Fuzzy Pickles (or - I am easily amused.)

As you see, I am easily amused. I knit not one, but two of these pickles out of two different batches of handspun. Same colors, blended slightly differently, the first made out of a singles, the second 2-ply. The first was done on size 1 needles, the second size 4. One is a gherkin, the other a big dill pickle. Both have short rows and random purl stitches. Now, why should you have a pickle ornament? Well, its supposedly traditional in Germany - however people from Germany never seem to have heard of it (read here for myth debate); but mostly its just funny. A fuzzy pickle just seemed extraordinarily funny to me. Here's how you make one:

Short-row Pickle:

Materials:

• 25-50 yards of green yarn in your chosen weight (one whole skein will give you lots.)
  I used handspun wool that I blended and spun myself.
  

For large: light worsted/ dk-weight yarn (thick and thin yarns make for bumpier pickles)
For small: fingering weight yarn

• Set of 4 or 5 dpns (you will only use 4 total)

For large: I used Size 4 (US) 3.5 mm
For small: I used Size 1 (US) 2.25 mm

• Stitch marker
• Yarn needle
• stuffing (fiberfill, wool, cotton balls, etc - something light.)

Gauge (largely unimportant - you'll just want it tight enough so that the stuffing doesn't show):
For large: 5.5 sts/in.
For small: 8 sts/in.

Notes: Adding random purl sts makes a really nice bumpy pickle. If you use a thick-and-thin yarn or slubby handspun, purling into a thick stitch makes for a very satisfying bump. Also, this pattern uses short rows to make the pickle curve - a good practice piece for short rows if you've never tried them, especially short rows in the round. For a tutorial click here. Just remember to pick up and knit your wraps or you will have holes that the stuffing will show through. Adding dill seeds to your stuffing material will make it pickle-scented.

Directions:
Cast on 3 sts.
Work 2 rows of I-cord.
Row 3: Knit into the front and back (Kf&b)of all sts. (6 sts.)
Spread sts over 3 dpns.
Row 4: Knit all sts. (6 sts.)
Row 5: Kf&b all sts. (12 sts.)
Row 6: Knit all sts. (12 sts.)
Row 7 Kf&b all sts. (24 sts.)
Row 8: Knit all sts. (24)
Row 9: K 18, wrap&turn (w&t), purl 12, w&t, k to end of round.
Row 10 : K all sts.
Row 11: K 18, wrap&turn (w&t), purl 12, w&t, k to end of round.
Row 12: K all sts.
Row 13: K 18, wrap&turn (w&t), purl 12, w&t, k to end of round.
Rows 14-16: K all sts.
Row 17: K 18, wrap&turn (w&t), purl 12, w&t, k to end of round.
Rows 18-29: Repeat Rows 14-17 3 times.
Row 30: K all sts.
Row 31: K 18, wrap&turn (w&t), purl 12, w&t, k to end of round.
Row 32: K all sts.
Row 33: K 18, wrap&turn (w&t), purl 12, w&t, k to end of round.
Row 34: K all sts.
Row 35: K 18, wrap&turn (w&t), purl 12, w&t, k to end of round.

Stuff pickle lightly, but firmly enough to maintain shape

Row 36: K2tog all sts. (12 sts.)
Row 37: K all sts.
Row 38: K2tog all sts. (6 sts.)
Row 39: K all sts.
Row 40: K2tog all sts. (3 sts.)

Finishing:
Break yarn , leaving a 12" tail, thread tail through remaining sts. and secure. Used remaining tail to create a loop for the pickle to hang from. Laugh self silly. Place in a washed pickle jar to confound family.