purlJam

# Lightning Racer — Knitted Car Amigurumi
*Inspired by everyone's favourite red racing car!*

**Finished size:** Approximately 10 cm long × 5 cm wide × 4 cm tall (excluding wheels)
**Difficulty:** Beginner
**Construction:** Worked in pieces in the round, stuffed and seamed.

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## Materials

- **Yarn (worsted weight / Aran):**
  - Red — approx. 25 g (main colour, MC)
  - Black — approx. 10 g (wheels, CC1)
  - White — small amount (windscreen, eyes, number 95, CC2)
  - Yellow — small amount (lightning bolt detail, CC3)
- **Needles:** 3.5 mm (UK 9 / US 4) double-pointed needles (DPNs), set of 4 — or one long circular for Magic Loop
- **Notions:**
  - Polyester fibrefill stuffing — approx. 15 g
  - Tapestry needle
  - Stitch marker
  - Small scrap of black felt + fabric glue (optional, for windscreen detail) OR embroider with floss
  - Black and white embroidery floss for facial details

> **Safety note:** For children under 3, use embroidered features only — no safety eyes or felt pieces that could detach.

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## Tension (Gauge)

**22 sts × 30 rows = 10 cm** measured over stocking stitch in the round, after light blocking.

Use needles 1–2 sizes smaller than the yarn band recommends to create a firm fabric that won't show stuffing. Exact stitch count is less important than a tight, even fabric.

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## Abbreviations (UK)

- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **kfb** – knit into front and back of stitch (increase 1)
- **k2tog** – knit 2 stitches together (decrease 1)
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit (decrease 1)
- **St st** – stocking stitch (knit every round in the round)
- **MC / CC** – main colour / contrast colour
- **rnd(s)** – round(s)
- **rep** – repeat

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## Pattern

### Car Body (make 1, in MC – red)

The body is worked from the back of the car forward as a tube, then closed at both ends.

Using MC and DPNs, cast on **22 sts**. Divide evenly across 3 DPNs (8-7-7). Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker at beginning of round.

**Rnd 1:** k all sts. *(22 sts)*
**Rnds 2–4:** k all sts. *(22 sts) — back end of car*

**Shape upper body (start raising the roof):**
**Rnd 5:** k all sts.
**Rnds 6–18:** k all sts. *(13 rnds straight — main body length)*

> ✓ Math check: 18 rnds ÷ 30 rnds per 10 cm ≈ 6 cm so far. Body will measure ~10 cm after both ends are closed.

**Shape front (bonnet/hood):**
**Rnd 19:** [k2tog, k9] twice. *(20 sts)*
**Rnd 20:** k all sts.
**Rnd 21:** [k2tog, k8] twice. *(18 sts)*
**Rnd 22:** k all sts.
**Rnd 23:** [k2tog, k7] twice. *(16 sts)*

Stuff the body firmly through the open front. Add more stuffing as you finish closing.

**Rnd 24:** [k2tog] 8 times. *(8 sts)*

Cut yarn leaving a 15 cm tail. Thread tail through remaining 8 sts and pull tight to close the front (bonnet). Secure on the inside.

**Close the back:** Thread the cast-on tail through the cast-on stitches and gather to close the back end. Adjust stuffing so the car is plump but holds a box-like shape (press gently with fingers to flatten the underside).

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### Wheels (make 4, in CC1 – black)

Using CC1, cast on **8 sts**. Divide across 3 DPNs and join in the round.

**Rnd 1:** [kfb] 8 times. *(16 sts)*
**Rnd 2:** k all sts.
**Rnd 3:** k all sts.
**Rnd 4:** [k2tog] 8 times. *(8 sts)*

Cut yarn leaving a 20 cm tail. Thread through remaining 8 sts and pull tight. Before fully closing, stuff lightly with a small ball of fibrefill to give the wheel shape. Pull closed and secure. Flatten slightly into a disc shape (~2.5–3 cm diameter).

> ✓ Wheel diameter check: 16 sts ÷ 22 sts per 10 cm ≈ 7.3 cm circumference → ~2.3 cm diameter ✓

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### Windscreen (optional knitted piece, in CC2 – white)

Using CC2, cast on **6 sts** (working flat).
**Row 1 (RS):** k all sts.
**Row 2 (WS):** p all sts.
**Row 3:** ssk, k2, k2tog. *(4 sts)*
**Row 4:** p all sts.
**Row 5:** ssk, k2tog. *(2 sts)*
Cast off.

*(Alternatively, cut a small trapezoid of black or white felt instead.)*

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## Assembly

1. **Shape the body:** Gently squash the body into a flatter, car-like shape — wider at the bottom, narrower on top. The cast-on end is the back (boot), the gathered end is the front (bonnet).

2. **Attach wheels:** Using the long tails from each wheel and a tapestry needle, sew 2 wheels to each side of the car, evenly spaced:
   - Front wheels: about 2 cm from the front (bonnet)
   - Back wheels: about 2 cm from the back
   - Position so the wheels stick out slightly below the body — the car should be able to "stand" on its wheels.
   - **Check symmetry** before securing: measure with a ruler if needed.

3. **Windscreen:** Place the small knitted piece (or felt cut-out) on top of the car, roughly one-third back from the front. Sew or glue in place.

4. **Eyes:** Using black embroidery floss, embroider two small oval eyes onto the windscreen (this is the car's "face" — eyes go on the windscreen, not the bonnet!). Add a tiny white highlight in each eye with white floss.

5. **Number 95:** Using black floss, embroider "95" onto each side of the car body in a small, neat backstitch.

6. **Lightning bolt:** Using CC3 (yellow), embroider a small zigzag lightning bolt shape on each side of the car, behind the number, with satin stitch or chain stitch.

7. **Mouth (optional):** Add a small smiling curve in black floss just below the windscreen on the bonnet side.

8. **Weave in all ends** securely inside the body. Trim closely.

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## Finishing Tips

- **Blocking:** Not required, but you may gently steam the body to even out the stitches before adding embroidery.
- **Stuffing tip:** Add stuffing in small pinches rather than big lumps for a smooth surface.
- **Personalise:** Try different colours for your own racing team! A blue version makes a fun friend/rival car.

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## Quick Reference – Stitch Counts

| Piece | Cast-on | Max sts | Final close |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body | 22 | 22 | 8 sts gathered |
| Wheels (×4) | 8 | 16 | 8 sts gathered |
| Windscreen | 6 | 6 | Cast off 2 sts |

**Total yarn used:** ~35 g
**Total time:** approx. 3–4 hours for a confident beginner

Enjoy your little racer — Ka-chow! ⚡