Deramores Safari Animals Toy Knitting Pattern

Deramores Safari Animals: Andy the Alligator Knitting Pattern

What is Being Made

Andy the Alligator is a beginner-friendly knitted toy from the Deramores Safari Animals collection. This stuffed animal measures 36cm (14¼in) tall when completed and is designed as a soft, huggable plush toy suitable for children. The alligator features a distinctive body shape with a long tail, textured toes, a detailed head with facial features, and characteristic alligator proportions.

Knitting Techniques Used

This project employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginner crafters. The pattern uses cast-on and cast-off methods to create the foundation and secure finished edges. Stitch holders are used to temporarily hold active stitches while working on different sections of the toy. The construction involves seaming pieces together, with specific attention to joining side edges from nose to tail along the centre underside of the body. The pattern also incorporates gathering techniques, where cast-on stitches are collected and pulled tight to create the tail closure. Additional finishing work includes running stitch embroidery for attaching eyeballs and creating defined features.

Stitches Used

The pattern relies on basic knitting stitches that make it accessible to beginners. Knit stitch (K) and purl stitch (P) form the foundation of the fabric construction. Knit two together (K2tog) is used for decreasing stitches, particularly visible in the nostril sections where four decreases are worked in a single row to shape these small details. The combination of knit and purl rows creates textured fabric sections throughout the toy.

Materials Required

The yarn specified is Deramores Studio DK, a double knitting weight yarn. The colour palette includes Fir (one 100g ball, colour 70012) as the primary colour for the body, head, and most features, and Frost (one ball, colour 70001) for small accent details like the eyes, requiring only a minimal amount. Knitting needles are 3.5mm (UK 10-9 / US4) size. Additional materials include toy filling for stuffing, white felt fabric for eye details, two 6mm (¼in) black buttons for eye pupils, a sewing needle with thread for assembly and embellishment, a yarn needle for weaving in ends and sewing pieces together, and scissors for cutting yarn and felt.

Construction Details

The alligator is constructed in distinct sections that are assembled together. The body is created as a main piece, with the cast-off edge forming the tip of the nose. Four-stitch sections are worked separately to create the three toes, each made by placing held stitches back onto the needle and working additional rows before casting off. The tail is closed by gathering cast-on stitches and the entire toy is stuffed through the cast-off end at the mouth opening. A horizontal seam closes the front of the head after stuffing. The neckline is emphasized by tying a 45cm (17¾in) length of Fir yarn firmly around the neck at row 71, creating definition between the head and body. The nostrils are small knitted pieces made separately using eight cast-on stitches with decreases, then attached to the face. Eyeballs are created by gathering edges with running stitch, adding small amounts of stuffing, and securing black button pupils on white felt pieces.