Since I have a real liking for nature’s most peculiar, weird, mysterious or misunderstood underdogs I decided to design some of them for anyone who wants to get to know these natural weirdo’s a little better!

The nine-banded armadillo is a solitary mammal found in many habitats of the Americas. The word ‘armadillo’ means ‘little armored one’, referring to the animals’ leathery armored shell, which makes it look like some weird rodent in combat gear. Besides its sturdy, shielded shell, the armadillo has very impressive knife-like claws used to frantically dig for its’ meal of grubs and worms. And despite its short legs it can move pretty fast and even jump -when frightened – 3 to 4 feet high! Contrary to its tough looking wild counterpart, this knitted armadillo is very cuddly and cordial.
So, maybe, try for an all-out army of armadillo?

This 19 cm armadillo was knitted on 2.00 mm double pointed needles (UK 12, US 0) in Rowan Felted Tweed (159) carbon, Schachenmayr Merino Extrafine (124) pine nut, (135) pale pink, (198) anthracite and Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk (03) grey and stuffed with some soft toy filling. But it can be done in any gauge and color of yarn you’d like!
It is a fun, easy and textured knit. There is some knitting of stripes, intarsia color work, working in garter stitch and loop stitches (explained in the pattern).

Have an arma-chill-o knit! Viv