Yesterday, I was talking to one of my old friends. As we both are mothers, the conversation always ends up on the children. I started talking about my unsuccessful attempt at making S. stop sucking her thumb. (She is 7). She sucks it even during the day. My friend said that she heard of this new device that could be installed in the mouth of the child, and would prick the child's thumb if they tried putting their thumb in their mouth. I was horrified! I know sucking one's thumb is not the best, but it is a soft, comforting thing. I thought there had to be a better way. So I thought up This Little Piggy! The idea is simple, this is basically a single finger glove secured to the wrist with a knotted i-cord. This Little Piggy is knit mostly in the round using Cascade's Fixation in colors 4545, and 7382. The quantities used are ridiculously small, so if you have some yarn walnuts left over from some Fixation project, they will be perfect, or you can purchase the 2 colors, knit This Little Piggy, and then knit yourself a pair of striped socks. I chose Fixation because it is so readily available, it is cotton and lycra, and it is stretchy. I placed the Piggy's face on the top of the thumb, this way whenever S. has the urge to suck her thumb, though the urge is frustrating, she sees the happy little pig. She has already named the piggy Mercy Watson (the wondrous pig whose adventures she adores!)I think This Little Piggy is best for children 7 and older.
Here is the pattern for This Little Piggy (this is a really, really quick project!)
Materials: Cascade Fixation color 4545, and 7382
Needles: 2 16" US 3 needles
Gauge:6 sts/inch in st st
FLAP:
With Pink cast on 3 stitches. Increase every other row at beginning and end of row with bar increase until you have 7 stitches.
Knit even in garter stitch until flap is 1 1/2 inch.
THUMB:
Using knitted cast on, cast on 7 stitches. Transfer 7 stitches to a second circular, and join round. Knit in st st for 1 inch.
SNOUT OPENING:
With front of flap facing you ( the thumb whole will be hidden under your work)on needle 1: K2, put 3 sts on holder, CO 3, K2. Knit all stitches on needle 2.
Continue knitting even for 3/4 inch.
THUMB CLOSING:
Needle 1: K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1
Repeat on needle 2.
With a darning needle gather remaining stitches, and weave in end.
SNOUT:
Go back to the stitches on holder. Slip them back onto a needle. Rejoin yarn, K3, pick up and knit 3 stitches with other needle, and knit in round for 2 extra rounds. Gather remaining stitches with a darning needle, and weave in end.
EARS:
Pick up and knit 2 stitches on left side of head. R1: knit. R2: K2tog, tie off.
Repeat on right side of head.
EYES, NOSTRILS, MOUTH:
With brown and a darning needle, make 2 eyes, 2 nostrils, and a mouth. Weave in ends.
WRIST CORD:
With pink, make a 3 stitch 11" I-cord. With pink and a darning needle attach flap to cord, so that cord may be knotted on inside of wrist.
Copyright, Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer, 2008. This pattern is for personal use only.