Robot Monsters

Materials: 

worsted-weight yarn of your choice (see note at the end) 
double-pointed needles in about a size 4
a yarn needle

Abbreviations: 

3NBO: 3 needle bind-off. Hold 2 needles parallel and bind off stitches from
both needles together.

Instructions: 

Body:
CO 36 sts on double-pointed needles. Join yarn and work in the round.
K ___ rows to form the body. 

Form shoulders:
Rearrange stitches so there are 18 sts on each of two needles, with the
working yarn at one end. 3NBO by binding off two parallel stitches together.
3NBO 4 times, so that you end with 14 sts on each needle.

Turn work around and use a short piece of yarn to 3NBO 4 sts on the other
end. 10 sts remain on each needle. 

Head:
Redistribute the 10 sts onto 3-4 needles and continue knitting in the round
for ___ rows. 

3NBO remaining sts to form flat top of head.

Embroider face as follows: form eyes with French Knots, and a flat mouth
with backstitch.

Legs: 
Pick up 10 sts (5 in the front, 5 in the back) on the left side of the
cast-on edge of the robot. K ___ rows plain, stuffing as you go. Finish with
3NBO.

Repeat on the right side of the robot to form the other leg.

Weave or sew crotch shut.

Note about yarn: 
I typically use a worsted-weight soft acrylic yarn, since it's cheap, soft,
and washable. Cotton or machine-washable wool substitutes well. If the label
suggests using a size 8 needle, for example, use a set of size 4 or size 6
needles instead. This produces a tight fabric that holds the stuffing in
well.

Some people like to felt their stuffed animals. To do this, use wool that is
NOT labeled as machine-washable. Knit the bacterium's body on regular size
needles (the same size the label recommends - about a size 8 for worsted
weight). Put the eyes in if they're plastic but don't add any embroidery or
other details. Throw the bacterium in the washing machine! It will come out
slightly smaller, and with its wool fibers all matted into a solid fabric.
Look up "fulling" and "felting" for more information on this process. Once
the bacterium is rinsed and dry, continue with your embroidery and
embellishment.

If you're looking for an acrylic, try Red Heart Soft Yarn. 
If you're looking for a feltable wool, try Patons Classic Merino.