Ubu is a satirical figure that was originally created by Alfred Jarry in the 1890s. His pointy head was modelled after a dunce cap to mock Jarry’s incompetent physics professor.

In the time since his creation Pere Ubu has travelled the world to star in productions of the play “Ubu Roi” as a parody of brutish, boorish authoritarians. Some of the more recent productions have had Donald Trump as Ubu, with his family and advisors as the supporting cast.

Gauge is not important for this pattern. Use the loom and yarn that you have. The example Ubu was knit on the 5/16” gauge Loops and Threads Knit Quick Sock Loom.

Size

The Ubu shown is 15 cm / 6” tall using sport weight yarn. Yarn that is heavier or lighter will make a larger or smaller Ubu.

Yarn and Yardage

The example Ubu used about 1/4 of a 50g skein of sport weight yarn. That’s about 12 grams or 38 m / 42 yards. If the yarn weight is heavier you will need more yardage. In the play his costume is most often white. I suggest an off-white to go with his historical age.

Techniques

To make Ubu’s shape you will use short rows, and make one seam. Kitchener is suggested, but not necessary, as the seam is at the back of the figure.

To complete Ubu you will cinch the neck, sew the arm shapes, and embroider the face, spiral and pocket lines. I’ll explain exactly what I did for my Ubu, but the aesthetic here is not perfection. Jarry was an anti-authoritarian eccentric and Ubu is not meant to be smoothly and exactly rendered. You are free to make the finishing touches in whichever way works best for you.