Classically Cabled Squirrel

Well, I must admit that I probably spent a little more time making this little guy than I should have, but he turned out much better than I expected, and how often do you see a pattern for a little squirrel toy?  I will warn you now that this probably isn't a beginner's project, so if you would like to start with an easier toy with similar features, I would recommend checking out my Classically Cabled Bunny.  If you are brave enough to try this little toy out, I think you will be very pleased with the results and I would love to see what you come up with!  Just let me know by sending a picture via my contact page!

Materials

• 1 sk Caron Simply Soft in Perfect Plum
• Size 8 knitting needles
• Cable needle
• Yarn sewing needle

Stitch Glossary

KB2: sl 1 st onto cn and hold to back, k1, then k1 from cn.

KF2: sl 1 st onto cn and hold to front, k1, then k1 from cn.
PB2: sl 1 st onto cn and hold to back, p1, then p1 from cn.
PF2: sl 1 st onto cn and hold to front, p1, then p1 from cn.

inc: knit front and back of st.

WTS: bring yarn to RS of needle, sl st, bring yarn to WS of needle, return slipped st back to LH needle, turn work.

Back
Leg 1
Cast on 4 sts.
Row 1 (RS): inc1, k2, inc 1.
Row 2 (and all WS rows): purl.
Row 3: k1, (inc1) 4 times, k1.
Row 5: k8, WTS, p5, WTS, k7.
Row 7: k2, ssk, k2, k2tog, k2.
Rows 9, 11, 13: knit.
Row 15: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1.  Break yarn, and push work to end of needle.

Leg 2
On opposite needle of where you are storing Leg 1, cast on 4 sts.  Then, work same as first leg, ending on Row 15, without breaking yarn.

Joining Row (WS): p6, cast on 1st, p6 from Leg 1.

Body
Row 1: k4, inc1, k3, inc1, k4.
Row 2 (and all WS rows unless specified otherwise): purl.
Row 3: k2, inc1, (k4, inc1) 2 times, k2.
Row 5: k16, WTS, p13, WTS, k12, WTS, p11, WTS, k10, WTS, p9, WTS, k13.
Row 7: k5, ssk, k4, k2tog, k5.
Row 9: (k1, ssk) 2 times, k4, (k2tog, k1) 2 times.
Row 11: k2, ssk, k4, k2tog, k2.
Row 12 (WS): p10, cast on 9 sts (arm 1).
Row 13: k9 (arm1), k10, then cast on 9 sts (arm 2).
Rows 15, 17, and 19: knit.
Row 21: bind off 9 sts, k to end.
Row 22 (WS): bind off 9 sts purlwise, p to end.

Head
Row 1 (RS): ssk, k6, k2tog.
Row 2 (and all WS rows): purl.
Row 3: inc1, k1, inc1, k2, inc1, k1, inc1.
Row 5: inc1, k3, inc1, k2, inc1, k3, WTS, p11, WTS, k10, WTS, p9, WTS, k10, inc1.
Row 7: inc1, k3, inc1, k6, inc1, k3, inc1.
Row 9: k4, inc1, k10, inc1, k4.
Row 11: k4, ssk, k8, k2tog, k5.
Row 13: k2, ssk, (k5, k2tog) 2 times, k2.
Row 15: ssk, k13, WTS, p12, WTS, k10, WTS, p8. WTS, k6, WTS, p4, WTS, k8, k2tog.
Row 17: k5, bind off 5 sts, k to end.

Ear 1
p6.
Row 1 (RS): (inc1, k1) 2 times, inc1.
Row 2: purl.
Row 3: ssk, k4, k2tog.
Row 4: purl.
Row 5: ssk, k2tog.
Row 6: k2tog.
Fasten off.

Work Ear 2 in the same manner.  Weave in all loose ends.

Front
Leg 1
Cast on 4 sts.
Row 1 (RS): inc1, k2, inc1.
Row 2 (and all WS rows): purl.
Row 3: k1, (inc1) 4 times, k1.
Row 5: k8, WTS, p5, WTS, k4, WTS, p3, WTS, k6.
Row 7: k3, ssk, k2tog, k3.
Rows 9, 11, 13: knit.
Row 15: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1.

