One pattern pack with 12 distinct knitted dinosaurs: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Brachiosaurus, Velociraptor, Ankylosaurus, Spinosaurus, Dilophosaurus (frill option), Pterodactyl (pterosaur), Parasaurolophus, Iguanodon and Allosaurus. Each dinosaur is sized for small-to-medium handheld toys and uses standard worsted/aran weight yarn. All designs are worked flat and/or in the round and finished with simple sewn-on details. Contact/Support: https://purljam.verde.uk | team@verde.uk | socials: #purljam
Skill: Confident beginner to intermediate. Techniques used: knitting in the round (DPNs or circular magic loop), short rows, simple increases and decreases, duplicate stitch, mattress stitch, simple shaping. Safety eyes optional (use child-safe eyes for toys for children under 3 only if properly attached).
Please use the size that gives correct gauge for your yarn. Typical needles used in these patterns: US 6 (4.0 mm) and US 7 (4.5 mm). Conversion table included so you can pick matching UK (old) size plus metric:
Other tools: set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles for magic-loop, tapestry needle for sewing, stitch marker, small pins, polyester toy stuffing, pair of small scissors, optional safety eyes (6–10 mm depending on size).
All dinosaurs are shown using worsted/aran (Medium/4) weight yarn. Typical skein metric/imperial: 100 g / 3.5 oz = ~200 m / 219 yd. For each dinosaur approximate yarn amounts (main color) are listed below; totals are approximate and assume the same yarn weight noted above. Use scrap amounts for contrast colors.
k = knit, p = purl, st(s) = stitch(es), rnd = round, RS = right side, WS = wrong side, CO = cast on, BO = bind off, k2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning dec), ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning dec), m1 = make 1 (increase), yo = yarn over, kfb = knit front and back (increase), rep = repeat, tbl = through back loop.
Approximate gauge for worsted/aran with US6/4.0 mm: 20 sts x 28 rnds = 10 cm (4 in) in stockinette in the round. If your gauge differs more than 1–2 sts per 10 cm, change needle size to match.
All dinosaurs are built from a combination of a tubular body (worked in-the-round), separate head, limbs, tail and decorative pieces (plates, spikes, crest, frill, sail). Stuff firmly with polyester stuffing as you go where indicated. Join pieces using mattress stitch and secure seams with tapestry needle. Embroider nostrils and mouths before final assembly if preferred. Add tooth felt or duplicate stitch teeth for T-Rex/Allosaurus.
Use these core templates and the dinosaur-specific modifications that follow. Abbreviations above apply.
Small (velociraptor/dilophosaurus/pterodactyl): CO 24 sts using smaller needle (US6/4.0 mm), join carefully to avoid twisting. Rnd 1–8: k around for base cushion. Increase shaping for chest: Rnd 9: *k1, m1; rep around (36 sts). Work even until body measures 4–6 cm from CO edge depending on species. For waist shaping decrease evenly every 3rd rnd until reaching 26 sts, then taper toward tail or for belly closure. Stuff before final BO. Close with grafting or BO and decrease to close hole.
Medium (T-Rex/Allosaurus/Ankylosaurus/Spinosaurus/Triceratops/Iguanodon/Stegosaurus): CO 32 sts on US7/4.5 mm. Work 8 rnds k for base. Increase Rnd 9: *k4, m1; rep (40 sts). Work even 20–28 rnds for torso length depending on species (see species notes). Shape neck by decreasing at the top edge and leaving neck opening for head attachment. Stuff firmly.
Large (Brachiosaurus): CO 44 sts on US7/4.5 mm. Increase row every 6th rnd to create broad chest up to ~64 sts, then work even to necessary length for body. For long necks, leave top 10–12 cm to graft or attach long neck tube piece.
Small head (Velociraptor/Pterodactyl/Dilophosaurus): CO 20 sts (US6), join, work even for 8–12 rnds, shape by decreasing evenly to close. For beaked Pterodactyl knit two short wedge pieces and sew together into beak.
