purlJam

# Cuddly Cockapoo — Knitted Amigurumi (4-Needle Method)

**Difficulty:** Easy
**Technique:** Worked in the round on a set of four double-pointed needles (DPNs), stocking stitch throughout.
**Finished size:** Approximately 20 cm (8 in) tall when seated.

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran) yarn — approx. 100 g main colour (cream, apricot or grey to suit your favourite cockapoo). Small amount of brown or black for nose/embroidery.
- **Needles:** Set of four 3.5 mm DPNs (UK metric). *Note: this is 1 size smaller than the typical 4–4.5 mm recommended for worsted, to create a firm fabric.*
- **Polyester fibre filling:** approx. 80–100 g.
- **Tapestry needle** (blunt) for seaming and embroidery.
- **Black embroidery floss** (or 6 mm safety eyes if preferred — insert before closing the head).
- **Stitch markers** and locking markers for placement.

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## Tension (Gauge)

22 sts and 30 rounds = 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch on 3.5 mm needles, worked firmly.

**Toy tension note:** Exact stitch count matters less than fabric density — your knitting should be tight and even so the filling does not show through. If you can see stuffing, drop a needle size.

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## Abbreviations (UK)

- **k** — knit
- **p** — purl
- **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(s)** — stitch(es)
- **rnd(s)** — round(s)
- **st st** — stocking stitch (knit every round in the round)

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## Working in the Round on Four Needles

Distribute stitches evenly across three DPNs and knit with the fourth. Place a marker (or use the tail) to mark the start of the round. When increasing/decreasing, redistribute stitches as needed to keep them even across the three working needles.

To begin small pieces, cast 6 sts onto one needle, divide 2-2-2 across three needles, and join to work in the round (a tight cast-on edge gathers neatly when finished).

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## HEAD

Cast on 6 sts, divide across three needles, join to work in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **12 sts**
- **Rnd 2:** k all
- **Rnd 3:** (k1, kfb) × 6 → **18 sts**
- **Rnd 4:** k all
- **Rnd 5:** (k2, kfb) × 6 → **24 sts**
- **Rnd 6:** k all
- **Rnd 7:** (k3, kfb) × 6 → **30 sts**
- **Rnd 8:** k all
- **Rnd 9:** (k4, kfb) × 6 → **36 sts**
- **Rnds 10–18:** k all (9 rounds straight)

**Shape back of head:**
- **Rnd 19:** (k4, k2tog) × 6 → **30 sts**
- **Rnd 20:** k all
- **Rnd 21:** (k3, k2tog) × 6 → **24 sts**
- **Rnd 22:** (k2, k2tog) × 6 → **18 sts**

*Insert safety eyes now if using, approx. 5 rounds apart and 6 rounds up from the muzzle position. Stuff the head firmly.*

- **Rnd 23:** (k1, k2tog) × 6 → **12 sts**
- **Rnd 24:** (k2tog) × 6 → **6 sts**

Break yarn, thread through remaining 6 sts, pull tight and fasten off. ✔ *Math check: increases 6→12→18→24→30→36 and mirror-decreases 36→30→24→18→12→6 — all clean multiples of 6.*

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## MUZZLE

Cast on 6 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **12 sts**
- **Rnd 2:** (k1, kfb) × 6 → **18 sts**
- **Rnds 3–6:** k all (4 rounds)

Cast off loosely, leaving a long tail (~30 cm) for sewing. Lightly stuff before attaching. Embroider a small triangular nose in brown/black at the centre top.

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## BODY

Cast on 6 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **12 sts**
- **Rnd 2:** (k1, kfb) × 6 → **18 sts**
- **Rnd 3:** (k2, kfb) × 6 → **24 sts**
- **Rnd 4:** (k3, kfb) × 6 → **30 sts**
- **Rnds 5–22:** k all (18 rounds straight) — forms a gently tapering body
- **Rnd 23:** (k3, k2tog) × 6 → **24 sts**
- **Rnd 24:** k all
- **Rnd 25:** (k2, k2tog) × 6 → **18 sts**

Stuff body firmly.

- **Rnd 26:** (k1, k2tog) × 6 → **12 sts**
- **Rnd 27:** (k2tog) × 6 → **6 sts**

Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight and fasten off. ✔ *Math check: 6→12→18→24→30, then 30→24→18→12→6.*

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## LEGS (make 4)

Cast on 6 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **12 sts**
- **Rnds 2–14:** k all (13 rounds straight)

Stuff lightly (legs should stay a little soft to bend). Cast off, leaving a 25 cm tail for sewing. ✔ *All four legs identical = 12 sts each — symmetry guaranteed.*

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## EARS (make 2) — Floppy Cockapoo Ears

Cast on 8 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **16 sts**
- **Rnds 2–4:** k all
- **Rnd 5:** (k2, k2tog) × 4 → **12 sts**
- **Rnds 6–8:** k all
- **Rnd 9:** (k1, k2tog) × 4 → **8 sts**
- **Rnds 10–11:** k all
- **Rnd 12:** (k2tog) × 4 → **4 sts**

Do **not** stuff — ears should be flat and floppy. Break yarn, thread through remaining 4 sts, pull tight and fasten off. Leave a tail for sewing. ✔ *16→12→8→4, all multiples of 4.*

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## TAIL — Fluffy

Cast on 6 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnds 1–8:** k all

Stuff lightly. Cast off, leaving a tail for sewing. *(For extra fluff, leave a loose loop of yarn at the tip and trim into a small pompom-style tuft.)*

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## Curly Coat (Optional, Easy)

For a curly cockapoo texture, lightly brush the surface of the finished body and head with a slicker brush, or work small surface-embroidered loops over the back and head. The base pattern is smooth stocking stitch and looks lovely as-is.

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## MAKING UP (Assembly)

Work all seams with **mattress stitch** using matching yarn. **Assembly order matters** — follow these steps:

1. **Muzzle to head:** Centre the muzzle on the lower front of the head, just below and between the eyes. Sew all around, adding a touch more filling before closing.
2. **Embroider features:** If not using safety eyes, embroider two eyes in black floss above the muzzle. Add a small smile line beneath the nose.
3. **Ears to head:** Pin the ears symmetrically to either side of the head, about 2 rounds down from the crown. Check they hang level before sewing the cast-on edge securely so they flop naturally.
4. **Head to body:** Position the head centrally on the top of the body. Sew firmly all the way around for a stable neck join — add filling if needed.
5. **Legs:** Attach the four legs symmetrically. Pin the two front legs at the lower front of the body and the two rear legs at the lower back/sides. **Measure placement** so each pair is level and evenly spaced before sewing.
6. **Tail:** Sew the tail to the centre-back of the body, angled slightly upward.

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## Finishing

- Weave in all ends securely **inside the body** using the tapestry needle, then snip close.
- Give the toy a gentle shape with your hands; add small amounts of filling through any seam if firmer areas are wanted.
- Check all small parts (eyes, embroidery) are very securely fastened if the toy is intended for a young child — embroidered features are safest for babies.

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**Enjoy your cuddly cockapoo!** 🐾