purlJam

# Mr Pogle — Knitted Character Toy
*Inspired by the woodland folk of Pogles' Wood*

A cheerful little gentleman of the woods, knitted in simple stockinette with a rounded body, stubby arms and legs, and his trademark pointed hat. This is a wonderful first amigurumi project — all pieces are worked in the round with basic increases and decreases.

**Finished Size:** Approximately 7 inches (18 cm) tall, including hat.
**Skill Level:** Beginner

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## Materials

- **Main Color (MC) — Body/Head:** Worsted weight yarn in warm beige or oatmeal, approx. 50 yds (45 m)
- **Contrast Color 1 (CC1) — Tunic/Body:** Worsted weight in moss green or rust, approx. 30 yds (27 m)
- **Contrast Color 2 (CC2) — Hat:** Worsted weight in red or brown, approx. 15 yds (14 m)
- **Small amounts** of black and white for embroidered features (or one pair 6 mm safety eyes — *not suitable for children under 3*)
- **Needles:** US 5 (3.75 mm) DPNs (set of 4 or 5), or 32" circular for Magic Loop
- **Polyester fiberfill stuffing** — approx. 1 oz (30 g)
- **Tapestry needle**
- **Stitch marker** (optional, for round beginning)
- **Sewing pins** for assembly

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## Gauge

20 sts × 28 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette in the round.
*Exact gauge is not critical for toys, but fabric should be tight and firm so stuffing does not show through. Go down a needle size if necessary.*

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)

- **k** — knit
- **p** — purl
- **kfb** — knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
- **k2tog** — knit 2 stitches together (1 st decreased)
- **ssk** — slip, slip, knit (1 st decreased)
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **rnd(s)** — round(s)
- **MC / CC1 / CC2** — main color / contrast 1 / contrast 2

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## Notes

- All pieces are worked in the round from the bottom (or top) up.
- Distribute stitches evenly across DPNs, or use Magic Loop.
- Stuff each piece firmly *before* closing the final stitches.
- When you have only 6 sts left to close, cut yarn leaving an 8" tail, thread through remaining stitches, and pull tight.

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## HEAD (Make 1, in MC)

Cast on 6 sts. Divide across 3 DPNs (2 sts each) or join for Magic Loop. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st. *(12 sts)*
- **Rnd 2:** knit.
- **Rnd 3:** [kfb, k1] around. *(18 sts)* ✓ 9 increases × 1 = +6... wait — *check:* 18 = 12 + 6 ✓
- **Rnd 4:** knit.
- **Rnd 5:** [kfb, k2] around. *(24 sts)* ✓ +6
- **Rnd 6:** knit.
- **Rnd 7:** [kfb, k3] around. *(30 sts)* ✓ +6
- **Rnds 8–15:** knit (8 rounds even).

Begin decreases:

- **Rnd 16:** [k2tog, k3] around. *(24 sts)*
- **Rnd 17:** knit.
- **Rnd 18:** [k2tog, k2] around. *(18 sts)*
- **Rnd 19:** knit.

**Insert safety eyes** between rnds 12 and 13, about 5 sts apart. *(If embroidering, do this at finishing.)*

**Stuff head firmly.**

- **Rnd 20:** [k2tog, k1] around. *(12 sts)*
- **Rnd 21:** [k2tog] around. *(6 sts)*

Cut yarn, thread through remaining 6 sts, pull tight, and secure on inside.

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## BODY (Make 1)

With CC1 (tunic color), cast on 6 sts. Join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st. *(12 sts)*
- **Rnd 2:** knit.
- **Rnd 3:** [kfb, k1] around. *(18 sts)*
- **Rnd 4:** knit.
- **Rnd 5:** [kfb, k2] around. *(24 sts)*
- **Rnds 6–14:** knit (9 rounds even in CC1 — this is the tunic).
- **Rnd 15:** Switch to MC. Knit.
- **Rnds 16–18:** knit (3 rounds in MC for the neck).

