Orca Whale

This one was a bit harder than anticipated. The other patterns have come to me fairly easily, but this one presented a few unique challenges. So here he is, without further ado.

Mr. Orca whale, on a map of Orcas Island!

Once again, thanks to my dear husband who has taken it upon himself to do all of the photo shoots lately.

Alright, and here is the pattern:

Orca Whale Pattern (Killer Whale)

Supplies:
Size 4 DPN’s
Black worsted weight yarn (about ¼ a skein)
White worsted weight yarn
Yarn needle
Toy Stuffing

Body:
Using your black yarn cast on 6 stitches. Divide among 3 DPN’s, join together to knit in the round
Evenly add 3 stitches every other row until your have around 64 stitches. (exactly number here is not important) Then we begin our decreases.
Knit 6, k2t- rep to end
Knit 5, k2t- rep to end
Knit 4, k2t- rep to end
Knit 3, k2t- rep to end (Usually when I get to about this point I will stuff him)
Knit 2, k2t- rep to end
Knit 1, k2t- rep to end
K2T entire round, cut yarn, pull yarn through remaining stitches, pull tight.

White Belly:
This part is knit separately and sewn on afterwards.
With white yarn cast on 2 stitches
Purl across
Knit 1, Make 1, Knit 1
Purl across
K1, M1, K1, M1 K1
Purl across
K1, M1 K3, M1, K1
Purl across
*K1, M1, K to last stitch, M1, K1*
*Purl Across*
Repeat starred rows until you have 22 stitches across, then begin decreasing
**K1, K2T, K to last 3 stitches, K2T, K1**
**Purl across**
Continue those rows until you have 2 stitches left, bind off last 2 stitches. Sew onto the belly of the Orca whale.

Top fin:
Cast on 8 stitches in black yarn
*Knit across*
Repeat starred row 8 times
K2T, K6
Knit across
K2T, K5
Knit across
K2T, K4
Knit across
K2T, K3
Knit across
K2T, K2
Knit across
K2T, K1
Bind off

Side fins (Make two!):
Cast on 8 stitches
*Knit across*
Repeat starred row 8 times
**K2T, Knit to end of row**
Repeat starred row until you have 2 stitches, bind off

Tale:
cast on 6 stitches using black yarn, divide among 3 DPN’s and join in the round
K1, M1, K4, M1, K1
K1, M1, K6, M1, K1
K1, M1, K8, M1, K1
K1, M1, K10, M1, K1
K1, M1, K 12, M1, K1
You should have 16 stitches now. Take 8 stitches and place on scrap yarn or on stitch holder
Take remaining 8 stitches, divide among 2 DPN’s.

Using only two DPN’s it might get a little tight, so try not to hold your yarn too tight.
On first needle: Knit 1, M1, Knit 2, M1, Knit 1, Repeat for 2nd needle
First needle: Knit 1, M1, Knit 4, M1, Knit 1, Repeat for 2nd needle
First needle: Knit 1, M1, Knit 6, M1, Knit 1, Repeat for 2nd needle
First needle: Knit 10, Repeat for 2nd needle
*First needle: K1, K2T, Knit until last 3 stitches, K2T, K1 (Repeat for 2nd needle)*
Repeat starred row until you have 4 stitches left, then stuff the tail.
First needle: K2T, K2T, Repeat for 2nd needle
Cut yarn, take tail of the yarn and pull through remaining stitches, pull tight

Repeat process for the 8 stitches you pulled onto stitch holder for the second fin of the tail.

For the white spots on the side of the head I just took while yarn and a yarn needle and just embroidered them onto the head. Attach fins and tail and enjoy your Orca Whale!

Ok, so I know that was kind of a long and involved pattern, but if you notice any mistakes PLEASE leave a comment letting me know, since I usually write up the pattern after I have already made the whole thing, so sometimes I forget a step or two!

26 thoughts on “Orca Whale”

I love this little guy!

I’m a fan of all your sea creatures. You should publish a collection of patterns–Saltwater Purls. Or something. 😉 Very fun.

That has to be a keeper. A memorial of your honeymoon. Very cute.

Yes, so fun! I want one. Also, you should mass produce them and get rich by selling them on Orcas Island.

keeper. I like the map background 🙂

This is so cute and I am in the process of making it. I am having some problems with the body and the tail. The body is not long enough, it looks like a ball. Are there some rows missing in the pattern? The tail does not look like the picture, I am not sure if I am doing it wrong.

Rebecca,
If the increases are making it too large maybe try to take a few out and just do 3 or 4 increases every other row, making it more cone shaped. I will go ahead and fix the pattern.

Also, what does the tail you made look like? I wrote it all up after I knitted it, I am sure that there may be issues with it…

What about eyes?????
But its ssssoooo cute!!!!

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Just made half of the tail… and it looks nothing like what’s pictured. I can send a picture of mine to see what the problem is?!

My 10 year old daughter is trying to make this…the belly decreases say to K1, K2 together,, knit to the last stitch, M1 and then K1. This will not decrease any stitches across the row as you would decrease one in the beginning of the row but add one stitch at the end of the row….help. What should the decreases look like for the belly.

Wendy. Wow. Sorry that was a serious typo on my part. It should be K1, K2T, Knit to last 3 stitches, K2T, K1. Apologies!! thank you for bringing it to my attention, the pattern is fixed now. I guess this is why I need Pattern Testers!

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Trying to knit tail, have you revised the pattern. I agree with other’s comments. Mine doesn’t look like picture

Super cute! How large is this whale? I’d like to add it to a baby mobile I’m knitting, and I need tiny whales. Thanks!

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