purlJam

# Buddy the Knitted Puppy
### A Beginner Amigurumi Pattern

A cuddly little puppy worked in simple stockinette stitch in the round. Perfect first amigurumi project — only basic increases and decreases required!

**Finished Size:** Approximately 7 inches (18 cm) tall, seated.

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## Materials

- **Main Color (MC):** Approximately 100 yards (90 m) of worsted weight yarn in tan, brown, or gray (puppy body color)
- **Contrast Color (CC):** Small amount (10 yards / 9 m) in cream or white for belly/muzzle accent (optional)
- **Needles:** US 5 / 3.75 mm double-pointed needles (set of 4 or 5), OR one 32" circular needle for Magic Loop
  - *Note: This is 1–2 sizes smaller than typical for worsted weight, creating a tight fabric that hides stuffing.*
- **Polyester fiberfill stuffing:** approximately 2 oz (55 g)
- **Safety eyes:** 2 x 9 mm black (or use embroidery floss for children under 3 years)
- **Tapestry needle** for seaming and weaving in ends
- **Stitch marker** to mark beginning of round
- **Black embroidery floss** for nose and mouth
- **Scrap yarn or locking markers** for marking limb placement

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## Gauge

**22 sts x 28 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)** in stockinette stitch in the round.

*Gauge is not critical for size, but fabric MUST be tight enough that stuffing doesn't show through. If you can see stuffing through your swatch, go down another needle size.*

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)

- **k** — knit
- **p** — purl
- **kfb** — knit into front and back of stitch (increase 1)
- **k2tog** — knit 2 stitches together (decrease 1)
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **rnd(s)** — round(s)
- **MC** — main color
- **CC** — contrast color

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## Construction Overview

Each piece is worked separately in the round (except ears, worked flat), stuffed firmly, then seamed together with mattress stitch. Assemble in this order: attach head to body → legs → ears → tail.

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## HEAD (make 1, in MC)

Cast on 6 sts. Divide evenly over 3 DPNs (2 sts per needle) or set up for Magic Loop. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker.

- **Rnd 1:** Kfb in every st. *(12 sts)*
- **Rnd 2:** Knit.
- **Rnd 3:** *Kfb, k1* around. *(18 sts)*
- **Rnd 4:** Knit.
- **Rnd 5:** *Kfb, k2* around. *(24 sts)*
- **Rnd 6:** Knit.
- **Rnd 7:** *Kfb, k3* around. *(30 sts)*
- **Rnds 8–16:** Knit (9 rnds). *(30 sts)*

**Check:** 30 sts ÷ 22 sts/4" ≈ 5.5" circumference. ✓

**Insert safety eyes** between Rnds 12 and 13, approximately 6 sts apart, centered on the front of the head. Secure backings firmly.

**Begin stuffing** the head firmly as you shape the top.

- **Rnd 17:** *K2tog, k3* around. *(24 sts)*
- **Rnd 18:** Knit.
- **Rnd 19:** *K2tog, k2* around. *(18 sts)*
- **Rnd 20:** *K2tog, k1* around. *(12 sts)*
- **Rnd 21:** *K2tog* around. *(6 sts)*

Add a final bit of stuffing. Cut yarn leaving 8" tail; thread through remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close. Weave in end to inside.

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## BODY (make 1, in MC)

Cast on 8 sts. Divide over DPNs, join in the round, place marker.

- **Rnd 1:** Kfb in every st. *(16 sts)*
- **Rnd 2:** Knit.
- **Rnd 3:** *Kfb, k1* around. *(24 sts)*
- **Rnd 4:** Knit.
- **Rnd 5:** *Kfb, k2* around. *(32 sts)*
- **Rnds 6–18:** Knit (13 rnds). *(32 sts)*

**Check:** 32 sts ÷ 22 sts/4" ≈ 5.8" circumference. ✓

**Begin shaping shoulders and stuffing firmly:**

- **Rnd 19:** *K2tog, k6* around. *(28 sts)*
- **Rnd 20:** Knit.
- **Rnd 21:** *K2tog, k5* around. *(24 sts)*
- **Rnd 22:** *K2tog, k2* around. *(18 sts)*
- **Rnd 23:** *K2tog, k1* around. *(12 sts)*

Stuff firmly. Cut yarn leaving 12" tail (for attaching head). Thread through remaining 12 sts and pull tight to close.

