Knit pattern: Plankton! (from Spongebob)

07/14/10 · Filed in Knitting

Arrrrrrgggghhhh and he be here to steal me krabby patty secret formuler!

Okay, so I know that his computer wife claims that he is 1% evil; 99% hot gas. But according to a statement made by his target audience (i.e. a 6-year-old boy), he’s 100% “soft and easy to punch in his mean eyeball.” To quote him exactly.

He is my own creation, and I actually remembered to jot down some notes to make a pattern out of. So feel free to knit one up for the Spongebob fan in your life!

Before you begin…

This pattern requires knowledge on knitting in the round on double pointed needles, increasing stitches, decreasing stitches, knitting an icord, and sewing felt pieces using the the backstitch. I haven’t included any in depth instructions on how to do any of this, but there are many online resources to help. =)

Materials

US size 8 double pointed needles (set of 4)
1 skein (thought it doesn’t even take half) worsted weight yarn in Green or Olive (I used the brand I Love This Yarn! 100% acrylic)
Stitch marker
Scrap yarn in black, also worsted weight (for the mouth)
Felt pieces in yellow and black
Black embroidery thread
White or yellow embroidery thread
Embroidery needle
Yarn or tapestry needle
A red marker (I stole one temporarily from my son’s room)
Polyester fiberfil

Instructions

BODY
CO 6 sts. using Judy’s Magic Cast-On method.
Join to begin working in the round.
Round 1: Holding both the working yarn AND the tail yarn together, knit the first st, place marker, and continue knitting to the end of the round.
Round 2: (increase round) Treat the extra loops from knitting the tail yarn as separate sts and knit to the end of the round. (12 sts.)
Round 3: Knit
Round 4: *K1, KFB; repeat from * across. (18 sts.)
Now divide these sts on 3 needles.
Round 5: Knit
Round 6: *K2, KFB; repeat from * across. (24 sts.)
Round 7: Knit
Round 8: *K3, KFB; repeat from * across. (30 sts.)
Round 9: Knit
Round 10: *K4, KFB; repeat from * across. (36 sts.)
Round 11: Knit
Round 12: *K5, KFB; repeat from * across. (42 sts.)
Rounds 13 – 34: Knit
Round 35: *K5, K2tog; repeat from * across.
Round 36: Knit
Round 37: *K4, K2tog; repeat from * across.
Round 38: Knit
Round 39: *K3, K2tog; repeat from * across.
Round 40: Knit
Round 41: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * across.
Round 42: Knit
Round 43: *K1, K2tog; repeat from * across.
Round 44: Knit

At this point, stuff the body with fiberfil to the desired “plumpness”.
Put down the knitting needles for a moment and start adding the facial features. Use the body to gauge the proper size of your felt pieces before applying them. For the eyebrow, cut a half moon shape from your black felt. On the flat edge of that shape, cut into it making more of a crescent moon shape. The Plankton is an angry creature.
For the eyeball, cut out an oval shape from the yellow felt, and fill in the iris with the red marker. You will probably need to go over it a few times. I freehanded all of this. Leave a small round area in the center of the iris uncolored.
To attach the eyebrow: Thread your embroidery needle with black thread and backstitch all the way around.
To attach the eyeball: Thread your embroidery needle with white or yellow thread and backstitch all the way around. (Note, if you only have white thread, like I do, take a yellow marker and lightly color over the stitches.)
Making the mouth: Thread your yarn or tapestry needle with the black scrap yarn and use the same backstitch method to make the smile (or frown, or whatever you want).

REMEMBER: After finishing your last backstitch on all of the above, just run your needle down through the body and out of the opening near your knitting needles. The stuffing helps keep the thread/yarn in place without having to weave in ends or tie knots. =)

Now, pick up those knitting needles again, it’s time to finish the body.
Round 45: K2tog around
This is your last chance to add stuffing to the body if you’re not satisfied.
Cut yarn
Thread yarn needle and draw yarn through remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Bring the needle through the body, out the other side, and cut yarn close to the surface.

Yay! The body and face are done!

ANTENNAE
Make two.

CO 4 sts using long-tail cast on method. Divide on 2 needles.
K in the round for 10 rounds.
Round 11: K2tog, K2tog (2 sts.)
Rounds 12 & 13: Knit
Transfer the st on the right needle over on to the left needle
Knit as for icord until entire piece measures approximately 6.5 in.
BO and attach to head. (Use the tail yarn left over from the cast-on to do this).

LEGS
Make two.

CO 10 sts using long-tail cast on method. Divide evenly on 2 needles.
K in the round for 15 rounds.
Round 16: K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2tog, K1, K2tog
Round 17: K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1
Cut yarn. Thread needle with yarn and pull through remaining sts. Pull tight to close.
Lightly stuff legs with fiberfil and attach to desired area on the body.

ARMS
Make two.

CO 6 sts using long-tail cast on.
K as for icord for 17 rows.
K2tog 3 times. Cut yarn.
Thread needle with yarn and pull through remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Attach to desired area on the side of the body.

And that’s it!

Feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions or problems with this pattern. I’d be glad to help. Comments are always welcome, of course.

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