Fat Bottom Bats

                                             Need a pocketful of bats? Of course you do.

Danger Level: Intermediate/Fiddly

Materials:
Fingering/4ply wool
US #1 double pointed needles
small amount of stuffing - I just used extra yarn scraps
something to stitch teeth - I used Neon Rays needlepoint ribbon
beads for eyes

Size:
About 1" tall x 3.5" tip to tip
Bigger yarn will make bigger bats.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the abbreviations used by visiting the Key.

Left Wing:

Loosely cast on 20sts.

R1(WS): P2, k9, p1, k6, p2.

R2(RS): K2, p5, cdd, p7, k2tog, k1. 17sts.

R3: P1, p2tog, k6, p1, k5, p2. 16sts.

R4: K1, ssk, p3, cdd, p4, k2tog, k1. 12sts.

R5: P1, p2tog, k3, p1, k3, p2. 11sts.

R6: K1, ssk, p1, cdd, p1, k2tog, k1. 7sts.

R7: P1, p3tog, ssp, p1. 4sts.

Bind off.

Right Wing:

Loosely cast on 20sts.

R1(WS): P2, k6, p1, k9, p2.

R2(RS): K1, ssk, p7, cdd, p5, k2. 17sts.

R3: P2, k5, p1, k6, ssp, p1. 16sts.

R4: K1, ssk, p4, cdd, p3, k2tog, k1. 12sts.

R5: P2, k3, p1, k3, ssp, p1. 11sts.

R6: K1, ssk, p1, cdd, p1, k2tog, k1. 7sts.

R7: P1, p3tog, ssp, p1. 4sts.

Bind off. 

Do not weave in ends yet. Your wings will look a little weird:

Soak them in a small cup of warm water for about 20 minutes, 

then block them quite aggressively with pins:

Body:

Using the Figure 8 method, cast on 12sts (6sts each needle). Knit one round, distributing stitches evenly on three needles (4sts each needle).

R1: (K1, k1f&b) all. 18sts.

Even rounds 2-10: Knit.

R3: (K2, k1f&b) all. 24sts.

R5 makes the feet with wee bobbles: K1,*k1f&b&f, turn, k3, turn, slip 2, k1, psso*, k4, repeat *-*, k3, ssk, k8, k2tog, k2. 22sts.

R7: K10, ssk, k6, k2tog, k2. 20sts.

R9: K10, ssk, k4, k2tog, k2. 18sts.

R11: K10, ssk, k2, k2tog, k2. 16sts.

Stuff lower body. 

R12: (K2tog) all. 8sts.

Wrap working yarn once around neck, under needles. Pull kind of tight.

R13: (k1f&b) all. 16sts.

R14, 15, 16: Knit.

R17: (K2tog, k4, ssk) twice. 12sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail, about 10". Stuff head. Arrange stitches on two needles and graft together with a kitchener stitch.

Ears:

Still using working yarn, pick up 2sts from edge of graft. Knit 2 rows, k2tog, and pull yarn through remaining stitch. Using a tapestry needle, thread yarn down through ear and across the head to the other side of the graft. Pick up 2sts from edge of graft. Knit 2 rows, k2tog, and pull yarn through remaining stitch. 

Finishing:

Weave in ends. Stitch teeth and add eyes. Sew wings to back, just below neck. 

And now, we do the Batty Bat!