Leftover Yarn Knitting Pattern: Cute Monsters - Red Ted Art

Sooo have some leftover yarn? Looking for some adorable and super fun leftover yarn knitting pattern? Well then Michele Solinger and I have you covered!!! Come and make these little Leftover Yarn Monsters with us today! A heads up though: they eyes are made using crochet, so if crochet is not your bag, you could replace these with some white felt eyes or some buttons! Also, these are made using and icord, but Michele also has a FAB alternative – just read down to end the post to see!

Ledtover yarn monsters - easy knitting pattern for all

This is a great project for beginners and for schools working with odds and ends of yarns! It is a great way to practice some fun stitches, for example (resources are shared below as to how to make these)

Stocking Stitch (basic obviously!)
Seed Stitch or any other pattern stitch
Loop stitch (for the crazy hair)
i-cords for the arms and legs

Worry Monster Poems:

I think these little monsters, as mentioned, make great Worry Monsters too. So, you could “borrow” some of the Worry Worm Poems out there and add them to your monster gift – though my daughter had a go at writing you some poems!! So note, these are now copywright to P Woodley 🙂

Here is Michele’s Random Acts of Kindness Poem:

I’m a little Hug Monster,
Sitting all alone.
If you’d like to love me,
Please take me home.

Worry Monster Poem 1

If you are feeling worried,
Or a little bit blue,
Just tell me all your worries,
As I’m here to help you!

Worry Monster Poem 2

This little monster
will always be here.
And even on those bad days,
will bring a little cheer!

Worry Monster Poem 3

Next time you’re upset,
Please don’t fret!
This little monster will help you forget
Any regret
And help you reset
To a much happier, better mindset!

Supplies needed:

Left over yarn in all colors (having a little white yarn and black yarn for the eyes and red yarn for the mouth is good, but not essential)
Toy stuffing (or yarn scraps, or upcycled washed pillow stuffing)
Yarn needle
Scissors
3.25mm knitting needles
3.5mm crochet hooks

Note: if you don’t want to crochet the eyes, using a piece of penny sized white felt will do the trick, or you can experiment with buttons too!

How to knit your leftover yarn monsters

By Michele Solinger

For anyone looking to use up a bunch of bits and ends of yarn … these wonky-eyed Hug Monsters are a great way to do it. There isn’t really a pattern!! Just have fun with this.

These are knit with worsted weight yarn On 3.25 mm needles.

I knit flat and stitch across the top and down the side.

Make the knitted Monster’s Body:

As you can see from Michele’s collection of Monsters, she had fun exploring different coloured stripes and also switching between stocking stich and pattern making (e.g. we love the seed stitch)! You can explore some beginner knitting stitches over on We Are Knitters. Just have fun!!!

Cast on 34 st

Body is 24 rows. (in whatever colours you want and in whatever stitch pattern you want)
Face is 16 rows. (i prefer to use stocking stitch for this)

Do not cast off.

Hair

Continue the hair at the top of the face part.

If you don’t want to do the loop stitch, you can use “fluffy yarn” like this instead.. and simply knit 5 rows with it!

Have a go at the loop stitch for this one. Here is how to do the loop stitch.

1 row loop stitch
purl
1 row loop stitch
Purl
1row loop stitch.

Divide the stitches on 2needles (17 st each needle)

Turn right sides together and do a 3 needle bind off. Check the step photos here or the video below.

The 3 needle bind of allows you to cast of and sew a seam at the same time. It is a super clever technique that is very neat and saves you a little time.

Put the RIGHT sides together, wrong side out (as you will get a small ridge, which will then be on the inside of your knitted monster).

Lign up your stitches (remember, you will have 17 on each needle).

Put the third needle through the front of the first stitch on needle one, and then also through the front of the first stich of needle too. Wrap you yarn and pull through both. You are effectively knitting two stitches together.

Make a second one of these stitches.

Then cast off the two stitches you have on your third needle as per usual.

Your first 3 needle bind off stitch is done!

Repeat! And work your way along your knitted Monster’s hair.

Here is how to do a 3 needle bind off:

6 Stitch I-Cord

Here is how to do a 6 Stitch I Cord for the arms and legs:

Arms

6 stitch I-cord for 11 rows.

Legs

6 stitch I-cord for 15 rows.

Alternative to the I-Cord for Arms and Legs

This alternative is done AFTER you have sewn up and stuffed the body. But sharing it here now.

You could also use a super chunky yarn (or several strands of a regular yarn) to plait your arms and legs.

Use an 8icnh strand and sew on three strands (a row a part for the arms and a stitch apart for the legs). See image for the arms to give you and idea.

Then plait and knot at the end!