purlJam

# Buddy the Knitted Puppy

A sweet little dog amigurumi worked in the round in stockinette stitch. Perfect for confident beginners who can knit, purl, increase, and decrease in the round. Finished puppy measures approximately **6 inches (15 cm) long** and **5 inches (12.5 cm) tall**, sitting.

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (CYC #4) — approximately 100 yards (90 m) in main color (MC: tan, brown, or gray) and small amounts in contrast color (CC: black, white, or cream) for muzzle/spots if desired
- **Needles:** US 5 / 3.75 mm DPNs (set of 4) OR one 32" / 80 cm circular needle for Magic Loop
  - *(Note: Use needles 1–2 sizes smaller than your yarn label suggests to create a tight fabric.)*
- **Notions:**
  - Polyester fiberfill stuffing (about 2 oz / 55 g)
  - Two 9 mm safety eyes (or black embroidery floss for children under 3)
  - Black embroidery floss for nose
  - Tapestry needle
  - Stitch marker
  - Scissors

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## Gauge

**6 sts × 8 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm)** in stockinette stitch in the round, after light blocking.

> Gauge is not critical for a toy, but the **fabric must be tight enough that stuffing does not show through**. If you can see gaps, go down another needle size.

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)

- **k** — knit
- **p** — purl
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **kfb** — knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
- **k2tog** — knit 2 stitches together (1 st decreased)
- **ssk** — slip, slip, knit (1 st decreased)
- **rnd(s)** — round(s)
- **MC / CC** — main color / contrast color
- **pm** — place marker
- **BO** — bind off

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## Construction Notes

The puppy is made from **6 separate pieces**: head, body, 4 legs, 2 ears, and 1 tail. All pieces are worked in the round in stockinette (knit every round), stuffed firmly, and seamed together with mattress stitch. The natural curl of stockinette will be hidden inside.

When working in the round, **place a marker at the start of the round** and slip it each round.

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## Pattern

### HEAD (make 1, in MC)

Cast on 6 sts. Divide evenly across DPNs (or set up Magic Loop). Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in each st. *(12 sts)* ✓ 6 × 2 = 12
- **Rnd 2:** *k1, kfb* around. *(18 sts)* ✓ 12 + 6 = 18
- **Rnd 3:** *k2, kfb* around. *(24 sts)* ✓ 18 + 6 = 24
- **Rnds 4–14:** Knit every round (11 rounds plain).

**Insert safety eyes** between rnds 9 and 10, about 5 sts apart. Secure backings now.

- **Rnd 15:** *k2, k2tog* around. *(18 sts)* ✓ 24 − 6 = 18

**Begin stuffing firmly.**

- **Rnd 16:** *k1, k2tog* around. *(12 sts)* ✓ 18 − 6 = 12
- **Rnd 17:** *k2tog* around. *(6 sts)* ✓ 12 ÷ 2 = 6

Add more stuffing if needed. Cut yarn leaving a 6" tail. Thread through remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close. Weave end inside.

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### MUZZLE (make 1, in CC or MC)

Cast on 6 sts. Join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in each st. *(12 sts)*
- **Rnds 2–4:** Knit.
- BO loosely, leaving a 12" tail for sewing.

Lightly stuff before attaching.

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### BODY (make 1, in MC)

Cast on 8 sts. Join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in each st. *(16 sts)* ✓ 8 × 2 = 16
- **Rnd 2:** *k1, kfb* around. *(24 sts)* ✓ 16 + 8 = 24
- **Rnd 3:** *k3, kfb* around. *(30 sts)* ✓ 24 + 6 = 30
- **Rnds 4–22:** Knit every round (19 rounds plain — about 2.4 inches).
- **Rnd 23:** *k3, k2tog* around. *(24 sts)* ✓ 30 − 6 = 24
- **Rnd 24:** Knit.
- **Rnd 25:** *k2, k2tog* around. *(18 sts)* ✓ 24 − 6 = 18

**Begin stuffing firmly.**

- **Rnd 26:** *k1, k2tog* around. *(12 sts)* ✓ 18 − 6 = 12
- **Rnd 27:** *k2tog* around. *(6 sts)* ✓ 12 ÷ 2 = 6

Finish stuffing. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, weave in.

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### LEGS (make 4, in MC)

Cast on 12 sts. Divide and join in the round.

- **Rnds 1–10:** Knit every round (about 1.25 inches).
- **Rnd 11:** *k2tog* around. *(6 sts)* ✓

Lightly stuff. Cut yarn, thread through remaining 6 sts, pull tight.

> The cast-on edge will be the **top of the leg** (which gets sewn to the body); the closed end is the paw.

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### EARS (make 2, in MC or CC)

Cast on 10 sts. **Do NOT join** — work flat in stockinette so they lie flat and floppy.

- **Row 1 (RS):** Knit.
- **Row 2 (WS):** Purl.
- Repeat Rows 1–2 four more times (10 rows total).
- **Row 11:** ssk, k6, k2tog. *(8 sts)* ✓ 10 − 2 = 8
- **Row 12:** Purl.
- **Row 13:** ssk, k4, k2tog. *(6 sts)* ✓
- **Row 14:** Purl.
- **Row 15:** ssk, k2, k2tog. *(4 sts)* ✓
- BO purlwise, leaving a 10" tail for sewing.

Ears do not need stuffing. The stockinette curl creates a natural ear shape.

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### TAIL (make 1, in MC)

Cast on 8 sts. Join in the round.

- **Rnds 1–8:** Knit every round.
- **Rnd 9:** *k2tog* around. *(4 sts)* ✓

Lightly stuff. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, leaving a 10" tail for sewing.

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## Finishing & Assembly

Work on a flat surface and use long pins to position pieces before sewing. Use **mattress stitch** with a tapestry needle and matching yarn.

1. **Attach muzzle** to the front of the head, centered below and between the eyes. Stuff lightly as you sew.
2. **Embroider the nose** in black floss using satin stitch over the top of the muzzle. Add a small straight-stitch mouth below.
3. **Attach ears** to the top of the head, about 1 inch apart, sewing only across the cast-on edge so the ears flop forward.
4. **Attach head to body:** Place the head on top of one end of the body. Pin securely and sew all the way around the base of the head, adding a little extra stuffing at the neck for stability.
5. **Attach legs symmetrically:**
   - **Front legs:** Sew to the front-underside of the body, just behind the head, about 1 inch apart.
   - **Back legs:** Sew to the back-underside, about 1.5 inches behind the front legs and 1 inch apart.
   - Test that the puppy sits flat before fully securing.
6. **Attach tail** to the back of the body, angled slightly upward.
7. **Weave in all ends** *inside* the body or head — pull tail through, snip close so the end disappears inside the stuffing.

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## Care

Spot clean only. If gifting to a child under 3, omit safety eyes and embroider eyes with black floss instead.

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**Finished measurements (approximate):**
- Head: 4" circumference / 2.5" tall
- Body: 5" circumference / 3.5" long
- Total height sitting: ~5"
- Total length nose-to-tail: ~6"

Enjoy your new pup! 🐾