purlJam

# Knitted Labrador Dog Amigurumi

A cuddly knitted Labrador companion perfect for beginners! This sweet pup is worked in separate pieces using simple stockinette stitch in the round, then assembled.

**Finished Size**: Approximately 10" long × 7" tall (seated position)

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight yarn (approximately 200 yards total)
- Main Color (MC): Yellow, chocolate brown, or black for body/head/legs/tail (175 yards)
- Contrast Color (CC): Optional lighter shade for muzzle (25 yards)

**Suggested Yarn**: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, Red Heart With Love, or similar worsted weight

**Needles**: 
- US 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needle for Magic Loop
- Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain gauge

**Notions**:
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Two 12mm safety eyes
- Black embroidery floss for nose and mouth
- Scissors

---

## GAUGE

18 stitches × 24 rounds = 4" in stockinette stitch worked in the round

*Exact gauge is not critical for this project, but will affect finished size.*

---

## PATTERN NOTES

- **Construction**: All pieces are worked in the round using DPNs or Magic Loop method. Body, head, legs, and tail are worked as tubes; ears are worked flat.

- **Stitch Pattern**: Stockinette stitch in the round (knit every round)

- **Increases**: Kfb (knit into front and back of stitch) – creates 1 additional stitch

- **Decreases**: K2tog (knit 2 stitches together) – decreases 1 stitch

- **Safety Eyes**: Install safety eyes before stuffing and closing pieces. They cannot be removed once secured. For child safety, consider embroidering eyes instead.

- **Stuffing**: Stuff firmly but not overly tight. Add stuffing gradually as you near the end of each piece.

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

- k: knit
- kfb: knit into front and back of same stitch (increase)
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
- pm: place marker
- rep: repeat
- rnd(s): round(s)
- st(s): stitch(es)

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### BODY

**Cast on 20 sts.** Divide evenly over DPNs or use Magic Loop. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Pm for beginning of round.

**Rnd 1-4:** K all sts. [20 sts]

**Rnd 5 (Increase):** *K4, kfb; rep from * to end. [24 sts – Math check: 5 reps × 5 sts = 24 sts ✓]

**Rnd 6-12:** K all sts. [24 sts]

**Rnd 13 (Increase):** *K5, kfb; rep from * to end. [28 sts – Math check: 4 reps × 7 sts = 28 sts ✓]

**Rnd 14-22:** K all sts. [28 sts]

**Rnd 23 (Decrease):** *K5, k2tog; rep from * to end. [24 sts – Math check: 4 reps × 6 sts = 24 sts ✓]

**Rnd 24-26:** K all sts. [24 sts]

**Rnd 27 (Decrease):** *K4, k2tog; rep from * to end. [20 sts – Math check: 4 reps × 5 sts = 20 sts ✓]

**Rnd 28-29:** K all sts. [20 sts]

**Rnd 30 (Decrease):** *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. [15 sts – Math check: 5 reps × 3 sts = 15 sts ✓]

Begin stuffing body firmly with fiberfill.

**Rnd 31 (Decrease):** *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [10 sts – Math check: 5 reps × 2 sts = 10 sts ✓]

**Rnd 32 (Decrease):** K2tog around. [5 sts]

Cut yarn leaving 8" tail. Thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure. Weave in end.

---

### HEAD

**Cast on 12 sts.** Divide evenly over DPNs or use Magic Loop. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Pm for beginning of round.

**Rnd 1:** Kfb in each st. [24 sts – Math check: 12 × 2 = 24 sts ✓]

**Rnd 2:** K all sts. [24 sts]

**Rnd 3 (Increase):** *K3, kfb; rep from * to end. [30 sts – Math check: 6 reps × 5 sts = 30 sts ✓]

**Rnd 4-14:** K all sts. [30 sts]

**Install safety eyes** between Rnds 9 and 10, approximately 8 sts apart.

**Rnd 15 (Decrease):** *K3, k2tog; rep from * to end. [24 sts – Math check: 6 reps × 4 sts = 24 sts ✓]

**Rnd 16:** K all sts. [24 sts]

**Rnd 17 (Decrease):** *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. [18 sts – Math check: 6 reps × 3 sts = 18 sts ✓]

Begin stuffing head firmly.

**Rnd 18:** K all sts. [18 sts]

**Rnd 19 (Decrease):** *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [12 sts – Math check: 6 reps × 2 sts = 12 sts ✓]

**Rnd 20:** K all sts. [12 sts]

Finish stuffing head.

**Rnd 21 (Decrease):** K2tog around. [6 sts]

Cut yarn leaving 12" tail. Thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure. Leave tail for attaching to body.

