1) Introduction

Meet the Otter Barista: a soft, standing plush with a gentle smile, teal beanie, sage apron, tiny tote, neat ankle boots, and a latte to-go. This pattern is written to reproduce the photographed sample exactly—same proportions, placement, colors, and angles—so what you make will match the look you see. Whether you style it for a cozy shelf or a café-corner display, the fine-gauge fabric and subtle fuzzy halo keep everything polished and realistic.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

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2) Materials Needed

• Yarn (DK, 100–125 m / 50 g, wool-blend with light halo):
  • Mocha (body) ~70 g
  • Dark Brown (boots, ear edge, tail tip) ~18 g
  • Cream (muzzle & chest patch) ~12 g
  • Teal (beanie) ~15 g
  • Sage (apron) ~20 g
  • Caramel (tote) ~10 g
  • Oat/Latte (cup) ~8 g
  • A few meters Black/Brown for embroidery (nose/whiskers) 1–2 g
• Needles:
  • 3.25 mm (US 3) circulars or DPNs for all stockinette-in-the-round parts
  • 3.0 mm (US 2½–3) for rib trims (beanie cuff, boot cuffs) and small accessories as noted
• Notions: 2 safety eyes 6–7 mm; stitch markers; yarn needle; fiberfill; optional tiny cardboard circle for boot soles; blocking pins.
• Other: Small amount of scrap yarn for holding stitches; measuring tape; tailor’s pins to check angles during assembly.

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3) Abbreviations (US Terms)

k – knit • p – purl • st(s) – stitch(es) • rnd(s) – round(s) • inc – increase (kfb unless stated) • dec – decrease (k2tog unless stated) • m1 – make one • BO – bind off • CO – cast on • pm – place marker • sm – slip marker • tbl – through back loop • yo – yarn over • k2tog – knit 2 together • ssk – slip, slip, knit • RS/WS – right/wrong side (used rarely; most parts are in the round) • i-cord – knit on 2–3 sts, sliding work each row to knit from same side.

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4) Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge (stockinette in the round): 28 sts × 38 rnds = 10 cm on 3.25 mm with DK.
• Finished Size: ~28 cm standing (to top of beanie), ~21 cm seated.
• Key Proportion: Head:Body = 1.05 : 1. This is enforced by stitch counts and shaping; do not alter counts if you want an exact match.

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5) Pattern Notes

• Work all main parts in the round unless noted. Use DPNs or magic loop.
• Color placement strictly follows the color map above; do not substitute colors.
• Carry yarn neatly on the inside when working short contrast passages (e.g., chest patch), without floats longer than 5 sts; twist every few sts to secure.
• Stuff progressively: head firm but not stretched; neck firm; body medium-firm; tail firm at base, softer at tip.
• Mark front center (midline) of head and body early; alignment matters for eye spacing and muzzle placement.

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6) Step-by-Step Instructions

Head (mocha; seamless into neck)

Target head height ≈ 11 cm (~42 rnds). Max circumference creates a front width ≈ 10.6 cm; target 96 sts at widest point.

1. CO 8 sts. Distribute, pm for start.
2. Inc rnd: kfb around → 16 sts.
3. K 1 rnd even.
4. (k1, kfb) around → 24 sts.
5. K 1 rnd.
6. (k2, kfb) around → 32 sts.
7. K 1 rnd.
8. (k3, kfb) around → 40 sts.
9. K 1 rnd.
10. (k4, kfb) around → 48 sts.
11. K 1 rnd.
12. (k5, kfb) around → 56 sts.
13. K 1 rnd.
14. (k6, kfb) around → 64 sts.
15. K 1 rnd.
16. (k7, kfb) around → 72 sts.
17. K 1 rnd.
18. (k8, kfb) around → 80 sts.
19. K 1 rnd.
20. (k9, kfb) around → 88 sts.
21. K 1 rnd.
22. (k10, kfb) around → 96 sts. (Crown-to-this point ≈ rnd 22)
    23–25. K 3 rnds even.

