Purl Critter
Our new friend is mischievous sort, always getting into our yarn and running off with our measuring tape. Make him red, brown, black, or white, and he can be a fox, bear, cat, or raccoon. Give him a smile and he’ll be a faithful friend.
Purl Critter is lovingly knit from top to toe and stands 12 inches tall, just like the Purl Rabbit. These boon companions compliment each other perfectly: fuzzy yarn and smooth cotton. Their funny ears and crooked smiles invite a laugh. We hope they stay out of trouble!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoPurlCritter. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 3 skeins of Blue Sky Alpacas 100% Sport Weight Alpaca; approximately 330 total yards of sport weight yarn required. We used Natural Streaky Brown for the body, Natural Dark Brown for the paws, and Natural Copper for the face.
- US 2 (3 mm) double-pointed needles
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and embroidering the face
- Cotton stuffing
NOTE: Click here for our free Purl Critter Pattern pdf!
Shop our wonderful collection of sport-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
Gauge
24 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Notes
Knitting on double-pointed needles can be tricky, so I tried to add extra notes and keep track of how the stitches are arranged on the needles. It’s easier than it looks, so don’t worry, just knit!
DOUBLE KNITTING is a technique for knitting in the round with straight, single-point needles. It’s easy and quite fun. This is how it works: Cast on an even number of stitches. Row 1: *K1, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to end of row. Turn work, and repeat. With each subsequent row, you are knitting the slipped stitches from the previous row, and slipping the knitted stitches. It’s a tongue twister, so just take our word for it and give it a try!
THREE-NEEDLE BIND OFF is a neat and tidy method for finishing stitches from two knitted pieces or something knit in the round.
By dividing the stitches onto two parallel needles, you can knit together one stitch from the front and one from the back needle; then bind them off normally as you go along.
Pattern
Legs
Cast on 6 stitches with Natural Dark Brown (or the color you have chosen for the paws) on double-pointed needles. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1: *K1, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to end of row. Turn work, and repeat. With each subsequent row, you are knitting the slipped stitches from the previous row, and slipping the knitted stitches.
Continue double knitting for a total of 6 rows.
Switch to Natural Streaky Brown (or the body color), continue double knitting for a further 6 rows.
SEPARATE THE STITCHES
Holding your active needle with your left hand and two spare needles parallel in your left hand, slip the first stitch onto the back needle. Slip the second stitch onto the front needle. Continue like this with the remaining stitches. You will have three stitches on the front needle and three stitches on the back needle. Arrange the stitches evenly on three needles. Well done!
Increase Round 1: K1, Kfb, K2, Kfb, K1. 8 sts.
Knit 6 rounds.
Increase Round 2: K1, Kfb, K3, Kfb, K2. 10 sts.
Knit until leg measures 5 1/2 inches. Stuff, set aside and make second leg just the same.
BODY
JOINING ROUND
Knit across 5 stitches of the first leg on the first dpn. Turn needle and cable cast on 7 stitches. Turn the needle again and knit across first 5 stitches from the second leg (17 stitches on first dpn). With the second dpn, knit remaining 5 stitches from the second leg, turn and cable cast on 7 stitches, turn again, then knit across 5 remaining stitches from the first leg (17 stitches on first dpn).
REDISTRIBUTE STITCHES
Arrange your stitches on four needles: 10 on the front needle, 7 on a side needle, 10 on the back needle, and 7 on a second side needle. 34 stitches total. The yarn is coming from the leftmost stitch on the front needle.
Rounds 2 – 7: Knit, beginning each round at the front needle.
BELLY
Round 8: K28, make 1 right (m1r), place marker, knit to end. [35 stitches]
Round 9: Knit to the marker, m1r, slip marker, K2, make 1 left (m1l), K4. [2 stitches increased]
Repeat Round 9 two times more until there are 41 stitches total.
Knit 20 rounds even.
SEPARATE FRONT AND BACK BODY
Arrange the stitches on 2 needles so that you have 21 stitches on the back needle and 20 stitches on the front needle. The yarn is coming from the first stitch on the front needle.
KNIT FRONT
Row 1: Slip first stitch, K to end.
Row 2: Slip first stitch, P to last stitch, K1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three times, 8 rows total.
Leave front stitches on a spare needle or a stitch holder.
KNIT BACK
Row 1: Slip first stitch, K to end.
Row 2: Slip first stitch, P to last stitch, K1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three times, 8 rows total.
SHOULDERS
Turn work so that the back body is facing you. (The back is the side without any increases.) The yarn is coming from the needle closest to you. K2tog and slip it back onto the needle.
Work three-needle bind-off for 5 sts, K to end of the needle closest to you.
