Ducks to Knit

DUCKS
Small duck is 5"
Large duck is 6 1/2"
Picture here and here
Pattern pieces here

Materials:
Knitting worsted, 1 (2) ozs. white
Set of dp needles No. 5
Scraps of yellow, blue felt
All-purpose glue
Cotton batting
Sewing threads
Stitch holder
Needle
Pipe cleaner

Note: Directions are for small duck. Changes for large duck are in parentheses.

Body:
Beg at neck edge, cast on 21 (27) sts; divide on 3 dp needles. Join; work in stockinette (k each rnd) for 21 (25) rnds.
For Large Duck Only: Next Rnd: (K 2 tog, k 7) 3 times. Next Rnd: (K 2 tog, k 6) 3 times-21 sts.

Shape Tail (for both ducks):
K 7, k 2 tog, k 10, k 2 tog—19 sts.
Next Rnd: K 7, (2 k tog, k 1) 4 times—15 sts.
Next Rnd: K 7, (k 2 tog) 4 times-11 sts.
Next Rnd: K 2 tog, k 3, (k 2 tog) 3 times-7 sts. K 2 rnds.
Next Rnd: K 2 tog, k 1, k 2 tog, k 2. Cut yarn leaving 8" end; thread yarn needle. Draw up sts; fasten securely.

Head and Neck:
Working with 2 dp needles, cast on 3 sts. Work back and forth in stockinette st (k 1 row, p 1 row) for 2 rows.
Inc I st each side of next row-5 sts.
Work 3 rows even. Inc 1 st each side of next row-7 sts.
Work 1 (3) rows even, cast on 3 (5) sts at end of last row-10 (12) sts.
Next Row: Knit, cast on 3 (5) sts at end of row—l3 (17) sts.
Divide sts on 3 dp needles. Mark beg of rnd. Join; k 6 (8) rnds.
Next Rnd: K 2 tog, k 9 (13), k 2 tog —1 1 (15) sts. K 6 (8) rnds.

Shape Head:
K 3 (4), sl next 6 (8) sts on a holder.
With 2 needles, work back and forth on remaining 5 (7) sts in stockinette st for 6 rows. Sl sts from holder to dp needle.
Divide 11 (15) sts on 3 dp needles. Mark for beg of rnd. Join; k 2 rnds.
Next Rnd: Inc 1st in next st, k 3 (5), inc 1st in each of next 2 sts, k 4 (6), inc 1st in next st-15 (19) sts. K 4 (5) rnds.
For Large Duck Only: K 2 tog, k 5, (k 2 tog, k 4) twice-16 sts.
For Both Ducks: Next Rnd: * K 1 (2), k 2 tog, repeat from * around—10 (12) sts.
Next Rnd: K 2 tog around-5 (6) sts. Cut yarn; thread yarn needle. Draw up sts; fasten securely.

Wings (make 2):
Beg at tip of wing, cast on 6 sts; divide evenly on 3 dp needles. Join; work in stockinette st for 3 rnds.
Next Rnd: * Inc I st in next st, k 2, put a marker on needle, inc 1st in next st, k 2-8 sts. K 1 (3) rnds.
Next Rnd: K around, inc 1st in first st and after marker-2 incs. K 1 rnd. Repeat last 2 rnds 1 (3) times-12 (16) sts.
Next Rnd: K around, inc 1 st in first st and after marker-2 ilics. Repeat this rnd 4 times-22 (26) sts. Remove marker. K 4 (6) rnds.
Next Rnd: K 2 tog, k 18 (22), k 2 tog —20 (24) sts.
Next Rnd: K 2 tog, k 16 (20), k 2 tog —18 (22) sts.
Next Rnd: K 2 tog. k 14 (18), k 2 tog —16 (20) sts.
Next Rnd: K 2 tog, k 12 (16), k 2 tog —14 (18) sts.
Next Rnd: K 2 tog around-7 (9) sts. Cut yarn; run end through sts; fasten securely.

Finishing:
Stuff tail and body for about 1 1/2 " (2").
Bend pipe cleaner into U shape and insert in body with ends sticking out for legs.
Finish stuffing body having pipe cleaner in center of stuffing.
Sew gussets at side of head.
Stuff head and neck firmly; sew to body with point at front of body as shown.
Sew dec side of wings to body.
Complete half-patterns indicated by dash lines.
From yellow felt, cut two leg and foot pieces as one; cut two separate bottom foot pieces cutting out at dotted lines; cut bill.
For eyes, cut oval 1/4" x 1/8"; cut in half lengthwise; glue in place.
Fold bill in half at solid line; sew in place.
Cut pipe cleaner legs to extend 1-1/4" (21/2") from body.
Fold felt leg in half lengthwise, slitting felt slightly on each side near foot.
Glue around cleaner legs having seam at the back; with cleaner between, glue bottom foot to upper foot.
Bend leg and foot into position.