purlJam

# Chompy the T-Rex — Flat-Knitted Dinosaur Plush

A cheerful little Tyrannosaurus rex worked entirely in flat pieces (no knitting in the round). Every body part is knitted separately, then seamed and stuffed. Finished height when standing: approximately **17–18 cm**, comfortably within the 15–20 cm range. Perfect for a confident beginner — only knit, purl, and simple increases/decreases are used.

---

## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran) yarn
  - Main colour (MC – e.g. green): approx. **70 g (130 m)**
  - Small amount of cream or pale colour (CC) for belly (optional): approx. **10 g**
  - Scrap of black/dark for eyes (or use safety eyes)
- **Needles:** 4 mm (UK 8 / US 6) straight needles
- **Notions:**
  - Tapestry/darning needle for seaming
  - Toy stuffing (polyester fibre fill), approx. 40–50 g
  - 2 × 9 mm safety eyes, or scraps of yarn/felt for embroidered eyes
  - Stitch markers (optional)
  - Scissors

---

## Tension (Gauge)

**20 sts × 28 rows = 10 cm** square in stocking stitch on 4 mm needles.

> Tension is important for toys. Work firmly so the stuffing does not show through. If your fabric is loose, drop to 3.5 mm needles.

**Tension check:** 20 sts ÷ 10 cm = 2 sts per cm. A 20-st piece = 10 cm wide. ✓

---

## Abbreviations (UK)

- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **kfb** – knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
- **k2tog** – knit two together (1 st decreased)
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit (1 st decreased)
- **st st** – stocking stitch (k on RS, p on WS)
- **RS / WS** – right side / wrong side
- **rep** – repeat
- **cm** – centimetres

---

## Pattern Notes

- Every piece is knitted **flat**. After casting on, work the first row as a **RS row** (knit) unless stated otherwise.
- Stocking stitch curls naturally — this actually helps the pieces form rounded, stuffed shapes.
- Leave a long tail (approx. 30 cm) when casting off; you will use it for seaming.
- The pieces will be seamed with **mattress stitch** with right sides facing out, leaving a gap for stuffing.
- Stuff **firmly** but not so tight that the seams strain.

---

## Pattern Instructions

You will knit **8 pieces**: 1 Body, 1 Head, 2 Legs, 2 Arms, 1 Tail, 1 Belly patch (optional).

---

### 1. Body (make 1)

The body is a rounded oval pouch, knitted as one flat piece and folded in half.

Using MC, cast on **20 sts**.

- Row 1 (RS): knit.
- Row 2 (WS): purl.
- **Shape lower body (increase):**
  - Row 3: kfb, k to last st, kfb. → 22 sts
  - Row 4: purl.
  - Row 5: kfb, k to last st, kfb. → 24 sts
  - Row 6: purl.
  - Row 7: kfb, k to last st, kfb. → 26 sts

*(Check: 20 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 26 sts ✓)*

- Work straight in st st for **22 rows** (start with a purl WS row), ending with a WS row. *(Rows 8–29.)*

- **Shape upper body (decrease):**
  - Row 30 (RS): ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 24 sts
  - Row 31: purl.
  - Row 32: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 22 sts
  - Row 33: purl.
  - Row 34: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 20 sts

*(Check: 26 − 2 − 2 − 2 = 20 sts ✓)*

Cast off all 20 sts, leaving a long tail.

**Body dimensions:** widest point 26 sts ÷ 2 sts/cm = **13 cm** wide; length approx. 34 rows ÷ 2.8 rows/cm ≈ **12 cm**. When folded and stuffed, the body becomes a plump oval roughly 8–9 cm tall. ✓

---

### 2. Head (make 1)

Using MC, cast on **16 sts**.

- Row 1 (RS): knit.
- Row 2 (WS): purl.
- **Increase for jaw:**
  - Row 3: kfb, k to last st, kfb. → 18 sts
  - Row 4: purl.
  - Row 5: kfb, k to last st, kfb. → 20 sts
  - Row 6: purl.

*(Check: 16 + 2 + 2 = 20 sts ✓)*

- Work straight in st st for **10 rows**, ending with a WS row. *(Rows 7–16.)*

- **Shape snout (decrease):**
  - Row 17 (RS): ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 18 sts
  - Row 18: purl.
  - Row 19: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 16 sts
  - Row 20: purl.
  - Row 21: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 14 sts
  - Row 22: purl.
  - Row 23: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 12 sts

*(Check: 20 − 2 − 2 − 2 − 2 = 12 sts ✓)*

Cast off all 12 sts, leaving a long tail.

**Head dimensions:** widest 20 sts = 10 cm; tapers to 12 sts = 6 cm at the snout — giving the classic T-Rex head shape when stuffed. ✓

---

### 3. Legs (make 2)

The big, sturdy hind legs. Knit as flat strips, folded lengthways and seamed.

Using MC, cast on **14 sts**.

- Row 1 (RS): knit.
- Row 2 (WS): purl.
- Work straight in st st for **14 more rows**, ending with a WS row. *(16 rows total.)*

- **Shape ankle (decrease):**
  - Row 17 (RS): ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 12 sts
  - Row 18: purl.
  - Row 19: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 10 sts
  - Row 20: purl.

