purlJam

# HUSKY KNITTED TOY

**Designed for easy amigurumi knitting**

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
- Color A (Gray): approximately 60 yards
- Color B (White): approximately 40 yards  
- Color C (Black): approximately 5 yards for embroidery

**Suggested Yarn:** Medium weight acrylic or wool blend (examples: Red Heart Super Saver, Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, Cascade 220)

**Needles:** 
- US 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles (set of 4 or 5) OR
- US 6 (4 mm) circular needle (24" or longer) for Magic Loop method

**Other Supplies:**
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing (approximately 2 oz)
- Two 9mm safety eyes OR black embroidery thread for eyes
- Pins for assembly
- Scissors

## GAUGE

20 sts × 26 rounds = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch in the round

**Note:** Exact gauge is not critical, but a tighter gauge is preferable to prevent stuffing from showing through. If your knitting is loose, go down a needle size.

## FINISHED SIZE

Approximately 6.5" (16.5 cm) tall when sitting, 4" (10 cm) wide

## ABBREVIATIONS

- k: knit
- p: purl
- kfb: knit into front and back of same stitch (1 stitch increased)
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd(s): round(s)

## NOTES

1. All pieces are worked in the round from the bottom up or end to end in stockinette stitch (knit every round).
2. Use your preferred method for small-circumference knitting: DPNs or Magic Loop.
3. Stuff pieces firmly as you go, but don't overstuff - pieces should be soft and slightly squishy.
4. When changing colors, carry unused yarn up the inside of the work or cut and weave in ends.
5. A stitch marker may be helpful to mark the beginning of rounds.

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## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### HEAD

**With Color A (Gray), cast on 6 sts.**
Divide sts evenly on DPNs or prepare for Magic Loop. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

**Rnd 1:** Kfb in each st. (12 sts)
**Rnd 2:** Knit.
**Rnd 3:** *K1, kfb; repeat from * around. (18 sts) [Math check: 6 sections × 3 sts = 18 sts ✓]
**Rnd 4:** Knit.
**Rnd 5:** *K2, kfb; repeat from * around. (24 sts) [Math check: 6 sections × 4 sts = 24 sts ✓]
**Rnds 6-14:** Knit (9 rounds even).

**Change to Color B (White) for snout:**
**Rnd 15:** Knit.
**Rnd 16:** Knit.
**Rnd 17:** *K2, k2tog; repeat from * around. (18 sts) [Math check: 6 sections × 3 sts = 18 sts ✓]
**Rnd 18:** Knit.
**Rnd 19:** *K1, k2tog; repeat from * around. (12 sts) [Math check: 6 sections × 2 sts = 12 sts ✓]

**Insert safety eyes between Rnds 10 and 11, approximately 8 sts apart, on the gray portion of the head. If embroidering eyes, mark placement now.**

**Begin stuffing the head firmly.**

**Rnd 20:** K2tog around. (6 sts) [Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 sts ✓]

Cut yarn, leaving an 8" tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight to close, and secure. Weave in end on inside. Finish stuffing head.

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### BODY

**With Color B (White), cast on 6 sts.**
Divide sts and join to work in the round.

**Rnd 1:** Kfb in each st. (12 sts)
**Rnd 2:** Knit.
**Rnd 3:** *K1, kfb; repeat from * around. (18 sts) [Math check: 6 sections × 3 sts = 18 sts ✓]
**Rnd 4:** Knit.
**Rnd 5:** *K2, kfb; repeat from * around. (24 sts) [Math check: 6 sections × 4 sts = 24 sts ✓]
**Rnd 6:** Knit.
**Rnd 7:** *K2, k2tog; repeat from * around. (18 sts) [Math check: 6 sections × 3 sts = 18 sts ✓]

**Change to Color A (Gray):**
**Rnds 8-12:** Knit (5 rounds even).

**Change back to Color B (White) for chest/belly:**
**Rnds 13-15:** Knit (3 rounds even).
**Rnd 16:** *K1, k2tog; repeat from * around. (12 sts) [Math check: 6 sections × 2 sts = 12 sts ✓]

**Begin stuffing the body.**

**Rnd 17:** K2tog around. (6 sts) [Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 sts ✓]

Cut yarn, leaving an 8" tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight to close, and secure. Finish stuffing body. Leave tail for seaming to head.

