Toby Tinsel

I don’t know about you but Christmas is by far my favourite holiday. I think it stems from the warm memories I have of spending it with my amazing and much-missed grandmother in her warm, cosy, council flat just outside London.

Even though she didn’t have a lot of spare cash, she always made her place feel so special and happy, and her roast dinners were the best. The smell of turkey and (slightly fart smelling) vegetables boiling away on the stove, the TV showing choir singers belting out Christmas songs on BBC2, bowls filled with nuts and dates and – randomly – her haphazard Christmas tree laden with mismatched neon ornaments and silver and blue (eek!) tinsel fill me with overwhelming warmth and happiness.

I think this explains why I am such a Christmasist (fellow Peep Show fans will know) and why I am determined to create the perfect Christmas every year now I have my own family. Although, if I may say, I am a lot more organised and obsessive with regards to decor compared with my Nan – she didn’t care a hoot about matchy stuff and I am almost maniacal in that respect.

When coming up with festive designs it’s tempting to go in the direction of baubles and trees, but this year I thought I’d add another member to my Tiny Family and create a brand-new friend In honour of my Nan’s mismatched tree and kitsch decorations! Introducing Toby Tinsel – he’s podgy, he’s sweet and he’s proudly sparkly in every sense! He combines cuteness with unusual yet festive colours and makes an adorable handmade gift. Let get sparkly!

AT A GLANCE: Tinsel Hat Project Knitting Project
MATERIALS & TOOLS	Yarn: <15g DK (or fingering held double) + ~25g tinsel/fuzzy yarn. Oddments of cotton for the tassel. Needles: 3.5 mm longer-length circulars or double-pointed needles Stuffing: Scrap yarn or toy filling Notions: Stitch marker, scissors, safety eyes or embroidery thread
TECHNIQUES	Knitting in the round (magic loop/DPNs), invisible join, tiny attached tassel
ABBREVIATIONS	CO, K, P, KFB, K2TOG, BO, STS
PROJECT NOTES The original tinsel yarn is discontinued, but you can substitute with Scheepjes Panda, King Cole Tinsel, or any fancy fuzzy yarn you adore for a unique texture!

Face guide:

IMPORTANT: Be careful when using safety eyes if you’re planning on giving your finished Toby Tinsel to a small child (under 36 months). It’s always best to embroider eyes onto items intended for gifting to young kids.

Toby Tinsel · Knitting Pattern

Body

Round 1: Using yarn held double, cast on 11 sts. Join in the round, decreasing one st (10 sts).
Round 2: Kfb in every stitch (20 sts).
Round 3: Knit all stitches.
Round 4: *Kfb, k1; repeat from * around (30 sts).
Round 5: Knit all stitches.
Round 6: *Kfb, k2; repeat from * around (40 sts).
Round 7: Knit all stitches.
Rounds 8–23: Knit 16 rounds plain.
Rounds 24–39: Change to second color and knit 16 rounds plain.
Decoration: Sew on eyes, add safety eyes, or embroider the mouth.
Round 40: *K1, k2tog, k2; repeat from * around (30 sts).
Round 41: Knit all stitches.
Round 42: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * around (20 sts).
Assembly: Sew on arms and stuff the body firmly.
Round 43: Knit all stitches.
Round 44: K2tog around (10 sts).
Finishing: Bind off all stitches. Weave tail through the stitches, pull tight to cinch closed, and secure ends.

Hat

Round 1: Using second color, cast on 21 sts. Join in the round, decreasing one st (20 sts).
Rounds 2–9: Knit all stitches.
Round 10: *K2tog, k1; repeat from * until 2 sts remain, k2 (14 sts).
Rounds 11–14: Knit all stitches.
Round 15: *K2tog, k1; repeat from * until 1 st remains, k1 (10 sts).
Round 16: Knit all stitches.
Round 17: K2tog around (5 sts).
Finishing: Bind off. Cinch the top closed and weave in ends.
Tassel: Create a small tassel by winding yarn around your fingers (10 loops recommended). Attach to the top of the hat and trim to your desired length.

Arms (Make Two)

Cast On: Using yarn held double, cast on 12 sts.
Row 1: Purl all stitches.
Finishing: Bind off. Sew arms onto the sides of Toby’s body. Sew the hat onto the top of Toby’s head carefully and evenly and then you’ve finished!

If you’d like to add more members to your Tiny Family, check out my patterns for Harriet, Ruben and Clarence by following the links.

Don’t forget to share your finished Tiny Family characters on social media and tag me @emmaknitty so I can see your wonderful work!

Happy crafting,