purlJam

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# 🐺 Wolf Chan Keychain
### A Knitted Mini Amigurumi Pattern

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## At a Glance

| | |
|---|---|
| **Skill Level** | Beginner |
| **Technique** | Knitted amigurumi in the round (DPNs) |
| **Finished Size** | Approx. 2 to 2.75 inches (5–7 cm) tall, including keychain loop |
| **Gauge** | 6 sts and 8 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in stockinette stitch in the round |

> **Designer's Note:** Wolf Chan is a chibi-style kawaii wolf — all chubby round head and tiny paws, worked in silver gray with a cream snout and dark-tipped ears. Because this is a keychain, **all face details are embroidered** (no safety eyes or buttons), making it safe to carry on bags, backpacks, and keys.

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## Materials

### Yarn
| Color Role | Suggested Color | Amount Needed |
|---|---|---|
| **MC** — Main Color | Silver gray (e.g., medium gray) | ~20 yards (18 m) |
| **CC1** — Contrast 1 | Cream or off-white | ~6 yards (5.5 m) |
| **CC2** — Contrast 2 | Dark gray or charcoal | ~3 yards (2.75 m) |

- **Weight:** Worsted weight (Category 4), 100% acrylic or wool blend recommended for durability
- **Suggested yarns:** Lion Brand Pound of Love (worsted), Red Heart Soft, or Cascade 220

> **Why worsted on small needles?** Amigurumi fabric must be knitted tightly so stuffing does not show through. Using needles two to three sizes smaller than the yarn label recommends is correct and intentional here.

### Needles
- **US 3 / 3.25 mm** double-pointed needles (DPNs), set of 5, OR
- **US 3 / 3.25 mm** circular needle, 40 inches (100 cm) for Magic Loop method

### Notions
- Stitch marker (1)
- Tapestry / yarn needle for seaming and embroidery
- Small amount of polyester fiberfill stuffing
- 1 keychain split ring or lobster clasp (approx. 0.5–0.75 inch / 12–18 mm)
- Scissors
- **Black embroidery floss** or **black yarn** (for face details)
- **White embroidery floss or yarn** (for eye highlights, optional)
- Straight pins (for assembly)

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## Gauge

**6 sts and 8 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm)** in stockinette stitch in the round on US 3 / 3.25 mm needles with worsted weight yarn.

> **Gauge note for beginners:** Because all pieces are very small, a formal gauge swatch is not strictly required. However, if your head piece measures noticeably larger or smaller than 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) in diameter after completion, adjust your needle size accordingly. Tighter is better — you want a firm, dense fabric.

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## Finished Measurements

| Piece | Approximate Size |
|---|---|
| Head diameter | 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) |
| Body diameter | 1 inch (2.5 cm) |
| Total figure height (assembled) | ~2 inches (5 cm) |
| Total with i-cord keychain loop | ~2.75 inches (7 cm) |

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## Abbreviations

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CO | Cast on |
| k | Knit |
| p | Purl |
| kfb | Knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased to 2 sts) |
| k2tog | Knit 2 stitches together (1 st decreased) |
| sl1 | Slip 1 stitch purlwise |
| psso | Pass slipped stitch over |
| sl1-k2tog-psso | Slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (2 sts decreased to 1) |
| Rnd(s) | Round(s) |
| RS | Right side |
| WS | Wrong side |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
| MC | Main Color (gray) |
| CC1 | Contrast Color 1 (cream) |
| CC2 | Contrast Color 2 (dark gray/charcoal) |
| PM | Place marker |
| SM | Slip marker |
| BO | Bind off |

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## Special Techniques

### Working in the Round on DPNs (Beginner Recap)
Divide your cast-on stitches evenly across 3 or 4 DPNs. Use the remaining needle as your working needle. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round. When working very small stitch counts (6 sts), place 2 sts on each of 3 needles.

### I-Cord
Work on 3 live sts using 2 DPNs. *Knit 3, do NOT turn. Slide sts to the right end of the needle. Pull working yarn firmly across the back.* Repeat from * for the desired number of rounds. The yarn pulled across the back forms the "tube."

### Closing 6 Stitches (to finish a sphere)
Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail. Thread onto tapestry needle. *Pass tapestry needle through each live stitch as if to purl, slipping st off knitting needle.* After all 6 sts are threaded, pull firmly to close the hole. Weave in end securely.

