Introduction

Say hello to Cricket Pup—a charming hand-knit puppy wearing a classic cream cricket sweater with varsity V-stripes, sage joggers with a paw-print knee patch, soft sneakers, and a teal bucket hat. He carries a knit crossbody bag with the number “03” on the pouch and holds a knit cricket bat in his paw.

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

Proportion & Form Analysis (Read Before Knitting)

• Overall size (standing): ~21–22 cm (8¼–8¾”) when worked at firm toy gauge with sport/light DK yarn and 2.75 mm (US 2) needles.
• Head: Slightly oval, ~6.5 cm wide × 6.8–7 cm tall. Cheeks are gentle; snout is a soft rounded wedge (not pointy), projecting ~1.2 cm. Eyes sit level, ~10–11 sts apart horizontally, about 7–8 rnds above the neck join.
• Ears: Droopy ovals, ~3.2–3.5 cm long, attached just below hat line, angled down and forward ~20–25°.
• Body: Subtle pear shape, ~7.5–8 cm tall from hips to neck, thicker through tummy.
• Arms: Cylinders ~5.0–5.5 cm long with slight hand bulb; lightly stuffed, top 1 cm left soft for easy pose.
• Legs/Feet: Each leg ~5.5–6 cm from hip join to sole; feet wear separate sneakers. Ankles read straight; legs are parallel at about 3 cm spacing.
• Tail: Short, rounded nub, centered low-back seam, pointing slightly up (~15°).
• Fabric density: Tight stockinette (≈30–32 sts × 42–44 rnds = 10 cm/4″). Stuffing should be firm in the body and head, lighter in limbs.
• Seam angles:
  1. Ears: sew with front edges 1–2 sts lower than back edges for natural droop.
  2. Arms: attach where the torso begins to narrow (just below sweater armhole line) so sleeves appear correctly placed.
  3. Hat: sits low; brim just skims ear tops.
• Accessories scale:
  1. Bag body height ~4.5 cm; number “03” fills lower-right of pouch front. Strap drop allows bag to sit at right hip.
  2. Cricket bat total length ~7.5–8 cm; handle slim, blade wider with slight taper and a flat “face.”

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Materials & Gauge

• Yarn (Sport or light DK, smooth twist):
  1. A. Cream (body, sweater, shoe soles) ~50 g
  2. B. Light brown (ears & snout detail) ~10 g
  3. C. Sage/Teal green (joggers, hat, shoe uppers, bag) ~55 g
  4. D. Navy (sweater stripes) ~8 g
  5. E. Mustard/Gold (sweater stripes) ~6 g
  6. F. Forest/Deep teal (secondary stripe accent) ~6 g
  7. G. Dark brown (nose, mouth, paw-print duplicate stitch) ~3 g
  8. H. White (number “03” and small details) ~3 g
• Needles: 2.75 mm (US 2) DPNs or long circular for magic loop; optional 3.0 mm for clothing if you knit very tight.
• Notions: 6 mm black safety eyes or embroidery, tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn, polyester fiberfill, small bit of cardboard/plastic for bat blade stiffener (optional), 2 tiny buttons (optional for sweater shoulder).
• Gauge: ~30 sts × 42 rnds = 10 cm/4″ in the round, stockinette. Knit firmly for toys.

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Abbreviations (clean & easy to read)

• k – knit
• p – purl
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• CO – cast on
• BO – bind off
• pm / sm – place marker / slip marker
• kfb – knit front and back (increase)
• k2tog – knit two together (decrease)
• ssk – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• dec – decrease
• inc – increase
• RS / WS – right side / wrong side
• yo – yarn over
• skp – slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over
• tbl – through back loop
• i-cord – knit all stitches on a short needle, slide to other end, pull yarn across, and repeat (creates a narrow cord)

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Construction Overview

The pup is knit bottom-up: legs → join for hips → body → neck → head in one piece. Arms, ears, tail, and snout are knit separately and sewn on. Clothing and accessories are removable: V-neck cricket sweater, sage joggers, bucket hat, sneakers, crossbody “03” bag, and a cricket bat prop for the hand.

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THE TOY

Legs (make 2, Yarn A—cream; 2.75 mm; in the round)

CO 10 sts, join carefully.
Rnds 1–3: k.
Rnd 4: k1, kfb ×5 (15).
Rnds 5–12: k.
Rnd 13: k3, (kfb, k2) ×3, kfb, k1 (20).
Rnds 14–22: k.
Rnd 23: k2tog, k3, (k2tog, k1) ×3, k2tog, k1 (15).
Rnd 24: k; stuff lightly. Place sts of Leg 1 on hold; work Leg 2 same.

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Join Legs & Shape Hips (continue with Yarn A)

From Leg 1, CO 3 sts (front bridge), knit across Leg 2, CO 3 sts (back bridge), knit around Leg 1 (36 sts). Place side markers at bridge centers.
Rnds 1–4: k.
Rnd 5: at front marker k2tog; at back marker ssk (34).
Rnd 6: k.
Rnd 7: repeat dec (32).
Rnds 8–12: k; stuff legs firmly, shape calves.

