purlJam

# Buddy the Amigurumi Dog 🐶
*A simple knitted puppy — worked in the round in stockinette stitch*

**Difficulty:** Easy
**Finished size:** Approximately 16 cm tall when seated (6¼ in)

---

## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran) yarn, 100% acrylic or wool blend
  - Main colour (MC) — approx. 60 g (e.g. caramel, grey or cream)
  - Small amount contrast (CC) for muzzle/inner ears — approx. 10 g
  - Scrap of black or dark brown for embroidered nose
- **Needles:** 3.5 mm DPNs **or** one long 3.5 mm circular needle for Magic Loop
  *(1–2 sizes smaller than the 4–4.5 mm usually recommended for worsted, to create a tight fabric)*
- **Safety eyes:** 2 × 9 mm (black)
- **Stuffing:** Polyester fibrefill — approx. **40–50 g** total
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch marker, embroidery floss (black/brown), small scissors

---

## Tension (Gauge)

**24 sts × 32 rounds = 10 cm (4 in)** in stockinette stitch in the round on 3.5 mm needles, worked firmly.

> **Tension note:** For toys, a tight, even fabric matters more than an exact stitch count. Hold the work up to the light — if you can see daylight through the fabric, go down a needle size. The stuffing should never peek through.

---

## Abbreviations (UK)

- **k** – knit
- **kfb** – knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
- **k2tog** – knit two together (1 st decreased)
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **rnd** – round
- **MC / CC** – main colour / contrast colour
- **st st** – stockinette stitch (knit every round)

Work all rounds as knit (stockinette in the round) unless stated. Place a marker at the start of each round and move it as you go.

---

## PIECE 1 — Body (make 1, in MC)

Cast on 8 sts, divide over needles and join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **16 sts**
- **Rnd 2:** knit
- **Rnd 3:** (k1, kfb) ×8 → **24 sts**
- **Rnd 4:** knit
- **Rnd 5:** (k2, kfb) ×8 → **32 sts**
- **Rnd 6:** (k7, kfb) ×4 → **36 sts**
- **Rnds 7–18:** knit (12 rounds straight)

*Check: 36 sts ÷ 24 sts/10 cm = 15 cm circumference ✓*

Begin decreasing:
- **Rnd 19:** (k7, k2tog) ×4 → **32 sts**
- **Rnd 20:** knit
- **Rnd 21:** (k2, k2tog) ×8 → **24 sts**
- **Rnd 22:** knit
- **Rnd 23:** (k1, k2tog) ×8 → **16 sts**

**Stuff the body firmly now** (a flat-ish base helps it sit).

- **Rnd 24:** (k2tog) ×8 → **8 sts**

Cut yarn, thread through remaining 8 sts, pull tight and fasten off inside.

---

## PIECE 2 — Head (make 1, in MC)

Cast on 8 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **16 sts**
- **Rnd 2:** knit
- **Rnd 3:** (k1, kfb) ×8 → **24 sts**
- **Rnd 4:** (k3, kfb) ×6 → **30 sts**
- **Rnds 5–12:** knit (8 rounds straight)

*Check: 30 sts ÷ 24 sts/10 cm = 12.5 cm circumference ✓*

- **Rnd 13:** (k3, k2tog) ×6 → **24 sts**
- **Rnd 14:** knit
- **Rnd 15:** (k2, k2tog) ×6 → **18 sts**

**Insert the two safety eyes now**, about 5 sts apart and roughly central in height. Secure the backs firmly. Begin stuffing.

- **Rnd 16:** (k1, k2tog) ×6 → **12 sts**
- **Rnd 17:** (k2tog) ×6 → **6 sts**

Add more stuffing to round out the head. Cut yarn, thread through remaining 6 sts, pull tight and fasten off.

---

## PIECE 3 — Muzzle (make 1, in CC)

Cast on 6 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **12 sts**
- **Rnd 2:** (k1, kfb) ×6 → **18 sts**
- **Rnds 3–5:** knit

Cast off loosely, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly before attaching.

---

## PIECE 4 — Legs (make 4, in MC)

Cast on 6 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **12 sts**
- **Rnds 2–10:** knit (9 rounds straight)

Stuff lightly (firmer at the foot end). Cut yarn, thread through all 12 sts, pull to gather, leave a long tail for sewing.

---

## PIECE 5 — Ears (make 2; outer in MC, optional inner accent in CC)

Cast on 5 sts. Work flat in stockinette for a floppy ear:

- **Row 1 (RS):** knit
- **Row 2 (WS):** purl
- Repeat Rows 1–2 until ear measures **5 cm**, ending after a purl row.
- **Next row:** k1, k2tog, k2 → 4 sts; purl 1 row.
- **Next row:** k2tog ×2 → 2 sts; **k2tog** → 1 st.

Cut yarn, pull through last st. Do **not** stuff — ears stay flat and floppy. (If using CC inner, work a second flat piece in CC the same way and sew back-to-back.)

---

## PIECE 6 — Tail (make 1, in MC)

Cast on 6 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnds 1–7:** knit

Stuff lightly. Gather closed and leave a tail for sewing.

---

## Finishing & Assembly

Work in this order for a balanced, stable dog:

1. **Muzzle:** Stuff lightly and mattress-stitch the muzzle to the lower-front of the head, centred just below the eyes. Embroider a **black nose** (satin stitch over the top of the muzzle) and a short straight **mouth line** beneath it.
2. **Ears:** Pin one ear to each side of the head, level with the top of the eyes. Sew the cast-on edge down so the ears flop forward. Keep them symmetrical.
3. **Head to body:** Position the head on top of the body, tilted slightly forward. Pin and mattress-stitch all the way around the join, adding a little extra stuffing at the neck for a firm, upright head.
4. **Front legs:** Attach two legs to the front of the body, just below the head, pointing forward/down so the dog can "sit".
5. **Back legs:** Attach the remaining two legs to the lower sides of the body, splayed slightly for a stable seated base. Check the dog sits level before securing fully.
6. **Tail:** Sew the tail to the centre back, low on the body, angled upward.
7. **Weave in all ends** securely **inside the body** — pass the tapestry needle through the stuffing and out a distance away, then trim flush so no ends show.

---

## Tips

- **Symmetry first:** Pin every limb pair before sewing and view from the front to check placement.
- **Firm stuffing:** Under-stuffed pieces sag; over-stuffed pieces show fabric gaps. Aim for firm but smooth.
- **Customise your breed:** Use grey for a schnauzer, caramel for a labrador, black-and-white patches for a spaniel. Longer ears (work to 7 cm) give a hound look.

Enjoy your new little knitted companion! 🐾