Ginger Bread Couple and hat competition

Mauds garn (a Norwegian yarn store) is having a hat competion on Facebook. Which inspired me to make this hat. If you like the hat, you can vote for me here, just click like.

The hardest part of the pattern writing was to get the ginger bread couple right - I think Babben, my test knitter, will agree on that. But we worked it out in the end.

I made two couples, used one for the hat, and another for a scarf, which will be sold at Epla's Christmas Market. If you want to make your own, I give you the pattern here.

They are worked from the head and downwards in garter stitch.

BO      bind off

CO      cast on

k          knit

k2tog   knit two stiches together 

m1       make one stitch
ssk       slip two stitches as if to knit, then return to left needle and knit together through back loops
st(s)     stitch(es)

Ginger bread lady

CO 5 sts.

Row 1: k
Row 2: k1, m1, k3, m1, k1 = 7 sts
Rows 3 – 10: k
Row 11: ssk, k3, k2tog = 5 sts
Row 12: ssk, k1, k2tog = 3 sts
Row 13: k 3, CO 6 sts = 9 sts
Row 14: k9, CO 6 sts = 15 sts
Rows 15 – 19: k
Row 20: BO 4 sts, k10 = 11 sts
Row 21: BO 4 sts, k6 = 7 sts
Rows 22- 27: k
Row 28: k3, m1, k4 = 8 sts
Row 29: k3, m1, k5 = 9 sts
Row 30: k4, m1, k5 = 10 sts
Row 31: k4, m1, k6 = 11 sts
Rows 32 – 34: k
Row 35: BO 2 sts, k2 (= 3 sts for first leg), BO 1 st, k4. Put the 3 sts for first leg on a piece of scrap yarn.
Row 36: BO 2 sts, k2 (= 3 sts for second leg).

Leg:
Rows 37 – 39: k
BO and cut yarn.

Put the 3 sts on scrap yarn back onto the needle to make another leg. K 3 rows. BO. Cut yarn and weave in ends.

Ginger bread man

Work as for ginger bread lady till row 21.

Rows 22 – 30: k

Row 31: k4, m1, k3 = 8 sts

Row 32: k4, m1, k4 = 9 sts

Row 33: k4, BO 1 st, k till end. Put the first 4 sts on scrap yarn. Continue working on the last 4 sts (leg). (= 4 + 4 sts)

Leg:

Rows 34-37p: k

Row 38: k1, k2tog, k1 = 3 sts

Row 39: k

BO and cut yarn.

Put the 4 sts from scrap yarn back onto the needle. Repeat from row 34 for another leg.

Weave in ends.

The ginger bread couple is felted in your washing machine. They felt better with other items, like towels. They might need a couple of rounds.

Embroider face and buttons. If they’re well felted, the white yarn ends is easily hidden inside.