Antiquated Armadillo by Joan Rowe

Antiquated Armadillo

Knitting
March 2020
Light Fingering ?
26 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches
in unblocked stockinette
US 4 - 3.5 mm
US 5 - 3.75 mm
550 - 600 yards (503 - 549 m)
12" (30 cm) excluding tail
English
This pattern is available for $6.90 USD buy it now

This pattern can be knitted by an experienced knitter and perhaps an adventurous intermediate level knitter. Techniques required include picking up stitches, w&t, knitting in the round on small numbers of stitches, short rows in the round.
This pattern is knitted largely in seed stitch (moss stitch).

Armadillos are the only living mammals that wear an armored shell (carapace) made up of bony plates.
The carapace is knitted first. Then the back is knitted and the tail and head knitted on to the back. Stitches are picked up around the body and the belly knitted on. Next, the legs are knitted and then sewn onto the belly. Finally the carapace is attached at the neck and tail. There is minimal sewing as most sections are knitted on to the previous section.

It requires fingering or sock weight yarn: 600 yds (550 m)
It is best to have some wool in the yarn as it helps to keep the shape better, but is not required.
If you choose to knit it with thicker yarn, you will end up with a much larger creature, and it will take more yarn.