The Marshmallow (wo)Man Pattern

Please Note: marshmallows are tasty treats that do not need to conform to specific shapes and sizes.. keep that in mind as you knit. This is a stress free, calorie free treat for the soul, and you should enjoy this experience rather than worrying about it! And whatever you do.. don’t let your kids ‘test’ to see if the paint is dry yet.. or the marshmallow men end up with squashed mouths, and crying eyes!

It’s not like THIS is going to happen…

Yarn: any light worsted or worsted weight white or off white (or whatever color marshmallow that floats your cocoa boat)

Gauge: Is so NOT significant, however if you really NEED a gauge provided here’s what I got with my light worsted weight cashmere blend (only the best for my little marshmallow recipients)…

10.5 sts in 15 rows is a 2×2″ swatch

Size: 3″ tall, 7″ waist (wow.. that’s one serious BMI)

Needles: US 6 DPNs
Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, fiber fill, fabric puffy paints, and a large cup of cocoa

Skills, Knitting in the round, basic iCording, increasing and decreasing.

Abbreviations:

k – Knit
p – Purl
kfb – knit into the front and back of the stitch
k2tog – Knit two stitches together

Shaping the base (bum) of the Marshmallow (wo)man

Cast on 3 stitches leaving a 4-5″ tail** (see attached note)

Divide stitches between 3 DPNs, join in the round being careful not to twist stitches

k 1 round (3 sts)
kfb of every stitch in the round (6 sts)
kfb of every stitch in the round (12 sts)
k 1 round (12 sts)
kfb of every stitch in the round (24 sts)
k 2 rounds (24 sts)
kfb of EVERY OTHER stitch in the round (36 sts)
k 2 rounds (36 sts)
purl next round (36 sts)

Body of the Marshmallow (wo)Man

k approximately 25 rounds, or enough to satisfy your height requirement for your little Marshmallow guy
Purl 1 round
k 3 rounds
k2tog every other stitch (24 sts)
k 2 rounds
k2tog around (12 sts)
Stuff your little stay puff man with fiberfill of your choice * pull tail of yarn from cast on edge up through the fiber fill so that it hangs out the top of the body*
k2tog around (include in these decreased stitches the tail from the cast on edge, pulling the base as flat as possible before knitting the stitches together in this decrease round) (6 sts)
k2tog around (3 sts)

Cut yarn and thread through remaining stitches with tapestry needle. Pull tight and weave in ends (I just pulled the yarn through the stuffed marshmallow body)

Leg construction

Pick up 4 stitches in the lower purl row and knit an iCord for approximately 1 1/2 – 2″ or your ‘happy place’ for leg length (I mean, it’s not like I’ve ever actually seen a real marshmallow with legs, with the exception of the Ghostbuster’s Movie).

Shaping the ‘foot’

In the next iCord row, k the first stitch, kfb in next two stitches and k the last stitch. iCord these 6 stitches for 3 rows
In the next iCord row, k2tog, k2, k2tog (4 sts)
Still knitting in iCord, in next row, k2tog across (2 sts)
final row, k2tog, cut yarn, thread through last stitch, and weave into leg.

Repeat for second leg at appropriate leg distance (is there truly an appropriate distance between the legs of a marshmallow?)

Shape arms:

As with legs, pick up 4 sts in body of Marshmallow, in the area that seems appropriate for an arm on a neck-less marshmallow.

knit iCord for 1-2″ or whatever feels right for your Marshmallow.

Shape hands:

As with legs,

In the next iCord row, k the first stitch, kfb in next two stitches and k the last stitch. iCord these 6 stitches for 2 rows
In the next iCord row, k2tog, k2, k2tog (4 sts)
Still knitting in iCord, in next row, k2tog across (2 sts)
final row, k2tog, cut yarn, thread through last stitch, and weave into arm.

**(Note, it is tricky to work with only 3 stitches on DPNs, you have two options that I have tried, or a third of your own creation for dealing with this moderately tricky situation

a. Divide the 3 stitches on 2 DPNs (yes 2), and join in the round and knit one round. It’s a lot easier to manage the two needles. After knitting the first round, and the first increase round, THEN divide onto the stitches from the second needle (the one with 4 stitches) onto the 3rd DPN, keeping the stitches in the round and NOT twisted)

b. Start by casting on 6 stitches. Join in the round, knit two rounds, then continue with pattern above at the second increase round.

c. Think of some creative way to handle this and email me with your suggestion at 5malachrunner@gmail.com