What you will need...
Total time - 1 Hour Each Egg
(One piece 40 minutes, 20 minutes sewing up)
4mm knitting needles (UK 8, US 6)
Double knitting yarn - various colours
Sewing up needle
Scissors
Stuffing/Toy Filling
Before You Start...
Abbreviations
K = Knit P = Purl St = Stitch Sts = Stitches
Inc = Increase - by knitting into the front and the back of the same stitch, to make two stitches out of one.
Dec = Decrease - by knitting two stitches together, making one stitch from two.
K2tog = Knit two stitches together at the same time as above (thereby halving your stitches).
G-st = Garter stitch. Every row knit.
St-st = stocking stitch. Alternating a row of knit stitches (right side), with a row of purl stitches (wrong side).
Cast On - I use the thumb method
Cast off - K wise unless otherwise stated. US - bind off.
TOP TIP
Choose your yarn - Use chunky or regular wool but note the former will result in a larger egg.
Chunky wool or two strands of yarn simultaneously, makes a larger egg as per the egg on the left.
How to Make it...
Made up of a single piece, but with varying designs.
Basic Piece
Make 6
Time - 1 hour Each
Size 4 cm
Needles 4mm
Yarn Colour of your Choice
Cast on 4 sts
Next Row - Inc K-wise into every stitch (8 sts)
Next row P.
St-st 4 rows Inc 1 st at the start of every row (12 sts)
St-st 6 rows
St-st 8 rows Dec 1 st at the start of every row (4 sts)
St-st 8 rows Inc 1 st at the start of every row (12 sts)
St-st 6 rows
St-st 4 rows Dec 1 st at the start of every row (8 sts)
K2tog to end
Cast off
Patterns and Stripes
Begin as per the basic piece, and after the first purl row, tie on a different colour to begin working stripes.
Continue working two rows for each colour, in the pattern as detailed for the basic piece. Stop working stripes when reaching down to 6 sts before the narrow section, and resume stripes when back up to 6 sts after the narrow section. If simply doing one extra colour as there should be four stripes for each side.
Flip over your knitted stripey egg piece to reveal the following beautiful reverse pattern. Making up both versions together make a nice part of a set.
Multicoloured alternate stripes are a nice idea for an even more colourful egg.
Piece it Altogether
Fold each knitted piece in half and oversew row ends.
Add stuffing to form the perfect rounded shape and firmness.
Pop a collection of eggs together in an eggbox, or in a nice basket with some shredded paper to make a nice decoration. Even decorate an Easter tree!
Make it Different!
Using garter stitch may be easier for children or those who are learning, but will still result in a good egg, and create a contrast when mixed with other eggs.
You could even add your own spots or stars - embroidered onto the surface of your completed eggs. And maybe even knit a little basket to put them all in!
Add a bit of hair and a couple of googley eyes and you could even end up with a little tribe of little egg people. Try and make your own little egg family!
Behind the Scenes!
These patterns are all made up as I go along, learning from mistakes along the way. Every time I create a new pattern, I record it in the Updates part of this site (effectively my blog…) There is a story behind each creation, and this can help give you some more ideas and inspiration.
All done?
Feel free to share your successes or any other tips or suggestions by emailing me. If it's all gone swimmingly and you're ready for you next challenge, have a look at what to try next!