Get the free knitting pattern for Prima’s Womble
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Remember those loveable furry friends from the 1970s TV show The Wombles? A popular stop-motion animation series with an environmental focus, these useful characters took it upon themselves to clear up the litter on Wimbledon Common and their motto 'make good use of bad rubbish' still continues to inspire today.
Especially now they’re back to introduce a whole new generation of youngsters to sustainability, a love of nature and the importance of community.
Prima has teamed up with The Wombles to create this fabulous knitted Orinoco, one of the popular characters from the show. He makes a fabulous present for a friend, or why not make him just for you?
He's the perfect next project for anyone who's learned the basic techniques of how to knit and is looking to put their skills to good use.
Follow our free knitting pattern to make your own Womble.
Womble knitting pattern
Designed by: Frederica Patmore
Skill level: Intermediate
Materials
For this project we used King Cole Truffle DK 100g in Earl Grey (4368) for the main body. An alternative to the Truffle yarn is Sirdar Snuggly Bunny which gives the same textured feel.
For the rest of the project we used King Cole Big Value DK 2 x 50g in Red(4029) 1 x 50g each in in Rust (3443), Porcelain (4094) and Platinum (4051) plus oddments in Black (2053), White (4020), and Denim (4042). As an alternative you can try a regular DK yarn such as Stylecraft Special.
One pair of 3mm (UK11)
One pair of 3.5mm (UK 9-10)
Stitch markers (optional)
Finished measurements
Height from base of feet to top of hat: 35cm.
Tension
Not essential
Abbreviations
Alt alternate; Cont continue; Foll following; K, knit, Kwise knitwise; Inc increase work twice into next st keeping patt correct (knitwise on a knit row, purlwise on a purl row), M1 make one (insert needle in loop between sts, place loop onto left-hand needle and K or P into it as fits best with pattern); P purl; Pwise, purlwise, Pm place marker; Rev st st reversed stocking stitch: p on RS and k on WS; RS right side; Rem remaining; Sts stitches; St st stocking stitch: k on RS and p on WS; SKPO slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over; Tog together; WS wrong side.
Pattern
Body
Using 3.5mm needles and Truffle, cast on 6 sts.
Row 1(WS): (Inc kwise) to end. (12sts)
Row 2: (Inc pwise) to end. (24sts)
Row 3: (Inc, k1) to end. (36sts)
Row 4 and all foll alt rows: P
Row 5: (Inc, k2) to end. (48sts)
Row 7: (Inc, k3) to end. (60sts)
Row 9: (Inc, k4) to end. (72sts)
Row 11: K
Row 13: (Inc, k5) to end. (84sts)
Row 15: K
Last 2 rows set rev st st. Cont in rev st st for a further 15 rows.
Row 31: (K1, k2tog) 6 times, k48, (K2tog, k1) 6 times. (72sts)
Row 33: K18, (K2tog, k1) 12 times, K18. (60sts)
Row 35: K.
Row 37: K4, (k2tog, k8) to last 6 sts, k2tog, k4. (54sts)
Row 39: K
Row 41: K3, (k2tog, k7) to last 6 sts, k2tog, k4. (48sts)
Row 43: K
Row 45: K3, (k2tog, k6) to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3. (42sts)
Row 47: K
Row 49: K2, (k2tog, k5) to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3. (36sts)
Row 51: K2, (k2tog, k4) to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. (30sts)
Row 53: K2, (k2tog, k3) to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (24sts)
Row 55: K2, (k2tog, k2) to last 2 sts, K2tog. (18sts)
P 1 row. Cast off.
With RS facing, noting (instead of nothing) that the rev st st is the right side as the fur is more pronounced on this side, join row ends and gather up cast-on edge stitches to draw closed. Stuff.
Head
**Using 3mm needles and Rust, cast on 9 sts.
Row 1 (WS): (Inc pwise) to end. (18sts)
Row 2 (RS): (K1, inc) to end. (27sts)
Row 3 and all foll alt rows: P
Row 4: (K2, inc) to end. (36sts)
Row 6: (K3, inc) to end. (45sts)
Row 8: (K4, inc) to end. (54sts)
Row 10: K
Row 12: (K5, inc) to end. (63sts)
Row 14: K
Row 16: (K6, inc) to end. (72sts)
Row 18: K
Work a further 21 rows without shaping. **
Row 40: (K6, k2tog) to end. (63sts)
Row 42: K
Row 44: K24, (k2tog, k2) 3 times, k2tog, k to end. (59sts) Pm at centre of last row to denote centre of where eyes should be embroidered later.
