MATERIALS

1 x 50g ball Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed in Autumn (85% wool, 10% silk, 5% cashmere) or substitute 8ply/double knitting/light worsted

4.00mm/US 6/UK 8 short needles

2 x 3.00mm/US between 2 and 3/UK 11 double point needles for holding stitches

3.00mm/US C/2-D/3/UK 11 crochet hook

8 lengths of contrasting crochet thread about 15cm (almost 6") long for marking

Wool needle

Cradle size 12cm/4"

PATTERN

Chain 25 with waste yarn. Cut yarn making a knot in this tail end so you know which tail to pull later for unraveling. Using Autumn, pick up 25 sts through the bump on the back of each chain. Knit one row of Knobble Stitch:

Knobble Stitch

Row 1: K1, *Cast on 3 sts, cast off 3 sts, k1* repeat to end. Note: when casting on use cable method with needle entering to the left of the entire stitch, not through it.

Knit one row. Continue in Garter Stitch. Have ready the 8 marker threads, the first threaded through the eye of the wool needle.

Next Row: Insert needle as if to knit two stitches together. Hold needles in position. Slip threaded needle through these two stitches and tie a knot in the tails. Knit to last two stitches and repeat the marker thread. You will pick up these stitches later.

Decrease in this way at each end of every right side (alternate) rows until 17 sts remain.

Knit to end of next row but do not turn. Pick up the two decreased stitches that are marked by each thread and knit through (an increase). Snip off each thread after stitch is formed. Keep increasing until there are 25 sts.

Rich side facing, work one row of Knobble Stitch. Place these 25 sts on a double point needle. Carefully unravel cast on stitches, placing each one on a double point needle. Using crochet hook work 50 single crochet stitches (US slip stitch) around top of cradle, going through each stitch held on double point needle. Finish off neatly with a chain stitch link to first stitch. Weave in ends.

Felt lightly by hand. Shape and dry. Place baby in cradle, adding autumn leaves.

Gumnut Babies by May Gibbs (1877-1969)

Flannel Flowers, Other Bush Babies, Wattle Babies, Boronia Babies, Gum-Blossom Babies, Nuttybub and Nittersing, plus two gumnuts Chucklebud and Wunkydoo (available at Bookworm.com.au). More titles by May Gibbs include The Story Of Little Obelia and The Story Of Little Ragged Blossom. Your library may have these.