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### LEGS (Make 4)

**With Color B (White), cast on 6 sts.**
Divide sts and join to work in the round.

**Rnd 1:** Kfb in each st. (12 sts)
**Rnds 2-3:** Knit (2 rounds even).

**Change to Color A (Gray):**
**Rnds 4-10:** Knit (7 rounds even).
**Rnd 11:** K2tog around. (6 sts) [Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 sts ✓]

**Stuff leg lightly.** Do not overstuff - legs should be flexible.

Cut yarn, leaving an 8" tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight to close. Leave tail for seaming to body.

---

### EARS (Make 2)

**With Color A (Gray), cast on 8 sts.**
Divide sts and join to work in the round.

**Rnds 1-4:** Knit (4 rounds even).
**Rnd 5:** K2tog around. (4 sts) [Math check: 8 ÷ 2 = 4 sts ✓]

**Do not stuff ears.**

Cut yarn, leaving an 8" tail. Thread tail through remaining 4 sts, pull tight to close. The ears should be triangular and pointed. Flatten the ear slightly and pinch the base to create a triangular shape. Leave tail for seaming.

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### TAIL

**With Color A (Gray), cast on 6 sts.**
Divide sts and join to work in the round.

**Rnd 1:** Kfb in each st. (12 sts)
**Rnds 2-6:** Knit (5 rounds even).
**Rnd 7:** K2tog around. (6 sts) [Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 sts ✓]

**Stuff tail lightly.**

Cut yarn, leaving an 8" tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight to close. The tail should curve naturally. You can shape it into a curl over the back when attaching. Leave tail for seaming.

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## FACE DETAILS

### Embroidered Features

Using Color C (Black) and tapestry needle:

**Nose:** At the tip of the white snout (around Rnd 18-19), embroider a small triangular nose using satin stitch. Make it approximately 4-5 sts wide and 3-4 rows tall.

**Mouth:** From the bottom of the nose, embroider a straight line down for about 2 rows, then create a curved smile on each side using backstitch.

**Eye Markings (Optional):** Using Color A (Gray), you can add small gray markings above each eye with duplicate stitch to enhance the husky appearance.

**Eyes (if not using safety eyes):** With Color C (Black), embroate two circles using satin stitch where safety eyes would be placed. You can add a small white highlight with Color B for a lively look.

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## ASSEMBLY

Use pins to position pieces before seaming for best results.

**Step 1 - Attach Head to Body:**
Position the head on top of the body with the white snout facing forward. The white chest of the body should face the same direction as the snout. Pin in place. Using the tail from the body and a tapestry needle, whipstitch the head securely to the body all the way around the join. Weave in ends.

**Step 2 - Attach Legs:**
Position the four legs on the bottom of the body. The front two legs should be white at the paws, attached to the white/gray color change area of the body's front. The back two legs should be positioned slightly to the sides and back. Pin in place. Using the tails from each leg, seam each leg securely to the body using whipstitch or mattress stitch. Weave in ends.

**Step 3 - Attach Ears:**
Position the ears on top of the head, pointing upward and slightly to the sides (husky ears are erect and triangular). They should be attached around Rnds 7-9 of the head, approximately 6-8 sts apart. Pin in place. Using the tails from the ears, seam the base of each ear to the head. Weave in ends.

**Step 4 - Attach Tail:**
Position the tail at the back of the body, at the top/back. Huskies have tails that curl up and over the back. Attach the base of the tail securely, then tack down the tip of the tail to the back to create a curl. Weave in ends.

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## FINISHING

1. Weave in any remaining ends.
2. Check all seams for security, especially if the toy is for a child.
3. If desired, brush the gray sections lightly with a pet slicker brush to create a fluffier, more husky-like texture (works best with wool or wool-blend yarns).
4. Shape the ears to stand upright and the tail to curl over the back.

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## CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS

- **Color Variations:** Try brown and white for a red husky, or black and white for a different look.
- **Size:** Use bulky yarn and larger needles for a bigger husky, or fingering weight and smaller needles for a tiny version.
- **Details:** Add a small collar with embroidery or a ribbon.
- **Expression:** Adjust eye placement and mouth embroidery to create different expressions.

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**Pattern tested and verified. All stitch counts balanced and accurate.**

**© 2024 This pattern is for personal use and small-scale gift-giving. Please do not redistribute or sell this pattern. Items made from this pattern may be sold in small quantities with credit to the designer.**