Knit a set of moon phases with four different options: flat or stuffed, and either a cut-out shape of the visible part of the moon or the whole disc with the light side and dark sides marked out in two colours using the intarsia method.

Your moons can be propped on a shelf or mantelpiece, or threaded with a ribbon or string to hang them up, either horizontally as bunting or vertically as a wall hanging. These moon phases would be particularly delightful hung from a frame as a mobile.

The stuffed moon shapes consist of a front piece and a back piece, sewn together around the edges and stuffed to form a delightfully squishy, tactile moon. Suggestion: make a crescent moon neck pillow using super-bulky wool!

You can also use a set of single flat moons in the different phases (cut-out shapes or two-colour discs) to make a set of washcloths or a banner, or to appliqué to a blanket or a scarf, or how about around the bottom of a sweater? Or knit in thin cotton for a set of coasters!

Note: the pattern was developed to be the same scale and use the same methods as my “Bubble Writing” Alphabet so it will fit in nicely with any letters, numbers or symbols you might like to add.

Time required: from 30-60 mins for a single layer crescent moon to 3-6 hours for a stuffed full moon or two-colour disc

Difficulty: Easy (single colour) to medium (intarsia)

Pattern documents:

• Moon Phases General Instructions - read this first (4 pages)
• Cut-Out Moon Shapes Patterns (6 pages)
• Two-Colour Moon Discs Patterns (16 pages) - includes both written instructions and charts for colour work

Pattern includes instructions for 12 different moons (4 cut-out shapes, 8 two-colour discs)

SUGGESTED VARIATIONS
(all estimated yarn and stuffing amounts based on a full moon/two-colour disc)

Stuffed ornament (2 identical shapes sewn together and stuffed):
Approximate height: 14cm / 5.25”
Yarn: DK wool (around 21g / 50yds)
Needles: 2.75mm / US 2 / UK 12
Stuffing: 10g wool stuffing (or around half that for polyester stuffing)
Add a ribbon if desired to make a hanging ornament.

Chunky knit cushion (2 identical shapes sewn together and stuffed):
Approximate height: 34cm / 13.5”
Yarn: Wool and the Gang Heal the Wool or other super-bulky wool (around 250-350g / 100-150yds)
Needles: 10.00mm / US 15 / UK 000
Stuffing: around 100-150g wool stuffing (or around half that for polyester stuffing)

Washcloth (1 single flat shape):
Approximate height: 19cm / 7.5”
Yarn: Worsted/Aran cotton, linen or hemp (around 16g / 26yds)
Needles: 4.5mm / US 7 / UK 7
Add a 20 stitch single chain crochet hanging loop if desired.

For other yarns, if you are making a stuffed ornament or cushion, I simply suggest that you go down a needle size or two from that recommended for your yarn, to create a nice dense fabric and stop the stuffing showing through.