purlJam

<pattern>

# MACHINE KNIT MOOMIN AMIGURUMI TOY

A beginner-friendly stuffed Moomin character inspired by the beloved UK TV show. This cuddly toy is constructed from flat-knit panels that are seamed and stuffed, making it perfect for machine knitters new to toy-making. Finished Moomin stands approximately 8 inches (20cm) tall.

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn:**
- Main Color (MC - White): Approximately 200 yards (183m) worsted weight yarn
- Small amounts of Black worsted weight for embroidering facial features
- Recommended: Cascade 220 or similar smooth worsted weight yarn that blocks well

**Machine & Equipment:**
- Standard gauge (4.5mm) knitting machine
- Suitable for punchcard, electronic, or manual machines
- No ribber required

**Notions:**
- Waste yarn for cast-on
- Ravel cord
- Cast-on comb and weights
- Transfer tools
- Latch tool for bind-off
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing (approximately 12oz/340g)
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Stitch markers
- Embroidery needle for facial features

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## TENSION/GAUGE

**Tension Dial:** T7 (adjust for your machine if needed)
**Resulting Gauge:** 5.5 stitches and 7.5 rows per inch (2.5cm) in stockinette stitch, measured flat before stuffing

**Swatch Instructions:**
Cast on 30 stitches, knit 40 rows at T7, bind off. Remove from machine, steam lightly, and measure. Adjust tension dial if needed to achieve gauge.

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## ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS

- **RC** = Row Counter (always reset to 000 at start of each piece)
- **COL** = Carriage on Left
- **COR** = Carriage on Right  
- **T** = Tension dial setting (e.g., T7)
- **MC** = Main Color (white)
- **WY** = Waste Yarn
- **HP** = Holding Position (needles in hold)
- **WP** = Working Position (needles knitting)
- **sts** = stitches
- **patt** = pattern
- **approx** = approximately

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## PATTERN NOTES

1. **Construction Method:** Each piece is knit flat in stockinette stitch, then seamed with mattress stitch or backstitch. The purl side of the fabric will be the right side (outside) for a softer appearance.

2. **Row Counter:** Reset RC to 000 at the beginning of each new piece. RC checkpoints are provided throughout.

3. **Carriage Settings:** Use standard stockinette setting throughout (no slip, tuck, or lace). Part button at 0 (center position) unless otherwise specified for holding.

4. **Waste Yarn Cast-On:** All pieces begin with waste yarn and ravel cord cast-on for easy removal and grafting/seaming.

5. **Shaping:** Holding/partial knitting is used for gradual shaping. When holding needles, set part button to appropriate position and push needles to HP.

6. **Finishing:** All seaming is done with purl side as right side. Stuff firmly but not overly tight. Black embroidery creates simple dot eyes and smile.

7. **Symmetry:** When making pairs (arms, legs, ears), work both pieces identically for easiest construction.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### BODY FRONT PANEL

**Machine Setup:**
- Set tension dial to T7
- Carriage at COL, standard stockinette settings
- Prepare waste yarn and ravel cord

**Cast-On:**
Using WY, cast on 33 sts over needles (center needle 0, plus 16 needles on each side: L16 to R16).
Hang cast-on comb and weights.
Knit 6-8 rows WY.
Lay in ravel cord.
Knit 1 row WY.
RC 000.

**Body:**
Change to MC. T7.
Knit 20 rows straight.
RC 020. COR. (Check: 33 sts in work)

**Neck Shaping (Decrease):**
*Using transfer tool, transfer stitch from needle L16 onto needle L15 (2 sts on L15, empty needle to NWP). Transfer stitch from needle R16 onto needle R15. COR.*
Knit 2 rows.
RC 022. COR.

Repeat from * 4 more times.
RC 030. COR. (Check: 23 sts in work, needles L10 to R10, plus center needle 0)

**Head:**
Knit 30 rows straight.
RC 060. COR. (Check: 23 sts in work)

**Top of Head (Decrease):**
Transfer stitch from L10 onto L9. Transfer stitch from R10 onto R9. COR.
Knit 2 rows. RC 062.

Transfer stitch from L9 onto L8. Transfer stitch from R9 onto R8. COR.
Knit 2 rows. RC 064.

Continue decreasing 1 st each side every 2 rows until 11 sts remain (needles L5 to R5).
RC 074. COR.

Transfer stitch from L5 onto L4. Transfer stitch from R5 onto R4. COR.
Knit 1 row. RC 075.

Transfer stitch from L4 onto L3. Transfer stitch from R4 onto R3. COR.
Knit 1 row. RC 076.

(Check: 7 sts remain)

**Bind Off:**
Using latch tool, bind off all stitches loosely. Break yarn, leaving 8" (20cm) tail.

Remove work from machine. Unravel ravel cord and remove WY carefully.

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### BODY BACK PANEL

Work exactly as for Body Front Panel.
(This creates identical front and back pieces for easier construction.)

---

### LEGS (Make 2)

**Machine Setup:**
Set tension dial to T7. Carriage at COL.

**Cast-On:**
Using WY, cast on 11 sts over needles (center 0, L5 to R5).
Hang cast-on comb and weights.
Knit 6 rows WY.
Lay in ravel cord.
Knit 1 row WY.
RC 000.

**Leg:**
Change to MC. T7.
Knit 22 rows straight.
RC 022. COR. (Check: 11 sts in work)

**Bind Off:**
Using latch tool, bind off all stitches loosely. Break yarn, leaving 8" tail.

Remove work from machine. Unravel ravel cord and remove WY carefully.

