Freddie Platypus

Freddie Platypus
Pattern by Joanna Johnson
Available on Ravelry- $4.00
Available as part of children's illustrated book
Freddie's Blanket on Etsy- $19.95

Skills Needed:  Knitting in the round, increasing, decreasing,
mattress stitch, picking up stitches, kitchener stitch

Featured in Knit Picks City Tweed DK Yarn
1 ball each: Kitten, Tarantella, Cobalt


I think the first thing to say here is that I LOVE THIS PLATYPUS.  Really, it's not every day you come across a pattern for a platypus, and to come across a cute platypus that also has a storybook to go along with him?  Amazing.  For more about the children's picture book Freddie's Blanket, please see the review here.  This knitted stuffed animal is not complicated and works up fairly fast.  However, there are small details that Ms. Johnson included that really make this stuffed animal special.  The overalls are completely removable, so if you want to make a wardrobe for your little platypus of different colored overalls you could.  The front pocket on the overalls is charming.  Also, his hands and feet have "fingers."  I do not know what the correct terminology is for platypus anatomy, so please forgive my ignorance, but this attention to detail ensures you don't have brown blobs sticking off your stuffed creation- they truly are hands and feet.  Notions you need apart from yarn include stuffing (I used poly-fil), felt for the eyes and two buttons for the overalls.  I wish my little Freddie had a better photo shoot, but he is already taking a nap with my youngest son, so these pictures will have to do.  I feel they do not do his cuteness justice.  I like to think the same thing about pictures people take of me.  

I used a different yarn than the yarn perscribed in the pattern, so the colors are a little different- but close.  Also, I used one needle size up, settling on a set of size 6 dpns instead of 5.  I have mixed feelings about this decision.  I chose the larger needles because my yarn choice had a little more weight than Ms. Johnson's.  However, the stitch is just a tinsy bit large for my taste.  It's not that stuffing is going to eek out of Freddie's little platypus pores, but I feel it made the overall fabric that creates him a little loose.  If I make a second platypus, which is likely to happen, I will probably move down to the size 5 needles.  In addition, I ran out of the body color, kitten.  I had just enough for the actual body, but Freddie's tail is supposed to be the same color as his body.  My Freddie has a tail to match his arms and legs.  I don't think anybody minds.  It is perhaps a result of my larger needle choice.  

As a side note- My Freddie turned out to be a little bit chubby; his overalls are snug.  They fit my portly platypus, but perhaps I should have done a little measuring once he was stuffed so I could make him couture overalls.  

Summary:  This cute stuffed animal is worth making.  It is fairly priced and the pattern is very detailed and easy to follow.  There is also a pattern included for May, a little girl platypus with a dress.  The hardest part was the kitchener stitch, which once you catch the rhythm, really is not hard at all.  The whole thing is worked seamless except the overalls, which are worked in front and back pieces and sewn together.  If you have a small child in your life, I'd recommend making this cutie for your cutie.  

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