Cthulhu Pattern

This is a cute, snuggly, knitted version of the cosmic entity, Cthuhlu, created by H. P. Lovecraft back in 1928.

Materials

DK yarn of your colour choice
3mm DPN’s (or one or two sizes smaller than recommended by yarn
Safety eyes (I used black 6mm ones, alternatively eyes can be sewn on with scrap yarn)
Soft polyfill type stuffing

A quick note, Cthulhu is worked entirely in reverse stockinette, this means that the ‘bumpy’ side of normal stockinette is the correct side to achieve a scaly looking fabric. When working in the round, you purl every row instead of knit. If you don’t like to purl, you can always knit every row but will need to turn the pieces inside out before stuffing.

Head (make 1)

CO 10sts, join in the round, careful not to twist any stitches.

Round 1 – P
Round 2 – P4, PFB (Purl front and back of stitch, if easier, this can be done in the traditional KFB) P to last 5 sts, PFB, P to end
Round 3 – P to last 5 sts, w & t, K to last 5 sts, w & t, P to end

Repeat rounds 2 and 3 until 30 sts has been reached, making sure to end after a round 3.

BO all sts.

Tentacles (make 1)

CO 32sts

Row 1 – P
Row 2 – *CO a further 17 sts, then BO 19 sts.* This should leave you with 30 sts and the first tentacle. Repeat from * to * until 0 sts are left. You should have 16 tentacles.

Body (make 1)

CO 6sts, join in the round, careful not to twist any stitches.

Round 1 – PFB every stitch
Round 2 – P
Round 3 – P1, (PFB)x3, P3, (PFB)x3, P2 (18 sts)
Round 4 – P
Round 5 – P1, (PFB, P1)x3, P4, (PFB, P1)x3, P1 (24 sts)
Round 6-18 – P
Round 19 – *P2, P2tog*, Repeat from * to * end (18 sts)
Round 20 – P
Round 21 –  *P1, P2tog*, Repeat from * to * end (12 sts)
Round 22 – P
Round 23 – (P2, P2tog, P2)x2

BO all stitches

Legs (make 2)

CO 11 sts, join in the round, careful not to twist any stitches.

Round 1-10 – P
Round 11 – P3, P2tog, P1, P2tog, P3 (9 sts)
Round 12 – PFB every stitch
Round 13-15 – P
Round 16 – P12,* turn work, do not wrap sts throughout foot, K6, turn, P6, turn, (K2tog)x3, turn, P3tog, pull yarn through one remaining loop, cut and you can use this to sew the side of toe closed.*

Reattach yarn to first unworked P st of Round 16, P3 then repeat * to * to make second toe.

Reattach yarn to first unworked P st of Round 16, P3 then repeat * to * to make final toe.

Arms (make 2)

CO 9 sts, join in the round, careful not to twist any stitches.

Round 1-10 – P
Round 11 – P5,* turn work, do not wrap sts throughout hand, K3, turn, P3, turn, K3, turn, P3tog, pull yarn through one remaining loop, cut and you can use this to sew the side of finger closed.*

Reattach yarn to first unworked P st of Round 11, P2 then repeat * to * to make second toe.

Reattach yarn to first unworked P st of Round 11, P2 then repeat * to * to make final toe.

Wings (make 2)

CO 2sts, this piece is worked flat and in garter stitch (every row is knit)

Row 1 – K to last st, KFB
Row 2 – K

Repeat rows 1 and 2 another 4 times (7sts)

Row 11 – K to last 2 sts, K2tog
Row 12 – K

Repeat rows 11 and 12 another 3 times (3sts), BO

Assembly

Tuck in all loose threads.

For head, pin the CO edge to the edge of the BO so that a curved shape is achieved. Stuff and attach/embroider eyes. Sew the CO edge of the tentacles around the BO edge of the head, there should be enough tentacles to go completely round and enough to go around again. Sew this into place and sew the centre closed.

Stuff body, sew head on so that the tentacles rest comfortably on its chest. Stuff arms and legs and position as desired. I positioned mine so it would be sitting, the back legs need to be spread a bit to stop it falling over.

Lastly, position wings so that the curve is on top and the straight edge at the bottom, sew onto back.

Allow your Cthuhlu to drive the world into madness and chaos with its cutness!

Pattern copyright to Foxymitts.co.uk