Deramores Smokey the Cat and Bruno the Pug Knitting Pattern

Deramores Smokey the Cat and Bruno the Pug Knitted Toys

What Is Being Made

This intermediate knitting pattern creates two adorable stuffed toy animals: Smokey the Cat and Bruno the Pug. Each finished toy stands 18cm tall and is designed to be a cuddly, huggable companion. These toys can be made as decorative pieces, children's toys, or even functional doorstops or bookends when weighted with additional materials inside the body.

Knitting Techniques Used

The pattern employs in-the-round knitting as the primary construction method, meaning all pieces are worked circularly rather than flat. This technique creates seamless or nearly seamless tubes that form the body, head, limbs, and other components of each animal. The pattern utilizes the magic loop method or double-pointed needles (DPNs) for working small circumferences in the round, which is essential for creating the compact, three-dimensional shapes of these toys.

Additional techniques include the long tail cast on for starting stitches, the pull through cast off method for securing final stitches with a gathered finish, and mattress stitch seaming to join knitted pieces together invisibly. The pattern also incorporates stitch marking using waste yarn to guide placement of safety eyes and other details.

Stitches Used

The pattern is constructed primarily using stockinette stitch, the fundamental stitch that creates the smooth, flat fabric visible on the toy surfaces. This stitch is achieved by alternating knit and purl rows (or knit rounds when working in the round), producing the classic V-pattern texture. The stockinette stitch base provides an ideal foundation for the toy's shape and allows for even tension and consistent fabric quality throughout the project.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern calls for Deramores Studio DK yarn, a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating toys with good stitch definition and durability. Four yarn colors are required:

• Ebony (Yarn A): 1 x 100g skein
• Pearl (Yarn B): 1 x 100g skein
• Oatmeal (Yarn C): 1 x 100g skein
• Chocolate (Yarn D): 1 x 100g skein

These four colors allow for realistic color blocking to differentiate features between the two animals and create natural-looking markings and details.

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires 3.5mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles for working the magic loop technique. The recommended tension is 22 stitches and 28 rows per 10cm x 10cm square in stockinette stitch on 3.5mm needles, which is essential to achieve the correct finished size of 18cm tall toys.

Essential notions include:

• 250g of toy stuffing to fill and shape each completed animal
• A darning or tapestry needle for sewing pieces together and weaving in yarn ends
• Two 15mm green cat toy safety eyes for Smokey the Cat
• Two 15mm black toy safety eyes for Bruno the Pug
• A stitch marker to track the beginning of rounds
• One metre of pink DK yarn for embroidering the cat's nose details
• 60cm length of 10mm wide ribbon for each animal to create a decorative neck tie

Optional Enhancements

To transform these toys into functional doorstops or bookends, crafters can add weight inside the body before sealing. Suitable weighting materials include cat litter or washed gravel sealed in a plastic bag, or traditional kitchen weights, providing stability and practical use beyond decoration.

Designer Information

This pattern was created by Amanda Berry, a knitting designer based in Berkshire, England. Berry graduated from London College of Fashion with First Class Honours in 2014 and has built a full-time career around her passion for knitting. Her toy designs have been featured in magazines and created for charitable organizations. The pattern is published by De