Begin neck decreases:

- **Rnd 19:** [k2tog, k2] around. *(18 sts)*
- **Rnd 20:** [k2tog, k1] around. *(12 sts)*

**Stuff body firmly**, shaping into a rounded barrel.

- **Rnd 21:** [k2tog] around. *(6 sts)*

Cut yarn, leaving a 12" tail for sewing to head. Thread through remaining sts and pull snug (do not close fully — leave a small opening; the tail will be used to attach the head).

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## ARMS (Make 2, in MC)

Cast on 6 sts. Join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st. *(12 sts)*
- **Rnd 2:** [k2tog, k4] around. *(10 sts)* — this creates a rounded "hand."
- **Rnds 3–10:** knit (8 rounds even).

Lightly stuff the lower half (hand) only — leave top open and flat for sewing.

Bind off, leaving a 10" tail for attaching to body.

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## LEGS (Make 2, in CC1 then MC — or all CC1 if preferred)

With CC1, cast on 6 sts. Join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st. *(12 sts)*
- **Rnd 2:** [k2tog, k4] around. *(10 sts)*
- **Rnds 3–10:** knit (8 rounds even). *Optionally switch to MC at rnd 6 for a "boot" effect.*

Lightly stuff. Bind off, leaving a 10" tail.

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## HAT (Make 1, in CC2)

Cast on 30 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.

- **Rnds 1–4:** knit (4 rounds even — the brim).
- **Rnd 5:** [k2tog, k3] around. *(24 sts)*
- **Rnd 6:** knit.
- **Rnd 7:** [k2tog, k2] around. *(18 sts)*
- **Rnd 8:** knit.
- **Rnd 9:** [k2tog, k1] around. *(12 sts)*
- **Rnd 10:** knit.
- **Rnd 11:** [k2tog] around. *(6 sts)*
- **Rnd 12:** knit.
- **Rnd 13:** [k2tog] 3 times. *(3 sts)*

Cut yarn, thread through remaining 3 sts, pull tight. Do not stuff the hat — let the point flop charmingly to one side.

**Math check:** 30 → 24 → 18 → 12 → 6 → 3, decreasing by 6 each shaping rnd ✓

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## Assembly

Order of assembly matters — follow these steps:

1. **Embroider features** (if not using safety eyes): Two small black French knots or satin-stitch dots for eyes. A tiny straight-stitch smile in black or brown. Optionally a small pink stitch for a nose.
2. **Attach head to body:** Position head on top of neck. Using the long tail from the body, sew around the base of the head with mattress stitch, going around twice for security. Add a little extra stuffing at the neck join if needed.
3. **Attach arms:** Pin arms to the sides of the body just below the neck. They should be symmetrical — measure from the top of the shoulders. Sew with the tail using whip stitch around the open top of each arm.
4. **Attach legs:** Pin legs to the bottom front of the body, about 1 stitch apart. Sew securely.
5. **Attach hat:** Place the hat on the head with a slight tilt. Pin in place. Using a length of CC2, stitch the hat to the head all the way around the brim. The point may flop forward or to one side — adjust as desired before securing.
6. **Optional details:**
   - A tiny embroidered belt across the tunic with a few stitches in CC2.
   - A small tuft of contrasting yarn poking out from under the front of the hat for hair.

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## Finishing

- Weave in all ends to the **inside** of the toy where they will not be visible or come loose.
- Give Mr Pogle a gentle squeeze and reshape as needed.
- If the toy is for a young child (under 3), use embroidered features only — never safety eyes.

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## Stitch Count Summary (Validation)

| Piece | Cast On | Max sts | Final close | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head | 6 | 30 | 6 → drawstring | ~3" sphere ✓ |
| Body | 6 | 24 | 6 → drawstring | ~3.5" barrel ✓ |
| Arms (×2) | 6 | 12 → 10 | bind off 10 | ~1.5" stub ✓ |
| Legs (×2) | 6 | 12 → 10 | bind off 10 | ~1.5" stub ✓ |
| Hat | 30 | 30 | 3 → drawstring | ~2" cone ✓ |

**Total finished height:** body (3.5") + head (3") + hat point (~1") with overlap = approx. 7 inches ✓

Enjoy your new little woodland friend! 🌳