by DilysSutherland, (c) 1998
**Special Abbreviation: ssk - this is an alternative to the old psso decrease. To ssk, you slip the next two stitches knitwise, then insert the tip of the left hand needle into the front of these two stitches, then knit them together. If you prefer, you could always use the psso decrease instead. (Slip 1, knit one, pass slipped stitch over), but I find the ssk is quicker and neater.
Materials:
Knitting needles in sizes 2.75 mm and 3.25 mm. Baby or fingering weight yarn, to be used in a double strand, OR sport weight or DK weight yarn to be used in a single strand. Small amounts of yarn for embroidering facial features.
Bootie:
With 2.75 mm needles, cast on 32 stitches and work 24 rows in k2, p2 ribbing, increasing 5 stitches evenly over the last row. (37 stitches)
Change to 3.25 mm needles and divide for foot as follows:
Next row: k8, (k2tog) twice, k13. slip remaining 12 stitches onto right hand needle to facilitate trading the left hand needle for the larger size. Turn,and slip these 12 stitches back to the other (now larger) needle. p13.
Continue in stockinette stitch on these 13 st for a total of 24 rows. Break yarn.
With right side facing, rejoin yarn to inside edge where 10 st were left, and pick up and knit 15 st along side of foot, k2tog, k9, k2tog, pick up and knit 15 st along other side of foot, (k2tog) twice, k8.
With wrong side facing, and starting with a purl row, work in stockinette stitch for 7 rows. Then...
Shape foot:
1st row: k2, k2tog, k22, k2tog, k5, ssk, k22, ssk, k2
2nd row: purl
3rd row: k2, k2tog, k20, k2tog, k5, ssk, k20, ssk, k2
4th row:purl
5th row: k2, k2tog, k18, k2tog, k5, ssk, k18, ssk, k2
6th row: purl
Cast off
Ears: (make 8. If desired, 4 can be of a contrasting colour for the inside of the ears.)
With 3.25 mm needles, cast on 5 st.
Row 1 and 2: knit
Row 3: k1, m1, k3, m1, k1 (7 st)
Rows 4 - 9 (6 rows): knit
Row 10: k2tog, k3, k2tog (5 st)
Row 11: knit
Row 12: k2tog, k1, k2tog (3 st)
Row 13: knit
Row 14: k3tog. cut yarn and pull through last stitch on needle.
Finishing:
Sew pairs of ear pieces together and, folding bottom edge in half, stitch edge to create ear shape. Sew to bootie foot, and embroider eyes and add whiskers, as shown in picture. Sew bottom and back seam.