Stilton Toy Knitting Pattern

Stilton Toy Knitting Pattern by Berroco

Project Overview

The Stilton is an easy-level knitted toy designed as a stuffed animal project. This downloadable PDF pattern from Berroco creates a finished toy measuring approximately 18 inches around the lower body after stuffing and 17 inches high including the ears, making it a substantial handmade companion piece suitable for gift-giving or personal collection.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a three-dimensional stuffed toy constructed through knitting. The design features distinct ears as separate components, with a body that requires stuffing to achieve its final dimensional form. The toy is worked in multiple pieces that are subsequently assembled.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Stilton pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate beginners:

• Stockinette stitch (St st) – the primary fabric construction method for the main body
• Garter stitch – used for the ear components to create texture and structure
• Increases (M1k) – make one knit increases worked on right-side rows to shape the ears from their cast-on edge
• Decreases (k2 tog and SSK) – knit two together and slip-slip-knit decreases to taper the ears toward completion
• Circular knitting with double-pointed needles (dpn) – for constructing the body in the round, which eliminates seaming on the main piece

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern utilizes stockinette stitch as the dominant stitch, created by alternating knit and purl rows when working flat, or knitting every round when working circularly. This smooth, classic fabric provides an ideal surface for a toy. Garter stitch, formed by knitting every row, creates the textured ear pieces. The pattern incorporates strategic increases and decreases to shape components, with increases occurring every fourth row during the ear expansion phase and decreases following the same interval during the shaping-down phase.

Materials and Yarn

This pattern calls for Berroco Comfort yarn, a practical choice for toy projects due to its durability and washability. The color palette includes:

• 1 ball Berroco Comfort (100 grams) in #9720 Hummus – the main color (MC) for the primary body
• 1 ball Berroco Comfort (100 grams) in #9710 Ballet Pink – a contrasting accent color (A)
• Small amount Berroco Comfort DK (50 grams) in #2734 Liquorice – a lightweight yarn in black for fine details (B)

Needles, Tools, and Notions

The pattern requires a dual-needle approach to accommodate different stitch techniques:

• One set of four double-pointed knitting needles (dpn) in size 8 (5.00 mm) – used for circular knitting the body in stockinette stitch
• Straight knitting needles in size 3 (3.25 mm) – used for the flat ear components worked in garter stitch
• Two stitch markers in different colors – to track pattern repeats and round beginnings when working circularly
• Tapestry needle – for weaving in yarn ends and seaming pieces together
• Polyester stuffing – to fill the completed toy and achieve its three-dimensional form

Gauge and Construction Notes

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 27 rounds equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch using the main color on the larger (size 8) needles. Berroco emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning, as individual tension variations can significantly affect the finished toy's dimensions. The pattern is designed to be worked in sections: the ears are constructed first using the smaller straight needles, then the body is worked circularly on double-pointed needles, with all pieces assembled and stuffed to create the final toy.