Knitting: Blue Crayfish

I adapted a (free!) pattern for a knit lobster by Molly Lincoln at        http://dirigo.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/free-pattern-toy-lobster/ to look   a little more like my blue crayfish.

This is one of the best lobster patterns I have come across and have had it in  my queue of projects for awhile. When I recently acquired a (real) blue crayfish, I just had to knit this immediately. I decided to modify it a little bit to make it more like my crayfish, not because I thought the pattern needed any changing on its own.

I used a smaller gauge needle (size 4 double pointed) than called for with worsted weight yarn. The author had suggested that it may be a good idea and it seemed to work fine. I added another set of legs to make it a decapod. I also added the little appendages in the front that seems to add to the personality of my crayfish. I threaded an I-cord through the head for the eyes. Wire pipe cleaners were inserted into the legs with the claws so I could get it to sit up a little more. The big, clawed legs were also lengthened by another six rows. (Where it says to knit 10 rows, I went to 16.)  I also knit the antennae as a single stitch I-cord with a 2 stitch I-cord base.

There are other additions I thought of adding but my queue of projects is long and I am itching to move to the next one. 🙂 I thought of adding swimmeretts and making the claws a different shape but I have some fingerless mittens to finish! (And 2 scarves, a few more toys, socks…..etc)

The only problems I had was getting the tail fins attached. That was more me than the pattern though. I also hate making I-cords. Heh….but that is also me. Her instructions were clear and easy to follow. I recommend this pattern as a semi-quick knit for a fun little lobster. Be sure to print the picture she has of a finished lobster as a reference when attaching the tail and legs. I do not recommend this toy for very small children. There are too many parts that can come off unless you secure them more than what is called for. This also did not take up much yarn. Less than the skein. I am not sure of the exact amount.

If I did it again I would change the shape of the claws to make it more like my crayfish but I was not too worried this time. I also overstuffed the little guy. Maybe he is just well fed….

Unfortunately, he does not photograph well due to the dark blue. I hope it still gives you an idea. He looks better in person….in crayfish?

Here are a couple more pictures at my flickr site.Click links below.

http://flickr.com/photos/virtuallyamy/2902863444/

http://flickr.com/photos/virtuallyamy/2902928520/

http://flickr.com/photos/virtuallyamy/2902126323/

I have also finished some fingerless mitts if you would like to see more knitting projects.