Leg 2
On opposite needle of where you are storing Leg 1, cast on 4 sts.  Then, work same as first leg, ending on Row 15, without breaking yarn.

Joining Row (WS): p6, cast on 2 sts, p6 from Leg 1.

Body
Row 1 (RS): k5, inc1, k2, inc1, k5.
Row 2 (and all WS rows unless otherwise specified): purl.
Row 3: inc1, k5, inc1, k2, inc1, k5, inc1. 
Row 5: k7, p1, k4, p1, k2, WTS, p2, k1, p4, k1, p2, WTS, k2, p1, KB2, KF2, p1, WTS, k1, PB2, PF2, k1, WTS,   KB2, KF2, WTS, p2, WTS, k2, p1, k7.
Row 6 (WS): p7, k1, PB2, PF2, k1, p7.
Row 7: k5, ssk, p1, KB2, KF2, p1, k2tog, k5.
Row 8 (WS): p6, k1, PB2, PF2, k1, p6.
Row 9: k4, ssk, p1, KB2, KF2, p1, k2tog, k4.
Row 10 (WS): p5, k1, PB2, PF2, k1, p5.
Row 11: k2, ssk, k1, p1, KB2, KF2, p1, k1, k2tog, k2.
Row 12 (WS): p4, k1, p4, k1, PB2, PF2, then cast on 9 sts for arm 1.
Row 13: k9 (arm 1), k4, p1, KB2, KF2, p1, k4, then cast on 9 sts for arm 2.
Row 14 (WS): p9 (arm 2), p4, k1, PB2, PF2, k1, p to end.
Row 15: k12, ssp, KB2, KF2, p2tog, k12.
Row 16 (WS): p12, k1, PB2, PF2, k1, p12.
Row 17: k12, p1, KB2, KF2 p1, k12.
Row 18 (WS): rep Row 16.
Row 19: k11, ssp, KB2, KF2, p2tog, k11.
Row 20 (WS): p11, k1, PB2, PF2, k1, p11.
Row 21: bind off 9 sts, k1, p1, KB2, KF2, p1, k to end.
Row 22 (WS): bind off 9 sts purlwise, p1, k1, PB2, PF2, k1, p2.

Head
Row 1 (RS): ssk, (k2, k2tog) 2 times.
Row 2 (and all WS rows): purl.
Row 3: (k1, inc1) 3 times, k1.
Row 5: (inc1) 2 times, k1, (inc1) 4 times, k1, (inc1) 2 times.
Row 7: k2, inc1, k3, inc1, k4, inc1, k2, WTS, p11, WTS, k9, WTS, p7, WTS, k5, WTS, p3, WTS, k8, inc1, k2.
Row 9: k1, inc1, k5, (ssk) 2 times, (k2tog) 2 times, k5, inc1, k1.
Row 11: k9, k2tog, k9.
Row 13: k2, ssk, k11, k2tog, k2.
Row 15: ssk, k13, WTS, p12, WTS, k10, WTS, p8, WTS, k6, WTS, p4, WTS, k8, k2tog.
Row 17: k5, bind off 5 sts, k5.

Ears
Work same as back ears.

Tail
Cast on 8 sts.
Row 1: inc1, k2, (inc1) 2 times, k2, inc1.
Row 2 (and all WS rows): purl.
Row 3: k1, (inc1) 4 times, k2, (inc1) 4 times, k1.
Rows 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19: knit.
Row 21: *k3, inc1; rep from * across.
Row 23: knit.
Row 25: *k4, inc1; rep from * across.
Row 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45: knit.
Row 47: *k4, k2tog; rep from * across.
Row 49: *k2, k2tog; rep from * across.
Row 51: k2tog across.
End on WS row.  Cast off 10 sts.

Finishing
Sew front and back of rabbit together, leaving a space between the ears for stuffing.  Stuff the legs, arms, and body lightly, then stuff the head lightly as well.  Leave the ears unstuffed.  If you want to add eyes to the toy, do this now, and then hem up the top of the head.  Fold tail in half, and sew up the seam.  Then, attach to rear end of squirrel body.  Lightly curl the end of the tail, and sew in place.  Then, attach the end of the tail to the head of the squirrel to keep it in place.