### Closing 3 Stitches
Same as above, but with 3 stitches. Pull firmly and weave in end.

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## Pattern Notes

1. All pieces except the ears are worked **in the round** (no purling required for the body fabric).
2. Ears are worked **flat** (back and forth), using two DPNs as if they were straight needles.
3. Do **not** use safety eyes or buttons on this keychain — the finished toy is too small and the hardware can become a choking hazard or snag items in a bag. Use **embroidery only** for all face details.
4. Stuff pieces **firmly** but do not overstuff — the pieces should hold their shape without looking lumpy.
5. The snout is a separate small dome piece seamed onto the face after the head is complete.
6. Color changes between pieces are achieved by working individual pieces in different colors, then seaming. No colorwork in the round is required.

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## The Pattern

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### PIECE 1: HEAD
*Worked in the round in MC (gray).*
*Makes 1.*

**Setup:** CO 6 sts onto 3 DPNs (2 sts per needle). Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. PM for beginning of round.

**Rnd 1 (Increase):** Kfb in each st around. — **12 sts**
*(Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓)*

**Rnd 2 (Increase):** *K1, kfb; repeat from * around. — **18 sts**
*(Math check: 6 repeats × [1 k + 1 kfb] = 18 ✓)*

**Rnd 3 (Increase):** *K2, kfb; repeat from * around. — **24 sts**
*(Math check: 6 repeats × [2 k + 1 kfb] = 24 ✓)*

**Rnds 4–7 (Even):** Knit all sts. — **24 sts** (4 rounds worked)

> *Pause here to embroider the face before closing the head — see Face Embroidery section below.*

**Rnd 8 (Decrease):** *K2, k2tog; repeat from * around. — **18 sts**
*(Math check: 6 repeats × [2 k + 1 k2tog] = 18 ✓)*

**Rnd 9 (Decrease):** *K1, k2tog; repeat from * around. — **12 sts**
*(Math check: 6 repeats × [1 k + 1 k2tog] = 12 ✓)*

Begin stuffing head firmly with fiberfill now.

**Rnd 10 (Decrease):** *K2tog; repeat from * around. — **6 sts**
*(Math check: 6 × k2tog = 6 ✓)*

Finish stuffing. Close 6 sts using tapestry needle method (see Special Techniques). Weave in end. Set aside.

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### PIECE 2: SNOUT / MUZZLE
*Worked in the round in CC1 (cream).*
*Makes 1.*

This piece forms a small flattened dome that is seamed onto the lower front of the head.

**Setup:** CO 6 sts onto 3 DPNs. Join to work in the round. PM.

**Rnd 1 (Increase):** Kfb in each st around. — **12 sts**
*(Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓)*

**Rnds 2–3 (Even):** Knit all sts. — **12 sts** (2 rounds worked)

**Rnd 4 (Decrease):** *K2tog; repeat from * around. — **6 sts**
*(Math check: 6 × k2tog = 6 ✓)*

Do **not** stuff this piece. Close 6 sts loosely — you want the piece to remain slightly open and flat rather than collapsing into a point. The cast-on edge will be the front face of the snout; the closed top will be sewn against the head. Weave in end, leaving the cast-on tail long for sewing. Set aside.

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### PIECE 3: BODY
*Worked in the round in MC (gray).*
*Makes 1.*

**Setup:** CO 6 sts onto 3 DPNs. Join to work in the round. PM.

**Rnd 1 (Increase):** Kfb in each st around. — **12 sts**
*(Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓)*

**Rnd 2 (Increase):** *K1, kfb; repeat from * around. — **18 sts**
*(Math check: 6 repeats = 18 ✓)*

**Rnds 3–5 (Even):** Knit all sts. — **18 sts** (3 rounds worked)

**Rnd 6 (Decrease):** *K1, k2tog; repeat from * around. — **12 sts**
*(Math check: 6 repeats × [1 k + 1 k2tog] = 12 ✓)*

Begin stuffing body firmly now.

**Rnd 7 (Decrease):** *K2tog; repeat from * around. — **6 sts**
*(Math check: 6 × k2tog = 6 ✓)*

Finish stuffing. Close 6 sts using tapestry needle method. Weave in end. Set aside.

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### PIECE 4: EARS
*Worked flat (back and forth) in garter stitch.*
*Makes 2.*

Wolf ears are pointed triangles worked from the base up to the tip, with a dark color tip to suggest the inner ear marking characteristic of wolves.

