Introduction
Meet the Little Pastel Fox: a cozy, softly-stuffed knit doll with a pumpkin-orange head, creamy dress, mustard cardigan, oat-beige shoes, and a tiny crossbody bag with a wooden button. The look is deliberately simple and modern: rounded head with tall pointed ears, a cream muzzle panel, small black eyes, a triangular black nose, short arms peeking from rolled cuffs, and ankle socks that peek above chunky Mary-Jane-style shoes. All stitches are visibly chunky and even—more “plush toy” than “miniature”—so the project knits up quickly and blocks beautifully.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Finished Size & Proportions (from the sample)
- Height: ~10–10.5 in (25–27 cm) standing.
- Head: ~3.6 in (9–9.5 cm) tall (without ears), slightly wider than the torso.
- Ears: ~2.4 in (6 cm) tall; inner ear cream, outer ear orange; sewn on with a slight forward tilt (~10–15°).
- Body/Dress: A-line cream dress with a subtle garter hem; dress hem sits mid-calf.
- Arms: Short, ending level with the dress waist; orange paws visible at cuffs.
- Legs/Feet: Visible orange “socks” above oat-beige shoes; shoes are rounded with a strap ridge suggestion.
- Accessories: Mustard cardigan, two small natural buttons; oat-beige crossbody bag with one small button. The strap crosses from the right shoulder to left hip.
Yarn & Color Palette
- Main (fox): Pumpkin/fox orange.
- Muzzle/Body/Dress: Natural cream.
- Cardigan: Mustard yellow.
- Shoes & Bag: Oat/stone beige.
- Details: Small amount of black for nose and mouth; optional black safety eyes.
Bulky/#5 yarns with a soft, lofty hand (wool or wool-blend) give the same thick stitch definition you see in the photo.
Needles, Notions & Gauge
- Needles:
- US 7 (4.5 mm) and US 8 (5.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or 32–40″ circular for magic loop.
- US 8 (5.0 mm) straight or circular for the cardigan.
- Gauge (in stockinette, lightly stretched for toys): ~16 sts × 22 rows = 4″ (10 cm). Work with a smaller needle than the yarn band suggests so stuffing won’t show.
- Notions:
- 8 mm black safety eyes (2) or black embroidery.
- 3 small wooden buttons (2 for cardigan, 1 for bag).
- Tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn, fiberfill.
- A small triangle of black wool felt (optional) for the nose.
Abbreviations (US)
k = knit • p = purl • st(s) = stitch(es) • rnd(s) = round(s) • rep = repeat • pm = place marker • sm = slip marker • inc = kfb (knit front & back) • dec = k2tog (knit 2 together) • skp = slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped st over • ktbl = knit through back loop • BO = bind off • CO = cast on • RS/WS = right/wrong side • i-cord = knit cord technique
Construction Overview
The doll is mostly seamless: the dress-body works bottom-up in the round in cream; at the neck you change to orange and continue straight into the head. Ears, arms, legs/shoes, cardigan, and bag are made separately and sewn on. This order mirrors the photo and ensures exact proportions.
Helpful Notes
- Stuff firmly but smoothly. The head should be fully rounded; the neck remains neat by tightening the first orange rnd after the color change.
- Keep color joins at the back center.
- For crisp ears, seam with the ear tips slightly forward.
- The cardigan is intentionally boxy and hip-length with a mini roll at cuffs; two button placement is centered down the right front.
The Dress-Body (cream)
Using cream and US 8 in the round.
- Garter Hem
CO 56 sts. Join without twisting; pm for beg of rnd.
Rnds 1–4: k all (edge rolls backward slightly).
Rnd 5: p all (creates a crisp ridge as in the photo).
Rnds 6–8: k all. - A-Line Skirt
Rnd 9 (dec rnd): (k6, k2tog) rep to end — 49 sts.
Rnds 10–14: k all.
Rnd 15 (dec): (k5, k2tog) rep — 42 sts.
Rnds 16–20: k all.
Rnd 21 (shape to waist, subtle): (k4, k2tog) rep — 35 sts.
Rnds 22–26: k all. - Bodice to Neck
Rnd 27: (k4, inc 1 using kfb) rep to last 3 sts, k3 — 42 sts.
Rnds 28–34: k all.
Rnd 35: (k6, inc 1) rep — 48 sts (gentle torso fullness).
Rnds 36–40: k all.
Rnd 41 (neck dec): (k4, k2tog) rep — 40 sts.
Rnd 42: k all.
Color change to orange tightly on the next rnd.
