purlJam

# 🐧 Machine-Knit Penguin — 12" (30 cm) Tall

**Skill Level:** Intermediate
**Technique:** Flat stockinette panels, partial-knitting shaping, seamed and stuffed

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## ⚠️ About the "AI Image" Request
I'm a text-based pattern designer and can't generate or display images directly in this response. However, here is a detailed visual description plus a schematic you can use as a reference:

**Visual description of finished penguin:**
A plump, round-bodied penguin standing 30 cm tall. Body is a tapered teardrop shape — widest at the belly, narrowing to a small rounded head. Back, head-top, and outer sides are **black**; a large oval **white belly panel** runs from under the beak to between the feet. Two small **black wings (flippers)** sit flat against the sides. A tiny **orange triangular beak** and two small **orange oval feet** protrude at the base. Embroidered black French-knot eyes with tiny white highlights give a cute expression.

**Schematic (front view):**
```
        ___
       /   \        ← head (black)
      | o o |       ← eyes
       \_v_/        ← orange beak
      /     \
     /  ___  \      ← neck taper
    |  /   \  |
    | | WHT | |     ← white belly panel
    | |     | |       inside black body
    |  \___/  |
     \       /
      \_____/
       U   U        ← orange feet
```

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## 🧶 Materials

| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| **MC (Main Color)** | Worsted weight black, ~120 yds (110 m) |
| **CC1 (Contrast 1)** | Worsted weight white, ~60 yds (55 m) |
| **CC2 (Contrast 2)** | Worsted weight orange, ~20 yds (18 m) for beak & feet |
| **Machine** | Standard gauge 4.5 mm OR mid-gauge 6.5 mm (mid-gauge strongly preferred for worsted). If using standard gauge, use T10 max and knit every other needle (EON) |
| **Tools** | 1-prong & 3-prong transfer tools, claw weights, cast-on comb, ravel cord, waste yarn, latch tool, tapestry needle |
| **Stuffing** | Polyester fiberfill, approx. 60 g |
| **Extras** | Small amount of black embroidery floss for eyes; optional safety eyes (8 mm) |

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## 📏 Gauge & Tension

**On mid-gauge (6.5 mm) machine, every needle rib setup not required — main bed only:**
- Tension: **T7** with worsted
- Gauge: **20 sts × 28 rows = 10 cm (4")** in stockinette after light steaming
- i.e., **5 sts / inch × 7 rows / inch**

**If using standard gauge (4.5 mm), EON:**
- Tension: **T10**, every other needle in work
- Effective gauge ≈ same as above

**Always knit a 40-st × 60-row swatch and verify before starting.**

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## 🔤 Abbreviations

| Abbr. | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MC | Main color (black) |
| CC1 | Contrast 1 (white) |
| CC2 | Contrast 2 (orange) |
| RC | Row counter |
| COL / COR | Carriage on left / right |
| NIW / NOOW | Needle(s) in work / out of work |
| HP | Hold position (needles pushed to E/hold) |
| UWP / WP | Upper working pos. / working pos. |
| K | Knit row |
| MT | Main tension (T7) |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
| e-wrap | Hand e-wrap cast-on |
| WY | Waste yarn |

---

## 📝 Pattern Notes

1. All pieces are knit **flat** on the main bed in stockinette.
2. **Body front (belly)** and **body back** are knit separately and seamed. This avoids intarsia/fair-isle and keeps the belly color crisp.
3. Shaping uses **fully-fashioned decreases** with the 3-prong transfer tool (move 3 sts inward one needle) for a neat edge.
4. **Hold position shaping** is used for the rounded crown of the head and the feet ovals.
5. Begin every piece with **waste yarn + ravel cord** for easy seaming; the final bind-off edge is closed with a **latch-tool chain bind-off**.
6. Keep claw weights moving up with the knitting every 20 rows.
7. All RC values assume RC 000 at the point indicated (usually after waste yarn separation row).

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## 🧩 Piece 1 — BODY BACK (Black, MC)

This piece forms the back, sides, and top of the head.

**Setup:**
- Bring **20 needles** into WP (centered on 0): **L10 to R10**.
- Cast on with WY, knit 10 rows, insert ravel cord, knit 1 row.
- Change to **MC**, **T7**, **COR**. Set **RC 000**.

