Knitted toys are some of the most loved handmade gifts. A soft bunny or a silly monster gets carried everywhere, and small toys use very little yarn, so they are perfect for stash leftovers. Many are knit flat and sewn together, which means you do not need advanced skills to start.
Here are 12 free knitted toys patterns, from a super bulky kitty you can make in a weekend to tiny dolls and quirky creatures. For each one we list the yarn, needle size and skill notes from the designer’s page.
Knitted Toys Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Double-pointed needles in a few sizes
- Safety eyes (or embroidery floss for babies)
- DK and super bulky yarn in bright colors
- Tapestry needles with a bent tip
- Locking stitch markers
- Small sharp scissors
1. Cuddle Kitty
Photo: Marie Segares / Underground Crafter
A rag doll-style cat knit flat in pieces with super bulky yarn, so it grows quickly. The pieces use simple increases and decreases, and the designer links tutorials for each step, which makes it friendly for your first stuffed toy. It finishes at about 9″ wide and 6.5″ tall, a nice size for small hands.
- Designer: Marie Segares / Underground Crafter
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6), Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
- Needle size: US 10.5 (6.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Finnegan the Fox
Photo: Jessica / Mama In A Stitch
This chunky fox is knit flat in one panel and seamed, with a cream face, i-cord arms and an optional little sweater and scarf. The designer calls it totally beginner friendly, and the bulky yarn means you can finish it quickly. It is about 5″ by 10″, just right for a gift basket.
- Designer: Jessica / Mama In A Stitch
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6), plus worsted for the nose
- Needle size: US 10.5 (6 mm)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Little Baby Bunny
Photo: Justyna Kacprzak
A tiny seamless bunny, about 3.5″ tall, worked in the round with magic loop. Because there is almost no sewing, it is a great pick if you dislike seaming. The designer suggests it as a quick knit before Easter, and it fits easily into a basket or stocking.
- Designer: Justyna Kacprzak
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Teddy Bear Stripes
Photo: Frankie Brown
A classic teddy bear about 30 cm tall in DK, which you can knit plain or in bright stripes. The pattern includes tips for handling several colors and for sewing neat seams, so your bear looks tidy. Change the yarn weight and the bear changes size, which makes it easy to knit a whole family.
- Designer: Frankie Brown
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: US 3 (3.25 mm)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Magical Besties Witch Dolls
Photo: Louise Bollanos / Handy Little Me
Two small witch dolls about 6″ tall: a cheerful pink witch with a sparkly tiara and a mysterious green witch in a pointy hat and cloak. The designer says the pattern suits knitters of all levels. They make a sweet pair for a child who loves stories, or a fun Halloween gift.
- Designer: Louise Bollanos / Handy Little Me
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Tiny Topsy the Tooth Fairy
Photo: Wendy Phillips
Flip this little doll upside down and you find a second side, so it is two toys in one. She was designed as a tooth fairy for a little girl, and the designer describes her as very easy to make. She is knit flat with stripes and a bit of color, then seamed.
- Designer: Wendy Phillips
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: US 3 (3.25 mm)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Petunia the Zipper Monster
Photo: Stana D. Sortor
Kids love unzipping this monster’s mouth to hide tiny treasures inside. Petunia is about 10″ tall, knit in the round from the bottom up, with separate arms and an inner mouth sewn in. You will need a 7″ zipper. It is a playful project if you are ready to try something a little different.
- Designer: Stana D. Sortor
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: US 5 (3.75 mm)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Little Comfort Dolls
Photo: Marianna / Marianna’s Lazy Daisy Days
These tiny 3″ dolls are knit from the feet up, changing colors for shoes, body and hat. They are based on comfort dolls made for children in need, and many knitters make them in batches for charity. They use only scraps of DK yarn and are a lovely way to use leftovers.
- Designer: Marianna / Marianna’s Lazy Daisy Days
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 3.25 mm or 3.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Puppy Love Puffball
Photo: Amanda Saladin / love. life. yarn.
A fluffy 7″ puppy knit flat in fur yarn on big needles, then seamed and stuffed. The ears are made by looping yarn through the body, and gauge is not important, so it is very forgiving. The original fur yarn is discontinued, but the designer points you to substitutes so you can still make it.
- Designer: Amanda Saladin / love. life. yarn.
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fur yarn (original: Red Heart Boutique Fur)
- Needle size: US 17
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Sweet Mini Elephant
Photo: Lion Brand Yarn
A small elephant about 5″ tall, made as a gift for children. Lion Brand offers it as a free download from their pattern library. It is rated as a more advanced pattern, so save it for when you feel comfortable with shaping and small pieces. The finished toy is a sweet nursery shelf decoration too.
- Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
- Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Yarn: see pattern
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Bob
Photo: Anna Hrachovec / Mochimochi Land
Bob is a funny little 6″ creature with a snout, knit in the round on double-pointed needles. The designer calls him free and easy, and you can use almost any yarn you have. The page even suggests knitting two so they can do a secret handshake. It is a quick, quirky knit for kids or grownups.
- Designer: Anna Hrachovec / Mochimochi Land
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Almost any yarn (designer used a nylon novelty yarn)
- Needle size: US 7 (4.5 mm) DPNs
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Zozo
Photo: Pauline Wickens / Knitty
Zozo is a 7″ alien-like toy with four legs, two arms, antennae and a tail, all made with i-cord. The body and head are knit in the round and the face is embroidered. It uses less than one skein, so it is a fun stash project for a knitter who enjoys small details.
- Designer: Pauline Wickens / Knitty
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Superwash (less than 1 skein)
- Needle size: US 4 (3.5 mm) DPNs
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First stuffed toy ever? Start with #2 Finnegan the Fox or #1 Cuddle Kitty. Both are chunky and knit flat.
- Hate sewing pieces together? Try #3 Little Baby Bunny, which is almost seamless.
- Gift for a toddler? #4 Teddy Bear Stripes is a classic, and you can embroider the eyes for safety.
- Knitting for charity? #8 Little Comfort Dolls are tiny and quick to make in batches.
- Want something silly? #7 Petunia or #11 Bob will make kids laugh.
FAQ
Are knitted toys safe for babies?
They can be, if you plan for it. Skip safety eyes and buttons for babies under three and embroider the face with yarn instead. Use tight stitches so stuffing cannot poke out, sew every seam firmly, and check the toy often for loose parts.
What yarn is best for knitted toys?
Acrylic and cotton are washable, durable and cheap, which makes them great for toys that get played with. DK gives fine detail, while super bulky makes big cuddly toys quickly. Use a smaller needle than the label suggests so the fabric is tight.
How do I keep stuffing from showing through?
Knit tighter. Go down one or two needle sizes from the yarn label so the stitches close up. Stuff firmly but not so hard that the fabric stretches open. Choosing a stuffing color close to your yarn also helps hide any small gaps.
Pick a toy, gather a few colors from your stash, and you will have a handmade friend ready to give away in no time.
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