Row 46: K1, (skpo) twice, k to last 5 sts, (k2tog) twice, k1. (55sts)
Row 48: (K9, k2tog) to end. (50sts)
Row 50: (K8, k2tog) to end. (45sts)
Row 52: (K7, k2tog) to end. (40sts)
Row 54: (K6, k2tog) to end. (35sts)
Row 56: (K5, k2tog) to end. (30sts)
Row 58: (K4, k2tog) to end. (25sts)
Row 60: (K3, k2tog) to end. (20sts)
Row 62: (K2, k2tog) to end. (15sts)
Row 64: (K1, k2tog) to end. (10sts)
Row 66: (K2tog) to end. (5 sts)
Break off Rust and join in Black.
Starting with a p row, work 3 rows without shaping. Break off yarn leaving a long tail, and thread through rem sts. Join row ends using mattress st and stuff firmly before gathering up cast on sts and fastening closed. Note that the head seam is the centre underside of the head with the tapered nose pointing forwards. Stitch head to body over neck opening ensuring body seam sits at centre back of head and aligns with underside head seam, adding a little extra stuffing as you go, into the neck, to support the head if needed.
Facial embroidery will be performed later, when you have a few more identifying features added on including Orinoco’s hat.
Hair
Using Truffle yarn and 3.5mm needles, work as given for head to ** Cast off.
Join row ends and gather up cast on stitches, and stitch to head matching up the cast-on edges and underside seams noting that the WS on this piece is the RS on the tan head piece, ensuring the hair is a bit fluffier, as it sits on the purl side, using photos as a guide.
Ears (make two)
Using 3.5mm needles and Truffle yarn, cast on 5 sts.
Row 1 (WS): (Inc kwise) to end. (10sts)
Row 2 and all foll alt rows: P
Row 3: (K1, inc) to end. (15sts)
Row 5: K
Last two rows set rev st st, cont without shaping for a further 23 rows. Place markers at each end of last row. Work 3 more rows.
Break off Truffle. Using 3mm needles and Rust, cont as follows:
Row 32 (RS): K
Row 33: P
Last two rows set st-st. Cont in patt as set, work a further 22 rows.
Cast off.
Folding at markers, join row end edges with RS facing, leaving a border of Truffle at the bottom and tops of the ear. Stitch to head using photos as a guide.
Hat top
Using 3mm needles and Red, cast on 9 sts.
Row 1 (WS): (K1, m1) to last st, k1. (17sts)
Row 2 and all foll alt rows: P
Row 3: (K1, m1, k3, m1) to last st, k1. (25sts)
Row 5: (K1, m1, k5, m1) to last st, k1. (33sts)
Row 7: (K1, m1, k7, m1) to last st, k1. (41sts)
Row 9: (K1, m1, k9, m1) to last st, k1. (49sts)
Row 11: (K1, m1, k11, m1) to last st, k1. (57sts)
Row 13: (K1, m1, k13, m1) to last st, k1. (65sts)
Row 15: K
Last 2 rows set st st, cont in st st for a further 5 rows.
Row 21: K4, (k2tog, k6) to last 5 sts, k2tog, k3. (57sts)
Work a further 8 rows without shaping. Cast off.
With RS facing, join row ends using mattress st and gather up cast-on edge to draw together. Stuff lightly, and stitch to top of head slanting slightly backwards, as shown in photos.
Hat brim
Using 3mm needles and Red, cast on 60sts.
Row 1 (RS): (K4, inc) to end. (72sts)
Row 2 and all foll alt rows: P.
Row 3: (K5, inc) to end. (84sts)
Row 5: (K6, inc) to end. (96sts)
Row 7: (K7, inc) to end. (108sts)
Row 9: (K8, inc) to end. (120sts)
Row 11: K
Row 13: (K5, inc) to end. (140sts)
Row 15: (K6, inc) to end (160sts)
Row 17: (K7, inc) to end. (180sts)
P 1 row. Cast off.
Join row ends and stitch to head around hat top piece with RS facing upwards.
Hat band
Using 3mm needles and Porcelain, cast on 60sts.
Row 1 (WS): K
Row 2: K
Row 3: P
Cast off. Join row ends and stitch around hat top piece as shown.
