Skele-Fish

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(This fiberfill toy is just the thing for Halloween or anytime a child wants a spooky toy.  It has a lacy tail and the bones, worked in duplicate stitch, with "Nightlights," from Fiber Fantasy, will glow in the dark for 4 hours after only an hour exposure to a 40-watt bulb.)

Materials:         1- 3oz. Skein 100% acrylic, worsted weight yarn, black

Nightlights nylon fiber, approx. 20 yds

                        1 set size 7 dp needles

                        Tapestry needle

                        Fiberfill

Abbreviations:

dp = double pointed

k = knit

st/sts = stitch/stitches

tog = together

yo = yarn over (yarn forward)

tbl = through back loop

With black, cast on 48 sts and divide evenly on dp needles.  Join, being careful not to twist work.

Round 1: K2tog 2 times, * (yo, k1) 4 times, k2tog 4 times, repeat from * 2 times, k2tog 2 times.

Round 2 and every other round k each stitch to end.

Repeat these 2 rounds 4 times.  (Total 10 rounds.)

Next round: k2tog to end, 24 sts.  Work one round even.

Next round: k2tog to end, 12 sts.  Next round: k6 sts, place marker, k6 sts.  Work 1 round even.

Next round, increase round: k1 increasing in this st, k until 2 sts before marker, k1 increasing in this st, move marker, k1 increasing in this st, k until 2 sts before end, k1 increasing in this st, k1.  Continue to work even, k each st, repeating increase round every 2^nd round x 3, and every 4^th round x 3.  Work even 9 more rounds.

Next round, decrease round: k2tog, k until 2 sts before marker, k2tog tbl, move marker, k2tog, k until 2 sts before end, k2tog tbl.  Continue to work even, k each st, repeating decrease round every 4^th round x 2 and every 2^nd round x 5 (8 sts).  Work one round even.  Place 1^st 4 sts on one needle and next 4 sts on a 2^nd needle.  Weave sts together using Kitchener stitch.

Using tapestry needle and Nightlights, glow-in-the-dark yarn, embroider fish skeleton onto work using duplicate stitch.  Follow the chart, starting at row 16 of work, or create your own skeleton. Note: the Nightlights doesn't come loose easily so there is really no need to weave in the loose ends, just leave them on the inside of work.  Stuff body with fiberfill through tail opening and sew opening closed near body of fish (round 14).