Knitted elf couple

Using 4 double-pointed knitting needles size 3.5 mm and Anna and Clara’s cotton yarn, Col 1, cast on 24 stitches (sts).

Work in the round. Rounds (rds) 1-10: knit (k) to end of rd. Switch to Col 2 and work stripes: 1 rd with Col 2 and 1 rd with Col 1. Repeat for a total of 8 rds. Switch to Col 2 and increase (inc) 8 sts evenly in the rd. To inc, make 1 st purlwise in the loop between 2 sts = 32 sts. Work 1 rd with Col 1 and 1 rd with Col 2. Switch to Col 1. Inc between all sts, except at needle change = 60 sts.

Switch to Col 3. k15 on needle 1 + k15 on needle 2, then cast on 8 sts at the end of needle 2. Set a stitch marker (ssm). Cast on 8 sts at beginning (beg) of needle 3, k15 on needle 3 + k15 on needle 4. Cast on 8 sts at end of needle 4 and ssm. Cast on 8 sts at beg of needle 1 = 92 sts in the rd. Work 2 rds: k to end of rd and then work 3 rds: purl (p) to end of rd. Now decrease (dec) in every 6th round by working the 2nd and 3rd sts before and after sm together (tog) (= dec 4 sts per rd) until there are 72 sts in the rd and the skirt measures 12 cm.

Switch to Col 2 and work 3 rds: k to end of rd. Arm shaping: Dec in alternate rds by working the 2nd and 3rd sts before and after sm tog = 32 sts. To make the dots: Using Col 4 in every 5th row, k1 with 7 sts in between.

Switch to Col 4 and work 2 rds: k to end of rd. Switch to Col 3 and inc 8 sts evenly in the rd. To inc, make 1 st purlwise in the loop between 2 sts = 40 sts. Then work 11 rds: k to end of rd.HAT: Switch to Col 3 and work 1 rd: k to end of rd. Then work 3 rds: p to end of rd. Now continue working: k to end of rd. k the first 2 sts on every needle tog in alternate rds until 8 sts remain (rem). Break yarn and pull the thread through the rem 8 sts.

Using Col 3, pick up the 12 centre sts at the upper front edge of the skirt. Knit 8 garter stitch ridges (16 rs of garter stitch). Cast off. At the back, pick up 3 sts at the upper edge of the skirt at approx. one-third of the back width. Work approx. 26 garter stitch ridges. Cast off. Work the other strap at a third of the back width on the other side. Cross the straps at the back. Using Col 1, cross-stitch firmly to the bib to resemble a button.

Turn inside out and sew the outer edges of the skirt together. Weave in ends. Turn right side out and stuff the elf with filling. Using Col 1, stitch the feet together at the bottom and continue sewing up the middle to form legs up to the lower edge of the skirt. Weave in end. Using Col 2, tack along the top edge of the blouse and tighten the yarn a little to define the neck. Weave in end. Sew the arms about 1 cm inside the sides. Stuff with fibre filling and ensure that the arms are defined. If necessary, stitch once to secure the braces to the top of the shoulders to keep them from sliding down. Using Col 3, make a pompom. Sew firmly to the top of the hat. Embroider eyes and mouth. Using Col 5, make hair: Backstitch once, form a loop and repeat. Make short loops at the front as bangs and longer loops at the back in two rows (optional: make pigtails).

Using 4 double-pointed knitting needles size 3.5 mm and Anna and Clara’s cotton yarn, Col 1, cast on 24 stitches (sts).

Rounds (rds) 1-10: k to end of rd. Switch to Col 2 and work stripes: 1 rd with Col 2 and 1 rd with Col 1. Repeat for a total of 8 rds. Switch to Col 2 and increase (inc) 8 sts evenly in the rd. To inc, make 1 st purlwise in the loop between 2 sts = 32 sts. Work 1 rd with Col 1 and 1 rd with Col 2. Switch to Col 1. Inc between all sts, except at needle change = 60 sts.

Switch to Col 3 and work 3 rds: k to end of rd. Inc 20 sts evenly = 80 sts in the rd. Now continue working in the rd: k to end of rd until the trousers measure 10 cm.

Work stripes as follows: 2 rds with Col 2 and 2 rds with Col 3. Continue working stripes. At the same time, shape the arms: Decrease (dec) in alternate rds by working the 2nd and 3rd sts on needles 1 and 3 together (tog) and the 2nd and 3rd last sts on needles 2 and 4 tog = 32 sts.

Switch to Col 4 and work 2 rds: k to end of rd. Switch to Col 3 and inc 8 sts evenly in the rd. To inc, make 1 st purlwise in the loop between 2 sts = 40 sts. Then work 11 rds: k to end of rd. HAT: Switch to Col 3 and work 1 rd: k to end of rd. Then work 3 rds: p to end of rd. Now continue working: k to end of rd. In alternate rds, k the first 2 sts on every needle tog until 8 sts remain (rem). Break yarn and pull the thread through the rem 8 sts.

At the back, using Col 3 at about one-third along the top of the trouser edge, pick up 3 sts and work approx. 30 garter stitch ridges (60 rows (rs): k to end). Cast off. Work the other strap at a third of the back width on the other side. Cross the braces at the back. Using Col 1, cross stitch firmly to the front to resemble a button.

Turn inside out and weave in ends. Turn right side out and stuff with fibre filling. Using Col 1, sew the feet together at the bottom and continue sewing in the middle to form legs up to the edge of the trousers. Weave in end. Using Col 3, sew trouser legs approx. 6 cm up. Weave in end. Using Col 3, stitch along the sides of the shirt. Stuff with fibre filling and ensure that the arms are defined. Now tack along the top edge of the shirt and tighten the yarn a little to define the neck. Embroider mouth and eyes. Using Col 5, make beard and hair: Backstitch once, form a loop and repeat. Make a beard along the mouth, neck and cheeks. Make two rows of hair at the back.