Have a dino-mite Hanukkah with Turquoise Knit Menorah Tops + dino egg to store the candles! This playful prehistoric triceratops friend is ready to celebrate the Festival of Lights. The adorable “Menorasaurus” is a free knitting pattern on marlybird.com and makes a unique gift for Hanukkah!

Great kid’s Hanukkah decor that you can knit. The unique candles let you ‘light’ the menorah with your kids safely. And, the best part is…you can store the candles in the dino egg so you won’t lose them!

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Grab your favorite yarn and knit Evie the Menorah Tops this holiday season. The perfect kids’ Hanukkah toy.

Looking for an ad-free PDF? This free knit menorah pattern will be part of the Holiday Pattern Collection vol. 2 to be released on Nov. 17, 2022, on MarlyBird.com.

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Menorah Tops Knit Pattern || The NEW “Menorah-saurus” for Hanukkah

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate

MEASUREMENTS

Finished Measurements

Toy is 11.5” [29.21 cm] from nose to tail

Gauge

16 sts = 4″ [10 cm] in Stockinette Stitch Note: Gauge is not critical in this project.

MATERIALS

Yarn

Patons Classic Wool Worsted (100% wool, 194 yds / 177 m, 3.5 oz/ 100 g, CYCA #4 worsted)

Color A: #77219 Seafoam, 2 skeins

Color B: #00201 Winter White, 1 skein

Color C: #77750 Coral Peach, 1 skein

Color D: #77791 Cool Gray, 1 skein

Needle

U.S. 8 [5 mm] 32” circular needle (to use as magic loop) & set of 5 double pointed needles, or size required for gauge

Notions

Large Steel Tapestry Needle
Polyester Fiberfill
Straight Pins
Stitch markers
12mm plastic safety eyes with plastic backings (for children 3 and older)
Black embroidery thread, black felt, or black yarn (alternative eye options)

ABBREVIATIONS

BO – Bind Off
CO – Cast On
DPN – Double Pointed Needle
K – Knit
P – Purl
PM– Place Marker
Sl – Slip
st(s) – stitches
YO – Yarn Over

SPECIAL STITCHES

Kfb – Knit front and back: Knit into the front loop, then the back loop of next st (1 st increased).

M1R – Make 1 right: Insert left hand needle under horizontal strand between st just worked and next st from the back to the front, knit through the front loop (1 st increased).

K2tog – Knit two together: Knit 2 sts together (1 st decreased).

SSK – Slip, slip, knit: Slip, slip, knit: Slip 2 sts, 1 at a time, knitwise to the right hand needle; return sts to left hand needle in turned position and knit them together through the back loops (1 st decreased).

P2tog – Purl two together: Purl 2 sts together (1 st decreased).

SSP – Slip, slip, purl: Slip 2 sts, 1 at a time, knitwise to the right hand needle; return sts to left hand needle in turned position and purl them together through the back loops (1 st decreased).

PSSO – Pass slip stitch over

NOTES

Hold 2 strands of yarn when working all pieces.

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Knit Menorah Tops - Evie the Menorasaurus. Marly Bird

KNITTING MENORAH-TOPS PATTERN

KNIT MENORAH-TOPS LEGS

Make 4

Round 1: Starting with color B and working with a magic loop or DPNs, CO 6. Place marker and work in the round. Distribute the stitches evenly over the magic loop or 2 DPNs.

Round 2: Kfb in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 3: K12.

Round 4: (K1, M1R, K1) 6 times. (18 sts)

Round 5: K18.

Round 6: (K2, M1R, K1) 6 times. (24 sts)

Round 7: K24.

Round 8: P24.

Cut color B, change to color A.

Rounds 9-16: K24.

Transfer stitches to holder. Make 3 more legs, transferring the 2nd and 3rd to stitch holders and leaving the last/4th leg on needles.

KNIT MENORAH-TOPS BELLY

Row 1: Cont to work the leg, K1, pm, and proceed to k in next 11 sts. Transfer the remaining 12 sts of the leg to stitch holders. Pick up a 2nd leg and knit into one of the leg edge stitches. Continue to knit around the top edge of the 2nd leg for 11 more sts, leaving 12 sts unworked. Turn.

Row 2: P24.

Row 3: K2tog, K20, Ssk, turn (22 sts)

Row 4: P22.

Row 5: K2tog, K18, Ssk, turn (20 sts)

Row 6: P20.

Rows 7-10: Cont. in St st.

Row 11: K, M1R, K20, M1L, K1. (22 sts)

Row 12: P22.

Row 13: K1, M1R, K22, M1L, K1. (24 sts)

Row 14: P24.

Cut yarn leaving a 24” tail.

Hold 3rd leg edge against the edge of belly row 14. Match up the edges and kitchener stitch 12 sts from the the belly row and 12 sts from the edge of the 3rd leg together (leave remaining 12 sts on stitch holder). Pick up the 4th leg, line up the leg edge to the edge of belly row 14 and kitchener stitch the remaining 12 sts from the belly row and 12 sts from edge of the 4th leg leaving the remaining 12 sts of the 4th leg edge on stitch holder.

