Knit Desk Buddy

Quick, squishy, and endlessly squeezable: a small knitted desk buddy that sits on your monitor, leans on a cup, or keeps your stapler company. Skill: easy-intermediate. Finished size: about 5.5 in / 14 cm tall (sitting height ~4 in / 10 cm) depending on gauge.

Materials

• Yarn: DK/light-worsted weight (approx 100 yards / 92 m; 25 g). Alternate: worsted (approx 100 yards / 91 m; 50 g) for a slightly bigger buddy. Provide about 50–75 yards / 46–69 m total depending on optional accessories.
• Needles (in the round or DPNs / circular for magic loop) - choose one set for body and one smaller for i-cord if making accessories:
  • Main: US 4 / UK 10 / 3.5 mm
  • Option (tighter fabric for very small features): US 3 / UK 11 / 3.25 mm
• Stitch marker, tapestry needle, stitch holders (or waste yarn), small amount of toy stuffing (polyfill), optional safety eyes 9–10 mm or embroidery thread for eyes, small amount of contrasting yarn for scarf/hair.
• Optional: small pipe cleaner or floral wire for posable arms, tiny bit of velcro or a removable adhesive pad if you want it to stick to surfaces.

Gauge

24 sts x 32 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette (in the round) on US 4 / 3.5 mm. Gauge is not critical but affects final size and stuffing density.

Abbreviations

K = knit, P = purl, K2tog = knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease), SSK = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease), Kfb = knit into front and back (increase), CO = cast on, BO = bind off, st(s) = stitch(es), rnd = round, WS = wrong side.

Notes

• Pattern is worked mostly in the round. Use magic loop or 4 DPNs.
• Stuff firmly but evenly; overstuffing will distort shaping.
• For a firmer surface (less fuzz), use a slightly smaller needle than the yarn label suggests.

Body & Head (worked as one piece)

CO 32 sts with main needles (US 4 / 3.5 mm). Join to work in the round, placing marker for beginning of rnd. Be careful not to twist.

1. Rnds 1–8: K every rnd (garter in the round will look like stockinette).
2. Rnds 9–20: Work even in stockinette (K every rnd). (12 rnds)
3. Begin shaping for head (increase rounds):
4. Rnd 21: *K4, Kfb; repeat from * to end (40 sts)
5. Rnds 22–24: K every rnd (3 rnds)
6. Rnd 25: *K5, Kfb; repeat from * to end (48 sts)
7. Rnds 26–30: K every rnd (5 rnds)
8. Rnd 31: *K6, Kfb; repeat from * to end (56 sts)
9. Rnds 32–38: K every rnd (7 rnds) — now you have the widest part of the head.
10. Begin decreases for top of head:
11. Rnd 39: *K6, K2tog; repeat from * to end (48 sts)
12. Rnd 40: K every rnd
13. Rnd 41: *K5, K2tog; repeat from * to end (40 sts)
14. Rnd 42: K every rnd
15. Rnd 43: *K4, K2tog; repeat from * to end (32 sts)

At this point, add safety eyes between rnds 34–36 about 8–10 sts apart (place before stuffing). If using embroidered eyes, do that after most stuffing is in place but before final closing.

13. Begin stuffing head firmly but leave room to shape the neck.
14. Rnd 44: *K3, K2tog; repeat from * to end (26 sts)
15. Rnd 45: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end (20 sts)
16. Rnd 46: *K1, K2tog; repeat from * to end (14 sts)
17. Rnd 47: K2tog across (7 sts)

Cut yarn leaving an 8 in / 20 cm tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle and draw through remaining 7 sts, pull tight, and secure inside. Finish stuffing through the neck opening before completely closing so head sits nicely on body.

Body Shape

We continued seamlessly; adjust stuffing so head transitions into body. Continue on remaining tail end to rejoin if you left an opening for stuffing.

1. Pick up where you left or CO 32 sts for a separate body if you prefer a sewn seam. For integrated body, after finishing head reductions, reorient and knit an additional 24 rnds even for torso (approx).
2. If working separately: CO 28 sts; join and work 20 rnds even; shape bottom with decreases matching method above to close; leave opening for stuffing and sew closed.

Arms (make 2)

CO 12 sts on US 3 / 3.25 mm for a neater, slimmer arm.

1. Rnds 1–2: K every rnd.
2. Rnds 3–14: K every rnd (or desired length; about 1.75 in / 4.5 cm).
3. Optional: Insert a short piece of pipe cleaner or wire before stuffing for posability.
4. Stuff lightly and BO by threading tail through remaining sts and pulling tight. Attach to body with mattress stitch; position so the buddy appears to have hands on lap or at sides.

Legs / Base (2 legs or round base)

For seated buddy, make 2 short legs:

1. CO 14 sts on US 4 / 3.5 mm. Work 4 rnds even.
2. Rnd 5: *K3, Kfb; repeat (18 sts)
3. Rnds 6–10: K even; stuff lightly and BO. Sew legs to underside of body so buddy sits stable.

Or make a single round base: CO 32 sts; work in the round for 6 rnds; decrease across next 3 rnds to close and sew to bottom opening.

Scarf / Accessories

Simple i-cord scarf (CO 3 sts on US 3 / 3.25 mm). Knit i-cord for 24 stitches long (about 6 in / 15 cm). Wrap around neck and secure ends with a few stitches or tie a small knot. Tiny hat: CO 48 sts, work 8 rnds, decrease evenly until 8 sts remain, gather and close.

Finishing

• Weave in all ends. Use embroidery to add smile, blush with a little pink yarn or fabric paint for cheeks.
• If using safety eyes, ensure backings are pushed on fully before final closing.
• Block lightly if needed to even surface, but avoid soaking if stuffed.

Variations

• Make a cactus desk buddy by knitting a short cylinder, adding small knitted arms and felt flowers.
• Create a weighted base by inserting a small sealed pouch of rice or poly beads under stuffing to keep buddy from tipping.
• Customize color, add stripes (work color changes in the round every rnd or two), tiny pockets, or embroidered accessories like glasses.

Care

Spot clean or hand wash gently; reshape and air dry. Remove any delicate additions (wire or electronics) before washing.

Troubleshooting

• Gaps at decreases: use smaller needles for topmost shaping or add a round of k2tog evenly to control fabric.
• Too floppy: use denser stuffing or slightly smaller needles.

Pattern copyright PurlJam. For support email team@verde.uk. Visit https://purljam.verde.uk and follow #purljam for community projects. Happy knitting!

Created by purlJam with the help of magic AI dust. Shop Verde for patterns and yarn.

Disclaimer: Enjoy the fun! Accuracy of patterns cannot be guaranteed. Remember to use and share content responsibly when engaging with this AI-powered app.