These little guys are a lot of fun to make. They are pretty simple, but with a few knitterly details to eliminate seams and also make the knitter feel smart. And, they are just perfect for using up small amounts of yarn.
Yarn: Any worsted weight. So far I've used wool, superwash wool, a cotton/wool blend, and cotton. They all work well, though the cotton is a little tough on the hands with the tight gauge.
Needles: US size 3/ 3.25mm double-points or long circular for Magic Loop. You know which way I knit them. :)
Gauge: Will vary with the yarn. Any worsted weight will produce a tight enough gauge so that stuffing doesn't poke out. And they're cupcakes, so who cares if they're a little bigger or smaller?
Notions: Tapestry needle, stuffing, any embellishments you choose. I used felted beads for the cherries, but there's plenty you could do with these. Cupcake cookbooks are pretty trendy at the moment, and have lots of fun decorating ideas that beg for translation in yarn!
Using your color for the bottom of the cupcake, CO 32 stitches. Distribute evenly over double-points or circular needle, and join for working in the round. Be careful not to twist.
Work k2, p2 ribbing for 15 rounds.
Purl 1 round.
Knit 1 round.
k2, k2tog all the way around (24 st remaining).
Knit 1 round.
k1, k2tog all the way around (16 st remaining).
Knit 1 round.
k2tog all the way around (8 st remaining).
Break yarn. Thread through remaining 8 st and pull tight.
Using your color for the top of the cupcake, pick up and knit 32 st around the cast on edge. Distribute these stitches on your needles and join them for working in the round. Twisting them is pretty unlikely with the bottom of the cupcake hanging off them, but be careful anyway. :)
Knit 3 rounds.
yo, p2tog all the way around.
Knit 3 rounds.
On the next round, go back and pick up the original cast-on stitch (which will now be 7 rounds below the round you're working on) and put it on your needle. Knit it together with the first stitch. Repeat all the way around. (Here is a tutorial with some pictures of how this is done. There's a little bit of a difference; this person did the extra step of picking up a stitch in the cast-on edge, then putting it on the needle and knitting it together with the first stitch in the round. Feel free to email me with questions if you want!)
Knit 2 rounds.
k6, k2tog all the way around (28 st remaining).
Knit 1 round.
k5, k2tog all the way around (24 st remaining).
Knit 1 round.
k4, k2tog all the way around (20 st remaining).
k3, k2tog all the way around (16 st remaining).
k2, k2tog all the way around (12 st remaining).
k1, k2tog all the way around (8 st remaining).
Break yarn and thread through remaining 8 st, but don't pull tight yet. Stuff your cupcake through the little opening. Don't overstuff or the bottom won't be flat and the cupcake won't stand up. Once you're happy with it, pull the yarn tight and tuck in the ends.
Glue/sew a felted bead or ornament of your choice to the top. Or don't!
Enjoy - and I'd LOVE to see some pictures of finished cupcakes!
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