Eye Placement Landmark: At the end of rnd 25, prepare for eye positions to be inserted on rnd 26. Maintain midline.

26–30. K 5 rnds even (this places eyes on rnd 26 when installed).
— Install eyes after rnd 26: place each eye 7 sts to either side of the midline (≈ 2.2 cm per spec), producing an eye-to-eye gap of 4.4–4.5 cm. Do not secure backs yet; check with muzzle later.

31–33. K 3 rnds even (head fullness for muzzle seat).
34. (k10, k2tog) around → 88 sts.
35. K 1 rnd.
36. (k9, k2tog) around → 80 sts.
37. K 1 rnd.
38. (k8, k2tog) around → 72 sts.
39. K 1 rnd.
40. (k7, k2tog) around → 64 sts.
41. K 1 rnd.
42. (k6, k2tog) around → 56 sts.

Stop for stuffing: Shape a smooth sphere; measure crown diameter ≈ 5.0 cm (QC-1). Stuff firmly; keep the lower third slightly softer for neck compression.

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Muzzle (cream; worked flat then in the round)

• CO 11 sts.
• Row 1 (RS): k across.
• Row 2 (WS): k across (garter edges for stability).
• Convert to in-the-round by picking up 14 sts around the sides and cast-on edge to form an oval = ~36 sts total; k 10 rnds even to ~2.8 cm height.
• BO leaving a long tail. Embroider a small dark-brown triangle nose centered near the top third; add short whisker dots.

Placement: Center the muzzle so that its vertical midpoint sits between rnds 30–33 of the head; width ~4.0 cm, height ~2.8 cm. Pin; verify the lower edge is ~1.0 cm above the chin line (QC-3). Whipstitch neatly. Now press safety-eye backs firmly.

Ears (mocha with dark-brown edge)

• CO 10 sts, knit flat in st st for 8 rows; dec each side (k2tog, k to last 2, ssk) on rows 3 & 7 → 6 sts.
• BO leaving a tail. With dark brown, overcast the outer curve lightly.

Placement: Sew each ear to head at rnd 18 from crown, set 3 sts behind the midline on each side; tilt 15° outward. Take care that beanie will cover about one-third of the ear later.

Neck Transition

From head’s live 56 sts, work 2 rnds even, then dec evenly 8 sts → 48 sts for a compact neck height ≈ 1.8 cm. Stuff neck firmly (QC-4).

Body (mocha; top-down)

Aim for slightly smaller max girth than head (Head:Body = 1.05:1). Target body max 92 sts, then taper to seat.

1. Inc rnd: (k5, m1) around, adjusting to add 4 sts → 52 sts.
2. K 1 rnd even.
3. (k6, m1) around → 60 sts.
4. K 1 rnd.
5. (k7, m1) around → 68 sts.
6. K 1 rnd.
7. (k8, m1) around → 76 sts.
8. K 1 rnd.
9. (k9, m1) around → 84 sts.
10. K 1 rnd.
11. (k10, m1) around → 92 sts.
    12–24. K 13 rnds even (chest and belly).
12. (k9, k2tog) around → 84 sts.
13. K 1 rnd.
14. (k8, k2tog) around → 76 sts.
15. K 1 rnd.
16. (k7, k2tog) around → 68 sts.
17. K 1 rnd.
18. (k6, k2tog) around → 60 sts.
19. K 1 rnd.
20. (k5, k2tog) around → 52 sts.
21. K 1 rnd.
22. (k4, k2tog) around → 44 sts.

Stuff torso in layers (QC-4). Work 3 more rnds even.
BO loosely leaving a long tail to ladder-stitch the base closed after legs are attached.

Chest patch: With cream, duplicate-stitch an oval on upper chest under the neck, centered and visible above the apron neckline.

Arms (mocha; make 2)

1. CO 12 sts; join.
   2–5. K 4 rnds.
2. (k2, m1) around → 18 sts.
   7–18. K 12 rnds even.
3. (k1, k2tog) around → 12 sts.
4. K 1 rnd.
5. k2tog around → 6 sts. Draw up, lightly stuff (not too firm).

