toys. The color palette includes:

• Paintbox Yarns Simply DK Light Caramel: For the witch's face and body skin tones
• Paintbox Yarns Simply DK Pansy Purple: For the witch's dress and clothing
• Paintbox Yarns Simply DK Blood Orange: For the pumpkin
• Paintbox Yarns Simply DK Pure Black: For details and accents

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires 3.5mm straight knitting needles (US size 4) for the main construction. Additional notions include toy filling for stuffing the three-dimensional pieces, a darning or tapestry needle for seaming knitted sections together, safety eyes (2x 9mm cat's toy safety eyes and 2x 5mm black beads for the witch), up to 2 metres of pink embroidery thread or floss for embroidered details such as the witch's mouth and cat's nose, and a stitch holder or waste yarn for holding live stitches during construction.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of approximately 22 stitches and 28 rows per 10cm square in stockinette stitch on 3.5mm needles. The pattern notes that precise tension is not critical for this toy project, allowing crafters some flexibility while maintaining the intended finished sizes.

Suitable for Intermediate Knitters

This intermediate-level pattern builds on fundamental knitting skills, requiring competence with cast-on methods, basic increases and decreases, stockinette stitch, and seaming techniques. The repetitive nature of stockinette stitch sections makes it accessible for those progressing