The Best Knitted Toy Patterns for Beginners

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Looking for a curated list of the best knitted toy patterns for beginners? Check out these adorable designs with links for where to find them all.

It can be frustrating to find beautiful knitted toy patterns only to discover that they are for more advanced knitters.

Maybe you’ve been looking for beginner designs but don’t even know where to start.

Well today is your lucky day, friend, because I’ve been on the hunt for the very best knitted toy patterns for beginners and I believe I have found them for you.

Just a note of caution: Knitting Toys can become addictive. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, lol.

Best Knitted Toy Patterns for Beginners

Although this is a very full list, indeed, I am sure there are other great knitted toy patterns for beginners.

When looking for a pattern make sure that the designer has listed the pattern as suitable for beginner knitters. Another helpful sign is if the Etsy shop or Ravelry store has a lot of sales and good reviews.

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Those are both clues that the pattern you choose is of good quality. Not all patterns are written well and beginners can become frustrated when the directions aren’t clear.

This collection of patterns includes free and paid patterns.

Order of Difficulty

Here is a list of the patterns below in order of difficulty, from easiest to more difficult.

• One Square Stuffed Bunny (knit flat)
• This Little Piggy (knit flat)
• Bunny Softie (knit flat)
• Amigurumi Knit Monster (knit flat)
• Family Purr (in the round)
• Penelope the Empathetic Monster (in the round)

Flat vs In the Round

If you are brand new to knitting, I highly recommend only looking at patterns that are knit flat.

I have listed each pattern as either flat or in the round for easy access.

But if you’re already comfortable knitting in the round and despise dislike mattress seaming, there are two adorable patterns for you to check out too.

If you’re new to knitting in the round, check out this fantastic tutorial from Sheep & Stitch.

Bunny Softie – Knit Flat

When I started getting requests for beginner toy pattern recommendations over and over again, I knew it was time to investigate.

It didn’t take me long to find the Bunny Softie pattern from Handy Little Me. I immediately thought it was totally adorable and could see that it was simply constructed.

Find the FREE Bunny Softie Pattern here

All of the pieces are knit flat, which is what I recommend for complete beginners. There are two main rectangles for the body, two ears, arms and legs with simple decreases.

If you need to brush up on your knitting toy skills, check out my YouTube series: Knitting Toys 101

In my Knitting Toys 101 series, you will learn how to do the cable cast on, knit, purl, make common increases and decreases.

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Yarn

For this sweet little bunny I used Berroco Vintage in the colors:

• Buttercream
• Bird’s Egg

This yarn is my go-to for toy making. It is so soft, but strong enough to handle the stress of seaming. It comes in fifty-six beautiful shades.

Knitting Needles

For this pattern I used my tried and true addi Circular Turbo Rocket 3.0mm knitting needles. I have been using these needles for years and I know that I will continue using them for many years to come.

It’s important to find knitting needles that have pointier ends to be able to make the increases and decreases needed for toy-knitting.

Mattress Seaming

One of the trickiest parts of knitting toys is the seaming.

But don’t let that part be intimidating, because it’s not as hard as it seems at first glance.

Mattress seaming is definitely something that takes practice, but be patient with yourself and practice, practice, practice.

Here is a great tutorial from Very Pink Knits for learning how to do mattress seaming properly.

One Square Stuffed Bunny – Knit Flat

If you need the easiest knitted toy pattern on planet earth, this is it.

Made from a simple knitted square, this adorable little bunny will help you learn how to knit, while creating a sweet bunny rabbit.

Photos from the Gina Michele Blog

The photo tutorial for this pattern is excellent and will help you, especially if you are a total beginner.

Get the One Square Stuffed Bunny Pattern here

Iris the Gourmet Monster – In the Round

I wish that I had all the time in the world to knit all the toys. Irish the Gourmet Monster is definitely going on my list of toys to knit.

Iris is the most difficult pattern in this collection, but I included it for those who are ready to begin challenging themselves.

This wonderful advanced beginner (it could even be considered an intermediate pattern) knitted toy design by Danger Crafts is totally and completely adorable.

Please note that Iris is knit in the round, but if you’re ready to tackle the Magic Loop (or DPNs), this is the pattern for you.

Photos from the Danger Crafts Etsy Shop

You will also stretch your skills with learning to pick up stitches and knitting a heel.

This would be perfect for a confident knitter, who may be experienced with general knitting, but who is ready to learn how to make toys.

Check out the tutorial from Sheep & Stitch for how to knit with the Magic Loop

Knitting toys in the round is also great for those who like to do less mattress seaming.

Get the Iris the Gourmet Monster Pattern here

Amigurumi Knit Monster – Knit Flat

I don’t know what it is about monsters, but they are just so darn cute.

The Amigurumi Knit Monster from Amy Gaines is a toy that is knit flat.

What I love about this pattern, is that you will have some simple color changes with the striping, which is a good skill to learn.

Photos from the Amy Gaines Etsy Shop

You will also sew on little touches like an eye patch, horns and teeth.

This would be a fantastic pattern to learn some of those skills and improve your toy-knitting.

Get the Amigurumi Knit Monster Pattern here

This Little Piggy – Knit Flat

I absolutely adore little pink piggies and this one is perfect for beginners.

Photos from the Kookla Creations Etsy Shop

This Little Piggy is a knitted toy pattern from Kookla Creations and I am in love. From the button nose to the curly little tail, this pattern is knit flat on two needles.

You will also find other very beginner friendly (and totally cute) patterns from Kookla Creations like:

Photos from the Kookla Creations Etsy Shop

• Quick and Easy Cats
• Peter’s Pals

Photos from the Kookla Creations Etsy Shop

The Peter’s Pals pattern is a collection of interchangeable parts so you can knit twelve distinct animals. Absolutely adorable!

Family Purr – In the Round

Are you a crazy cat lady like myself? Well if you are, this might need to be your next project.

The adorable Family Purr pattern from Verily Knits is for those of you comfortable with double point needles (DPNs) or those of you ready to tackle knitting in the round.

This is a wonderfully simple pattern with “minimal finishing”. Purrfect for those who don’t like to do a lot of seaming.

Photos from the Verily Knits Ravelry Page

I love that there are three sizes and such cute little faces.

Get the Family Purr Pattern here

Knitted Toy Patterns for Beginners

I hope that you enjoyed this curated collection of patterns and that you found something you’re looking for.

Always remember that making mistakes is part of the learning process. Get comfortable with being a little uncomfortable and you will be an expert toy knitter in no time.

Happy Stitching!

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