This is the first pattern I have created.  I would love any feedback positive and/or negative.  My next goal is to take better photos!  I also have the pattern in pdf form on my blog: http://beachblythe.typepad.com/beachblythe/2009/01/rainy-rainy-day.html  Thanks for looking. 





Body                                          
Begin with sewing back and forth on 2 dbl pointed needles.  After rnd 2, divide onto 3 needles, join for knitting in the round and mark last stitch.  If you want a larger hole to stuff with then wait a few more rounds.      
c/o 6 stitches                                 
Rnd  1:  knit into the front and back (kfb) of each stitch               
Rnd  2: knit                                    
Rnd  3: kfb (24 stitches)                              
Rnd  4: knit                                    
Rnd  5: *k1, kfb; repeat from *                           
Rnd  6: knit                                    
Rnd  7: *k2, kfb; repeat from*                           
Rnd  8: knit                                    
Rnd  9: *k4, pm, kfb, k6, kfb, pm, k4; repeat from * (54 stitches)         
Rnd 10: knit                                    
Rnd 11: *k4, sl m, kfb, knit to one stitch before marker, kfb, sl m, k4; repeat from *   
Rnd 12:  knit                                 
Rnds 13-24: repeat rnds 11 & 12  (96 stitches)                  
Rnd  25: *k4, sl m, k2tog, knit to two stitches before marker, k2tog, sl m, k4; repeat from *                                    Rnd  26: knit                                 
Rnds 27-38: repeat rows 25 & 26 (70 stitches)                  
Rnds 39-40: knit                                 
Rnd  41: *k4, sl m, k2tog, knit to two stitches before marker, k2tog, sl m, k4; repeat from *                                    Rnds 42-44: knit                                 
Rnds 45-60: repeat pattern from rnds 41&42-44. Decrease by 6 followed by 3 knit rows  (40 stitches)  remove stitch markers                  
Rnds 61-77: Continue to follow decrease pattern as close as possible.  (10 stitches)                                    Rnd  78: knit stitches onto one needle.  Knit I-cord for 6 inches            
b/o    weave in ends   Do NOT sew up either hole (c/o end or trunk)

Ears (make 2)                                    
knit back and forth on 2 dbl pointed needles
c/o 18 stitches                                 
Rnd   1: knit                                    
Rnd   2: increase 1 stitch at each end  (20 stitches)               
Rnds  3-8: repeat rows 1 & 2  (26 stitches)                     
Rnds  9-11: knit                                 
Rnd  12: decrease 1 stitch at each end (24 stitches)               
Rnd  13: knit                                 
Rnds 14-29: repeat rows 12 & 13 (8 stitches)                  
b/o    weave in ends

Feet (made as one tube)
c/o 15 stitches, divide between 3 dbl pointed needles and join for knitting in the round.  Knit for 7 inches.  b/o and weave in ends. 

Tail
c/o 3 stitches, knit I-tube for 6 inches.  b/o   weave in ends. 

Felting
It is best to place pieces to be felted in a zip up laundry bag.   Place in washing machine, use the least amount of water possible and a drop of detergent. Use the longest wash cycle and stop machine to check pieces often.  Stop once desired level of felting has been reached.  Do not run through rinse cycle. 
It is possible to felt in a front loader washing machine, although you do not have as much control over the process.  The elephant was run twice through the wash cycle on my front loader. 


Assembling
I do not like to wait.  I stuffed and sewed Pudgy immediately after felting!
Stuff the body with fiberfill.  If necessary, use one dbl pointed needle to help push fiberfill in to tighter areas.  You may wish to also stuff some fiberfill down into the trunk.  The trunk will require use of a knitting needle to help push small pieces of stuffing into it.  Once desired fullness has been reached, Use yarn and a yarn needle to sew up both ends. 
Cut the tube into four equal pieces.  Sew up one end of each foot, fill with fiberfill and sew onto bottom of Pudgy using photo as guide. 
Use photo as a guide to sew on ears and tail. 
Eyes
Cut out 2 circles of off-white felt that are the size of a nickel.  Cut out 2 circles of green felt the size of a penny.  Sew a green circle on top of an off-white one with green embroidery thread.  Repeat with the second circle.  Sew each white circle to Pudgy using off-white embroidery thread.