knittingninja

(more images below)

Any gamer worth two cents has played at least ONE of the Mario games. Thusly, nearly every gamer knows of the mighty Chain Chomp.

An enemy in the Mario Bros. franchise, they first appeared in Mario Bros. 3, as a black ball with eyes and teeth, attached by a chain to a block. The chain would lunge itself at Mario, teeth a-chomping, if Mario was within its range.

In later games, the chomps could appear on a loose chain, trailing after Mario and friends. They also adapted their own sound effect, a doglike, rumbling ARF ARF. In the latest release in the franchise, Super Mario Galaxy, Chomps are seen chainless, rolling around happily in their natural habitats. They have long been one of the many instantly-recognizable entities in the Mario world.

I designed this hat on a whim, inspired by discussions with my geeky friends awhile ago, about how relatively simple it would be to design. In the last few days, I drew it up and knit it on the fly, taking notes as I went. The result is a Chomp that has happily broken free of its chain, only to latch itself onto an unsuspecting gamer’s head.

Materials:

Size 5.5mm circulars/DPNs (hat/teeth) and 4.5mm DPNs (for chain)

Bernet Softee Chunky Solids (any chunky/aran weight yarn will do)

Black: approx. 120 yds

White: approx. 50 yds

White and black felt

Darning needle

Sewing needle/thread

Grey worsted/chunky weight scrap yarn

Gauge: 14 sts & 24 rows = 4” in st st

Body of Hat

Using circular needle and black yarn, CO 64 sts.

Join, being careful not to twist. Work k3, p1 rib for 6 rows.

K every round, until piece measures approx. 5” from CO edge. Begin decreasing like so (switching to DPNs when necessary):

Row 1: k(6), k2tog around.

Row 2: K across.

Repeat last two rows, subtracting the number in brackets by 1 each time. K5, k4, and so on, until you have 16 sts remaining.

Next row: k2tog around.

Cut 6” of yarn and draw yarn through remaining stitches. Pull yarn through top of hat and weave in.

Teeth

Using the tail of your CO as a starting point, count out 10 sts on either side of tail. PM on both ends to indicate where these 20 sts are.

Starting at one marker, count 8 sts heading towards front of hat. PM. Count out 28 sts. PM.

Front Teeth

Using white yarn, PU 28 sts between front stitch markers.

Next row: BO purlise. Weave in ends. PM every 7 sts along white castoff edge.

Using white yarn, and working on the WRONG side of the hat, pick up 7 sts from right-hand edge to first marker.

Next row: P across.

Next row: Sl 1 wyif, k1, sl 1 wyif, p1, sl 1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.

Next row: K1, sl 1 wyif, sl 1, k2tog, psso, sl 1 wyif, k1.

Next row: P2tog, p1, ssp.

Next row: Sl1 wyif, k2tog, psso.

Cut yarn and draw through loop. Weave in ends.

Repeat these steps for the remaining three teeth. Weave in all ends up to this point.

Back Teeth

Using white yarn, PU 20 sts between back stitch markers.

Next row: BO purlise. Weave in ends. PM every 5 sts along white castoff edge.

Using white yarn, and working on the WRONG side of the hat, pick up 5 sts from right-hand edge to first marker.

Next row: P across.

Next row: K1, sl 1 wyif, k1, sl 1 wyif, k1.

Next row: P2tog, p1, ssp.

Next row: Sl1 wyif, k2tog, psso.

Cut yarn and draw through loop. Weave in ends.

Repeat these steps for the remaining three teeth. Weave in all ends up to this point.

Chains

Using black yarn and smaller DPNs, k 2” of i-cord. BO and sew on to top of hat in a half-circle, using photos for reference.

Using grey yarn, k 5” of i-cord, and BO. Make three of these.

Using grey yarn, k 3” of i-cord, and BO.

Using darning needle, connect the 5” lengths of i-cord by sewing the ends together while interlocking them (use photos for reference). If desired, secure the sewn edges to each other to keep the loops from moving around. Connect the 3” i-cord in the center, leaving the ends to dangle like a broken chain link.

 

Eyes

Using white felt, measure a circle of about 2” diameter. Cut out two.

Using black felt, measure a circle just under 1” in diameter. Cut out two.

Using sewing thread of matching colors and sewing needle, backstitch around the circumference of the white circles, using photos for ideas of eye placement. Use the same method to sew the black circles into the center of the white circles. Tie off all ends.

Weave in any remaining ends and wear proudly!

Copyright Information

This pattern is © 2007 The Knitting Ninja (Allison MacAlister). You may make copies for your own personal use, but you may not sell copies of the pattern. If you wish to sell the hats, please contact the Knitting Ninja first. If you have any questions about what you can or can’t do with this pattern, please feel free to contact the Knitting Ninja. Chain chomps are © to Nintendo. Mad props, Miyamoto.