Placement: Pick-up-and-attach method or sew on: arms sit on body at rnd 18 from the top of body; each arm center is +8 sts from front midline; distance between arm centers ~9.5–10 cm. Fix angles: left arm bends 25° to hold the cup; right arm relaxed 5° forward with tote strap.

Legs + Boots (dark brown boots, mocha upper legs; make 2)

Boot Sole & Upper (dark brown, 3.25 mm; optional 3.0 mm for cuff):

1. CO 6 sts; knit in the round from a small oval:
   • Rnd 1: kfb around → 12.
   • Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) around → 18.
   • Rnd 3: (k2, kfb) around → 24.
2. Rnds 4–10: K 7 rnds straight for the boot body.
3. Rnd 11: (k2, k2tog) around → 18.
4. Switch to 1×1 rib with 3.0 mm needles: 6 rnds for cuff. BO stretchy.

Upper Leg (mocha):
Pick up 18 sts from inside the boot cuff; k 10 rnds; dec to 14 sts over next 2 rnds with k2tog at sides. Stuff boot firmly; leg medium-firm. Leave long tail for sewing.

Placement: Sew legs to the body base so the inner edges are 2.0 cm apart. Align toes 8° outward. Legs height about 3.8 cm from sole to cuff. After both legs are on, close and neaten the body base.

Tail (mocha with dark tip; firm base)

1. CO 6 sts (mocha).
2. Inc rnd: kfb around → 12 sts.
   3–8. K 6 rnds even.
3. (k2, m1) around → 18 sts.
   10–16. K 7 rnds even.
4. Change to dark brown for final 4 rnds; lightly dec (k1, k2tog) around → 12 sts then 6 sts; draw up.
   Stuff progressively: firm at base, soft at tip.

Placement: Anchor tail at the back center rnd 8 up from the base edge. Angle –12° downward so it just touches the surface when standing (QC-6).

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Clothing & Accessories

Teal Beanie (3.0 mm for rib; then 3.25 mm)

• With teal, CO 88 sts on 3.0 mm. Join; work 1×1 rib for 10 rnds (cuff height ≈ 1.8 cm).
• Switch to 3.25 mm and k 12 rnds stockinette (body).
• BO stretchy.
• Fold cuff up; fit so it covers ~1/3 of each ear.

Sage Apron

Body Panel: On 3.25 mm, CO 24 sts (≈ 8.5 cm wide).

• Work stockinette 36 rows/rnds (≈ 9.5 cm high).
  Edge Finish: Pick up around with i-cord 2 sts (mocha or matching sage) to frame cleanly.
  Neck Strap: i-cord 2 sts × 14 cm; attach so it sits just below the beanie line.
  Waist Ties: i-cord 2 sts × 24 cm each side; tie mid-back.
  Apron hem should land ~1.0 cm above boot tops (QC-7).

Caramel Tote

• Base: With 3.25 mm, CO 6 sts, knit 14 rows garter for a rectangle.
• Pick up around all 4 sides to ~36 sts; join to work in the round.
• K 22 rnds stockinette for height ~6.0 cm.
• BO.
• Handle: i-cord 3 sts × 12 cm; sew to inner rim so the strap naturally forms a ~40° drape when carried from the right hand.

Latte Cup (oat/latte with cream lid)

• Base: CO 6 sts; join; inc evenly to 12, then 18, then 24 sts over 3 inc rnds.
• Body: K 10 rnds even (height ~3.2 cm, Ø ~2.6 cm).
• Lid: purl 1 rnd (fold line), then k 3 rnds; BO.
• Sleeve: With latte, CO 18 sts, join; work 1×1 rib for 6 rnds; BO and slide onto cup.

