Benjamine the Watervole

Benjamine the Watervole (along with her family, Little Mo & Grand-Ma) is one of seven patterns in issue five of John Arbon Textiles’ in house magazine, The Annual, published in September 2025. [There are kits available for this pattern.][1] Benjamine the Watervole is a little critter who enjoys spending summer by the seaside, quietly sailing on the waves, trotting in the mist, nestling in a little beach hut or sleeping under the stars. She is a joyful little vole who loves to share her adventures with her family, Little Mo and Grand-Ma. Benjamine is worked seamlessly, all in one piece, starting from the nose, and knitted down to her little feet. All finishing is done as you knit with no assembly. **BENJAMINE** **Finished Measurements** a - From top of head to toes: about 18cm / 7.25” Swimsuit: b - Length: 10.5cm / 4.25” | c - Width at hips: 8cm / 3.25” Raincoat: d - Length: 9.5cm / 3.75” | e - Width at bottom: 10cm / 4” **Yarn** [Knit by Numbers (4ply; 400m per 100g)][2] Benjamine: MC 20g (shown in KBN10); CC 5g (shown in KBN120) Swimsuit: C1 5g (shown in KBN20); C2 10g (shown in KBN55) Raincoat: 25g (shown in KBN99) **Gauge** 9 sts x 14 rnds = 2.5cm / 1” square over stocking stitch. **Needles** 2mm (UK 14 / US 0) knitting needles. *Always use a needle size that results in a really dense gauge after blocking, so no stuffing is visible.* **LITTLE MO** **Finished Measurements** a - From top of head to toes: about 16cm / 6.25” Swimsuit: b - Length: 8cm / 3.25” | c - Width at hips: 6cm / 2.5” Gilet: d - Length: 7cm / 2.75” | e - Width at bottom: 7.5cm / 3” **Yarn** [Exmoor Sock (4ply; 400m per 100g)][3] [Knit by Numbers (4ply; 400m per 100g) for CC only][4] Mo: MC 15g (shown in Drizzle); CC 5g (shown in KBN120) Swimsuit: C1 10g (shown in Hurdy); C2 5g (shown in Mizzle) Gilet: 20g (shown in Fuzzpig) **Gauge** 10 sts x 15 rnds = 2.5cm / 1” square over stocking stitch. **Needles** 1.75mm (UK 15 / US 00) knitting needles. *Always use a needle size that results in a really dense gauge after blocking, so no stuffing is visible.* **GRAND-MA** **Finished Measurements** a - From top of head to toes: about 24cm / 9.5” Swimsuit: b - Length: 17cm / 6.75” | c - Width at hips: 12cm / 4.75” Raincoat: d - Length: 14cm / 5.5” | e - Width at bottom: 15cm / 6” **Yarn** [Harvest Hues (Worsted; 200m per 100g)][5] for MC, Swimsuit C1 and Raincoat [Knit by Numbers (DK; 233m per 100g)][6] for CC only [Devon Naturals (DK; 233m per 100g)][7] for swimsuit C2 only Grand-Ma: MC 45g (shown in Flax); CC 5g (shown in KBN120) Swimsuit: C1 20g (shown in Burdock); C2 15g (shown in Edna) Raincoat: 50g (shown in Blackthorn) **Gauge** 7 sts x 11 rnds = 2.5cm / 1” square over stocking stitch. **Needles** 2.75 mm (UK 12 / US 2) knitting needles. *Always use a needle size that results in a really dense gauge after blocking, so no stuffing is visible.* **Notes** For additional help knitting these little creatures, refer to the Techniques section of Cinthia’s book, [Mouche and Friends, Seamless Toys to Knit and Love][8] published by Laine Publishing. There is no special short row method used. Simply turn your work when it says 'turn' and work as instructed. Note that the gauge required for this pattern is tighter than you might usually work. [1]: https://www.jarbon.com/product/benjamine-the-watervole-kit-by-cinthia-vallet-annual-five/ [2]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/john-arbon-textiles-knit-by-numbers-4-ply [3]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/john-arbon-textiles-exmoor-sock [4]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/john-arbon-textiles-knit-by-numbers-4-ply [5]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/john-arbon-textiles-harvest-hues-worsted [6]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/john-arbon-textiles-knit-by-numbers-dk [7]: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/john-arbon-textiles-devon-naturals-dk [8]: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/mouche--friends-seamless-toys-to-knit-and-love