Dr Zoidberg

Need a Halloween costume maybe?
Why not Zoidberg?


What You’ll Need :
Aran weight yarn, approx. 220m - I used “With Wool Aran, James C. Brett”
Gauge: 17st x 26r =10cm in stocking stitch. This is a reasonably chunky aran. If you need to add or subtract stitches to compensate for gauge, you can do so in 4s for the ribbed section
5mm double-point needles
5mm circular needle (optional)
Stitch holder (or yarn scrap)
Darning/Large-eye needle
Toy stuffing or scrap yarn
Measuring tape or ruler
Scissors

Step 1: The Balaclava

CO 84st, join in the round (being careful not to twist), place stitch marker at beginning of round and knit 4 rounds in garter stitch.
Round 5: *k2, p2* repeat around
Continue in 2x2 rib until piece measures 12cm from CO edge

Next round: *k5, k2tog* repeat around (72st)
Continue in stocking stitch for 12cm

Next row: BO 2 stitches. Knit 10, bind off 2 stitches, knit to end. Slip the 10 isolated stitches onto a stitch holder (or yarn scrap)
Working straight on the remaining 58 stitches -
Row 1: Purl row (and all even rows)
Row 2 & 4: k1, k2togtbl, k to last 3 st, k2tog, k1
Row 6 & 8: k1, m1, k to last last stitch, m1, k1

Slip the 10st from you holder onto a needle and work rows 1-8 as above

Returning to the 58 st, knit a row, place stitch marker, CO 2st, knit across the 10st, CO 2st and continue knitting in the round.
Work another 8cm in stocking stitch (approx 36cm from CO edge).

If you’re working on a circular needle, move to DPs (18st on 4 needles = 72st)

Decrease round: *k2tog, k to last 2st on needle, k2tog* repeat on each needle
(this assumes you are using 5DPs, if you have only 4 then it will be k2tog, k14, k2tog)
Next round: knit
Repeat these two rounds until you have 32st left (8 per needle)
Next, repeat decrease round until you have 8st (2 per needle). Cut your yarn and, with the darning needle, thread it through the stitches, pull tight and secure.

Step 2: The Wub Wub

This isn’t the most accurate, precision instructions you’ll find in a knitting pattern but try to just go with the flow, it doesn't need to be perfect to come out well.

Find the middle two stitches at the narrowest point between the eye-holes and pick up two stitches with a DP needle.
Knit 2 stitches
Before purling the next row, pick up a stitch down one row and one to the right (of the first 2 stitches you picked up). Purl the 3 stitches on your needle then pick one more stitch down one row and left (of the first 2 stitches you picked up).
Continue increasing in this way; picking up one stitch at the beginning and end of each row, moving down and out a row each time.
When you have 16 stitches on your needle:
Pick up stitch to start row, knit this together with the first stitch already on the needle, k6, m1, k2, m1, k6, pick up another stitch and purl together with last stitch. (18st)
Next row: pick up stitch, p2tog, p3, m1, p10, m1, p3, pick up stitch, p2tog (20st)

The piece should come to about halfway across the eyehole on either side.

Slip 15 stitches onto a stitch holder

Tentacles :
Knit 5stitches then CO 7st (12 st total). Share the stitches over 3needles and join in the round.
Knit straight until it measures 6cm from the point of separation.
Decreasing:
Round 1: *k2tog, k2* repeat
Round 2: *k2tog, k1* repeat
Round 3: *k2tog* repeat
Break yarn, using darning needle thread yarn end through remaining stitches. Pull tight and tie off.
Repeat for the next five stitches x 3

Stuff the tentacles and the top of the “wub wub” lightly. stitch the inner sided of the tentacles together and stitch the back of the tentacles to the mask.

Step 3: Complete Zoidberg

Your Zoidberg is complete WUB WUB WUB WUB.....

P.S. Apologies for all the terrible photography