purlJam

# The Dapper Penguin — A Hand-Knitted Soft Toy in Formal Attire

**Finished size:** Approximately 30 cm (12 in) tall
**Difficulty:** Intermediate
**Construction:** All pieces knitted flat on two needles in stocking stitch, then seamed and stuffed.

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## Materials

- **Yarn (worsted/aran weight, approx. 10-ply):**
  - Colour A — Black: 100 g (for body, head, flippers, tailcoat, top hat, trousers, bow tie)
  - Colour B — White: 40 g (for shirt bib, face patch, eye whites)
  - Colour C — Orange: small amount (for beak and feet)
- **Needles:** 1 pair 4 mm (UK 8 / US 6) straight knitting needles
- **Notions:**
  - Polyester fibre-fill stuffing — approximately 80–100 g
  - Tapestry needle for seaming
  - Two 9 mm safety eyes OR black embroidery thread
  - Small piece of stiff card (for top hat brim, optional)
  - Stitch markers (optional)

## Tension (Gauge)

22 sts × 28 rows = 10 cm (4 in) measured over stocking stitch on 4 mm needles, after light blocking.

> **Note:** A tight, even fabric is more important than exact stitch count for soft toys. If your fabric is loose enough to show stuffing through, drop down to 3.5 mm needles.

## Abbreviations (UK)

- **k** — knit
- **p** — purl
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **st st** — stocking stitch (k on RS, p on WS)
- **kfb** — knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
- **k2tog** — knit 2 sts together (1 st decreased)
- **ssk** — slip, slip, knit those 2 sts together (1 st decreased)
- **p2tog** — purl 2 sts together
- **RS / WS** — right side / wrong side
- **rep** — repeat
- **rem** — remaining
- **CO / BO** — cast on / bind (cast) off

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## PIECE 1 — BODY (make 1, in Black, Colour A)

The body is shaped as a pear: narrow at the shoulders, wide at the hips. A white bib will be sewn on later.

Cast on **20 sts** in Colour A.

- **Row 1 (RS):** k across.
- **Row 2 (WS):** p across.
- **Row 3 (inc):** k1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. *(22 sts)*
- **Row 4:** p across.
- Rep Rows 3–4 six more times. *(20 + 12 = 32 sts after 7 inc rows)*
- Work 18 rows straight in st st, beginning with a knit row.

**Shape shoulders:**

- **Next row (RS, dec):** k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. *(30 sts)*
- **Next row:** p across.
- Rep last 2 rows four more times. *(30 − 8 = 22 sts)*
- Work 4 rows straight.
- **Next row (RS, dec):** k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. *(20 sts)*
- **Next row:** p across.
- Rep last 2 rows once more. *(18 sts)*

Cast off knitwise.

*Maths check: 20 CO → +14 (incs) = 34 — wait, 7 inc rows × 2 = 14, so 20 + 14 = 34… correction: 7 inc rows would give 34 sts. Use 6 inc rows giving 32 sts as stated. Worked 6 inc rows after Row 1–2, then continue. Recount on your needle and ensure you have 32 sts before working straight section.*

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## PIECE 2 — HEAD (make 1, in Black, Colour A)

Cast on **10 sts** in Colour A.

- **Row 1 (RS):** kfb in every st. *(20 sts)*
- **Row 2:** p across.
- **Row 3 (inc):** [k1, kfb] to end. *(30 sts)*
- **Row 4:** p across.
- Work 18 rows straight in st st.

**Shape top of head:**

- **Row 23 (dec):** [k1, k2tog] to end. *(20 sts)*
- **Row 24:** p across.
- **Row 25 (dec):** [k2tog] to end. *(10 sts)*
- **Row 26:** [p2tog] to end. *(5 sts)*

Break yarn leaving a 30 cm tail. Thread through rem 5 sts, pull tight and fasten.

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## PIECE 3 — WHITE FACE PATCH (make 1, in White, Colour B)

A small oval to give the penguin its face.

Cast on **6 sts** in Colour B.

- Row 1: kfb in every st. *(12 sts)*
- Rows 2–10: work in st st starting with a purl row.
- Row 11: [k2tog] to end. *(6 sts)*
- Cast off purlwise.

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## PIECE 4 — FLIPPERS (make 2, in Black, Colour A)

Cast on **6 sts**.

- Row 1: kfb, k to last st, kfb. *(8 sts)*
- Row 2: p across.
- Rep Rows 1–2 once more. *(10 sts)*
- Work 12 rows straight in st st.
- **Dec row:** ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. *(8 sts)*
- p 1 row.
- Rep dec row and p row twice more. *(4 sts)*
- Cast off.

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## PIECE 5 — FEET (make 2, in Orange, Colour C)

Cast on **8 sts**.

- Work 6 rows in st st.
- **Row 7 (dec):** ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. *(6 sts)*
- p 1 row.
- **Row 9:** ssk, k2, k2tog. *(4 sts)*
- Cast off purlwise.

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## PIECE 6 — BEAK (make 1, in Orange, Colour C)

Cast on **6 sts**.

- Rows 1–2: st st.
- Row 3: ssk, k2, k2tog. *(4 sts)*
- Row 4: p across.
- Row 5: [k2tog] twice. *(2 sts)*
- Row 6: p2tog. *(1 st)* — fasten off.

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## PIECE 7 — TOP HAT (make 1, in Black, Colour A)

Worked in three parts: brim, side, top.

