BRELLAS CHIBI TOTORO TOY

Totoros are shy forest spirits portrayed in My Neighbor Totoro, a charming animated film by Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki. The smallest totoro shown in the movie is known as the chibi totoro in Japanese. When at rest, it appears to be little more than a white body with eyes, ears and a tail. If youre a beginning knitter, this is a small project that will introduce you to lots of different techniques. If youre an experienced knitter, youll find this a quick but interesting knit, and good for stashbusting small quantities of yarn. Please dont charge anyone money for this pattern or for whatever you might make out of it. The rights to this character belong to Hayao Miyazaki at Studio Ghibli, and should not be used for personal profit. GAUGE / MEASUREMENTS: not applicable. Make it any gauge and size you want! The one pictured was made in a dk/worsted weight yarn on 3mm needles, and measures about 2!" high x 1!" wide. If you are using my O Totoro and Chu Totoro patterns to make a set, plan to knit at a similar gauge for all three in order to have them proportionately sized. RECOMMENDED YARN: any. Yardage will vary depending on size and gauge. Choose an animal fibre such as wool for its elasticity and low stitch definition. The one shown was knit out of an alpaca blend. Very fuzzy. EQUIPMENT / MATERIALS:
! ! ! !

1 set dpns (or circular for magic loop) 1 tapestry needle contrasting waste yarn stuffing

Youll also need a sewing needle and black thread if you want to embroider in the eyes; alternatively, consider gluing on felt eyes, safety eyes or plastic googly eyes. TECHNIQUES: If youre a beginner, here is a list of things that might be new to you. Find definitions and useful tutorials as needed at knitty.com or knittinghelp.com. increases and decreases: k2tog, ssk, m1, kfb knitting in the round at a small diameter, using either dpns or the magic loop method (both the body and each ear) bobbles (the tail is a variation on the basic bobble) short rows: w&t and working wraps together with stitches (this belly gives its subtle bulge)

HINTS: Try to secure ends as you go, while the inside of the body is still easily accessible. You dont necessarily have to weave ends in completely, nor trim them, since they can form part of the stuffing. turn the page for the full instructions

brellas chibi totoro toy

last updated Aug 2009 p. 1 of 2

INSTRUCTIONS: CO 15 sts, leaving enough of a tail for cinching this opening closed later. Arrange evenly on 3 dpns (or in 2 sections for magic loop) and join to knit in the round. If desired, place marker for beginning of round and ensure that round is not twisted. round 1: round 2: round 3: round 4: round 5: round 6: round 7: k all sts. [k2, m1, k2, m1, k1] three times. k all sts. (21 sts) k all sts. [k2, m1, k3, m1, k2] three times. k all sts. (27 sts) k3, create tail bobble over next 3 sts (see next), k rem. (27 sts) (worked over 3 sts) kfb 3 times, turn. (6 sts in tail section) p6, turn. k1, kfb 4 times, k1, turn. p10, turn. (10 sts) k10, turn. repeat tail row 4. k1, k2tog four times, k1, turn. (6 sts) repeat tail row 2. k2tog 3 times. (3 sts) (27 sts) round 17: k all sts. round 18: k all sts. round 19: ssk, k1, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k6, ssk, k3. (17 sts) round 20: k1, m1, k rem. (18 sts) round 21: k2, m1, transfer next 9 sts onto waste yarn (for left ear). 10 sts still on needles for right ear. Its easiest to stuff the body at this point. You might consider putting something weighty near the bottom so that the toy is less likely to tip over. Remember that you can adjust the fullness slightly by stuffing more in or pulling more out of the bottom later. If you want, try to stuff the ears as you knit them up for a more three-dimensional look. (I didnt bother.) RIGHT EAR: Arrange 10 sts to knit in the round. Starting from the inside edge, ear round 1: k all sts. ear round 2: k3, ssk, k2tog, k3. (8 sts) all odd rounds: k all sts. ear round 4: k2tog, k4, ssk. (6 sts) ear round 6: tightly k2tog three times. Cut yarn, thread tail through 3 rem sts and pull tight. Weave into inside of ear. LEFT EAR: Transfer 9 sts from waste yarn back to needles. Starting from the inside edge, m1, k rem sts. (10 sts) Join to knit in round and repeat right ear from round 2 onwards. Adjust stuffing as needed. Thread CO tail through CO sts and pull tight to close hole. Weave in all ends. Work eyes as desired.

TAIL BOBBLE

tail row 1 (RS): tail row 2 (WS): tail row 3 (RS): tail row 4 (WS): tail row 5 (RS): tail row 6 (WS): tail row 7 (RS): tail row 8 (WS): tail row 9 (RS): rounds 8 to 13: row A (RS): row B (WS): row C (RS):

k all sts.

SHORT ROW BELLY BULGE: (counts as round 14) ssk, k5, k2tog, k14, w&t. p10, w&t. k10, work wrap together with next st, k rem.

round 15: k10, work wrap together with next st, k rem. (25 sts) round 16: ssk, k3, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k6, ssk, k4. (21 sts)

NOTES: The Chu Totoro pattern uses many of the techniques from this pattern, plus quite a few more. Consider it the next level or two up in complexity. The O Totoro pattern is similar to the Chu but larger, making it somewhat easier to wrangle but also a bigger knitting commitment. Go on, knit them all. If you actually managed to stumble across these patterns without having seen a Miyazaki film, YOU MUST GO RENT ONE RIGHT NOW. Or, find out about them at nausicaa.net. You can message me (brella) at ravelry.com with questions or corrections. Happy knitting!
brella is a Studio Ghibli otaku (fan) who knits and teaches at an alternative school in Toronto, Canada

brellas chibi totoro toy

last updated Aug 2009 p. 2 of 2