I’ve always loved Nutcrackers — all kinds, all styles. I searched for years for a knitting pattern I loved, but only found crochet versions, they were super cute, but I can’t crochet like that. After knitting my first gnome this fall, I decided to try making my own Nutcracker. Mistakes and all, I couldn’t be happier with Sir Crakerton.
I am in love with him and am so excited to knit more.
 
This pattern is knit in the round from the top down using scrap yarn to pick up stitches for embellishments. The arms and legs are also worked in the round and attached after stuffing. So the only sewing is to attach the arms, legs, hair, nose, and braid details.
 
Fingering weight yarn: 7 colors - these are the totals from my sample, with a 1g addition for safety
Coat - 23g
Pants - 15g
Hat / Boots / Belt / Stash - 23g
Epilets & Braids - 7g
Skin - 9g
Hair & Beard - 5g
Eyes - scrap, about 3 yards
 
If you want to try to make Sir Crackerton with 20g minis:
coat color - decrease the length of the body by about 1/4”, decrease the depth of the collar by a few rows, decrease the arm length by a few rows. Hat, Boots, Belt, stash - decrease height of hat by 1/4” and decrease height of boots by 1/4”.
 
Note: I counted yarn weights based on my actual sample, I knit the body and arms longer than what I noted in the pattern and longer than I prefer. I also added 1g to actual weights, so by making small decreases in knitting rows I think you should be fine with a 20g mini for both.
 
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm) circular for magic loop or DPN’s - I used magic loop.
 
Finished size: approx 8.5 inches tall sitting. Approx 14 tip of hat to tip of shoes.