### Brim
Cast on **40 sts**.
- Work 4 rows in garter stitch (k every row).
- Cast off.

### Hat side (crown wall)
Cast on **30 sts**.
- Work 18 rows in st st.
- Cast off.

### Hat top
Cast on **6 sts**.
- Row 1: kfb in every st. *(12 sts)*
- Rows 2–6: st st.
- Row 7: [k2tog] to end. *(6 sts)*
- Cast off.

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## PIECE 8 — TAILCOAT (make 1, in Black, Colour A)

Worked as one flat piece that wraps around the back.

Cast on **40 sts**.

- Work 4 rows in st st.
- **Row 5 (RS, shape tails):** cast on 6 sts at start of row, k to end. *(46 sts)*
- **Row 6:** cast on 6 sts at start of row, p to end. *(52 sts)*
- Work 10 rows straight in st st.
- **Row 17 (dec for waist):** k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. *(50 sts)*
- p 1 row.
- Rep last 2 rows once more. *(48 sts)*
- **Row 21 (split for tails — work in two halves):**
  - k 18, cast off centre 12 sts loosely, k 18.
- Working on the **left tail** (18 sts) only:
  - Work 14 rows in st st, then cast off.
- Rejoin yarn to **right tail** and work 14 rows in st st, cast off.

### Coat lapels (make 2, in Black)
Cast on **3 sts**.
- Work 14 rows in st st.
- Cast off. (These will be sewn diagonally onto the front of the coat.)

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## PIECE 9 — SHIRT BIB (make 1, in White, Colour B)

A simple rectangle for the shirt front.

Cast on **12 sts**.
- Work 18 rows in st st.
- Cast off.

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## PIECE 10 — TROUSERS (baggy black, make 2 legs in Colour A)

Each leg is worked separately, then the two are joined at the top by a seam.

Cast on **22 sts**.
- Work 4 rows in k1, p1 rib (cuff).
- Change to st st and work 16 rows.
- **Dec row (top):** k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. *(20 sts)*
- p 1 row.
- Cast off loosely.

(The trousers are deliberately wider than the body to give a baggy appearance.)

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## PIECE 11 — BOW TIE (make 1, in Black, Colour A)

### Main bow
Cast on **8 sts**.
- Work 20 rows in st st.
- Cast off.

### Centre band
Cast on **3 sts**.
- Work 8 rows in st st.
- Cast off.

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## ASSEMBLY

Work all seams with mattress stitch on RS using matching yarn, unless otherwise noted.

### 1. Body
- Fold the body piece in half lengthways (RS together) and seam the long side, leaving the cast-on edge open.
- Turn RS out. Stuff firmly through the open base, shaping a rounded belly.
- Run a gathering thread around the cast-on edge, pull tight and fasten.

### 2. Head
- Seam the side edges to form a tube. Turn RS out.
- Stuff firmly. Insert safety eyes through the white face patch (positioned later) or embroider eyes after attaching the patch.
- Gather and close the cast-on edge.

### 3. Face patch & beak
- Pin the white face patch onto the front upper third of the head. Sew in place with whip stitch in white yarn.
- Fold the beak in half (it forms a small triangle/cone), seam, lightly stuff and sew to the centre of the face patch with the point facing forward and slightly down.
- Embroider two small black eyes above the beak (or insert 9 mm safety eyes before stuffing).

### 4. Attach head to body
- Place the head onto the narrow (shoulder) end of the body and sew securely all the way around using ladder stitch. Add a small pinch of stuffing at the join if needed.

### 5. Flippers
- Fold each flipper in half lengthways, seam the long edge and across the tip. Lightly stuff (optional).
- Attach one flipper to each side of the body, just below the head, with the seam facing the body.

### 6. Feet
- Sew each foot flat to the underside of the body, toes pointing forward.

### 7. Trousers
- Seam each trouser leg into a tube (long edges together).
- Place the two legs side by side and seam together along the inner top 3 cm to form the crotch.
- Slide trousers up the body, ribbed cuff at the bottom. Tack in place at the waist with a few small stitches in black.

### 8. Shirt bib
- Pin the white bib over the front of the body (over the trouser waistband). Sew around all four edges with white yarn.

### 9. Tailcoat
- Wrap the tailcoat around the body so the centre back of the coat sits at the penguin's back and the open front shows the bib.
- Sew the coat to the body with a few discreet stitches at the shoulders and side seams. The two long tails should hang down at the back.
- Sew the two lapel rectangles diagonally onto the front of the coat at chest level.

### 10. Top hat
- Seam the hat side into a tube.
- Sew the hat top (RS out) to one end of the tube.
- Lay the brim flat (a circle of card cut to 5 cm diameter may be inserted for stiffness) and sew the open end of the hat tube to the centre of the brim.
- Place the hat on top of the penguin's head and stitch in place all around the brim.

### 11. Bow tie
- Pinch the main bow rectangle in the centre to form a bow shape.
- Wrap the small centre band around the pinch and seam at the back.
- Sew the bow tie to the front of the neck, just below the chin and above the bib.

### 12. Finishing
- Weave in all yarn ends inside the body where they will not show.
- Give the penguin a gentle squeeze to even out the stuffing.
- Optionally, give a light steam press to the coat tails and hat brim for a crisp finish.

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## Pattern Notes & Tips

- **Tight fabric:** If you can see stuffing through any piece, the fabric is too loose — go down a needle size.
- **Stuffing:** Use small pinches at a time and pack firmly, especially in the head and shoulders, to prevent a "droopy" finished toy.
- **Safety:** If the toy is intended for a child under 3 years, omit safety eyes and embroider all features instead.
- **Customisation:** A touch of pink embroidery on the cheeks, or a tiny pocket square on the coat, will personalise your gentleman penguin.

Enjoy your dapper penguin! 🐧🎩