purlJam

<pattern>
# KAWAII PASTEL PLUSHIES
## Machine Knit Beginner Pattern

*A collection of adorable kawaii-style stuffed toys in sweet pastel colors*

---

### SKILL LEVEL
Beginner

### FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
- **Pastel Ball Character (Slime/Blob)**: Approximately 4" (10 cm) diameter
- **Mini Star Friend**: Approximately 3.5" (9 cm) point to point
- **Sweet Cloud**: Approximately 5" (12.5 cm) wide × 3" (7.5 cm) tall

---

### MATERIALS

**Yarn**
- Worsted weight (4) acrylic or acrylic blend yarn
- **Main Colors (MC)** – approximately 25g each:
  - Pastel Pink
  - Pastel Mint/Aqua
  - Pastel Lavender
  - Pastel Yellow
- **Contrast Color (CC)** – small amounts:
  - Black (for faces)
  - Pastel Pink (for blush cheeks)
- *Recommended: Smooth, tightly plied yarn for clean stitch definition*

**Machine & Tools**
- Standard gauge knitting machine (4.5mm needle pitch)
- Waste yarn (contrasting color, same weight)
- Ravel cord
- Cast-on comb and weights
- Transfer tool (1×1)
- Latch tool for bind-off
- Stitch holders or waste yarn for live stitches

**Notions**
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Yarn needle/tapestry needle
- Pins for assembly
- Optional: 6mm safety eyes (insert before seaming closed)
- Optional: Small amount of felt for cheek circles

---

### GAUGE
**Critical: Swatch before starting!**

Using waste yarn cast-on, knit 40 stitches × 50 rows in stockinette.

**Target Gauge at Tension 5 (T5):**
- 24 stitches = 4" (10 cm)
- 32 rows = 4" (10 cm)
- **6 stitches per inch | 8 rows per inch**

*Note: For plush toys, a slightly tighter tension prevents stuffing from showing through fabric. Adjust tension dial down (T4-5) if fabric is too loose.*

**[GAUGE MATH VERIFICATION]**
- 6 sts/inch × 4" = 24 sts ✓
- 8 rows/inch × 4" = 32 rows ✓

---

### ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|--------------|---------|
| RC | Row Counter |
| COL | Carriage On Left |
| COR | Carriage On Right |
| T | Tension dial setting |
| MC | Main Color |
| CC | Contrast Color |
| WY | Waste Yarn |
| NWP | Non-Working Position (needles back) |
| WP | Working Position (needles forward, position B) |
| HP | Hold Position (position D/E for holding) |
| sts | Stitches |
| inc | Increase |
| dec | Decrease |

---

### MACHINE SETUP (All Pieces)

**Initial Configuration:**
1. Single bed only (ribber not required)
2. Carriage: Set to stockinette (no tuck, no slip)
3. Tension dial: T5 for MC, T6 for WY
4. Row counter: Reset to 000
5. Ensure all sinker plates are correctly positioned

**Standard Cast-On Method (Waste Yarn Start):**
1. Bring required needles to WP (position B)
2. Thread WY, set tension to T6
3. Knit 8-10 rows WY
4. Knit 1 row ravel cord (by hand or loose tension)
5. Change to MC, set tension to T5
6. Reset RC to 000
7. Hang cast-on comb and weights

---

## PATTERN 1: PASTEL BALL CHARACTER (Slime/Blob)
*Makes one adorable round friend*

### FRONT PANEL

**Setup:**
- Bring **8 needles** to WP, centered on bed (4L-0-4R)
- Cast on using WY method (see Machine Setup)
- MC: Pastel color of choice
- Reset RC = 000, Carriage position: COR

**Shaping - Increase Section:**

| RC | Carriage | Action | Resulting Sts |
|----|----------|--------|---------------|
| 000 | COR | Begin with 8 sts on needles | 8 |
| 001-002 | — | Knit 2 rows even | 8 |
| 003 | COR | Bring 1 needle to WP at each end, e-wrap to cast on | 10 |
| 004 | COL | Knit across | 10 |
| 005 | COL | Bring 1 needle to WP at each end, e-wrap to cast on | 12 |
| 006 | COR | Knit across | 12 |
| 007 | COR | Bring 1 needle to WP at each end, e-wrap | 14 |
| 008 | COL | Knit across | 14 |
| 009 | COL | Bring 1 needle to WP at each end, e-wrap | 16 |
| 010 | COR | Knit across | 16 |
| 011 | COR | Bring 1 needle to WP at each end, e-wrap | 18 |
| 012 | COL | Knit across | 18 |
| 013 | COL | Bring 1 needle to WP at each end, e-wrap | 20 |
| 014 | COR | Knit across | 20 |
| 015 | COR | Bring 1 needle to WP at each end, e-wrap | 22 |
| 016 | COL | Knit across | 22 |
| 017 | COL | Bring 1 needle to WP at each end, e-wrap | 24 |
| 018 | COR | Knit across | 24 |

