purlJam

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# 🫥 SPOOKY FRIEND GHOST DOLL
### A Beginner Knitted Amigurumi Pattern

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## AT A GLANCE

| | |
|---|---|
| **Skill Level** | Beginner |
| **Finished Size** | Approx. 6 in (15 cm) tall × 4 in (10 cm) wide |
| **Technique** | Knitting in the round (DPNs or Magic Loop) |
| **Construction** | Head and body in one piece (top-down); arms separate; seamed |

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## MATERIALS

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn, approx. 80 yards (73 m) main color (MC) — white or ivory
  - *Shown in:* any smooth worsted weight, 100% acrylic or wool blend
- **Needles:** US 7 / 4.5 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs), set of 4 or 5; *or* one 32–40 in (80–100 cm) circular needle for Magic Loop
- **Notions:**
  - Stitch marker (1)
  - Tapestry needle
  - Polyester fiberfill stuffing
  - Two 9 mm black safety eyes — *see Safety Note below*
  - Black embroidery floss (for face details and safety eye alternative)
  - Scissors
  - Optional: small amount of yarn in a contrast color (CC) for mouth or cheeks

> ⚠️ **Safety Note:** Safety eyes contain small parts and are **not suitable for children under 3 years old** or for toys given to babies and toddlers. Substitute all safety eyes with **embroidered eyes** using black embroidery floss for a fully child-safe toy.

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## GAUGE

**18 sts × 24 rows = 4 in (10 cm)** in Stockinette stitch (St st), worked in the round

*Gauge is important for achieving the correct finished size. Please swatch before beginning.*

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## ABBREVIATIONS

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CO | Cast on |
| k | Knit |
| p | Purl |
| k2tog | Knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease) |
| ssk | Slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease) |
| kfb | Knit into the front and back of stitch (increase — 1 st becomes 2) |
| pm | Place marker |
| sm | Slip marker |
| rnd(s) | Round(s) |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
| MC | Main color |
| BO | Bind off |
| dpn | Double-pointed needle |
| St st | Stockinette stitch (knit every round when worked in the round) |

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## PATTERN NOTES

1. The head and body are knitted as **one continuous piece** from the top of the head down to the wavy hem, eliminating the need for a mid-body seam.
2. Work is done **in the round** on DPNs or Magic Loop. Every round is a **knit round** (stockinette in the round).
3. When the stitch count is low at the top of the head (8–16 sts), distribute sts evenly across **3 or 4 DPNs**, or use Magic Loop.
4. The wavy hem is the trickiest part of this pattern — read it through before beginning. It is still beginner-friendly; just take it one step at a time.
5. **Stuffing tip:** Stuff the head and body firmly before closing the wavy hem. Add stuffing gradually as you work the decrease rounds.
6. Both arms are identical.

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## PATTERN

### PIECE 1: HEAD & BODY (Make 1)

#### Section A — Top of Head

**CO 8 sts** using your preferred cast-on method (Long-tail cast-on recommended).
Distribute evenly across DPNs or set up for Magic Loop.
Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Pm to mark beginning of rnd.

*(Stitch count: 8 sts)*

**Rnd 1:** k to end. *(8 sts)*

**Rnd 2 (increase):** [kfb] 8 times. *(16 sts)*

**Rnd 3:** k to end. *(16 sts)*

**Rnd 4 (increase):** [kfb, k1] 8 times. *(24 sts)*

**Rnd 5:** k to end. *(24 sts)*

**Rnd 6 (increase):** [kfb, k2] 8 times. *(32 sts)*

**Rnd 7:** k to end. *(32 sts)*

**Rnd 8 (increase):** [kfb, k3] 8 times. *(36 sts)* ✓

> **Math check:** 8 increase rounds, adding 8 sts every other rnd: 8→16→24→32→36. ✅

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#### Section B — Head Body

**Rnds 9–26:** k every rnd. *(18 rounds even — approx. 3 in / 7.5 cm)*

*(Stitch count remains: 36 sts)*

> **Tip:** After Rnd 18 (the halfway point of this section), begin gently adding fiberfill stuffing through the open bottom. This makes it easier to stuff the head evenly.