### Section A — Lower body (increases to widest point)

- **RC 000 – 014:** K 14 rows straight on 20 sts. *(RC 014, COR)*
- **RC 015:** Increase 1 st each side using a 1-prong tool (pick up heel of adjacent st on the new outer needle). → **22 sts**
- K 6 rows. *(RC 021)*
- **RC 022:** Inc 1 st each side → **24 sts**
- K 6 rows. *(RC 028)*
- **RC 029:** Inc 1 st each side → **26 sts** *(widest point — belly level)*
- K 9 rows straight. *(RC 038, COR)*

✅ *Check: 26 sts × (1"/5 sts) = 5.2" wide ≈ 10.4" circumference at belly — matches a 12" penguin's proportions.*

### Section B — Upper body taper to neck

- **RC 039:** Using 3-prong tool, dec 1 st each side (fully-fashioned, move in 3 sts). → **24 sts**
- K 5 rows. *(RC 044)*
- **RC 045:** Dec 1 st each side → **22 sts**
- K 5 rows. *(RC 050)*
- **RC 051:** Dec 1 st each side → **20 sts**
- K 3 rows. *(RC 054)*
- **RC 055:** Dec 1 st each side → **18 sts**
- K 3 rows. *(RC 058)*
- **RC 059:** Dec 1 st each side → **16 sts**
- K 3 rows. *(RC 062)*
- **RC 063:** Dec 1 st each side → **14 sts** *(neck)*
- K 2 rows. *(RC 065, COR)*

### Section C — Head (increase, knit, crown short-rows)

- **RC 066:** Inc 1 st each side → **16 sts**
- K 3 rows. *(RC 069)*
- **RC 070:** Inc 1 st each side → **18 sts**
- K 3 rows. *(RC 073)*
- **RC 074:** Inc 1 st each side → **20 sts** *(widest head)*
- K 8 rows. *(RC 082, COR)*

**Crown shaping (short rows / hold position):** Set carriage to **HOLD**.
- With COR, push the **right-most 3 sts to HP**, K to left. (COL)
- Push **left-most 3 sts to HP**, K to right. (COR) — 14 sts knitting.
- Push next 2 right sts to HP, K to left. (COL) — 12 working.
- Push next 2 left sts to HP, K to right. (COR) — 10 working.
- Push next 2 right to HP, K left. — 8 working.
- Push next 2 left to HP, K right. — 6 working on center.
- K 2 more rows over the center 6. *(Keep HOLD on.)*

**Return hold:** Release HOLD. Return all held needles to UWP. K 1 row across all 20 sts to pick up wraps. *(RC ≈ 091)*

**Finish:** Break MC, thread WY, K 6 rows of waste yarn, release from machine. This edge will be drawn closed as the top of the head.

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## 🧩 Piece 2 — BODY FRONT / BELLY (White, CC1 + Black, MC edges)

Same shape as back, but the **center panel is white** with **2 sts of black along each edge** to blend with the back seam. For simplicity at intermediate level, we knit **the entire front in white CC1** and let the seam itself form the color edge.

**Work exactly as Piece 1 (Body Back) substituting CC1 (white) for MC throughout, up to and including the crown short rows.**

- Cast on 20 sts, CC1, T7, follow RC 000–091 identically.
- Final 6 rows WY, release.

✅ *Both panels now have matching stitch counts at every RC, so seams will align perfectly.*

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## 🧩 Piece 3 — WINGS / FLIPPERS (Make 2, MC Black)

Small teardrop shape.

- Bring **10 needles** into WP (L5–R5).
- WY cast-on, ravel cord, K 1 row.
- **MC, T7, COR, RC 000.**
- K 4 rows. *(RC 004)*
- **RC 005:** Inc 1 st each side → **12 sts**
- K 10 rows. *(RC 015)*
- **RC 016:** Dec 1 st each side → **10 sts**
- K 3 rows. *(RC 019)*
- **RC 020:** Dec 1 each side → **8 sts**
- K 2 rows. *(RC 022)*
- **RC 023:** Dec 1 each side → **6 sts**
- K 1 row. *(RC 024)*
- **RC 025:** Dec 1 each side → **4 sts**
- **Latch-tool bind off** across remaining 4 sts.