*(Check: 14 − 2 − 2 = 10 sts ✓)*

- Work straight in st st for **4 rows** (the foot), ending with a WS row.

Cast off all 10 sts, leaving a long tail.

**Leg dimensions:** thigh width 14 sts = 7 cm; total length ≈ 24 rows ÷ 2.8 ≈ **8.5 cm**. Stuffed legs raise the body to give the standing height. ✓

---

### 4. Arms (make 2)

The famously tiny T-Rex arms.

Using MC, cast on **6 sts**.

- Row 1 (RS): knit.
- Row 2 (WS): purl.
- Work straight in st st for **8 more rows**, ending with a WS row. *(10 rows total.)*
- Next row (RS): ssk, k2, k2tog. → 4 sts
- Next row (WS): purl.

*(Check: 6 − 2 = 4 sts ✓)*

Cast off all 4 sts, leaving a tail.

**Arm dimensions:** width 6 sts = 3 cm; length ≈ 12 rows ÷ 2.8 ≈ **4 cm** — adorably small. ✓

---

### 5. Tail (make 1)

A tapering triangle that curls into a cone when seamed.

Using MC, cast on **18 sts**.

- Row 1 (RS): knit.
- Row 2 (WS): purl.
- **Decrease every 4th row:**
  - Row 3 (RS): ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 16 sts
  - Rows 4–6: work st st (p, k, p).
  - Row 7 (RS): ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 14 sts
  - Rows 8–10: st st.
  - Row 11 (RS): ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 12 sts
  - Rows 12–14: st st.
  - Row 15 (RS): ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 10 sts
  - Row 16: purl.
  - Row 17 (RS): ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 8 sts
  - Row 18: purl.
  - Row 19 (RS): ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. → 6 sts
  - Row 20: purl.
  - Row 21 (RS): ssk, k2tog. → 4 sts

*(Check: 18 − 2 − 2 − 2 − 2 − 2 − 2 − 2 = 4 sts ✓)*

Cast off all 4 sts, leaving a tail.

**Tail dimensions:** base 18 sts = 9 cm wide, length ≈ 21 rows ≈ **7.5 cm**, tapering to a point. ✓

---

### 6. Belly Patch (optional, make 1)

Using CC, cast on **8 sts**.

- Work in st st for **18 rows**, ending with a WS row.
- Cast off.

This rectangle (4 cm × 6.5 cm) is appliquéd to the front of the body for a two-tone tummy.

---

## Finishing

Weave in all loose ends except the long seaming tails. Block lightly if desired.

### Step 1 — Seam and stuff the Body
Fold the body piece in half widthways (cast-on edge meeting cast-off edge), right sides out. Using the long tail and mattress stitch, seam around two open sides, leaving a 4 cm gap. Stuff firmly into a plump oval, then close the gap. The cast-on/cast-off edges form the top and bottom.

### Step 2 — Seam and stuff the Head
Fold the head in half (cast-on edge to cast-off edge), the narrow end forming the snout. Seam around, leaving a small gap at the base (neck) for stuffing. Stuff firmly, then close.

### Step 3 — Legs and Arms
Fold each leg lengthways, seam the long edge and the foot end, leaving the thigh top open. Stuff firmly. Repeat for the second leg. Fold and seam each arm the same way (lightly stuffed); leave the top open.

### Step 4 — Tail
Fold the tail in half lengthways (point to point), seam the long edge, stuff lightly so it can curve, and leave the wide base open.

### Step 5 — Assemble
1. **Legs to body:** Pin both legs to the underside of the body, spaced about 4 cm apart, with feet pointing forward. Sew the open thigh tops firmly to the body so Chompy stands.
2. **Head to body:** Position the head at the top-front of the body. Sew the neck opening securely around the body, adding a little more stuffing at the join if needed.
3. **Arms:** Sew the tiny arms to the front of the body, just below the neck, about 3 cm apart.
4. **Tail:** Sew the open base of the tail to the back of the body, angled slightly downward.
5. **Belly patch (optional):** Pin and whip-stitch the CC rectangle to the front of the body.

### Step 6 — Face
- If using **safety eyes**, you should fit them before stuffing the head (insert in Step 2). If embroidering, do it now: work two small French knots or satin-stitch ovals in black about 2 cm apart on the upper sides of the head.
- Optionally embroider a row of tiny white V-shapes along the snout for teeth, and two short stitches for nostrils at the tip.

### Step 7 — Final check
Give every seam a gentle tug to confirm it is secure (important for a toy). Plump the stuffing and stand Chompy up.

**Finished standing height** = stuffed legs (~5 cm rise) + body (~9 cm) + head sitting up (~4 cm above body top) ≈ **17–18 cm**. ✓ Within the requested 15–20 cm range.

---

**Congratulations — you've made a T-Rex!** 🦖

> **Beginner tip:** If a piece looks too small flat, don't worry — stocking stitch puffs up beautifully once stuffed. Keep your seams small and even, and stuff in little pinches with the blunt end of a knitting needle for neat results.