DIY Cactaur

I understand that Someone - hi there, Someone  - really wants a little beastie like that which may be seen above.  Here, then, is my first attempt at knitting instructions!

Materials: 2 balls Red Heart Sport, 0652 Limeade; one ball LionBrand Fun Fur (oops, lost the ball band) in a similar green

Needles: Double-point set, size 5 (one size down from recommended on the band)

Gauge:  not critical, but about 13 rows to 2 inches, 10 stitches to 2 inches (or 4.5 sts/in).  A firm fabric's desireable so the stuffing doesn't show through.

Body:  I suggest casting on 63 sts. in some other yarn to knit a few rounds that will later be undone and the top decreased fiercely like one would for a hat . . . or you could use a provisional cast-on to begin.  I started mine with lots of increasing because I was winging it & didn't know how many stitches I wanted.  The decreases look much tidier, IMHO.

Work Cactaur-rib: knit 6, purl 1 for eight and a half or nine inches, knitting Fun Fur spines every 5th row by knitting the Fur along with that row, keeping in Cactaur rib.  I carefully pulled more of the 'spines' to the surface by inserting the tip of my needle into the little loops where the whole length of the F.Fur didn't poke through sufficiently.  If you want more or less spines, just knit more or less fur into the body of your cactus - he's your creation, after all.

Decrease: (discontinue rib) knit 1, knit 2 tog around; knit one round straight.  Repeat decrease round & knit one round once more.  Finally, knit 1, knit 2 together until there are 5 stitches left, then cut yarn & thread through final loops, pull tight.  I threaded the tail yarn through again, for security.  Pull tail through to inside & weave in the end.  Begin stuffing your Cactaur body, then unravel the provisional knitting or cast-on at other end & repeat decreases.  Add your final stuffing before you close the final few stitches! 

Arms & Legs:  Cast on 30 stitches, knit one round, then knit 4, purl 1 rib for 3 inches (including F.Fur as for body).  Cast off.  Make 4 of these for upper arms & legs. 

For lower segments of limbs, repeat 30 st. cast on, K4 P1 rib for 3 inches (with Fur), then decrease -- knit 1, knit 2 together; knit one round.  K1, K2 tog. around until 5 or so stitches remain, then cut yarn & thread through loops to pull tight.  Make 4 lower segments.

Gather top & bottom of upper limb segments, stuff & sew shut carefully.  Stuff lower limb segments, gather tops & sew shut.  Sew upper & lower limbs together securely, with the upper limbs at right angles.  Sew limbs securely to body - one right-angle arm up, one down.  A certain amount of sculpting may be accomplished in the stuffing process, so play around or fiddle with it as desired. 

Embroider eyes & mouth with black yarn - I happened to have black Microspun. 

Top-spines:  make three i-cords (3 stitch) about 2 inches long, to sew to your monster's head.  Again, I used Microspun, which I just happened to have. 

Hug 'im tight, and don't mind the spines - he's a softie! 

(disclaimer: I've only made one of these so far, so the above are more or less an edited version of my notes as I made the first.  No warranty, etc, etc. and all rights reserved.)