**Repeat for second leg.**

---

### ARMS (Make 2)

**Machine Setup:**
Set tension dial to T7. Carriage at COL.

**Cast-On:**
Using WY, cast on 9 sts over needles (center 0, L4 to R4).
Hang cast-on comb and weights.
Knit 6 rows WY.
Lay in ravel cord.
Knit 1 row WY.
RC 000.

**Arm:**
Change to MC. T7.
Knit 30 rows straight.
RC 030. COR. (Check: 9 sts in work)

**Bind Off:**
Using latch tool, bind off all stitches loosely. Break yarn, leaving 8" tail.

Remove work from machine. Unravel ravel cord and remove WY carefully.

**Repeat for second arm.**

---

### EARS (Make 2)

**Machine Setup:**
Set tension dial to T7. Carriage at COL.

**Cast-On:**
Using WY, cast on 7 sts over needles (center 0, L3 to R3).
Hang cast-on comb and weight.
Knit 6 rows WY.
Lay in ravel cord.
Knit 1 row WY.
RC 000.

**Ear:**
Change to MC. T7.
Knit 6 rows straight.
RC 006. COR. (Check: 7 sts in work)

**Top Shaping:**
Transfer stitch from L3 onto L2. Transfer stitch from R3 onto R2. COR.
Knit 1 row. RC 007.

Transfer stitch from L2 onto L1. Transfer stitch from R2 onto R1. COR.
Knit 1 row. RC 008.

Transfer stitch from L1 onto center 0. Transfer stitch from R1 onto center 0. COR.
(Check: 3 sts on center needle)

**Bind Off:**
Using latch tool, bind off. Break yarn, leaving 8" tail.

Remove work from machine. Unravel ravel cord and remove WY carefully.

**Repeat for second ear.**

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### SNOUT

**Machine Setup:**
Set tension dial to T7. Carriage at COL.

**Cast-On:**
Using WY, cast on 13 sts over needles (center 0, L6 to R6).
Hang cast-on comb and weight.
Knit 6 rows WY.
Lay in ravel cord.
Knit 1 row WY.
RC 000.

**Snout:**
Change to MC. T7.
Knit 10 rows straight.
RC 010. COR. (Check: 13 sts in work)

**Top Shaping:**
Transfer stitch from L6 onto L5. Transfer stitch from R6 onto R5. COR.
Knit 1 row. RC 011.

Transfer stitch from L5 onto L4. Transfer stitch from R5 onto R4. COR.
Knit 1 row. RC 012.

Transfer stitch from L4 onto L3. Transfer stitch from R4 onto R3. COR.
Knit 1 row. RC 013.

(Check: 7 sts remain)

**Bind Off:**
Using latch tool, bind off all stitches loosely. Break yarn, leaving 10" tail.

Remove work from machine. Unravel ravel cord and remove WY carefully.

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## FINISHING

**Blocking:**
Lightly steam all pieces on wrong side (knit side). Do not press flat; just relax the stitches. Allow to cool completely.

**Assembly Order:**

1. **Body/Head:**
   - Place front and back panels together with purl sides facing out (this will be the right side).
   - Using mattress stitch or backstitch and MC yarn, seam around entire perimeter, leaving 3" (7.5cm) opening at lower edge for stuffing.
   - **Math Check:** Seam should be approximately 22" (56cm) total length around perimeter.
   - Turn right-side out (purl side visible).
   - Stuff firmly with fiberfill, paying special attention to head and neck area. Shape as you stuff to create rounded form.
   - Close opening with invisible stitch.

2. **Legs:**
   - Fold each leg piece in half lengthwise with purl side out.
   - Seam long edge and one short edge (foot end), leaving cast-on edge open.
   - Turn right-side out.
   - Stuff lightly but firmly.
   - Position legs at bottom front of body, approximately 1.5" (4cm) apart.
   - Sew securely to body using backstitch or whip stitch, sewing through all layers.

3. **Arms:**
   - Fold each arm piece in half lengthwise with purl side out.
   - Seam long edge and one short edge (hand end), leaving cast-on edge open.
   - Turn right-side out.
   - Stuff lightly.
   - Position arms at sides of body at approximately shoulder level (about 2" below neck).
   - Sew securely to body sides.

4. **Snout:**
   - Fold snout piece in half with purl side out.
   - Seam side edges, leaving cast-on edge (wider edge) open.
   - Turn right-side out.
   - Stuff lightly to create rounded shape.
   - Position snout on center front of head, approximately at eye level.
   - Sew cast-on edge to head using invisible stitch, creating oval/rounded snout shape.

5. **Ears:**
   - Fold each ear piece in half lengthwise with purl side out.
   - Seam around curved edges, leaving cast-on edge open.
   - Turn right-side out (ears will be small and slightly cupped).
   - Do not stuff.
   - Position ears on top of head, approximately 1" (2.5cm) apart and slightly to sides.
   - Sew cast-on edges flat against head.

6. **Facial Features (Embroidery):**
   - Using black yarn and embroidery needle:
   - **Eyes:** Create two small circles using satin stitch, positioned approximately 1.5" (4cm) apart, above the snout. Each eye should be approximately 0.25" (6mm) diameter.
   - **Nose:** Embroider small triangle or oval at tip of snout using satin stitch.
   - **Mouth (optional):** Using backstitch or stem stitch, create gentle smile curve below snout.

7. **Final Shaping:**
   - Manipulate stuffed toy to