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KNIT MENORAH-TOPS BODY

Begin by transferring all unworked leg edges to circular needles or DPNs.

Round 1: Starting to the left of the pm stitch of belly row 1, join color A yarn, pull up and K8 along front belly edge, K12 along 1st leg edge, pull up and k2 along the belly side edge between the 1st and 2nd legs, K12 along 2nd leg edge, Turn work and CO 16 purlwise. Turn and skip over back belly edge (creating the tail opening), K12 along 3rd leg edge, pull up and K2 along the belly side edge between the 3rd and 4th legs, K12 along 4th leg edge (ending in the pm stitch). (76 sts)

Round 2: K76.

Round 3: K34, K2tog, K12, Ssk, K26. (74 sts)

Round 4: K74.

Round 5: K34, K2tog, K10, Ssk, K26. (72 sts)

Rounds 6-10: K72

Round 11: K8, (K6, K2tog) 4 times, (Ssk, K6) 4 times. (64 sts)

Rounds 12-14: K 64.

Round 15: K8, (K5, K2tog) 4 times, (Ssk, K5) 4 times. (56 sts)

Round 16: K56.

Round 17: K8, (K4, K2tog) 4 times, (Ssk, K4) 4 times. (48 sts)

Round 18: K48

Round 19: K8, (K3, K2tog) 4 times, (Ssk, K3) 4 times. (40 sts)

Round 20: K40.

Round 21: K8, (K2, K2tog) 4 times, (Ssk, K2) 4 times. (32 sts)

Round 22: K8, (K1, K2tog) 4 times, (Ssk, K1) 4 times. (24 sts)

Round 23 K8, K2tog 4 times, Ssk 4 times. (16 sts)

Cut and weave yarn through remaining stitches, pulling to close hole. Weave in yarn tails.

Stuff legs of body.

KNIT MENORAH-TOPS TAIL

Round 1: With color A and working around tail opening, evenly pull up and k28. (28 sts)

Rounds 2-4: K28.

Round 5: (K5, K2tog) 4 times. (24 sts)

Rounds 6-8: K24.

Round 9: (K2, K2tog, K2) 4 times. (20 sts)

Rounds 10-11: K20.

Round 12: (K1, K2tog, K2) 4 times. (16 sts)

Rounds 13-14: K16.

Stuff body.

Round 15: (K2, k2tog) 4 times. (12 sts)

Round 16-18: K12.

Round 19: (K 1, K2tog) 4 times. (8 sts)

Rounds 20-21: K8.

Stuff tail.

Round 23: K2tog 4 times. (4 sts)

Cut and weave yarn through remaining stitches, pulling to close hole. Weave in yarn tails.

To reduce the splay of the legs, run a length of blue yarn back and forth between the inside surfaces of legs with a tapestry needle and pull gently to draw the inside surfaces of the legs towards each other. Fasten off and use the leftover yarn tails to tidy up any remaining gaps along the belly and legs.

Collage of views of Menorah Tops Knitting pattern - Marly Bird

KNITTING MENORAH-TOPS HEAD

Round 1: With color A and working with a magic loop or DPNs, CO 6. Place marker (pm) and work in the round. Distribute the stitches evenly over the magic loop or 2 DPNs.

Round 2: K6.

Round 3: (K1, M1R) 6 times. (12 sts)

Round 4: K12.

Round 5: (K1, M1R) 12 times (24 sts)

Round 6: K24.

Round 7: (K5, M1R, K1) 2 times, (K1, M1L, K5) 2 times. (28 sts)

Round 8: K28.

Round 9: (K3, M1R, K4) 2 times, (K4, M1L, K3) 2 times. (32 sts)

Rounds 10-12: K32.

Round 13: K14, BO 4, K14. (28 sts)

Round 14: K14, turn work, CO 4 purlwise, turn work, skp over BO sts, K14 (32 sts)

Round 15: K32.

Round 16: K8, k2tog 4 times, Ssk 4 times, K8. (24 sts)

Rounds 17-20: K24.

If using 12 mm plastic safety eyes, install between Rounds 16-17 with 8 sts of sp between them and the horn opening facing up.

Round 21: (K5, M1R, K1) 2 times, (K1, M1L, K5) 2 times. (28 sts)

Round 22: K28.

Round 23: (K2, M1R, K1) 4 times, K4, (K1, M1L, K2) 4 times. (36 sts)

*Rounds 24-34: K36.

(*on Round 30, pm in a stitch directly above the horn opening to mark the top of the head)

Round 35: (K2, K2tog, K2) 3 times, (K2, Ssk, K2) 3 times. (30 sts)

Rounds 36-41: K30

Round 42: (K1, K2tog, K2) 3 times, (K2, Ssk, K1) 3 times. (24 sts)

Rounds 43-46: K24.

Round 47: (K2, K2tog, K2) 2 times, (K2, Ssk, K2) 2 times. (20 sts)

Round 48: K20.

Stuff head firmly (between Rounds 1-30). If you have not installed plastic safety eyes, embroider on eyes with black yarn or cut 12 mm black felt circles and sew to the side of the head between Rounds 16-17 with 8 sts of sp between them.

