Knitted Hot Air Balloon Mobile

Materials Needed:

• Yarn in purple, pink, red, brown, green, white
• Size 3.25 mm (US 3) double-pointed needles
• Fiberfill for stuffing
• Embroidery thread or strong yarn for hanging cords
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers

Gauge:

24 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Abbreviations:

• CO - Cast On
• st(s) - Stitch(es)
• k - Knit
• p - Purl
• k2tog - Knit 2 stitches together
• ssk - Slip, slip, knit
• rep - Repeat

Instructions:

Balloon:

1. Using purple yarn, CO 12 sts, distribute evenly across 3 needles. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.
2. Round 1-2: Knit
3. Round 3: [Kfb] around (24 sts)
4. Round 4-5: Knit
5. Round 6: [K1, kfb] around (36 sts)
6. Round 7-10: Knit
7. Round 11: [K2, kfb] around (48 sts)
8. Round 12: Knit
9. Round 13: [K3, kfb] around (60 sts)
10. Round 14-20: Knit, changing yarn to create stripes as desired (e.g., 2 rounds of pink, then 2 rounds of red)
11. Round 21: [K3, ssk] around (48 sts)
12. Round 22: [K2, ssk] around (36 sts)
13. Round 23: [K1, ssk] around (24 sts)
14. Round 24: [Ssk] around (12 sts)
15. Stuff balloon firmly with fiberfill.
16. Round 25: [Ssk] around (6 sts)
17. Break yarn, draw tail through remaining sts and secure.

Basket:

1. With brown yarn, CO 18 sts, divide among 3 needles. Join to work in the round.
2. Round 1-3: Knit
3. Round 4: Purl
4. Round 5-7: Knit
5. Bind off all sts and weave in ends.

Assembly:

1. Attach embroidery thread or strong yarn from the balloon to the basket in four positions to create the appearance of ropes.
2. Use additional thread to hang the balloons as desired, adjusting lengths for varied heights.