Turn work so front body is closer you. (The front is the side with belly increases.)
Work three-needle bind-off for 5 sts, K to end on needle closest to you.
You now have 10 sts on each needle.
HEAD
Arrange the stitches on three needles: 10 on the front needle, 5 each on the two back needles. The yarn is coming from the last stitch on the front needle.
You will now be knitting in rounds once again.
Round 1: K2tog, K7, K2tog, K9. 18 sts.
Rounds 2 and 3: Knit.
Round 4: K12, m1, K1, m1, K1, m1, K4. 21 sts.
Round 5: Knit.
Round 6: K1, m1,K7, m1, K6, m1, place marker, K1, m1, k6. 25 sts.
You now have 15 stitches on the front needle and 5 stitches on each of the back needles.
Round 7: K to 1 st before marker, m1, Kfb, slip marker, K1, Kfb, m1, K6. 29 sts.
Round 8: Knit to 1 st before marker, Kfb, slip marker, K1, Kfb, K8. 31 sts.
Round 9: K10 across back needles. K10 sts from front needle. K remaining sts onto fourth needle.
Rounds 10 – 12: Knit.
Round 13: K19, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K9. 29 sts.
Round 14: K18, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K8. 27 sts.
Round 15: K17, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K7. 25 sts.
Rounds 17 – 20: Knit.
Round 21: K11, K2tog, *K1, K2tog, repeat from * to end.
Turn work so that the back is facing youand the yarn is at the first stitch on the far needle.
Three-needle bind-off all remaining stitches. Weave in ends.
Fill the head with stuffing.
EARS
Pick up 6 stitches along the crown of the head.
Row 1: Slip 1, K to end.
Row 2: Slip 1, P4, K1.
Row 3: Slip 1, K2tog, K2tog, K1.
Row 4: P2tog, P2tog.
Row 5: K2tog.
Pull yarn through last stitch and weave in ends. Repeat for second ear.
ARMS
Pick up 16 sts along the outside of the armhole, 8 from the front and 8 from the back. Work in stockinette stitch (purl one row, knit one row) for 30 rows, beginning with a purl row.
Change to Natural Dark Brown (or paw color).
Row 31: K2tog, K12, K2tog.
Row 32: Purl.
Repeat Rows 31 and 32 one time.
Repeat Row 31 one more time.
Row 33: Purl.
Row 34: Knit.
Row 35: P2tog to end.
Row 36: K2tog to end.
Bind off remaining stitches.
Finish
STUFFING THE BODY
The legs and head have already been stuffed. Sew up arm, stuffing it as you go. Fill the body with stuffing. Sew up the bottom seam and weave in the ends.
EMBROIDER THE FACE
Thread the yarn needle with a half-yard of Natural Copper (or whichever yarn you choose) and embroider the ridge of the nose, the eyes, and the inner ears. Don’t forget the wily smile!
Hey, this kid needs some clothes! Purl Critter and Purl Rabbit are the same size, so they can share shirts, pants, sweaters, and dresses. The Arctic Fox Vest is the perfect winter accessory.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
If the bear is made with #2 needles, approx how tall is he?
Stine, he is about 12 or 14 inches tall
thank you, I’ve got him finished up to his chest so far. can’t wait til he is finished and I’ve made him some clothes and a sweater (just for me, cause he is cute)
This is so cute! Im a little confused by Round 9 (10 and 11) of the body, tho……It says to: Knit to two sts before marker, K5, m1, slip marker, K1, m1, K5. Is there a typo here? Thanks!
Hi Sarah,
You have found one the Purl Bee’s earliest patterns! Indeed, the Belly section was a little wonky, so I have updated it to our current standards!
Thank you so much for pointing out the problem, and I hope you’re able to complete the rest of your Critter without a hitch!
Whitney
Hello! This pattern may be a bit ambitious for me (as I am fairly new to knitting in general) so please excuse the simple question!
I’ve done the first step (the foot) and have only run into an issue when it comes to separating the stitches for the legs.
I slipped stitches onto the 2 other needles, alternating from back needle to front needle etc. okay. I think my problem is dividing them evenly, and choosing which stitches go on the 3rd needle.
Is it the farthest left stitch on both the back and front needles?
I’m guessing this is where I mess up considering the leg wasn’t exactly forming (more like twisting) from that step onwards
Sorry if this is an extremely simple question.
Your tutorials are amazing and greatly appreciated. !
Hi Meredith!