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#### Section C — Upper Body Shaping

The ghost shape widens slightly at the "waist" as it flares toward the hem. Work the following increase section:

**Rnd 27 (increase):** [kfb, k5] 6 times. *(42 sts)*

**Rnds 28–30:** k every rnd. *(3 rounds even)*

**Rnd 31 (increase):** [kfb, k6] 6 times. *(48 sts)*

**Rnds 32–33:** k every rnd. *(2 rounds even)*

*(Stitch count: 48 sts)*

> **Math check:** 36 sts + 6 increases = 42; 42 + 6 increases = 48. ✅

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#### Section D — Wavy Hem

The wavy bottom is what makes this ghost look ghostly! It is worked using a series of **small point** peaks created by rapid increases and decreases.

> **Before you begin:** You have **48 sts** on your needles. The wave repeat is **8 sts**, and 48 ÷ 8 = **6 repeats**. ✅

**Stuff your ghost body firmly now, before working the hem.** The bottom will remain open as you work the waves.

**Hem Rnd 1 (make wave peaks):**
*[k1, kfb, k2, k2tog, k1, kfb] repeat 6 times to end.* *(48 sts — st count unchanged)* ✅

**Hem Rnd 2:**
*k to end.* *(48 sts)*

**Hem Rnd 3 (deepen waves):**
*[ssk, k2, k2tog, kfb, kfb] repeat 6 times to end.* *(48 sts — st count unchanged)* ✅

**Hem Rnd 4:**
*k to end.* *(48 sts)*

**BO:** Bind off all 48 sts **loosely**. For a more decorative edge, use a **picot bind-off**: *[CO 2 sts using cable cast-on, BO 4 sts] repeat to end.* This creates tiny pointed tips between each wave and is optional.

> **Note:** The wavy hem does not need to be sewn shut — the stuffing is contained above the wider body shaping. The hem hangs loosely, just like a real (knitted) ghost's trailing form!

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### PIECE 2: ARMS (Make 2)

The arms are small, stubby tubes — very quick to knit!

**CO 8 sts.** Distribute across DPNs or set up for Magic Loop.
Join to work in the round. Pm.

*(Stitch count: 8 sts)*

**Rnds 1–9:** k every rnd. *(approx. 1.5 in / 4 cm)*

**Rnd 10 (decrease):** [k2tog] 4 times. *(4 sts)*

**Cut yarn**, leaving a 6 in (15 cm) tail. Thread tail through remaining 4 sts on needle, pull snug to close. Fasten off. Weave in end on inside.

**Stuff** the arm lightly with a small pinch of fiberfill before closing (optional — unstuffed arms also lie nicely).

*(Each finished arm: approx. 1.5 in / 4 cm long × 0.75 in / 2 cm wide)*

> **Math check:** 8 sts CO → 9 rounds knit even → 4 sts after decreases → closed. ✅

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## FINISHING

### Step 1 — Close the Top of the Head

If there is a small hole remaining at the top of the head from your cast-on, thread your tapestry needle with the cast-on yarn tail and **weave through the CO sts**, pulling gently to close the hole. Fasten off and weave in the end to the inside.

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### Step 2 — Add the Face

**Placement guide:**
Position the face on the **front of the head**, centered, approximately **1–1.5 in (2.5–4 cm) down** from the top of the head.

#### Option A — Safety Eyes
- Insert two **9 mm black safety eyes** approximately **1 in (2.5 cm) apart**, centered horizontally on the face position.
- Push the washer firmly onto the back post inside the doll before stuffing is complete (insert eyes before final stuffing if you forgot).

#### Option B — Embroidered Eyes (Child-Safe)
Using **black embroidery floss** and a tapestry needle:
- **Eyes:** Make a small horizontal straight stitch approx. 0.25 in (6 mm) wide for each eye, or work 4–5 satin stitches in a small oval shape. Space eyes approx. 1 in (2.5 cm) apart.

