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” (King Ubu) as a parody of brutish, boorish authoritarians. Some of the more recent productions have Donald Trump as Ubu, with his family and advisors as the supporting cast.

Size

Gauge is not important for this pattern.

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

Yarn and Yardage

The example Ubu used approximately 12 grams or 36 m / 40 yards of hand-spun fingering weight yarn. 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 for the seam, but the 3 needle bind off has also been used with good result.

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 was done to make this 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.

A big thank you to Ravelry member inlustro for knitting the example shown in the needle knitting pattern. Much gratitude to all my wonderful test knitters. The needle knit Ubu would have been a much lesser thing without your conscientious help.