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Head (orange)
- Neck Stabilize
Rnd 43 (orange): k all, snug the first 4–5 sts to prevent gaps — 40 sts. - Head Increases
Rnd 44: (k4, inc 1) rep — 48 sts.
Rnd 46: (k5, inc 1) rep — 56 sts.
Rnds 47–58: k all (about 1.75″ tall). - Eye Placement Guide
After Rnd 53, insert safety eyes 7–8 sts apart, centered horizontally, 5–6 rnds above the orange/cream line. - Head Decreases
Rnd 59: (k5, k2tog) rep — 48 sts.
Rnd 61: (k4, k2tog) rep — 40 sts.
Rnd 63: (k3, k2tog) rep — 32 sts. Begin stuffing.
Rnd 65: (k2, k2tog) rep — 24 sts.
Rnd 67: (k1, k2tog) rep — 16 sts. Add more stuffing.
Rnd 69: (k2tog) rep — 8 sts.
Cut yarn long; thread through remaining sts; pull tight and secure. - Muzzle (cream)
Worked flat; sew on as an oval panel to match the photo’s soft cream lower face.
CO 10 sts, knit in stockinette for 6 rows, inc at both edges (kfb at first and last st) on Rows 7 & 9; knit Rows 8 & 10 — 14 sts.
Row 11–12: knit.
Dec Rows 13 & 15: skp, k to 2 sts before end, k2tog; Row 14 & 16 knit — 10 sts.
BO, leaving a long tail. Lightly stuff under the panel as you sew to the lower half of the face. Embroider a small triangle nose in black centered at top edge of the panel and a short smile curve beneath.
Ears (make 2)
Outer (orange) & Inner (cream) are knit as one, then folded for thickness.
Worked flat on US 7.
- With orange, CO 8 sts.
- Row 1 (WS): purl.
- Row 2: k1, inc, k to last 2, inc, k1 — 10 sts.
- Row 3: purl.
- Rep Rows 2–3 twice more — 14 sts.
- Switch to cream for the inner triangle. Knit 2 rows.
- Decrease Shaping:
Next RS: k1, skp, k to last 3, k2tog, k1 — 12 sts.
WS purl.
Rep the last 2 rows twice — 8 sts. - BO leaving a long tail. Fold the ear vertically so cream faces front; seam the lower 0.6–0.8″ to form a base. Sew to head with a slight forward tilt; the inner cream should be visible as in the photo.
Arms (make 2)
Work in the round on US 7 for firmness.
- With orange, CO 8 sts, join.
- Rnds 1–4: k all (paw).
- Rnd 5: (k1, inc) rep — 12 sts.
- Rnds 6–8: k all.
Switch to mustard (sleeve). - Rnds 9–20: k all (about 2.2″ sleeve).
- Rnd 21: (k2, k2tog) rep — 9 sts.
- Cut yarn, thread through sts, cinch. Leave a long tail for sewing. Lightly stuff only the paw; keep sleeve unstuffed for drape. Roll the cuff once outward when sewing on.
Legs & Socks (make 2)
Work in the round on US 7.
- With orange (sock), CO 10 sts, join.
- Rnds 1–8: k all (short sock section visible above shoes).
- BO leaving a tail for joining to shoes later. Lightly stuff just a bit.
Shoes (make 2)
Oat/stone beige, worked in the round from sole up on US 7.
- CO 8 sts; knit flat for the first 2 rows to form a little oval:
Row 1 (RS): kfb, k to last st, kfb — 10 sts.
Row 2: purl. - Join in the round.
Rnd 1: (k1, inc) rep — 15 sts.
Rnds 2–4: k all.
Rnd 5 (toe shaping): k5, (k2tog) twice, k6 — 13 sts.
Rnds 6–8: k all.
Rnd 9 (strap ridge suggestion): p all.
Rnds 10–12: k all.
BO loosely. Insert the orange leg tube into the shoe and stitch the purl ridge to anchor like a Mary-Jane strap line. Stuff foot/leg as you sew.
Attaching Legs
Sew legs to the underside of the dress-body so the socks peek 0.4–0.6″ below the hem. Position feet parallel (no splay). When standing, the doll’s weight distributes evenly.
Cardigan (mustard)
A simple straight cardigan worked flat; sleeves picked up and knit in the round. Boxy fit, hip length, with two buttons on the right front—exactly like the photo.
Back (flat, US 8):
- CO 26 sts.
- Rows 1–6: k all (garter for a neat hem like the dress ridge).
- Work stockinette for 20 rows.
- BO all sts.
Left Front:
- CO 12 sts.
- Rows 1–6: k all.
- Work 20 rows stockinette; BO.
Right Front (button band side):
- CO 12 sts.
- Rows 1–6: k all.