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## 🧩 Piece 4 — FEET (Make 2, CC2 Orange)

Small flat ovals, knit with hold shaping.

- Bring **14 needles** into WP.
- WY cast-on, ravel cord, K 1 row.
- **CC2, T7, COR, RC 000.**
- K 2 rows. *(RC 002)*
- Set carriage to **HOLD**.
- Push **outermost 2 sts on each side to HP**, K across 10 center sts for 6 rows.
- Return held sts to UWP, K 2 rows across all 14. *(RC 010)*
- K 6 rows straight. *(RC 016)*
- **Latch-tool bind off** all 14 sts.
- The hold shaping creates a gentle oval at the front of each foot.

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## 🧩 Piece 5 — BEAK (CC2 Orange)

A small triangle, folded in half.

- Bring **8 needles** into WP.
- WY cast-on, ravel cord, K 1 row.
- **CC2, T7, COR, RC 000.**
- K 2 rows. *(RC 002)*
- **RC 003:** Dec 1 each side → **6 sts**
- K 2 rows. *(RC 005)*
- **RC 006:** Dec 1 each side → **4 sts**
- K 1 row. *(RC 007)*
- **RC 008:** Dec 1 each side → **2 sts**
- Pull final 2 sts through with tapestry needle; fasten off.

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## 🪡 Finishing

1. **Block lightly**: Steam each piece gently (do not flatten MC). Pin to shape and let cool.
2. **Close crown**: On each body panel, remove waste yarn from the top edge and run a gathering thread through the live loops; pull tight, knot, and bury ends. This forms the round top of the head.
3. **Seam body**: With right sides together, mattress stitch the **back (MC)** and **front (CC1)** panels along both long edges from cast-on to crown. The color change occurs exactly at the seam, giving a crisp black/white division.
4. **Close base**: Before closing the bottom, open the waste yarn on both pieces, align live stitches, and **graft (Kitchener stitch)** across to create an invisible bottom seam — leave a 2" gap for stuffing.
5. **Stuff**: Fill firmly with fiberfill. Shape the head round and the belly plump. Close the gap with mattress stitch.
6. **Attach feet**: Seam the live edge of each foot closed with whip stitch, then sew the seamed edge flat against the bottom-front of the penguin, ~2 cm apart, so toes point forward.
7. **Attach wings**: Seam each wing's cast-on edge, then sew the top of each wing to the body side at the shoulder (approx. RC 070 level on body), letting the wing hang naturally.
8. **Attach beak**: Fold the beak triangle in half widthwise, seam the two short edges together to form a small 3D diamond, and stitch flat-side-down to the face ~3 cm below the crown.
9. **Eyes**: Either attach 8 mm safety eyes (before stuffing!) OR embroider two black French knots ~1.5 cm apart, just above and beside the beak. Add a tiny white straight stitch on each for a highlight.
10. **Final steam**: Hold steam iron 2 cm above the penguin, rotating gently, to relax seams. Do NOT touch the iron to acrylic yarn.

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## ✅ Math Validation

| Measurement | Calc | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Total height | 91 rows ÷ 7 rows/in | **13 in raw → 12 in after stuffing/gathering crown** ✓ |
| Belly width | 26 sts ÷ 5 sts/in | **5.2 in** (≈10.4 in circumference) ✓ |
| Neck width | 14 sts ÷ 5 | **2.8 in** ✓ |
| Head width | 20 sts ÷ 5 | **4.0 in** ✓ |
| Wing length | 25 rows ÷ 7 | **3.6 in** ✓ |
| Foot length | 16 rows ÷ 7 | **2.3 in** ✓ |
| Beak length | 8 rows ÷ 7 | **1.1 in** ✓ |

All counts consistent — front and back panels have identical RC checkpoints, ensuring aligned seams.

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**Enjoy your machine-knit penguin!** 🐧
For questions on the color-block edges, try alternate-row intarsia on the front panel once you're comfortable, or embroider a Swiss-darned white belly onto a solid black body as an easier variant.