Technically these punctuation marks are not the same or interchangeable, but this pattern can be used to make an apostrophe, comma, or a set of quotation marks.
Finished size: about 2 3/4 inches tall and 2 inches wide.
Yarn: worsted weight (I used Cascade 220 for the apostrophe pictured.)
Needle size: US 4 (3.5mm) dpns or circular needles for knitting in the round. (I use magic loop with circular needles.)
Gauge doesn't really matter as long as you get a firm fabric so the stuffing doesn't show through the finished toy. Other weights of yarn can be used with a corresponding needle size.
Stitches and abbreviations used:
k: knit
kll: increase by inserting left needle into left loop of stitch two rows below last completed stitch; knit this stitch through the back loop.
krl: increase by inserting right needle into right loop of stitch just below next stitch; place it onto left needle and knit it.
(I thought it might help to take photos of where to insert the needle for these two increases. You can also look them up on knittinghelp.com.)
k2tog: knit two stitches together
Pattern:
Cast on 3 stitches.
Round 1: Working as for i-cord, knit.
Round 2: k2, krl, k1. (4 stitches)
Round 3: knit, distributing the stitches on the needles for knitting in the round.
Round 4: k2, kll, krl, k2. (6 stitches)
Round 5: k
Round 6: k
Round 7: k3, kll, krl, k3. (8 stitches)
Round 8: k
Round 9: k4, kll, krl, k4. (10 stitches)
Round 10: k
Round 11: k3, kll, k2, kll, krl, k2, krl, k3. (14 stitches)
Round 12: k
Round 13: k4, kll, k3, kll, krl, k3, krl, k4. (18 stitches)
Round 14: k
Round 15: k5, kll, k4, kll, krl, k4, krl, k5. (22 stitches)
Round 16: k
Round 17: k6, kll, k5, kll, krl, k5, krl, k6. (26 stitches)
Round 18: k
Round 19: k7, kll, k6, kll, krl, k6, krl, k7. (30 stitches)
Round 20: k
Round 21: k
Round 22: k
Round 23: k
Round 24: k3, k2tog around. (24 stitches)
Round 25: k
Round 26: k2, k2tog around. (18 stitches)
Round 27: k
Round 28: k1, k2tog around. (12 stitches)
Round 29: k
Stuff the toy at this point. (This pattern could also be used as a flat piece of punctuation if you leave it unstuffed.)
Round 30: k2tog around. (6 stitches)
Cut yarn and use a darning needle to draw the tail through the remaining stitches. I find that I get neater results if I tighten the stitches on the darning needle a little bit before drawing the yarn tail through.
Weave in ends.
For a set of quotation marks, make four of these and sew a few stitches to attach them to each other to look like quotation marks. I use an adapted form of mattress stitch.
Embroider eyes on the finished toy if desired.
I hope you enjoy your new punctuation friend!
This pattern has not been tested, but I welcome constructive criticism and feedback!
Please don't copy or distribute this pattern or sell items made from this pattern without permission.
