Simon Snake Knitting Pattern

Simon Snake Knitting Pattern.

This knitting pattern provides instructions for creating “Simon,” a long, colorful snake toy, approximately 90cm (35.5 inches) in length. The snake is primarily knitted using two strands of DK weight yarn held together, giving it a chunkier, more substantial feel. The pattern incorporates both Fair Isle colorwork and knitting in the round, making it a project suitable for knitters with some experience.

The snake’s body is constructed in one long piece, starting from the tail end. A provisional cast-on is used at the very tip of the tail, which is removed later to allow for shaping and finishing. The majority of the body is knitted in the round using a circular needle, creating a seamless tube. The pattern utilizes a simple 8-row Fair Isle chart, with a main color (dark green) and alternating contrast colors (blue, pink, red, light green) to create a patterned effect. The color sequence is repeated to form distinct bands along the snake’s body.

The snake’s head is shaped with increases and decreases, worked while still attached to the body. The increases create a wider head, and the decreases taper it towards the front. The pattern notes that stuffing should be added continuously as the snake is knitted, as it becomes increasingly difficult to add stuffing later on.

After the head is shaped, the tail section is completed. The provisional cast-on is removed, and the live stitches are picked up. The tail is then shaped with decreases, worked in a continuation of the body’s color pattern. The pattern suggests switching to double-pointed needles (DPNs) for the final few rows of the tail, as the small number of stitches becomes easier to manage on DPNs.

The eyes are small, knitted circles that incorporate a tiny bit of intarsia or color changes to create a pupil effect. These are knitted separately and sewn onto the head. A forked tongue is cut from red felt (using a provided template) and stitched into the front of the head.

• Measurements:
  • Length: Approximately 90cm (35.5 inches)
• Skill Level: The pattern doesn’t explicitly state a skill level, but given the use of Fair Isle, knitting in the round (with both circular and double-pointed needles), and shaping, it’s best suited for Intermediate knitters. A confident beginner familiar with these techniques could likely manage it.
• Materials Needed:
  • Yarn: 100% merino wool DK:
    • Dark Green (A): 3 x 50g balls
    • Blue (B): 1 x 50g ball
    • Pink (C): 1 x 50g ball
    • Red (D): 1 x 50g ball
    • Light Green (E): 1 x 50g ball
    • White (F): Oddment
    • Black (G): Oddment
      (Note: The head and body use two strands of yarn held together throughout.)
  • Needles:
    • 6mm (UK 4 / US 10) circular needle
    • 6mm (UK 4 / US 10) double-pointed needles (set of 3)
    • 4mm (UK6) needles.
  • Notions
    • Waste Yarn
    • Red Felt
    • Tapestry Needle
    • Stuffing
• Gauge: 16 sts and 21 rows to 10cm (4in) square, on 6mm needles (using two strands of yarn). The pattern notes that exact gauge isn’t critical.

The pattern includes a Fair Isle chart and a template for the tongue. It also provides helpful tips, such as using waste yarn to mark the beginning of rounds when knitting in the round and suggesting organic cotton or bamboo yarn as an alternative for a hypo-allergenic toy.

Get the pattern here.