Shortly after posting my brittle star pattern on Ravelry, I received a friendly message from a fellow Raveler who just happened to be an expert on brittle star taxonomy. She complimented me on my effort, but pointed out that most brittle stars have, in fact, only five arms. She suggested that the image from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on which I had based my pattern actually depicted at least two of the creatures lumped together. (Brittle stars love company, I suppose).
I immediately set out to create a more anatomically accurate brittle star. Here is the result:
What it lacks in arms, compared to its enthusiastic predecessor, it has gained in accuracy. I suspect the proportions are still a bit off, but I’m ready to move on to the next undersea adventure! Here is the pattern for this version:
A More Accurate Brittle Star Pattern
Materials:
- a small amount (about 25g) DK to worsted-weight yarn
- 3mm knitting needles
- Blunt yarn needle for sewing up
Instructions:
Cast on 6 stitches.
Row 1: knit
Row 2: Kfb, knit until 1 st remains on left needle, turn, knit to end
Row 3: Kfb, knit until 2 st remains on left needle, turn, knit to end
Row 4: Kfb, knit until 3 st remains on left needle, turn, knit to end, then cast on 40 stitches using the backwards loop (aka “simple”) cast-on.
Row 5: knit across all stitches
Rew 6: knit 9, (k2tog) 20 times, ending at tip of tentacle (for a non-curling tentacle, simply knit all stitches, for just a little curl, work fewer decreases)
Row 7: bind off 20 stitches, knit until 3 sts remain on left needle, turn, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog
Row 8: knit until 2 sts remain on left needle, turn, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog
Row 9: knit until 1 st remains on left needle, turn, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog (6 sts remain)
Row 10: knit across all stitches
Repeat rows 1 through 10 four more times, until your brittle star has 5 tentacles. Bind off the six remaining stitches.
Finishing:
Seam bind-off edge to cast-on. Run the yarn tail through the garter stitch bumps around the edge of the centre hole and draw closed. Weave in ends.
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May 25, 2011 at 2:13 am
sophia John smith
wow..Great idea..starfish craft?..nice job..keep posting..