- Row 7 (RS): k2, yo, k2tog, k to end (1st buttonhole).
- Rows 8–16: stockinette.
- Row 17 (RS): k2, yo, k2tog, k to end (2nd buttonhole).
- Work to Row 20; BO.
Shoulder & Side Seams
- Mattress stitch shoulders (5–6 sts each side).
- Seam sides leaving armholes.
Sleeves (pick up; work in the round on US 7)
- With RS facing, pick up 22 sts evenly around each armhole.
- Rnds 1–3: k all.
- Rnd 4: p all (subtle ridge like the cuffs in photo).
- Rnds 5–16: k all for a bracelet-length sleeve.
- BO loosely.
- Roll cuffs outward once.
Finishing
- Lightly steam the fronts so they lie flat. Sew on two small buttons opposite buttonholes. The cardigan should end at the high hip, matching the image.
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Crossbody Bag (oat beige)
Pouch (flat, US 7)
- CO 10 sts.
- Rows 1–16: stockinette (beg/end with a knit row so the top naturally rolls).
- Row 17 (flap): knit.
- Row 18: purl.
- Row 19 (buttonhole): k3, yo, k2tog, k to end.
- Row 20: purl.
- Row 21: knit; BO.
Fold Row 1 to Row 14 to create the pouch; seam the sides. Sew one small wooden button on the center of the pouch.
Strap
- Work a i-cord of 3 sts to ~11 in (28 cm). Stitch from the top corners so it crosses the chest right-to-left. Let the bag rest at the left hip as in the photo.
Facial Features & Placement
- Eyes: 8 mm safety eyes sit symmetrically, 7–8 sts apart, and 5–6 rnds above the color-change line.
- Nose: Felt triangle or satin-stitched embroidery centered at the top edge of the cream muzzle; add one short horizontal stitch then a tiny inverted “V” smile.
- Ears: Seam with a slight forward tilt and a small gap between them so the top curve matches the photo’s alert look.
Assembly Order (to match the photo precisely)
- Finish head and muzzle; attach eyes/nose/mouth.
- Sew ears with forward tilt.
- Close underarm openings if any; sew arms level with the narrowest part of the dress bodice so the cuffs meet the cardigan cuff line.
- Attach legs beneath the hem, perpendicular to the body; ensure standing balance.
- Dress the fox in the cardigan; fasten two buttons.
- Add crossbody bag: strap from right shoulder to left hip.
- Final steam block (very light) to settle edges—avoid steaming the face directly.
Stuffing & Shaping Tips
- Head: Stuff very firm; add extra just before closing the top so the silhouette stays perfectly round.
- Neck: If you prefer extra stability, spiral a small strip of felt around the neck column before stuffing the head.
- Body/Dress: Lightly stuffed at the skirt; more firm at the torso so the fox stands straight.
- Shoes: Firm toe stuffing keeps the rounded shoe tip like the photo.
Optional Secured Stand
Thread a doubled strand from one shoe, up through the body, and down to the other shoe; snug gently to keep feet parallel. Knot inside each shoe.
Care & Safety
- For a child under 3, embroider eyes instead of using safety eyes.
- Hand-wash cool; press excess water in a towel; reshape; dry flat. Buttons are small—use discretion.
Yarn Substitutions (to match the look)
- Any bulky/#5 wool or wool-blend with gentle halo for the body/head.
- A sturdier, plied bulky for the cardigan and accessories enhances stitch definition.
- Keep colors close to the palette: pumpkin orange, natural cream, mustard, oat beige.
Make It Yours
- Swap mustard for sage or dusty rose;
- Add tiny duplicate-stitch “toe caps” on shoes;
- Knit the bag in seed stitch for texture;
- Embroider a small eyelash or cheek dot if desired.
Quick Recap of Key Counts (at a glance)
- Dress-Body: CO 56 → dec to 35 → build to 40 at torso → neck 40 → head up to 56 then down to 8.
- Ears: CO 8 → up to 14 → cream center → dec to 8; fold and sew forward-tilt.
- Arms: CO 8 (orange) → inc to 12 → change to mustard; finish and cinch.
- Legs/Socks: CO 10 (orange), 8 rnds.
- Shoes: Sole 8 → 15 sts around → ridge on Rnd 9; BO.
- Cardigan: Back 26 sts; Fronts 12 sts each with two buttonholes on Right Front; sleeves pick up 22 sts.
- Bag: CO 10; knit 16 rows pouch + buttonhole flap; 3-st i-cord strap ~11″ (28 cm).
Enjoy knitting your Little Pastel Fox—chunky, warm, and irresistibly photogenic, just like the sample!