Medium/Large head (T-Rex/Triceratops/Brachiosaurus): CO 28–36 sts depending on species, work increases for a muzzle (kfb every 6th st x2–3 times), work even, then dec toward crown. Stuff and leave an opening for neck join.
Leg (solid): CO 12–16 sts, join, k for length (8–12 rnds), increase once at top for thigh bulge, work even and flatten shape with back-and-forth short-row shaping or by stuffing then sewing seam to create foot. For arms, CO 8–12 sts and work a shorter tube, finish with small digits created by short I-cord or tiny wedges sewn on.
Tails are tapered tubes. CO 18–28 sts depending on species. Work even for longest section, then decrease 2 sts each 4th rnd until 6–8 sts remain; BO leaving long tail thread for sewing. For spiked/armored tails (Ankylosaurus) knit small wedges or i-cord segments and sew in rows along tail.
Finished size: ~18 cm tall, ~22 cm head-to-tail. Yarn: main 60 g. Needles: US7/4.5 mm. Distinguishing features: large head, tiny arms, upright posture, teeth.
Body: medium core body template, shorten final torso length so posture is upright. Neck: knit a short tube of 8–10 rnds and graft to head and body. Head: CO 36 sts, increase to 44 sts to form muzzle (kfb evenly twice), work even 12 rnds, start decreasing using ssk/k2tog in pairs to form crown, stuff firmly. Mouth: leave slit open, embroider inside with darker yarn, tack felt teeth or duplicate stitch white triangles along upper and lower edges. Limbs: arms CO 8 sts, work 12 rnds, add 2 small digits by knitting 3-st wedges. Legs: CO 16 sts, increase slightly for thigh (kfb twice on one rnd), graft to body at lower torso. Tail: slightly shorter than medium template: add small triangular spikes along top by knitting 6-triangle spikes (CO 4 sts, knit short triangle) then sew spaced down the tail.
Finished size: ~16 cm long, ~10 cm tall. Yarn: main 70 g. Needles: US7. Distinguishing features: alternating plates along back and a spiked tail (thagomizer).
Body: medium body template, make back slightly arched. Plates: make 8–10 plate motifs: CO 12 sts, work back-and-forth garter stitch wedge: row 1 k across, then decrease both ends every RS/WS row to create triangular plate; block lightly and stuff flat with fusible interfacing if needed, sew plates to back spaced evenly. Tail spikes: knit 3–4 small cone spikes: CO 6 sts, knit 4 rows, decrease to point, stuff and sew to tail end as thagomizer.
Finished size: ~14 cm tall, ~20 cm nose-to-tail. Yarn: main 80 g. Needles: US7. Distinguishing features: three horns and a large frill.
Head: Make larger head: CO 36 sts, increase to 46 sts to create broad skull. Muzzle shaped by short rows for the beak. Frill: worked flat in a semicircular shawl shape: CO 60 sts, work garter stitch increasing at both ends every RS row until the frill measures desired width; add picot edge if desired and lightly stiffen with interfacing. Horns: knit 3 horns using small cones CO 6 sts, decrease to point, stuff and sew on. Body: use medium body template, keep legs stocky (CO 18 sts) and sew them under robust body.
Finished size: ~28–32 cm long including long neck, ~22 cm tall. Yarn: main 120 g. Needles: US7 for body, US6 for neck increases if you want tighter fabric. Distinguishing features: very long neck and tail, small head.
Body: large template. Neck: make a long tube by CO 24 sts on US6/4.0 mm then increase gradually to match the neck base on the body (kfb evenly twice across a rnd) until the tube reaches desired length (approx 12–18 cm for toy). Use split at top to shape small head or graft head tube. Legs: long pillars CO 16–18 sts, stuff firmly and sew into wide stance. No teeth; add embroidered smile.
Finished size: ~12–14 cm long. Yarn: main 30 g. Needles: US6. Distinguishing features: slender body, long sickle claw on each foot, agile posture.
