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brellas chibi totoro toy last updated Aug 2009 p. 1 of 2

BRELLAS CHIBI TOTORO TOYTotoros are shy forest spirits portrayed in My

Neighbor Totoro, a charming animated film by

Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki. The smallesttotoro shown in the movie is known as the chibi

totoro in Japanese. When at rest, it appears to be

little more than a white body with eyes, ears and atail. If youre a beginning knitter, this is a smallproject that will introduce you to lots of differenttechniques. If youre an experienced knitter, youll

find this a quick but interesting knit, and good for

stashbusting small quantities of yarn.

Please dont charge anyone money for this pattern or for whatever you might make out of it.

The rights to this character belong to Hayao Miyazaki at Studio Ghibli, and should not be used

for personal profit.

GAUGE /MEASUREMENTS: not applicable. Make it any gauge and size you want! The one

pictured was made in a dk/worsted weight yarn on 3mm needles, and measures about 2!" highx 1!" wide. If you are using my O Totoro and Chu Totoro patterns to make a set, plan to knit ata similar gauge for all three in order to have them proportionately sized.

RECOMMENDED YARN: any. Yardage will vary depending on size and gauge. Choose an animalfibre such as wool for its elasticity and low stitch definition. The one shown was knit out of an

alpaca blend. Very fuzzy.

EQUIPMENT /MATERIALS:

! 1 set dpns (or circular for magic loop)

! 1 tapestry needle

! contrasting waste yarn

! stuffing

Youll also need a sewing needle and black thread if youwant to embroider in the eyes; alternatively, considergluing on felt eyes, safety eyes or plastic googly eyes.

TECHNIQUES: If youre a beginner, here is a list of things that might be new to you.Find definitions and useful tutorials as needed at knitty.com orknittinghelp.com.

increases and decreases: k2tog, ssk,m1, kfb

knitting in the round at a small diameter, using either dpns or

the magic loop method (both the body and each ear)

bobbles (the tail is a variation on the basic bobble) short rows: w&t and working wraps together with stitches

(this belly gives its subtle bulge)

HINTS: Try to secure ends as you go, while the inside of the bodyis still easily accessible. You dont necessarily have to weave

ends in completely, nor trim them, since they can form part of thestuffing.

turn the page for the full instructions

7/28/2019 Chibi Totoro Toy

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INSTRUCTIONS:

CO 15 sts, leaving enough of a tail forcinching this opening closed later.

Arrange evenly on 3 dpns (or in 2 sections for

magic loop) and join to knit in the round.If desired, place marker for beginning of round

and ensure that round is not twisted.

round 1: k all sts.round 2: [k2, m1, k2, m1, k1] three times.

round 3: k all sts. (21 sts)

round 4: k all sts.round 5: [k2, m1, k3, m1, k2] three times.round 6: k all sts. (27 sts)

round 7: k3, create tail bobble over next 3

sts (see next), k rem. (27 sts)

TAIL BOBBLE (worked over 3 sts)

tail row 1 (RS): kfb 3 times, turn.

(6 sts in tail section)tail row 2 (WS): p6, turn.

tail row 3 (RS): k1, kfb 4 times, k1, turn.tail row 4 (WS): p10, turn. (10 sts)

tail row 5 (RS): k10, turn.tail row 6 (WS): repeat tail row 4.

tail row 7 (RS): k1, k2tog four times, k1,

turn. (6 sts)tail row 8 (WS): repeat tail row 2.tail row 9 (RS): k2tog 3 times. (3 sts)

rounds 8 to 13: k all sts. (27 sts)

SHORT ROW BELLY BULGE: (counts as round 14)

row A (RS): ssk, k5, k2tog, k14, w&t.row B (WS): p10, w&t.row C (RS): k10, work wrap together

with next st, k rem.

round 15: k10, work wrap together with nextst, k rem. (25 sts)

round 16: ssk, k3, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k6, ssk,

k4. (21 sts)

round 17: k all sts.round 18: k all sts.

round 19: ssk, k1, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k6, ssk,k3. (17 sts)

round 20: k1, m1, k rem. (18 sts)round 21: k2, m1, transfer next 9 sts onto

waste yarn (for left ear).10 sts still on needles for right ear.

Its easiest to stuff the body at this point. You

might consider putting something weightynear the bottom so that the toy is less likely to

tip over. Remember that you can adjust thefullness slightly by stuffing more in or pulling

more out of the bottom later. If you want, tryto stuff the ears as you knit them up for a

more three-dimensional look. (I didnt bother.)

RIGHT EAR: Arrange 10 sts to knit in the

round. Starting from the inside edge,

ear round 1: k all sts.ear round 2: k3, ssk, k2tog, k3. (8 sts)

all odd rounds: k all sts.

ear round 4: k2tog, k4, ssk. (6 sts)

ear round 6: tightly k2tog three times.

Cut yarn, thread tail through 3 rem sts and pull

tight. Weave into inside of ear.

LEFT EAR: Transfer 9 sts from waste yarn

back to needles. Starting from the inside

edge,

m1, k rem sts. (10 sts)

Join to knit in round and repeat right ear fromround 2 onwards.

Adjust stuffing as needed. Thread CO tail

through CO sts and pull tight to close hole.Weave in all ends. Work eyes as desired.

NOTES: The Chu Totoro pattern uses many of the techniques from

this pattern, plus quite a few more. Consider it the next level or two upin complexity. The O Totoro pattern is similar to the Chu but larger,

making it somewhat easier to wrangle but also a bigger knittingcommitment. Go on, knit them all.

If you actually managed to stumble across these patterns without

having seen a Miyazaki film, YOU MUST GO RENT ONE RIGHT NOW.Or, find out about them at nausicaa.net.

You can message me (brella) at ravelry.com with

questions or corrections. Happy knitting!

brella is a Studio Ghibli otaku (fan) who knits and teachesat an alternative school in Toronto, Canada