Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are a popular motif in knitting, appearing in patterns for hats, scarves, mittens, socks, and even teapot cozies. But what if you want to knit a mushroom itself? Well, you can! There are several knitting patterns available for creating whimsical and detailed mushrooms, such as the Fly Agaric and Porcini varieties. These patterns can be knit in the round using double-pointed needles and typically require lace yarn and 2.00 mm needles. The results can be used as decorations or even turned into brooches or keychains. With their cute and whimsical designs, knitted mushrooms are a fun way to bring a touch of magic to your home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Mushroom | Fly Agaric, Porcini, Amanita |
| Difficulty | Intermediate, Easy |
| Time Taken | 8-12 hours for larger specimens, 3-4 hours for smaller ones |
| Tools | 2.00 mm needles, lace yarn, tapestry needle, scissors |
| Techniques | Knitting in the round, double-pointed needles, magic loop |
| Dimensions | 13 cm (5 in) tall, 11 cm (4.3 in) wide cap, 9 cm (3.5 in) tall smaller version, 5 cm (2 in) wide cap |
| Patterns | Free and paid options available, PDF format, video tutorials |
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What You'll Learn
Knitting needles and yarn
To knit a mushroom, you will need knitting needles and yarn. The type of needles and yarn you use will depend on the specific mushroom pattern you are following and the size of your project.
For example, the knitting pattern for a Fly Agaric mushroom calls for 2.00 mm double-pointed needles and lace yarn. The yarn should be in two colours: 70 m (76 yd) of white and 50 m (54 yd) of red or any other light colour. If you are knitting a larger version of this mushroom, you can use bigger needles and heavier yarn.
Another option is to knit a Porcini mushroom, which also requires double-pointed needles and yarn. The specific type of yarn and needle size is not specified for this pattern, but it is described as a good project for beginners.
Other mushroom-themed knitting projects include mittens, baby cardigans, scarves, hats, and home decor items such as teapot cozies and jar covers. The type of yarn and needles you will need for these projects will vary depending on the size and complexity of the pattern. For example, a baby cardigan will require much smaller needles and finer yarn than a hat or scarf.
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Mushroom knitting patterns
There are numerous mushroom knitting patterns available online, ranging from simple to complex designs. Here are some ideas and patterns to get you started:
Fly Agaric Mushroom:
This pattern is for a super-detailed and realistic Fly Agaric mushroom. It comes with two versions: a larger specimen that takes about 8-12 hours to knit and a smaller one that takes around 3-4 hours. The mushrooms are knit in the round on 2.00mm needles using lace yarn, and the final product is about 13cm tall with a cap width of 11cm. The pattern includes clear instructions and pictures, making it accessible to intermediate knitters.
Porcini Mushroom:
The Porcini mushroom pattern is offered as a free welcome gift to newsletter subscribers. It is described as having "easy step-by-step instructions," but some knitters have encountered challenges and sought clarification in the comments. The pattern includes a video tutorial and is divided into two parts: one for beginners and another for advanced knitters, with slight variations in the design.
Other Mushroom-Themed Projects:
In addition to knitting individual mushrooms, you can incorporate mushroom motifs into various projects:
- Fingerless Mitts: Designed by Janis Frank, these mitts feature an adorable toadstool design on the back of each hand.
- Teapot Cozy: Shaped like a toadstool or mushroom house, this pattern is designed by TeaCosyFolk and can also be converted into a toy by seaming and stuffing.
- Beanie and Slouchy Beret Hats: Designed by Jill Soha and Lee Juvan, these hats feature easy mushroom motifs and come in various sizes, from toddler to adult.
- Knee-High Socks: Designed by Minna Metsänen, these socks feature mushrooms in stranded colorwork and are perfect for using scrap yarn.
- Garden in a Bowl: Designed by Kathy Lewinski, this project involves knitting a "grass" cover for a styrofoam ball and adding i-cord fiddleheads, flowers, toadstools, and mushrooms.
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Knitting in the round
To knit in the round, you will need special knitting needles designed for circular knitting, which are different from the straight, single-pointed needles used for flat knitting. The two basic types of needles used for knitting in the round are double-pointed needles and circular needles.
Circular needles consist of two knitting needles connected by a flexible cable. They have a point at each end, with no stopper, allowing for seamless tube knitting. When using circular needles, you cast on enough stitches to fill the cable and the needles from tip to tip and then "join in the round" to begin knitting your tube. The length of the cable matters, and it is generally recommended to use needles that are slightly shorter than the circumference of your desired project.
Double-pointed needles, on the other hand, do not have a cable connecting them. Instead, you divide the stitches among the multiple needles to form a circle.
Overall, knitting in the round is a valuable technique to add to your knitting repertoire, allowing you to create a variety of seamless tube-shaped projects with ease.
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Stitches and techniques
While knitting with mushrooms is not possible, you can knit mushrooms. There are various stitches and techniques you can use to knit mushroom-themed items.
One stitch used to create a mushroom shape is the KLL stitch. This stitch is used to increase the number of stitches in a round. For example, in one pattern, the knitter casts on 12 stitches in the first round and then uses the KLL stitch to increase the number of stitches to 20 in the second round.
Another stitch used in mushroom knitting is the twisted stitch. Twisted stitches are used to shape the gills of the mushroom. These stitches are worked on double-pointed needles, which are used to knit in the round. This technique involves dividing the stitches onto three or four needles and knitting them in a continuous spiral, creating a seamless tube.
To create the mushroom shape, you can also use the magic loop method or knit with bigger needles and heavier yarn for a larger finished project. The type of yarn you use will also affect the size and shape of your mushroom. For example, lace yarn will create a smaller mushroom, while worsted weight yarn will create a larger mushroom.
In addition to knitting mushrooms, you can also incorporate mushroom motifs into your knitting. This can be done through stranded colourwork, embroidery, or duplicate stitch.
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Other mushroom-themed crafts
Mushroom-themed crafts can be a fun activity for both adults and children. Here are some ideas for crafts that incorporate mushrooms:
For adults:
- A teapot cozy in the shape of a mushroom or toadstool, which can be converted into a toy by adding stuffing.
- A fun and comfortable pair of short pants with a drawstring waist and mushroom motifs.
- A beanie hat with easy mushroom motifs, available in sizes for toddlers, children, and adults.
- A scarf with lace and garter button mushrooms.
For children:
- Acorn toadstools—all you need are some natural materials and paint!
- DIY mushroom glitter globes—use different colors of glitter for different effects.
- Cork mushrooms—recycle old corks into cute mushrooms.
- Cupcake liner mushrooms—use cupcake liners and popsicle scoops to create a crafted mushroom farm.
- Egg carton mushrooms—turn egg cartons into fun mushroom puppets.
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Frequently asked questions
You can knit a mushroom in the round on a set of 5 double-pointed needles. Patterns are available online, and some include video tutorials.
You will need 2.00 mm double-pointed knitting needles.
You can use lace yarn, or any light fingering weight or sport yarn.
Knitted mushrooms can be used for a variety of items, including decorations, baby clothes, scarves, hats, mittens, and toys.
