Sweaters for Penguins!

Do you want to do something different to celebrate the season? I came across this really neat article about people who want to help out some unique creatures in need. If you knit or crochet check this out! 
It might be a little late, but even so, wouldn't you want to knit a sweater for a penguin? Here is the blog that has more info about this: http://animaltracks.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/20/8411051-a-good-yarn-knitters-make-sweaters-for-penguins-after-oil-spill
There is also a pattern! This pattern's original website can be found out at Skeinz. Supposedly they have had enough sweaters made already to help the penguins but there are other ways that we can help and they also post updates about what they are doing to help. Lastly if you are strapped as to what would make a good gift to give you can order one of their plush penguins wearing one of these handmade sweaters. What a neat idea!

Penguin PJ's Patterns

Penguin Pj's Knitted and Crochet

Penguin Jumper in 8ply (Dk or Light Worsted) 

1 pair 3.25mm US 3 , 1 pair of 3.75mm US 5 needles , 1 set of 3.25mm dpn’s or circular

Cast on 36 stitches using 3.25 needles.

K1, P1 to end of row.

Repeat this row 7 times. 

Change to 3.75mm needles and K2, P2 rib. Work 4 rows increasing at each end of every row. (44 sts)

Continue until work measures 15 cms.

Decrease 1 st at each end of every row until 28 sts remain.

Decrease 1 st. in middle of next row (27 sts.)

Leave on needle.

Make second side the same.

Transfer the 54 sts from both pieces to 3 of the set of 4 3.25mm needles.(18 sts on each.) and work a round neck in K1 P1 rib for 10 rows.

Cast off.

Stitch up sides to decreasing to 27sts (opening for flipper). Add elastic to the top and bottom to prevent the penguins getting out of them. Top: 15cm of elastic; bottom 17 cm (knots allowed). Flat elastic OK

Crochet Version

Using DK (8ply or light worsted) wool with a 5mm hook:

Jumper body

Base: Chain 25

Row 1: Single crochet (sc) into base chain, turn.

Row 2: sc 6, front post single crochet (fpsc) 19, turn.

Row 3: fpsc 19, sc 6, turn.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until the piece measures approximately 2.5cm wide, ending on a Row 2.

From a Row 2, without turning, chain 10 (increase made). Turn.

Row 4: sc 10 into your chain. Fpsc 19, sc 6, turn.

Row 5: sc 6, fpsc 29, turn.

Row 6: fpsc 29, sc 6, turn.

Repeat rows 5 and 6 until the piece measures approximately 10cm wide, ending on a Row 6.

Row 7: sc 6, fpsc 19, turn (decrease made).

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until the decreased section measures approximately 2.5cm wide, ending on a Row 2.

From a Row 2, without turning, chain 10 (increase made). Turn.

Repeat rows 4 to 6 until the entire piece measures 20cm wide. Bind off.

Neck and Finishing

Fold the jumper in half and seam along Base Chain.

Now we will add the neck. Starting in the centre back (if your Penguin Jumper has a back), fpsc to flipper hole.

Chain 5 (this may vary, depending on your gauge) over the flipper hole. Fpsc over front; chain over second flipper hole and fbsc to centre back. Join to your starting stitch with a slip-stitch.

Back post single crochet (bpsc) around. Make three decreases (bpsc; skip one fpsc; bpsc), evenly spaced around.

Continue making rounds without decreasing, alternating fpsc and bpsc.

When the neck measures about 5cm high, bind off, and thread a piece of elastic through the waist. You’re done!