purlJam

# QUINCY THE QUOKKA
## Knitted Amigurumi Toy Pattern

A delightful knitted quokka toy with a sweet smile! This beginner-friendly pattern features simple shapes knitted separately and sewn together. Perfect for practicing basic increases, decreases, and seaming techniques.

**Finished Size**: Approximately 6 inches (15 cm) tall when sitting

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: 
- Worsted weight (#4) yarn in the following amounts:
  - Main Color (MC - light brown/tan): 80 yards
  - Contrast Color 1 (CC1 - dark brown): 5 yards for nose and eyes
  - Contrast Color 2 (CC2 - cream/off-white): 10 yards for belly (optional)

**Needles**: 
- US 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or size needed to obtain gauge
- US 6 (4 mm) straight needles for flat pieces

**Notions**:
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Small amount of black embroidery floss for facial details
- Scissors

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## GAUGE

20 stitches × 26 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch

*Note: Exact gauge is not critical for this toy, but knitting tightly will help prevent stuffing from showing through.*

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- k: knit
- p: purl
- st(s): stitch(es)
- kfb: knit into front and back of same stitch (1 stitch increased)
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit (slip 2 stitches knitwise, insert left needle into front of slipped stitches, knit together - 1 stitch decreased)
- DPN(s): double-pointed needle(s)
- MC: main color
- CC: contrast color
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side

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## PATTERN NOTES

- All pieces are worked in MC unless otherwise specified
- Stitch counts are provided in parentheses at the end of each row/round
- When working in-the-round, all rounds are knit unless otherwise specified
- Use kfb for increases to minimize holes
- Leave long tails when casting on/off for seaming
- Stuff pieces firmly as you sew them to the body

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### BODY

Using MC and DPNs, cast on 6 sts. Divide evenly on 3 needles (2 sts per needle). Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.

**Round 1**: Kfb in each st around. (12 sts)
**Round 2**: Knit.
**Round 3**: *K1, kfb; repeat from * around. (18 sts)
**Round 4**: Knit.
**Round 5**: *K2, kfb; repeat from * around. (24 sts)
**Round 6**: Knit.
**Round 7**: *K3, kfb; repeat from * around. (30 sts)
**Rounds 8-18**: Knit (11 rounds even).
**Round 19**: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * around. (24 sts)
**Round 20**: Knit.
**Round 21**: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * around. (18 sts)
**Round 22**: Knit.

Begin stuffing body firmly with fiberfill.

**Round 23**: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * around. (12 sts)
**Round 24**: *K2tog; repeat from * around. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving 8" tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight, and secure. Weave in end inside body.

### HEAD

Using MC and DPNs, cast on 6 sts. Divide evenly on 3 needles. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.

**Round 1**: Kfb in each st around. (12 sts)
**Round 2**: Knit.
**Round 3**: *K1, kfb; repeat from * around. (18 sts)
**Round 4**: Knit.
**Round 5**: *K2, kfb; repeat from * around. (24 sts)
**Round 6**: Knit.
**Round 7**: *K3, kfb; repeat from * around. (30 sts)
**Rounds 8-15**: Knit (8 rounds even).
**Round 16**: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * around. (24 sts)
**Round 17**: Knit.
**Round 18**: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * around. (18 sts)
**Round 19**: Knit.

Begin stuffing head firmly with fiberfill.

**Round 20**: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * around. (12 sts)
**Round 21**: *K2tog; repeat from * around. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving 8" tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight, and secure. Leave tail for sewing head to body.

### EARS (Make 2)

Using MC and straight needles, cast on 8 sts.

**Row 1 (RS)**: Knit. (8 sts)
**Row 2**: Purl. (8 sts)
**Row 3**: K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. (6 sts)
**Row 4**: Purl. (6 sts)
**Row 5**: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. (4 sts)
**Row 6**: Purl. (4 sts)
**Row 7**: Ssk, k2tog. (2 sts)
**Row 8**: P2tog. (1 st)

Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitch. Leave long tail for sewing.

### ARMS (Make 2)

Using MC and DPNs (or straight needles for flat version), cast on 8 sts.

**Flat Version** (easier for beginners):
**Rows 1-14**: Beginning with a knit row, work in stockinette stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows). (8 sts)

Bind off, leaving long tail for sewing. Fold piece in half lengthwise with RS facing out, and seam along long edge and one short end, creating a tube. Stuff lightly.