Define the top of the head by sewing a running stitch of blue yarn in an arch shape starting 7-8 Rounds behind the left eye, stitching in the curved line up to the center of Round 30 (marked with a pm), and stitching in a curved line down to 7-8 Rounds behind the right eye.

Round 49: (K1, K2tog, K2) 2 times, (K2, Ssk, K1) 2 times. (16 sts)

Round 50: K16.

BO remaining stitches. Cut yarn and weave in ends.

KNITTING MENORAH-TOPS SMALL HORNS

Make 2

Round 1: With color B and working with a magic loop or DPNs, CO 6. Place marker (pm) and work in the round. Distribute the stitches evenly over the magic loop or 2 DPNs.

Round 2-6: K6.

Lightly stuff small horn.

Round 7: K4, K2tog. (5 sts)

Round 8: K5.

Round 9: K2tog, K1, K2tog (3 sts)

Cut and weave yarn through remaining stitches, pulling to close hole. Weave in yarn tails.

KNITTING MENORAH-TOPS SMALL HORN RINGS

Make 2

Round 1: With color A and working with a magic loop or DPNs, CO 10. Place marker and work in the round. Distribute the stitches evenly over the magic loop or 2 DPNs.

Round 2: K10.

BO remaining stitches. Cut yarn and weave in ends.

Sew the small horn bases to the top of the head, 7 Rounds behind the eyes and with 6 sts of sp between them. Slide the small horn rings over the horns with the WS (purl side) facing out. Position rings at the base of the horns and sew in place.

Dino egg with knit candles for menorah. Marly Bird

KNITTING MENORAH-TOPS CANDLE BASE

Make 9

Round 1: With color A and working with a magic loop or DPNs, CO10. Place marker (pm) and work in the round. Distribute the stitches evenly over the magic loop or 2 DPNs.

Round 2-3: K10

Round 4: P10.

Round 5-7: K10.

Round 8: Kfb in each st around. (20 sts)

BO remaining stitches. Cut yarn, clean up the ring with a few extra stitches as needed, and leave the remaining yarn tail for sewing.

Insert one horn base into the horn hole in the head and sew in place to secure. Position, pin, and sew the other 8 candle horn bases around the edge of the crown, taking care to angle the openings to face up.

KNIT MENORAH-TOPS CANDLE

Make 9

Round 1: With color B and working with a magic loop or DPNs, CO 8. Place marker and work in the round. Distribute the stitches evenly over the magic loop or 2 DPNs.
Round 2: K8.

Round 3: P8.

Rounds 4-14: K8.

Lightly stuff candle horn.

Round 15: K1, sl 1, K1, psso, K2, sl 1, K1, psso. K1. (6 sts)

Rounds 16-18: K6.

Cut and weave yarn through remaining stitches, pulling to close hole. Weave in yarn tails.

FLAME

Make 9

Row 1: With color C, CO 4.

Row 2: K1, Kfb, Kfb, K1. (6 sts)

Row 3: P6.

Row 4: K1, k2tog, Ssk, K1 (4 sts)

Row 5: P2tog, Ssp. (2 sts)

Cut and weave yarn through remaining stitches. Sew side edges together.

Attach base of flame to pointy ends of candles and weave in ends.

KNITT MENORAH-TOPS DINO EGG

Round 1: With color D and working with a magic loop or DPNs, CO 6. Place marker and work in the round. Distribute the stitches evenly over the magic loop or 2 DPNs.

Round 2: K6.

Round 3: Kfb in each st around (12 sts)

Round 4: K12.

Round 5: (K1, M1R, K1) 6 times. (18 sts)

Round 6: K18.

Round 7: (K2, M1R, K1) 6 times. (24 sts)

Round 8: K24.

Round 9: (K3, M1R, K3) 4 times. (28 sts)

Rounds 10-12: K28.

Round 13: (K2, M1R, K5) 4 times. (32 sts)

Rounds 14-16: K32.

Round 17: (K4, M1R, K4 ) 4 times. (36 sts)

Rounds 18-26: K36.

Round 27: (K3, K2tog, K4 ) 4 times. (32 sts)

Round 28: K32.

Round 29: K5, BO 6, K21. (32 sts)

Round 30: K5, turn, CO 6 purlwise, sk the 6 BO sts, K21. (32 sts)

Round 31: K32.

Round 32: (K2, K2tog, K4) 4 times. (28 sts)

Round 33: K28.

Round 34: (K4, K2tog, K1 ) 4 times. (24 sts)

Round 35: K24.

Round 36: (K2, K2tog, K2 ) 4 times. (20 sts)

Round 37: K20.

Round 38: (K3, K2tog ) 4 times. (16 sts)

Round 39: (K2tog, K2 ) 4 times. (12 sts)

Round 40: (K1, K2tog ) 4 times. (8 sts)

Cut and weave yarn through remaining stitches, pulling to close hole.

KNIT MENORAH-TOPS FINISHING

Using color B, embroider spots on the sides of the body and egg. Insert candle into egg for safekeeping when not being used. Candles are easier to insert into the bases when twisted into place.