Body: Small core body, shape tail long and tapered. Legs: make one leg larger with a pronounced toe wedge for the sickle claw: knit small curved claw separately (i-cord 3 sts, increase into wedge then decrease to point) and sew to second toe. Arms: long slender arms ending with three small claws. Head: small pointed head using small head template.
Finished size: ~16–18 cm long. Yarn: main 80 g. Needles: US7. Distinguishing features: armored back of plates/scales and a large clubbed tail.
Armor: knit hexagonal/diamond scale motifs: CO 8 sts, work short wedges, block and sew densely over the back. Tail club: create a rounded stuffed ball (CO 18 sts, stuff heavily) and attach to tail tip with extra sewing for secure fit. Legs short and stout (CO 18 sts).
Finished size: ~20 cm long. Yarn: main 70 g. Needles: US7. Distinguishing features: large sail along back.
Sail: knitted as tall triangular or semicircle sail worked flat: CO 10 sts, increase 2 sts every other row until required height, bind off and sew upright along back. Body: longer torso and narrow skull. Tail similar to medium template but slightly deeper at base.
Finished size: ~14 cm long. Yarn: main 40 g. Needles: US6. Distinguishing features: optional frill and crests on head.
Frill: knitted as a short circular shawl attached around the neck: CO 40 sts, join and work garter-like ridges by alternating k and p rows to create ruffles, block and lightly stiffen. Crests: small horns (CO 6 sts) sewn on the top of the skull. Head: small, with a slightly flattened face. If making the frill detachable, sew with snaps or attach with thread loops to be removable.
Finished size (wingspan folded): ~18 cm folded, wingspan open depends on preference. Yarn: main 40 g. Needles: US6. Distinguishing features: membranous wings, beak.
Body: small compact body. Wings: knit two symmetrical wing membranes in garter stitch or stockinette with decreasing outer edges for tapered wing tips: CO 40 sts, work decreasing rows to create triangular wing, attach to sides of body with a small tube for the arm (CO 8 sts) sewn on. Beak: two flat wedge pieces seamed together with a small opening.
Finished size: ~16–18 cm long. Yarn: main 50 g. Needles: US7. Distinguishing features: long cranial crest.
Crest: knit long tapered tube to be sewn on top of head: CO 12 sts, decrease toward tip, lightly stuff only the base to keep crest upright. Head: shape with short rows to accommodate crest base. Body: medium template, tail long and slender with a slight upward curve.
Finished size: ~18–20 cm long. Yarn: main 65 g. Needles: US7. Distinguishing features: bulky body, thumb spike (single conical spike on each hand).
Thumb spike: create small cone CO 6 sts, decrease to a point and sew into palm area. Limbs: arms slightly longer than T-Rex and with finger wedges. Body robust using medium template and slightly longer torso.
Finished size: ~18–20 cm long. Yarn: main 60 g. Needles: US7. Distinguishing features: similar to T-Rex but sleeker and with three-fingered hands.
Hands: CO 10 sts for arm, add three stitched fingers by knitting tiny wedges. Head: medium head template, consider shallow teeth using duplicate stitch and darker yarn inside mouth. Tail: long and balanced for tripod stance when sewn to body.
1) Stuff in small amounts and evenly while you close pieces to avoid lumps. 2) Use mattress stitch to attach limbs: position each limb, tack in place with pins, then sew securely. 3) For plates/spikes/crest use strong thread and sew multiple times across the base so they hold under play. 4) Embroider details (nostrils, mouth lines, claws) before final stuffing if easier. 5) For baby-safe toys, avoid small parts and sew on felt eyes or embroider eyes instead of using safety eyes. 6) We recommend an embroidered mouth and securely sewn seams when making toys for children under 3.
Handwash cold, dry flat. Avoid tumble dryer. Use gentle detergent; reshape when damp.
These patterns are for personal use and charitable sale of finished items only. Please credit PurlJam and include a link to https://purljam.verde.uk when sharing photos online. Do not copy/publish patterns verbatim for sale or distribution. For support email team@verde.uk
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