Deramores Farmland Favourites Barn Toy Knitting Pattern

Deramores Farmland Favourites Barn Knitting Pattern

What is Being Made

The Deramores Farmland Favourites Barn is a knitted toy barn designed by Amanda Berry. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a three-dimensional farmyard structure measuring 17cm tall and 22cm wide. The barn is constructed from multiple knitted flat pieces that are sewn together to form the complete toy, making it an ideal project for crafters looking to develop their toy-making skills.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters:

• Flat knitting: All pieces are knitted flat using back-and-forth rows on straight needles rather than in the round, making the construction straightforward and accessible
• Stockinette stitch: The primary fabric structure, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, providing a smooth, classic finish
• Decreasing: Shaping techniques including ssk (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) are used to form the barn's roof and create dimensional shaping
• Casting on and casting off: The pattern uses long tail cast on for secure edges and standard cast off to finish pieces
• Seaming: Mattress stitch is used to join the knitted pieces together, creating neat, invisible seams ideal for toy construction

Stitches Used

The pattern focuses on essential stitches that create a solid foundation for toy making:

• Stockinette stitch (st.st.): The main stitch throughout, alternating knit and purl rows to create the barn's fabric
• Knit (k): Basic knit stitch forming the right-side rows
• Purl (p): Basic purl stitch forming the wrong-side rows
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease used for shaping the barn roof and creating tapered edges
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used alongside ssk for symmetrical shaping
• Knit into front and back (kfb): An increase stitch available for pattern variations

Materials and Equipment

Needles: A pair of 4mm straight knitting needles (US size 6) are required for this project. These needles are ideal for working with DK-weight yarn and provide the correct gauge for the finished barn dimensions.

Yarn: The pattern calls for Deramores Studio DK yarn in three colors, with 1 x 100g skein required in each:

• Red: Deramores Studio DK in "Ruby" for the barn walls
• Grey: Deramores Studio DK in "Smoke" for additional barn details
• White: Deramores Studio DK in "Frost" for contrast elements

Deramores Studio DK is a double knitting or light worsted weight yarn, providing excellent stitch definition and durability for a toy that will be handled and played with.

Additional notions: Toy filling is essential for stuffing the three-dimensional barn structure, and a darning or tapestry needle is needed for sewing the knitted pieces together using mattress stitch.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of approximately 22 stitches by 28 rows over a 10cm x 10cm square when working stockinette stitch on 4mm needles. However, the pattern notes that tension is not critical for this toy project, allowing crafters some flexibility while maintaining the intended finished size of 17cm tall by 22cm wide.

Pattern Structure

The barn is constructed in separate flat pieces, beginning with the barn front. The front panel is cast on with 58 stitches in red yarn and worked in stockinette stitch for 27 rows. Subsequent rows introduce decreases that shape the barn's iconic peaked roof, reducing stitches progressively until the roof section is complete. The pattern continues with instructions for the barn back and additional components, with each piece worked flat and later assembled using mattress stitch seaming for a professional, durable finish.