Outline figures from bonsai wire and knitted tube

1   Knit 1 – 1.40 metres of knitted tube on the knitting mill. One ball of wool gives 13 metres of knitted tube.

2   Pick up the four stitches at the end that comes out of the knitting mill last (see the red yarn needle). Secure the wool at the other end by feeding it inside the knitted tube and out through one side (see the yellow yarn needle). Trim the excess wool.

3   Cut a piece of bonsai wire the same length as the knitted tube. Bend both ends to make a flat loop using pliers.

4   Feed the bonsai wire inside the knitted tube from the end with the red yarn needle.

5   Pull the knitted tube over the bonsai wire loop. Feed the excess piece of wool through the loop of the yarn needle and push the yarn needle through the four stitches to close it. Now secure the excess piece of wool through the knitted tube as described earlier.

6   Now shape the outline of your chosen shape with the bonsai wire covered with knitted tube. You may decorate with buttons, tassels etc. Make sure to shape large feet for the figure so that it can stand on its own.

Another variant   The bird's body is shaped like a hand. The beak is made from bonsai wire and the eye is made from a button which is sewn on with a piece of wool.

Another variant   Figures for wall decorations, such as texts, can be made using the technique described above. You may make a rough version on a piece of paper beforehand in order to determine the length of the knitted tube.