**Color sequence:**
- Rows 1–2: MC (gray)
- Row 3: CC2 (dark gray/charcoal)
- Row 4: CC2 (dark gray/charcoal)

**Setup:** Using MC, CO 7 sts onto 2 DPNs (using them as straight needles).

**Row 1 (RS):** K7. — **7 sts**

**Row 2 (WS):** K2tog, k3, k2tog. — **5 sts**
*(Math check: 1 + 3 + 1 = 5 ✓)*

*Switch to CC2.*

**Row 3:** K2tog, k1, k2tog. — **3 sts**
*(Math check: 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 ✓)*

**Row 4:** Sl1, k2tog, psso. — **1 st**
*(Math check: 3 sts → sl1, k2tog, psso = 1 ✓)*

Cut yarn, leaving a 4-inch (10 cm) tail. Draw tail through final stitch to fasten off.

> *Repeat for second ear. The cast-on edge is the base of the ear (the wide bottom that will be sewn to the head). The single remaining stitch at Row 4 is the pointed tip.*

Leave cast-on tails long (approximately 8 inches / 20 cm) on both ears for sewing to head.

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### PIECE 5: ARMS
*Worked in the round in MC (gray).*
*Makes 2.*

**Setup:** CO 6 sts onto 3 DPNs (2 sts per needle). Join to work in the round. PM.

**Rnds 1–5 (Even):** Knit all sts. — **6 sts** (5 rounds worked; approx. 0.625 inches / 1.6 cm)

**Rnd 6 (Decrease):** *K2tog; repeat from * around. — **3 sts**
*(Math check: 3 × k2tog = 3 ✓)*

Lightly stuff arm (it should be just firm enough to hold its tubular shape). Close 3 sts using tapestry needle method. Weave in end.

> *Repeat for second arm. Leave cast-on tails long for sewing.*

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### PIECE 6: TAIL
*Worked in the round in MC (gray), with optional CC1 (cream) tip.*
*Makes 1.*

Wolf Chan's tail is a small tapered tube, wider at the base and narrowing to a rounded tip.

**Setup:** CO 8 sts onto 4 DPNs (2 sts per needle). Join to work in the round. PM.

**Rnds 1–2 (Even):** Knit all sts. — **8 sts** (2 rounds worked)

**Rnd 3 (Decrease):** *K2, k2tog; repeat from * around. — **6 sts**
*(Math check: 2 repeats × [2 k + 1 k2tog] = 6 ✓)*

**Rnds 4–5 (Even):** Knit all sts. — **6 sts** (2 rounds worked)

*Optional: Switch to CC1 (cream) for the tail tip.*

**Rnd 6 (Decrease):** *K2tog; repeat from * around. — **3 sts**
*(Math check: 3 × k2tog = 3 ✓)*

Lightly stuff tail. Close 3 sts using tapestry needle method. Weave in end. Leave cast-on tail long for sewing.

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### PIECE 7: KEYCHAIN LOOP (I-CORD)
*Worked in MC (gray) as an i-cord.*

This loop is worked from live stitches picked up at the crown of the assembled head (after all seaming is complete — see Assembly section for exact timing).

**Setup:** Using 2 DPNs, pick up and knit 3 sts at the very crown (top center) of the head.

**I-cord Rounds 1–6:** *K3. Without turning, slide sts to the right end of the needle. Pull working yarn firmly across the back.* Repeat from * — **6 rounds total** (approx. 0.75 inches / 2 cm of i-cord)

**Finishing the loop:** Fold the i-cord down toward the head to create a small loop approximately 0.375 inches (1 cm) in diameter. Thread the 3 live sts onto a tapestry needle and sew them firmly to the crown of the head, catching several strands of yarn for security. Pass your working yarn back and forth through the join 2–3 times to reinforce. Weave in end.

Slip the keychain split ring through the i-cord loop before sewing it shut.

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## Face Embroidery

*Embroider the face **before** closing the head (after Rnd 7 — between the increase section and the decrease section, while you still have easy access to the front of the head).*

**Placement guide (approximate, on a 24-st head):**
- The **eyes** sit roughly 2 rounds below the center/widest part of the head, approximately 4–5 sts apart (centered on the face).
- The **nose** sits at the center of the snout piece, embroidered after the snout is seamed on.

### Eyes
Using black embroidery floss (or a length of black yarn separated to 2 plies), embroider two small oval or "w-shaped" eyes:

1. Bring needle up at eye position.
2. Work 2–3 straight stitches stacked on top of each other to create a small oval approximately 2 mm wide.
3. Optional: add one tiny straight stitch in white embroidery floss or white yarn at the top corner of each eye for a highlight (this gives the "kawaii" sparkle effect).

### Nose
After the snout piece is seamed to the head, embroider a small inverted-triangle nose at the top-center of the cream snout using black embroidery floss:
1. Work 3 straight stitches in a small upside-down triangle, approximately 3 mm wide.