**OR I-Cord Version** (if preferred):
Divide 8 sts on DPNs. *Knit one row, slide sts to other end of needle without turning; repeat from * until i-cord measures 2.5". Bind off. Leave tail for sewing. Stuff lightly.

### LEGS (Make 2)

Using MC and straight needles, cast on 10 sts.

**Rows 1-10**: Beginning with a knit row, work in stockinette stitch. (10 sts)
**Row 11**: K3, kfb, k2, kfb, k3. (12 sts) [creates foot width]
**Rows 12-16**: Work 5 rows in stockinette stitch. (12 sts)

Bind off, leaving long tail for sewing. 

Fold piece in half lengthwise with RS facing out. Seam along long edge. Seam short end (top of leg) closed. For foot: pinch bottom edge perpendicular to leg seam and seam across to create foot shape. Stuff firmly.

### TAIL

Using MC and straight needles, cast on 4 sts.

**Rows 1-6**: Beginning with a knit row, work in stockinette stitch. (4 sts)
**Row 7**: Ssk, k2tog. (2 sts)
**Row 8**: P2tog. (1 st)

Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitch. Leave tail for sewing. Fold in half and seam edges, creating small stuffed tail. Stuff very lightly or leave flat.

### BELLY PATCH (Optional)

Using CC2 and straight needles, cast on 8 sts.

**Row 1 (RS)**: Knit. (8 sts)
**Row 2**: Purl. (8 sts)
**Rows 3-8**: Repeat rows 1-2 three more times. (8 sts)
**Row 9**: Ssk, k4, k2tog. (6 sts)
**Row 10**: Purl. (6 sts)
**Row 11**: Ssk, k2, k2tog. (4 sts)
**Row 12**: Purl. (4 sts)

Bind off. Leave tail for sewing.

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## ASSEMBLY

**Verification of pieces**: Before assembling, ensure you have:
- 1 body
- 1 head
- 2 ears
- 2 arms
- 2 legs
- 1 tail
- 1 belly patch (optional)

**Assembly Steps**:

1. **Attach head to body**: Position head on top of body, with decrease rounds at top. Pin in place and sew securely around entire circumference using mattress stitch or whip stitch.

2. **Attach ears**: Position ears on top of head, spaced approximately 1" apart. Fold cast-on edge of each ear slightly and sew to head, curving them forward slightly for characteristic quokka look.

3. **Attach arms**: Position arms on sides of body, approximately 2 rounds below where head joins body. Sew securely, angling slightly forward.

4. **Attach legs**: Position legs at bottom front of body, slightly angled outward. Sew securely with feet facing forward.

5. **Attach tail**: Sew tail to back of body at base.

6. **Attach belly patch (optional)**: Center cream belly patch on front of body between legs and arms. Sew around edges.

7. **Add facial features**:
   - **Nose**: Using CC1, embroider a small triangular nose in center of face using satin stitch, approximately 1" below top of head.
   - **Eyes**: Using black embroidery floss, create two small eyes approximately 0.5" above nose and 0.75" apart. Use French knots or satin stitch.
   - **Mouth**: Using black embroidery floss, embroider a small curved smile beneath nose - quokkas are known for their smiling faces!
   - **Optional ear details**: Using CC1, add a few straight stitches inside each ear for definition.

8. **Final touches**: Weave in all remaining ends. Shape ears, arms, and legs as desired.

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## FINISHING TIPS

- **Even stuffing**: Stuff body and head very firmly to create a stable toy. Stuff limbs more lightly so they remain flexible.
- **Secure seaming**: Use matching yarn color and small, tight stitches for seaming to ensure durability.
- **Expression**: Position eyes and mouth to create a friendly, smiling expression - quokkas are called "the world's happiest animal"!
- **Ear shaping**: Bend ears slightly forward for an alert, cheerful look.
- **Sitting position**: The quokka should sit upright with legs forward and arms at sides.

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## CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS

- Make a larger quokka using chunky yarn and larger needles
- Add pink inner ears using duplicate stitch
- Create a baby quokka using sport weight yarn and smaller needles
- Add wire armature to limbs for poseable quokka

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## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hand wash gently in cool water with mild soap. Roll in towel to remove excess water. Air dry completely, reshaping as needed.

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**Pattern designed for beginner knitters ready to try amigurumi-style toys.**

*© 2024 - This pattern is for personal use only.*