**[CHECKPOINT: RC 018, 24 stitches, COR]**
*Verification: Started 8 sts + (8 inc rows × 2 sts) = 8 + 16 = 24 sts ✓*

**Body - Even Section:**

| RC | Action |
|----|--------|
| 019-032 | Knit 14 rows even (no shaping) |

**[CHECKPOINT: RC 032, 24 stitches]**

**Shaping - Decrease Section:**

| RC | Carriage | Action | Resulting Sts |
|----|----------|--------|---------------|
| 033 | COR | Using transfer tool: Move end st to adjacent st, both ends | 22 |
| 034 | COL | Knit across | 22 |
| 035 | COL | Transfer end sts inward (dec each end) | 20 |
| 036 | COR | Knit across | 20 |
| 037 | COR | Transfer end sts inward | 18 |
| 038 | COL | Knit across | 18 |
| 039 | COL | Transfer end sts inward | 16 |
| 040 | COR | Knit across | 16 |
| 041 | COR | Transfer end sts inward | 14 |
| 042 | COL | Knit across | 14 |
| 043 | COL | Transfer end sts inward | 12 |
| 044 | COR | Knit across | 12 |
| 045 | COR | Transfer end sts inward | 10 |
| 046 | COL | Knit across | 10 |
| 047 | COL | Transfer end sts inward | 8 |
| 048 | COR | Knit across | 8 |

**[CHECKPOINT: RC 048, 8 stitches, COR]**
*Verification: 24 sts - (8 dec rows × 2 sts) = 24 - 16 = 8 sts ✓*

**Bind Off:**
Using latch tool, bind off all 8 stitches loosely. Cut yarn leaving 18" (45 cm) tail for seaming.

### BACK PANEL

Repeat Front Panel instructions exactly.

**[PIECE COUNT CHECK: 2 identical oval/circle panels]**

---

### ASSEMBLY - BALL CHARACTER

**Tools needed:** Yarn needle, pins, fiberfill stuffing

1. **Remove waste yarn:** Carefully unravel ravel cord to release live stitches. Thread tail through bottom stitches to secure.

2. **Block pieces:** Lightly steam or wet block both panels to relax curling. Pin to measurements: ~4" (10 cm) diameter circle/oval.

3. **Add face (BEFORE seaming closed):**
   - Position on front panel, centered
   - **Eyes:** 
     - Option A: Using black CC, embroider two small French knots or satin stitch ovals, placed approximately 1.5" (4 cm) apart, centered vertically
     - Option B: Insert 6mm safety eyes (push through fabric, secure with washers on WS)
   - **Mouth:** Small curved line in black CC using backstitch (happy smile shape)
   - **Blush cheeks:** Two small pink circles using satin stitch or cut felt circles, placed below and outside of eyes

4. **Seam panels together:**
   - Pin front and back panels together, wrong sides facing OUT (so seam will be inside)
   - Using mattress stitch and long tail, seam around edge
   - Leave 2" (5 cm) opening at bottom for stuffing

5. **Turn and stuff:**
   - Turn right side out through opening
   - Stuff firmly with fiberfill (kawaii plushies should be plump!)
   - Seam opening closed using mattress stitch
   - Weave in all ends securely

**Finished Ball Character: ~4" (10 cm) diameter**

---

## PATTERN 2: MINI STAR FRIEND
*A sweet 5-pointed star companion*

### STAR POINT (Make 5)

**Setup:**
- Bring **2 needles** to WP, centered (1L-0-1R)
- Cast on using WY method
- MC: Pastel Yellow (or color of choice)
- Reset RC = 000, COR

**Shaping:**

| RC | Carriage | Action | Resulting Sts |
|----|----------|--------|---------------|
| 000 | COR | Begin with 2 sts | 2 |
| 001-002 | — | Knit 2 rows even | 2 |
| 003 | COR | E-wrap cast on 1 st each end | 4 |
| 004-005 | — | Knit 2 rows even | 4 |
| 006 | COR | E-wrap cast on 1 st each end | 6 |
| 007-008 | — | Knit 2 rows even | 6 |
| 009 | COR | E-wrap cast on 1 st each end | 8 |
| 010-011 | — | Knit 2 rows even | 8 |
| 012 | COR | E-wrap cast on 1 st each end | 10 |
| 013-016 | — | Knit 4 rows even | 10 |

**[CHECKPOINT: RC 016, 10 stitches]**
*Verification: 2 + (4 inc rows × 2) = 2 + 8 = 10 sts ✓*

**Do NOT bind off.** Place 10 live stitches on waste yarn or stitch holder.

Remove from machine carefully.

**[REPEAT: Make 5 identical star points]**

### STAR ASSEMBLY - FRONT

**Setup:**
- Bring **50 needles** to WP (25L-0-25R)
- This will hold all 5 star points

**Join Points:**
1. Place live stitches from all 5 points onto needles:
   - Point 1: Needles 25L to 16L (10 sts)
   - Point 2: Needles 15L to 6L (10 sts)
   - Point 3: Needles 5L to 5R (10 sts, centered)
   - Point 4: Needles 6R to 15R (10 sts)
   - Point 5: Needles 16R to 25R (10 sts)

2. Reset RC = 000, thread MC, T5

**Center Shaping:**

| RC | Carriage | Action | Resulting Sts |
|----|----------|--------|---------------|
| 000 | COR | All 50 sts on needles | 50 |
| 001 | COR | Knit across | 50 |
| 002 | COL | Dec: Transfer every 5th st to adjacent (dec 10 sts total) | 40 |
| 003 | COL | Knit across | 40 |
| 004 | COR | Dec: Transfer every 4th st to adjacent (dec 10 sts) | 30 |
| 005 | COR | Knit across | 30 |
| 006 | COL | Dec: Transfer every 3rd st to adjacent (dec 10