purlJam

# Winifred Sanderson Amigurumi Doll
### A Beginner Knitted "Hocus Pocus" Soft Toy

Worked in the round in stockinette stitch. Finished height approximately **20 cm (8 in)** including hair.

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## Materials

- **Worsted weight yarn** in the following colours:
  - **Green** (dress) — approx. 40 g
  - **Skin tone** (head, arms) — approx. 25 g
  - **Purple** (cloak) — approx. 30 g
  - **Red-orange** (hair) — approx. 20 g
  - **Black** (shoes) — small amount
  - Scraps of **white**, **black** and **red** floss for facial features
- **Needles:** 3.5 mm DPNs or one long circular for Magic Loop (1–2 sizes smaller than the worsted label's recommended 4–4.5 mm, to give a tight fabric)
- **Polyester fibrefill stuffing** — approx. 60–80 g total
- **Tapestry needle**
- Stitch markers and pins
- Optional: 6 mm safety eyes (embroidered eyes recommended for young children)

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## Tension (Gauge)

22 sts × 30 rounds = 10 cm (4 in) square in stockinette stitch on 3.5 mm needles, worked in the round.

> **Tension note:** Exact stitch count matters less than a firm, even fabric. The fabric should be tight enough that stuffing does not peek through. If you see gaps, go down another needle size.

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## Abbreviations

- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **kfb** – knit into front and back of stitch (increase 1)
- **k2tog** – knit 2 together (decrease 1)
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit (decrease 1)
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **rnd** – round
- **st st** – stockinette stitch (knit every round when worked in the round)

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## A Note on Working in the Round

Cast on, distribute stitches over your DPNs (or split for Magic Loop), place a marker for the start of the round, and join taking care not to twist. Keep the first stitch of each needle snug to avoid laddering.

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## HEAD (make 1, in skin tone)

Cast on 8 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **16 sts**
- **Rnd 2:** knit
- **Rnd 3:** (k1, kfb) to end → **24 sts**
- **Rnd 4:** knit
- **Rnd 5:** (k2, kfb) to end → **32 sts**
- **Rnd 6:** (k7, kfb) to end → **36 sts**
- **Rnds 7–16:** knit (10 rounds straight)

*Check: 36 sts ÷ 22 sts per 10 cm ≈ 16 cm circumference. ✓*

Begin decreasing:

- **Rnd 17:** (k7, k2tog) to end → **32 sts**
- **Rnd 18:** (k2, k2tog) to end → **24 sts**
- **Rnd 19:** knit
- **Rnd 20:** (k1, k2tog) to end → **16 sts**

Stuff the head firmly now.

- **Rnd 21:** k2tog to end → **8 sts**

Cut yarn, thread through remaining 8 sts, pull tight and fasten off.

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## BODY (make 1)

This is worked from the neck down. Begin in **green** (dress).

Cast on 8 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **16 sts**
- **Rnd 2:** knit
- **Rnd 3:** (k1, kfb) to end → **24 sts**
- **Rnd 4:** knit
- **Rnd 5:** (k3, kfb) to end → **30 sts**
- **Rnds 6–22:** knit (17 rounds straight)

*Check: body stays at 30 sts throughout the straight section. ✓*

- **Rnd 23:** (k3, k2tog) to end → **24 sts**
- **Rnd 24:** (k2, k2tog) to end → **18 sts**

Stuff the body firmly.

- **Rnd 25:** (k1, k2tog) to end → **12 sts**
- **Rnd 26:** k2tog to end → **6 sts**

Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight and fasten off.

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## ARMS (make 2)

Work the hand in skin tone, then switch to green for the sleeve.

In **skin tone**, cast on 12 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnds 1–4:** knit (hand)

Change to **green**.

- **Rnds 5–14:** knit (sleeve, 10 rounds)

Stuff lightly (arms should stay slim and bendy). 

- **Rnd 15:** k2tog to end → **6 sts**

Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight and fasten off. Leave a long tail for seaming.

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## LEGS (make 2)

Work the shoe in black, then the leg in green.

In **black**, cast on 12 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnds 1–3:** knit (shoe)

Change to **green**.

- **Rnds 4–15:** knit (leg, 12 rounds)

Stuff lightly.

- **Rnd 16:** k2tog to end → **6 sts**

Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight and fasten off. Leave a long tail for seaming.

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## CLOAK (make 1, in purple)

A simple flat rectangle worked back and forth, then gathered at the neck.

Cast on **40 sts**.

- **Rows 1–20:** work in st st (knit RS rows, purl WS rows).
- Cast off loosely.

To gather: thread a long purple strand through the cast-on edge, draw up to fit around the doll's neck (approx. 12 cm), and tie. This forms Winifred's high-collared cloak.

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## HAIR (in red-orange)

Winifred's hair is her trademark tall, swept-up style.

**Hair cap:** Cast on 8 sts, join in the round.

- **Rnd 1:** kfb in every st → **16 sts**
- **Rnd 2:** knit
- **Rnd 3:** (k1, kfb) to end → **24 sts**
- **Rnd 4:** knit
- **Rnd 5:** (k2, kfb) to end → **32 sts**
- **Rnds 6–10:** knit
- Cast off loosely. This cap covers the top and back of the head.

**Hair peak (the tall point):** Cast on 6 sts, join in the round. Knit 8 rounds straight, then k2tog to end → 3 sts; fasten off. Stuff lightly. Sew this peak standing upright at the front-top of the hair cap to create her signature pointed hairstyle.

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## Facial Features (Embroidered)

Using floss and the tapestry needle, before fully assembling:

- **Eyes:** Two small white ovals with black centres, set low on the face. Add a tiny upward "flick" at the outer corners for her dramatic look.
- **Lips:** A small red mouth, embroidered in a slight grin with satin stitch.
- **Cheeks (optional):** A whisper of light pink or skin-tone shading.

> **Tip:** Embroidered eyes are recommended over safety eyes for any doll given to a young child.

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## ASSEMBLY (Finishing)

Work in this order for the best symmetry:

1. **Attach the head to the body.** Position the head over the gathered neck of the body and mattress-stitch all the way around. Add a little extra stuffing through the join if needed before closing.
2. **Attach the arms.** Pin one arm to each side of the body at the shoulder, checking they sit at the same height. Sew on securely using the long tails.
3. **Attach the legs.** Pin both legs to the underside of the body, evenly spaced and symmetrical, then sew on.
4. **Attach the hair.** Place the hair cap over the head, covering the top and back. Pin in place and stitch around the front hairline. Sew the hair peak upright at the front.
5. **Add the cloak.** Settle the gathered cloak around the neck and over the shoulders. Tack in place with a few stitches at the front so it sits like a high collar.
6. **Embroider the face** if not already done.
7. **Weave in all ends** securely inside the body and head so nothing can unravel.

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## Symmetry & Quality Checklist

- ✔ Arms attached at equal height on each side.
- ✔ Legs evenly spaced beneath the body.
- ✔ Head firmly stuffed and seated straight.
- ✔ Hair peak standing tall and centred.
- ✔ All ends woven in inside the doll.

Enjoy your wee Winifred Sanderson — "Come, little children…" 🎃