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## LEGS (make 4, in MC)

Cast on 6 sts. Divide over DPNs, join in the round, place marker.

- **Rnd 1:** Kfb in every st. *(12 sts)*
- **Rnds 2–12:** Knit (11 rnds). *(12 sts)*

Bind off loosely OR cut yarn leaving 10" tail and thread through live sts without gathering (for a flat top to seam to body).

Stuff legs lightly — leave top inch unstuffed for easier attachment.

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## EARS (make 2, in MC) — worked flat

Cast on 8 sts. Work back and forth on 2 DPNs or straight needles.

- **Row 1 (RS):** Knit.
- **Row 2 (WS):** Purl.
- **Rows 3–10:** Repeat Rows 1–2 (4 more times). *(10 rows total)*
- **Row 11:** K2tog, k4, k2tog. *(6 sts)*
- **Row 12:** Purl.
- **Row 13:** K2tog, k2, k2tog. *(4 sts)*
- **Row 14:** P2tog, p2tog. *(2 sts)*
- **Row 15:** K2tog. *(1 st)*

Cut yarn, pull through last st. Leave an 8" tail for sewing. The ears will naturally curl — this adds floppy puppy charm! Do not stuff.

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## TAIL (make 1, in MC)

Cast on 6 sts. Divide over DPNs, join in the round.

- **Rnds 1–8:** Knit. *(6 sts)*
- **Rnd 9:** *K2tog* around. *(3 sts)*

Cut yarn, thread through remaining 3 sts, pull tight. Stuff very lightly. Leave a 6" tail for attaching.

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## Assembly & Finishing

Work assembly in this order for best results:

**1. Attach Head to Body:**
Position head on top of body. Using the 12" tail from the body, sew head securely to body with mattress stitch, going around twice for strength. Add a bit more stuffing into the neck junction before closing if needed.

**2. Attach Legs:**
- **Back legs:** Pin two legs to the lower sides of the body, positioned symmetrically so the puppy can "sit." Use locking markers to check placement before sewing.
- **Front legs:** Pin two legs to the front/upper body just below the head. Check symmetry.
- Sew each leg securely using mattress stitch around the open edge.

**3. Attach Ears:**
Pin ears to the top sides of the head, angled slightly forward and outward. Sew the cast-on edge of each ear flat against the head using the long tail. Let tips flop naturally.

**4. Attach Tail:**
Sew tail to the back of the body, slightly angled upward.

**5. Embroider Face:**
- **Nose:** Using black embroidery floss, embroider a small triangular or oval nose at the front-center of the head, just below the eyes.
- **Mouth:** Embroider a small "Y" shape below the nose for a puppy smile.
- **Optional muzzle:** Use CC to work a few satin stitches around the mouth area for a lighter muzzle.

**6. Weave in All Ends:**
Thread all loose ends to the INSIDE of the body/head through the seams. Weave in securely so they can't work loose — this is essential for a toy that will be handled.

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## Care Instructions

Hand wash gently in cool water with mild soap. Squeeze (do not wring) and air dry flat. Reshape while damp.

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## Tips for Success (Beginner Notes)

- **Tight fabric is everything.** If stuffing shows, unravel and go down a needle size.
- **Stuff firmly but not lumpy.** Use small pinches of fiberfill at a time.
- **Mattress stitch** creates nearly invisible seams — worth practicing on scrap before assembly.
- **Symmetry matters.** Pin all limbs first, step back, and adjust before sewing.
- **For child safety:** If giving to a child under 3, skip the safety eyes and embroider eyes with black floss instead.

Enjoy your new puppy friend! 🐶