How to seat the cup: Stitch the lower cup to the left hand with 2–3 locking tacks (Seam/Join Notes), maintaining the arm 25° bend.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

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7) Assembly

Follow this order for a clean, photo-accurate finish:

1. Head: Confirm crown diameter ~5.0 cm and overall roundness (QC-1).
2. Muzzle: Sew centered across rnds 30–33; check symmetry with the midline (QC-3).
3. Ears: Attach at rnd 18, each ear 3 sts behind midline; tilt 15° outward.
4. Body: Already connected seamlessly from head; confirm neck circumference 17–18 cm when unstuffed and shoulders width ~9.6–10 cm (QC-4).
5. Arms: Sew at body rnd 18, centers ~9.5–10 cm apart. Lock left arm at 25° holding the cup; right arm 5° forward with tote strap secured by 2–3 hidden tacks (QC-5 & QC-7).
6. Legs/Boots: Stitch to the base so inner edges are 2.0 cm apart; toes angled 8° outward; ensure even stance. Close base neatly.
7. Tail: Mount at back center rnd 8 above the base, angled –12° so it just kisses the surface (QC-6).
8. Clothes: Put on the apron (hem 1.0 cm above boot tops). Add beanie, ensuring it covers ~1/3 of each ear.
9. Tote & Cup: Seat the tote on the right hand with strap drape ~40°; secure the cup to the left hand with discreet locking stitches.

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8) Finishing & QC Checkpoints

• Surface Grooming: Steam lightly from a distance; do not flatten the fuzzy halo.
• QC-1 Crown: After rnd 14 of the head, diameter ≈ 5.0 cm; final head looks spherical without ridges.
• QC-2 Eyes: On rnd 26, each eye 7 sts off midline (~2.2 cm); gap 4.4–4.5 cm. Re-check with muzzle pinned before locking backs.
• QC-3 Muzzle: Centered on rnds 30–33; width ~4.0 cm, height ~2.8 cm; lower edge ~1.0 cm above chin.
• QC-4 Neck/Shoulders: Neck circumference 17–18 cm unstuffed; shoulders span 9.6–10 cm; head tilt +3° (curious, not drooping).
• QC-5 Arms: Wrists level (≤ 2° difference). Left arm bend 25° with cup; right arm 5° forward with tote.
• QC-6 Tail: Angle –12°; touches surface when standing.
• QC-7 Outfit: Beanie hides ~1/3 ear height; apron hem sits 1.0 cm above boot cuffs; tote strap drape ~40°.
• QC-8 Photo Ready: Standing height ~28 cm to top of beanie; pastel background; no text/watermark; clean vertical composition.

Trim all ends. If needed, add a single invisible tack at the apron side edges to keep it flat in photos.

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9) Care & Display Tips

• Care: Spot-clean only. Use a barely damp cloth with a tiny drop of wool-safe soap; blot, then air-dry. Avoid soaking the cup sleeve or tote handles.
• De-pilling: If halo compacts over time, very lightly brush with a soft-bristle garment brush to revive the realistic fibers.
• Shape Maintenance: Keep stuffing firmly distributed—neck and boot soles especially. If the tail lifts, add a hidden tack to the lower back at the –12° line.
• Display: Best on a neutral, softly lit shelf. Angle the head +3° and turn the boots 8° outward for the exact friendly stance. Place a warm-toned backdrop and keep the apron ties symmetrically bowed at mid-back for perfect photos.

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Pattern Recap (for quick reference while knitting)

• Gauge: 28 sts × 38 rnds = 10 cm (3.25 mm, DK).
• Key Counts: Head max 96 sts; neck 48 sts; body max 92 sts then taper.
• Placements: Eyes rnd 26, 7 sts off midline; muzzle rnds 30–33.
• Angles: Head +3°, ears 15° out, left arm 25°, right arm 5°, boot toes 8° out, tail –12°.
• Accessories: Beanie CO 88, 10 rnds rib + 12 rnds st st; apron 8.5×9.5 cm with i-cord straps (14 cm neck; 24 cm waist ×2); tote 6.5×6.0 cm, i-cord handle 12 cm; cup Ø 2.6 cm × H 3.2 cm with 18-st sleeve rib × 6 rnds.
• Colors/Yardage (grams): mocha 70, dark brown 18, cream 12, teal 15, sage 20, caramel 10, oat 8, embroidery 1–2.
• Finish: Verify all QC checkpoints before photographing.