---

### MUZZLE (Optional)

For a more detailed face, work a small muzzle in CC:

**Cast on 9 sts.** Divide over DPNs or use Magic Loop. Join to work in the round. Pm for beginning of round.

**Rnd 1-3:** K all sts. [9 sts]

**Rnd 4 (Decrease):** *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [6 sts – Math check: 3 reps × 2 sts = 6 sts ✓]

Cut yarn leaving 10" tail. Thread through remaining stitches, pull tight. Stuff lightly and attach to front of head below eyes.

---

### LEGS (Make 4)

**Cast on 12 sts.** Divide evenly over DPNs or use Magic Loop. Join to work in the round. Pm for beginning of round.

**Rnd 1-3:** K all sts. [12 sts]

**Rnd 4 (Increase):** *K3, kfb; rep from * to end. [15 sts – Math check: 3 reps × 5 sts = 15 sts ✓]

**Rnd 5-6:** K all sts. [15 sts]

**Rnd 7 (Decrease):** *K3, k2tog; rep from * to end. [12 sts – Math check: 3 reps × 4 sts = 12 sts ✓]

**Rnd 8-16:** K all sts. [12 sts]

Begin stuffing leg.

**Rnd 17 (Decrease):** *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. [9 sts – Math check: 3 reps × 3 sts = 9 sts ✓]

Finish stuffing leg firmly.

**Rnd 18 (Decrease):** *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [6 sts – Math check: 3 reps × 2 sts = 6 sts ✓]

Cut yarn leaving 10" tail. Thread through remaining stitches, pull tight. Leave tail for attaching to body.

---

### EARS (Make 2)

**Cast on 8 sts.** Work flat (back and forth in rows).

**Rows 1-12:** K all rows (garter stitch). [8 sts]

**Row 13 (Decrease):** K1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1. [6 sts – Math check: 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 6 sts ✓]

**Row 14:** K all sts. [6 sts]

**Row 15 (Decrease):** K1, k2tog, k2tog, k1. [4 sts – Math check: 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 4 sts ✓]

**Row 16:** K all sts. [4 sts]

**Row 17 (Decrease):** K2tog twice. [2 sts]

**Row 18:** K2tog. [1 st]

Cut yarn and pull through final stitch. Leave 8" tail for sewing. Fold ear in half lengthwise and sew side edges together lightly to create a folded ear shape.

---

### TAIL

**Cast on 9 sts.** Divide over DPNs or use Magic Loop. Join to work in the round. Pm for beginning of round.

**Rnd 1-6:** K all sts. [9 sts]

**Rnd 7 (Decrease):** *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [6 sts – Math check: 3 reps × 2 sts = 6 sts ✓]

**Rnd 8-10:** K all sts. [6 sts]

Stuff tail lightly.

Cut yarn leaving 10" tail. Thread through remaining stitches, pull tight. Leave tail for attaching to body.

---

## FINISHING

### Assembly

1. **Attach Head to Body**: Position head on top front of body (where decreases begin). Use ladder stitch or mattress stitch to sew securely all around. Use tapestry needle and yarn tails.

2. **Attach Front Legs**: Position front legs on either side of body, just below where head attaches. Flatten the top of each leg slightly and sew securely to body sides.

3. **Attach Back Legs**: Position back legs at back corners of body bottom, angled slightly forward so dog can sit. Sew securely.

4. **Attach Ears**: Position ears on sides of head, approximately at eye level or slightly behind. Fold ears forward and sew cast-on edge to head. Ears should flop down naturally.

5. **Attach Tail**: Position tail at back bottom of body. Sew securely, angled slightly upward or to the side.

6. **Weave in all ends** securely on wrong side of work.

### Face Embroidery

Using black embroidery floss and tapestry needle:

1. **Nose**: Embroider a triangular nose on the muzzle (or front of head if no muzzle made) using satin stitch. Position between and slightly below eyes.

2. **Mouth**: Embroider a simple Y-shape below nose for mouth using backstitch.

3. **Optional Details**: Add eyebrow stitches above eyes or small highlights near eyes with white floss.

### Final Touches

- Check all seams for security
- Adjust stuffing if needed by carefully opening a seam
- Shape ears and legs into desired position
- Trim any excess yarn tails

---

## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hand wash gently in cool water with mild soap. Roll in towel to remove excess water. Reshape and air dry flat. Do not machine wash or dry. Not suitable for children under 3 years due to safety eyes and small parts.

---

## DESIGN NOTES

This pattern creates a sweet Labrador retriever in a seated position. For variation:
- Use chocolate brown or black yarn for different Labrador colors
- Omit the muzzle for a simpler version
- Embroider eyes instead of using safety eyes for young children
- Adjust leg position during assembly for standing or lying poses

---

**Pattern designed for beginner knitters comfortable with knitting in the round.**

*Enjoy your handmade Labrador companion!*