#### Adding a Mouth (Optional)
Using **black embroidery floss:**
- Work a small **"O" shape** or open oval mouth centered below the eyes, approx. 0.5 in (12 mm) below the eye line, using chain stitch or a simple oval of straight stitches.
- Alternatively, work a small **curved smile** using 3–4 back stitches.

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### Step 3 — Attach the Arms

- Fold the open (cast-on) end of each arm flat across and close with a few sts using your tapestry needle — or leave the CO edge as-is for a rounded attachment.
- **Position** each arm on either side of the body, approximately **0.5 in (1.5 cm) below the head-body join** (roughly Rnd 28–30 of the body).
- Using yarn tail or a length of MC yarn, **sew each arm to the body** using whip stitch or mattress stitch, stitching around the full circumference of the arm opening for a secure attachment.
- Fasten off and weave in all ends to the inside of the body.

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### Step 4 — Final Stuffing Check

Give your ghost a gentle squeeze — it should feel **firmly and evenly stuffed** throughout the head and upper body. Add more fiberfill through the open hem if needed, using a pencil or knitting needle to push stuffing into the top of the head.

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### Step 5 — Weave In All Ends

Use your tapestry needle to weave in any remaining yarn tails to the inside of the doll. Trim ends.

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## FINISHING DIAGRAM

```
        ___
       /   \        ← Top of head (CO 8, increased to 36 sts)
      | o o |       ← Safety eyes / embroidered eyes
      |  ∪  |       ← Optional embroidered mouth
      |     |       ← Body (36 sts, widening to 48 sts)
  o   |     |   o   ← Arms attached here
  |___|     |___|
      \/\/\/         ← Wavy hem (48 sts, 6-repeat wave pattern)
```

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## QUICK REFERENCE — STITCH COUNTS

| Section | Round(s) | Stitch Count |
|---|---|---|
| CO | — | 8 sts |
| After Rnd 2 | Rnd 2 | 16 sts |
| After Rnd 4 | Rnd 4 | 24 sts |
| After Rnd 6 | Rnd 6 | 32 sts |
| After Rnd 8 | Rnd 8 | **36 sts** |
| Head even section | Rnds 9–26 | 36 sts |
| After Rnd 27 | Rnd 27 | 42 sts |
| After Rnd 31 | Rnd 31 | **48 sts** |
| Wavy hem | Rnds H1–H4 | 48 sts |
| Bind-off | — | 48 sts |

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## BEGINNER TIPS

- 🧶 **Joining in the round:** When joining your CO sts to work in the round, make sure the sts are not twisted around the needle before you knit the first rnd. Lay them flat and check.
- 🔢 **Stitch markers:** Place a stitch marker at the beginning of each round to keep track. Move it up as you work.
- 🪡 **DPN juggling:** When using DPNs with only 8 sts, use 3 needles with 2–3 sts each. It feels fiddly at first — this is normal! It gets easier as sts increase.
- 🌀 **Magic Loop alternative:** If DPNs feel too fiddly, Magic Loop on a long circular needle is a great beginner-friendly alternative for small circumferences.
- 📏 **Measuring rounds:** Count your rounds by laying the work flat and counting the "V" shapes (knit stitches) in a vertical column from the top down.
- 🧸 **Stuffing firmly:** A well-stuffed amigurumi holds its shape much better. Don't be shy with the fiberfill!

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## PATTERN SUMMARY

1. CO 8 sts, join in the round.
2. Increase to 36 sts over 8 rnds (top of head).
3. Knit even for 18 rnds (head).
4. Increase to 48 sts over 6 rnds (upper body flare).
5. Work 4-rnd wavy hem on 48 sts.
6. Bind off. Stuff firmly.
7. Make 2 arms (CO 8, knit 9 rnds, close).
8. Embroider or attach face.
9. Sew arms to sides of body.
10. Weave in all ends. 👻

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*Pattern designed for personal use. Please do not reproduce or sell this pattern without permission.*