What you'll need
| One size only: | 6 inches/15 cm long- 3 inches/7.5 cm tall |
|---|---|
Knitpicks Brava Worsted - Asphalt Heather
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1 |
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Knitpicks Brava Worsted - Sienna
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1 |
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Knitpicks Brava Worsted - Cream
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1 |
Product Description
Floyd and Elena are mini tapirs about 6 inches/15 cm long. Heywood, my other tapir, is about 10 inches/25 cm long. They are just right to pair with Heywood as baby-sized companions.
Tapirs are native to Central and South America and Asia. Their cousins are rhinos, who share their thick skin. Much like elephants, tapirs have a prehensile trunk that they use to grab fruit and leaves (Their favorite to eat!). There are five different species of tapirs, two of which are included here. Floyd is a Malayan tapir, the black and white variety. Malayan tapirs are the largest and the only species of tapir native to Asia. He wants to grow up to be big like his older brother Heywood! Elena is a South American tapir, sometimes called the lowland tapir, and is brown in color. She loves swimming and would love to show her cousin Floyd her rainforest home!
Mini Tapir Cousins Floyd and Elena Knitted Toys
What is Being Made
Mini Tapir Cousins Floyd and Elena is a set of two small knitted toy tapirs designed by Rebecca Olson of Rabbits and Robots. These adorable amigurumi-style creatures represent two different tapir species: Floyd, a Malayan tapir featuring distinctive black and white coloring, and Elena, representing a different tapir variety. Each finished toy measures approximately 6 inches long and 3 inches tall, making them perfect small companion pieces or collectibles. The pattern includes detailed information about tapir biology and characteristics, explaining that tapirs are native to Central and South America and Asia, are related to rhinoceroses, and feature a distinctive prehensile trunk used for foraging fruit and leaves.
Knitting Techniques and Stitches Used
This beginner-friendly knitting pattern employs fundamental techniques suitable for crafters new to toy construction. The primary stitch used is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric base. The pattern incorporates several essential knitting abbreviations and techniques:
- Knit (K) - the basic knit stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
- Knit in the front and back (Kfb) - an increase technique that creates additional stitches for shaping
- Knit two together (K2tog) - a decrease technique for tapering and shaping the toy pieces
- Cast on (CO) - the foundation row technique for beginning the knitted fabric
- Pull up and knit (Pull&K) - a technique for picking up stitches, useful for constructing different toy sections
The pattern uses double-pointed needles (DPNs) for working in the round, a standard approach for creating seamless, three-dimensional toy pieces. Stitch markers help track pattern repeats and construction points throughout the project.
Materials and Tools Required
The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that works up quickly and provides good stitch definition for toy details. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 26 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, which helps ensure properly proportioned finished toys.
Essential notions and tools include:
- Double-pointed needles in appropriate size for worsted weight yarn
- A size E crochet hook (used for finishing details or seaming)
- Stitch markers for tracking pattern sections
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and assembling pieces
- Four 6mm animal safety eyes in black (two per tapir) for creating realistic, secure facial features
- Polyester fiber fill for stuffing the toys to create three-dimensional shape and structure
Design and Educational Elements
Beyond the construction instructions, this pattern enriches the crafting experience with natural history information. Crafters learn that tapirs are fascinating mammals related to rhinoceroses, sharing characteristics like thick skin. The pattern notes that there are five different tapir species, with Floyd representing the Malayan tapir—the largest species and the only tapir variety native to Asia. This educational component transforms the knitting project into a learning opportunity about wildlife and biodiversity.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Worsted |
| Pages: | 4 |
| Designer: | Rabbits and Robots |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Notes: | Additional Notions: Four 6mm animal safety eyes in black (two per Tapir) Yarn Yardage: Brown: 30 yards Gray: 25 yards Cream: 10 yards |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
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