Polar Express

Complete with scarf and shiny silver fish, Klaus is a brilliant make for the winter season. When standing upright he’s impressively tall and is knitted in stocking stitch, which gives a smooth finish. He involves a lot of shaping so this pattern may be more of a challenge for beginners to toy knitting but is well worth it in the end.

Head
Using 3mm needles and yarn A, cast on 18 sts
Row 1: k
Row 2 and all WS rows: p
Row 3: kfb, k7, m1, k2, m1, k7, kfb. 22 sts
Row 5: kfb, k9, m1, k2, m1, k9, kfb. 26 sts
Row 7: kfb, k11, m1, k2, m1, k11, kfb. 30 sts
Row 9: kfb, k13, m1, k2, m1, k13, kfb. 34 sts
Row 11: k16, m1, k2, m1, k16. 36 sts
Row 13: k17, m1, k2, m1, k17. 38 sts
Row 15: k17, k2tog, k2tog tbl, k17. 36 sts
Row 17: k16, k2tog, k2tog tbl, k16. 34 sts
Row 19: k15, k2tog, k2tog tbl, k15. 32 sts
Row 21: k14, k2tog, k2tog tbl, k14. 30 sts
Row 23: k13, k2tog, k2tog tbl, k13. 28 sts
Row 25: k12, k2tog, k2tog tbl, k12. 26 sts
Row 26: p
Dec one st at each end of next and every alt row until 18 sts rem
Row 34: p
Row 35: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 20 sts
Rep Rows 34 and 35 three times more. 26 sts
Beg with a p row, work 15 rows in st st
Row 57: k1, k2tog, k to last three sts, k2tog tbl, k1
Row 58: p
Rep Rows 57 and 58 three times more. 18 sts
Work two rows in st st
Cast off
Fold piece in half with cast on and cast off edges together. Sew side seams leaving cast on/off edges open

Body
Using set of four 3mm dpns, pick up and k 36 sts from around base of head starting at a seam, and distribute evenly between three needles. Join the rnd, taking care not to twist sts. Place marker at start of rnd

Rnd 1: k
Rnd 2: (kfb, k2) 12 times. 48 sts
K four rnds
NOTE: k every rnd creates st st
Rnd 7: (kfb, k3) 12 times. 60 sts
K five rnds
Rnd 13: (kfb, k4) 12 times. 72 sts
K 47 rnds
Rnd 61: k54, turn, p36 Transfer rem 36 sts onto holder

RIGHT LEG AND FOOT
Working back and forth in rows, cont as folls:
Row 1: k
Row 2: p
Row 3: k1, sl 1, k1, psso, k to last three sts, k2tog, k1
Row 4: p
Row 5: k
Row 6: p
Rep Rows 3-6 until 20 sts rem
Next row: k15, turn
Next row: p10, turn
Work in st st on these ten sts for eight rows, leaving spare sts on safety pins. Cut yarn. With RS facing, rejoin yarn to first five sts from safety pin
K these sts, pick up and k eight sts up side of instep, k10, pick up and k eight sts down other side, k five sts from second safety pin. 36 sts
Beg with a p row, work nine rows in st st
Cast off

LEFT LEG AND FOOT

With RS facing, rejoin yarn to sts on holder and work to match Right leg and foot

Arms (make two)

Using 3mm straight needles and yarn A, cast on six sts
Row 1: kfb in each st. 12 sts
Row 2: p
Beg with a k row work in st st, inc one st at each end of every RS row until there are 26 sts
Work 37 rows in st st
Next row: k2tog to end. 13 sts
Next row: k1, sl 1, k1, psso, k to last three sts, k2tog tbl, k1. 11 sts
Next row: p
Rep last two rows. Nine sts
Next row: k1, sl 1, k1, psso, k3, k2tog tbl, k1
Cut yarn and thread through rem seven sts to fasten off

Ears (make two)

Using 3mm straight needles and yarn A, cast on six sts

Beg with a k row work in st st, inc one st at each end of every row until there are 14 sts
Work four rows in st st
Cont in st st, dec one st at each end of every row until eight sts rem
P one row
Cont in st st, inc one st at each end of every row until there are 14 sts
Work five rows in st st
Cont in st st, dec one st at each end of every row until six sts rem
Cast off

To make up

Stuff head and body. Sew leg seams, stuff legs, then join seams under each foot. Stitch arm seams and stuff, pull up thread on cast-off edge of each arm to form paws. Stitch arms to top of body with seams at the back. Fold each ear in half, oversew edges, then stitch each one firmly in place on side of head, along folded edge. Thread a tapestry needle with black yarn and embroider details, positioning mouth at base of ridge on centre front of head. Stitch or embroider eyes, positioning as shown. Embroider nose

Scarf

With 2.25mm needles and yarn B, cast on 15 sts
Row 1: k2, (p1, k1) to last st, k1 Do not cut yarn, join in yarn C
Row 2: k1, (p1, k1) to end
Row 3: as Row 1
NOTE: Rows 2 and 3 form pattern. Change colours after every two rows, carrying second yarn up side of work when not in use
Cont in patt until work meas 45cm
Cast off in rib
Tie short lengths of yarn to every other stitch of each end to form a fringe

Fish

BODY AND TAIL (IN ONE PIECE)
With 2.25mm needles and yarn D, cast on three sts
Beg with a p row, work three rows in st st
Row 4: kfb, k to last st, kfb. Five sts
Beg with a p row, work three rows in st st
Rep last four rows three times. 11 sts
Beg with a k row, work a further 12 rows in st st
Next row: sl 1, k1, psso, k to last two sts, k2tog. Nine sts
Next row: p Rep last two rows until there are three sts
Next row: sl 1, k2tog, psso. One st
Next row: k1, p1, k1 into st. Three sts
Next row: p
Next row: kfb, k1, kfb. Five sts
Next row: p
Next row: kfb, k to last st, kfb. Seven sts
Rep last two rows twice more. 11 sts
Beg with a p row, work 15 rows in st st
Next row: sl 1, k1, psso, k to last two sts, k2tog. Nine sts
Beg with a p row, work three rows in st st
Rep last four rows three times more. Three sts
Make tail as folls:
Next row: k
Next row: kfb in each st. Six sts
Next row: kfb, k2, turn Leave rem three sts on a spare needle
Next row: ** k
Next row: kfb in each st. Eight sts
Next row: k
Next row: k2tog to end.
Four sts
Cast off and cut yarn ** Rejoin yarn to three sts on spare needle
Next row: k2, kfb. Four sts
Rep from ** to **

To make up

Fold fish in half and stitch sides together, adding stuffing before closing seam. Oversew edges of tail, catching yarn ends to create a neat result

DORSAL FIN
With tail of fish on right, pick up and k eight sts along centre top seam
Row 1: k
Row 2: k5, turn
Row 3: k to end
Row 4: k4, turn
Row 5: k to end
Row 6: k3, turn
Row 7: k to end
Cast off all sts

PELVIC FIN
Pick up and k four sts on lower seam, towards front of fish
Rows 1-2: k
Row 3: k2tog to end
Row 4: k2tog
Fasten off

PECTORAL FINS
Count 14 rows down from pointed tip at head of fish, pick up and k three sts in centre of this row
Rows 1-2: k
Row 3: kfb, k1, kfb. Five sts
Row 4: k
Row 5: k2tog, k1, k2tog. Three sts
Row 6: sl 1, k2tog, psso
Fasten off
Rep in same position on other side of fish
Weave in ends and stitch sequins and beads on both sides for eyes. Sew to arm of bear, attaching using tail end

Click any of the images below to see a larger, clearer shot

Height: 43cm (when standing)