If you have gotten this far, you are doing wonderfully! You should have 6 stitches at this point, 3 on the front and 3 on the back. I would slip the first 2 stitches to one needle (the next two that would have been knit coming after the one that is attached to the working yarn). Then, I would slip the next 2 following stitches to a 2nd needle, and slip the last 2 stitches to a third needle. This way, you will keep your beginning of round intact (where the working yarn currently is). Next, you’ll take a 4th needle and begin working in the round.
I hope this helps!
Thomas
I just noticed this reply! Thank you so much…I actually (somehow) managed to figure it out before checking for a reply, so I’ve continued on!
Only just now, I’ve posted a second question regarding an issue I’m having later on in the pattern…I will look for a reply soon 🙂
Hello! I think I’ve hit a wall about half way through on this one…
I’ve gotten to the part where I’m distributing the 20/21 stitches on two needles.
Its just what comes next that keeps throwing me off.
I assumed I was working the rows back and forth, but then realized I’d have to join at some point in order to do the same for the “back”. Also, having a knit row and then purl row (?) is definitely changing the look of the body.
Sorry if this is a silly question! I may just be looking at it wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Hello again!
You’re still doing wonderfully! The front and the back are knit separately. You’ll knit back-and-forth for a few rows for the front, then you’ll join a new ball of yarn and knit for a few rows on the back. You should still get stockinette stitch when working alternating knit and purl rows on this back-and-forth section; the objective is for it to have at least a similar gauge to your knit-in-the-round stockinette stitch.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
Love this project, so cute! Do you happen to have a video tutorial to this pattern because I’m not good with understanding patterns. Thanks 🙂
Hi Brigit-
We don’t have a video tutorial for this but if you have any specific questions about this patter we would be happy to help!
Best-
Molly
Love this pattern but I am confused as to how to begin. When you cast on the 6 stitches to begin the legs, are you casting onto one double-pointed needle and working Row 1 on that one needle? When you complete the first 6 rows and continue double knitting for a further 6 rows, are these additional rows on the same needle again? It’s not making sense to me. I can follow the K1, slip 1 wyif but I’m not understanding how the knitting gets divided so I am knitting two feet and two legs? Thanks for your help!
Hello Katie!
So glad you like this fun critter! The double knitting technique is used here to be able to knit a very small tube all on one needle. The work until you divide the stitches will be done all on just one needle. By slipping the stitches and following that row pattern you are essentially making two separate layers of knitting. Once you divide the stitches, the layers will separate and become a tube. At this point, you will work the stitches on two needles with a third to knit with.
We hope this answers your questions! If you are still having trouble, never hesitate to write directly at [email protected]. Happy Knitting!
Alyson
I’m almost done with this critter, but I’m having some confusion on the arms. Are they knit as two separate pieces, or are they knit in the round. I’m not understanding why you would need to sew it up if it is knit in the round.
Hello, Megan!
Thank you so much for writing in! The arms are essentially knit flat and then you stitch them up in the end. Does that make sense? Please let us know if you have further questions.
Best,
Kumeko
Is Round 13 (Head) supposed to be 29 stitches?
Round 13: K19, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K9. 29 sts.
I think these are still 31sts. I will knit
K18, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K8 in order to make 29 sts.
Please let me know if there’s any mistake.
Always love your designs!
Thank you!!
Hi Jihye,
So sorry for the late reply! We were trying to figure this out. Yes, you are correct. We will change the pattern right away. Thanks for catching this and again, so sorry!
Best,
Adam
Hi there, I LOVE this super funky critter! Unfortunately I’m a bit of a beginner knitter and may have embarked on a project that’s too tricky. I’ve completed the two separate legs, and am up to the ‘Joining Round’ part. Could you please explain, how to arrange the stitches on the various dpn’s before ‘knitting 5 across’ etc? I’ve never had to pick up bits of knitting to join them together before. And any other helpful hints.. I’ll be able to google the cable cast on and hopefully figure out what turn the needle means (180 degrees?).
Thanks! Really looking forward to the eventual creation of this little guy, I’m knitting it while pregnant with my first baby 🙂
Hi Terese,
Thanks for writing in! You shouldn’t have to rearrange your stitches before beginning this step, you will simply knit across the indicated number of stitches for each leg in the same order as if you were knitting them normally. To turn the needle, you will simply switch hands as if you were about to start a new row, then follow our tutorial for a Cable Cast On. Although there are a lot of steps in this part of the instructions, I’m sure you will do great!
Congratulations and best of luck!
Julianna
Hi. I made this critter and rabbit a while ago and now have to make replacements for the kiddos. The links to the clothing patterns are all broken. Could you please update them ?
Thanks!
Hi Pam,
Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention, and I apologize that our links weren’t working! All of the links have now been fixed so you can clothe your critter!
Best,
Julianna