Using centre face marker as a guide, stitch eyes using concentric semi-circles of white (outer edge), denim and black for the pupils. Stitch a line of straight stitch at the mouth just above the slight ridge caused by decreasing at the head underside, Fasten off.
Legs
Feet soles – make two
With 3mm needles and Platinum, cast on 5 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Inc, k3, inc. (7sts)
Row 2 and all foll alt rows: P
Row 3: Inc, k5, inc. (9sts)
Row 5: Inc, k7, inc. (11sts)
Row 7: Inc, k9, inc. (13sts)
Row 9: K
Last 2 rows set st st, cont in st st for a further 7 rows.
Row 17: Skpo, k9, k2tog. (11sts)
Row 19: Skpo, k7, k2tog. (9sts)
Row 21: Skpo, k5, k2tog. (7sts)
Row 23: Skpo, k3, k2tog. (5sts)
Cast off.
Legs – make two
Using 3.5mm needles and Truffle, cast on 20sts.
Row 1 (WS): K
Row 2 and all foll alt rows: P
Rep last 2 rows once more.
Row 5: (K4, inc) to end. (24sts)
Row 9: (K5, inc) to end. (28sts)
Row 11: K
Row 13: (K6, inc) to end. (32sts)
Row 17: (K7, inc) to end. (36sts)
Row 19: K
Row 21: K13, (inc, k1) 6 times, K11. (42sts).
Row 23: K
Cast off.
Join row ends leaving cast on (upper leg) and cast-off (foot edge) edges open. Matching up the row-end edge seam with the centre of the cast-on edge of a sole piece, stitch the sole piece in place and using Platinum, oversew three toes into the shaped toe edge through both the leg and toe pieces. The row-end edge seam is the centre back of each leg. Stuff and stitch to underside of body.
Arms
Using 3.5mm needles and Truffle, cast on 18sts.
Row 1 (WS): K
Row 2 (RS): P
Last 2 rows set st st. Cont in st st for a further 12 rows.
Shape inner elbow
Row 15: Cast off 2, K to end. (16sts)
Row 16: Cast off 2, P to end. (14sts)
Rep last 2 rows twice more. (6sts)
Row 21: Cast on 2, k to end. (8sts)
Row 22: Cast on 2, p to end (10sts)
Rep last 2 rows, twice more. (18sts)
Row 27: K2, (k2tog, k2) to end. (14sts)
Cont in st st for 5 rows more, cast off.
With RS facing, join row ends and then inner-elbow seam – matching up cast-on and cast-off edges above each other, to shape inner elbow edges and cause the knitted tube to bend at an angle. The seam should resemble a cross shape. Stuff lightly.
Hands – make two
Using 3mm needles and Rust, cast on 19sts.
Row 1 (RS): K
Row 2: P
Last 2 rows set st st. Cont in st st for a further 14 rows.
Row 17: K1, (k next st together with corresponding stitch 6 rows below) 8 times, k to end.
Cast off purlwise, placing marker on 10th stitch along cast-off edge.
Join row ends. Folding at marker, and using mattress stitch, sew the cast-off edge closed in a straight line. This ridge forms the knuckles/fingers. Oversew three stitches evenly-spaced along the knitted tuck to divide for fingers. Fasten off.
Stitch to each arm so that both arms have a hand curled inwards to the body, as shown in the picture.
Thumb
Using 3mm needles and Rust, cast on 2sts.
Row 1 (WS): P
Row 2: (Inc kwise) twice. (4sts)
Row 3 and all foll alt rows: P
Row 4: Inc, k2, inc. (6sts)
Row 6: K
Row 8: K
P 1 row. Cut yarn leaving a long end and gather up the stitches using a blunt-ended darning needle. Join row-ends being mindful not to leave too deep a seam. Stuff (you may need to use tweezers or a pencil to get stuffing into such a small piece), and stitch to inside edge of each hand piece.
Stitch arms to body.
Scarf
Using 3mm needles and red, cast on 16sts.
Row 1: K
Row 2: K
Continue in garter stitch (K every row) until piece measures 58cm. Cast off kwise.
Affix short tassels and sew in place around Orinoco’s neck, folding in half underneath his head and leaving flat hanging from front and back of body.
Have you knitted a Prima Womble? Share your creations with us by tagging @primamag in your pictures on Instagram!
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