### Mouth (optional)
Directly below the nose, embroider a small "w" or curved line in black to suggest an open, happy mouth — this gives Wolf Chan a cheerful kawaii expression.

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## Assembly

Assemble in the following order, using a tapestry needle and MC yarn unless otherwise noted.

**Step 1 — Attach Snout to Head**
Position the snout piece on the lower-center front of the head, approximately 2–3 rounds below the head's widest circumference. The cast-on edge of the snout should face forward (away from the head). Using the long tail left on the snout, sew around the cast-on edge, catching the head fabric at each stitch. Pull slightly to cup the snout against the head. Secure and weave in all ends.

**Step 2 — Embroider Face**
If you haven't already, embroider the eyes onto the head (see Face Embroidery above). Embroider the nose onto the snout piece. Add the mouth below the nose.

**Step 3 — Attach Ears to Head**
Fold each ear gently along its length (so the two sides of the triangle meet slightly) to give the ear dimension. Pin each ear to the top of the head, with the base sitting approximately 1–2 rounds down from the crown. Space them roughly 6–8 sts apart (about 1 inch / 2.5 cm apart at their bases). Using the cast-on tails, sew the base of each ear securely to the head, catching 3–4 strands of head fabric per stitch. The pointed tips should angle upward and slightly outward — characteristic wolf ears. Weave in all ends.

**Step 4 — Join Head to Body**
Position the head on top of the body, aligning the closed cast-on end of the body with the bottom of the head. The head should sit centered on the body, offset slightly toward the front. Using a length of MC yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, whipstitch around the join, catching 1 stitch from the head and 1 stitch from the body alternately. Work around the full circumference. Pull firmly to secure. Weave in ends.

**Step 5 — Attach Arms**
Position the two arms on either side of the body, with the cast-on (open) ends of the arms against the body. The tops of the arms should sit just at or slightly below the head-body join. Sew each arm to the side of the body using the cast-on tails, catching several strands of body fabric. Arms should be able to hang down naturally. Weave in ends.

**Step 6 — Attach Tail**
Position the tail at the lower back of the body (the back is the side of the body opposite the face). The wide (cast-on) end of the tail is sewn to the body. Angle the tail slightly upward and to one side for a natural, jaunty look. Sew securely using the cast-on tail. Weave in end.

**Step 7 — Add Keychain Loop**
At the crown of the assembled head, pick up 3 sts and work the i-cord loop as described in Piece 7. Before sewing the loop shut, slip the keychain split ring through the loop. Sew loop closed and reinforce. Weave in all ends.

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## Final Checklist

Before calling your Wolf Chan complete, verify:

- [ ] All yarn tails are woven in and clipped (check the inside of the head/body through the seam joint if any tails were left long)
- [ ] Face embroidery is secure — tug gently to confirm stitches won't pull out
- [ ] Ears are firmly attached — give each a gentle tug
- [ ] All seams are tight — no stuffing visible
- [ ] Keychain ring is securely captured inside the i-cord loop and the loop is sewn shut with reinforcing stitches
- [ ] The figure holds its shape and stands upright when placed on a flat surface

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## Tips for Success

> **For beginners new to DPNs:** When working only 6 stitches, the needles can feel slippery and awkward. Try placing a rubber band around the far end of each DPN not in use to stop stitches from sliding off while you work.

> **Keeping track of rounds:** Place a small locking stitch marker or a loop of contrasting yarn at the beginning of each round. Move it up as you work.

> **Firm is better:** If you can see the fiberfill through your knitting, your gauge is too loose. Switch to a needle one size smaller.

> **Seaming tiny pieces:** Use straight pins to position and hold all pieces before committing to sewing. A small dab of fiber-safe craft glue on the back of the ears (before sewing) can help hold them in position while you work.

> **Customize your Wolf Chan:** Try using self-striping yarn for a multicolored wolf, or add a tiny embroidered star or heart on the body for extra kawaii personality.

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## Schematic (Text Diagram)

```
         [ i-cord loop ]
               |
         /‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾\        ← Head (~1.25" diameter)
     /‾\ |   • •   | /‾\    ← Ears at top corners
     \_/ |  (___) | \_/     ← Eyes and snout
         \_________/
               |
         /‾‾‾‾‾‾‾\          ← Body (~1" diameter)
    [arm]|       |[arm]
         \_______/
              |
             ~~~             ← Tail at back
```

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*Pattern designed as an original work. For personal use and small-batch crafting. Please credit the designer if sharing finished objects online.*

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