Body (Yarn A)

Rnd 1: (k7, kfb) ×4 (36).
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: (k5, kfb) ×6 (42).
Rnds 4–8: k.
Rnd 9: (k5, k2tog) ×6 (36).
Rnds 10–12: k; begin firmer stuffing—aim for a rounded belly.
Rnd 13: k4, (k2tog, k4) ×5 (30).
Rnd 14: k.
Rnd 15: (k3, k2tog) ×6 (24).
Rnd 16: k.
Rnd 17: (k2, k2tog) ×6 (18).
Rnd 18: k; insert a small rolled scrap or firm stuffing column for neck support.

Head (Yarn A; continue)

Rnd 1: (k1, kfb) ×9 (27).
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: (k2, kfb) ×9 (36).
Rnd 4: k.
Rnd 5: (k3, kfb) ×9 (45).
Rnds 6–9: k.
Snout bulge:
Rnd 10: k16, kfb ×6, k17 (51).
Rnd 11: k.
Rnd 12: k16, (k1, kfb) ×6, k17 (57).
Rnds 13–15: k; place eyes 10–11 sts apart, centered across snout rise, ~7–8 rnds above neck. Begin stuffing head—firm but even.
Rnd 16: (k2, k2tog) ×14, k1 (43).
Rnd 17: (k1, k2tog) ×14, k1 (29).
Rnd 18: (k2tog) ×14, k1 (15).
Rnd 19: k2tog around to close (or draw tail through remaining). Fasten off.

Ears (make 2; Yarn B light brown; worked flat)

CO 8 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k.
Row 2: kfb, k6, kfb (10).
Rows 3–5: k.
Row 6: k2tog, k6, ssk (8).
Row 7: k.
Row 8: k2tog, k4, ssk (6).
Row 9: BO knitwise, leave long tail. Lightly steam, then sew with a forward droop (front edge 1–2 sts lower than back).

Arms (make 2; Yarn A; in the round)

CO 8 sts.
Rnds 1–3: k.
Rnd 4: k1, kfb ×4 (12).
Rnds 5–12: k.
Rnd 13: (k2, k2tog) ×3 (9).
Stuff lightly, leaving the top 1 cm soft. BO leaving tail. Attach on sides where body begins to narrow.

Tail (Yarn A; in the round)

CO 6 sts.
Rnds 1–6: k.
Rnd 7: (k2tog, k1) ×2 (4).
Break yarn, draw through; sew to lower back with slight upward tilt.

Face Details (Yarn G)

• Nose: Satin-stitch an oval at snout tip (~3–4 sts wide, 2–3 rows tall).
• Mouth: Stitch a soft “Y” under the nose.
• Optional brows: 1 stitch tilt over each eye for friendly expression.

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THE OUTFIT

Classic Cricket V-Neck Sweater (removable; Yarn A cream with D navy, E mustard, F deep teal)

Use 2.75 mm (or 3.0 mm if you knit tight).
Body in the round: CO 68 sts; join; pm.
Rnds 1–6: k1, p1 rib.
Rnds 7–12: k (stockinette).
Stripe set 1 (waist):
Rnds 13–14: with D navy k.
Rnds 15–16: with E mustard k.
Rnds 17–18: with F deep teal k.
Rnds 19–24: with A cream k.

Split for armholes & front V (work flat):
Place 34 sts for Front on holder; work Back first:
Back Rows 1–12: stockinette straight; BO.

Front with V:
Row 1 (RS): k to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 2 (WS): p.
Repeat Rows 1–2 6 more times (7 dec total). BO.

Neck & V bands (pick up and knit):
With A, pick up evenly around back neck and down V edges to point; pm at V. Work 2 rows stockinette, then stripe band:
Row 3: with F k.
Row 4: with E k.
Row 5: with D k.
Change to A, k 2 rows garter (k both rows) for a crisp collar. At the V marker on RS rows, k2tog centered (or work mitered decrease: ssk before marker, k2tog after marker) each RS to keep a sharp point. BO loosely.
(Optional) Leave a tiny shoulder opening with two button loops for easier dressing.

Sage Joggers with Paw Knee Patch (Yarn C; in the round)

Legs (make 2): CO 32 sts; join.
Rnds 1–3: k.
Rnds 4–8: k; foldable cuff effect.
Rnds 9–18: k straight. Place Leg 1 on hold, keep yarn attached on Leg 2.

Join legs: CO 4 sts between legs front and 4 sts back (gussets). Work across both legs in the round (68 sts).
Rnds 1–8: k.
Rnd 9: (k6, k2tog) ×8, k4 (60).
Rnds 10–16: k.
Rnd 17: (k8, k2tog) ×6 (54).
Rnds 18–22: k.
Waistband: k1, p1 rib for 6 rnds. BO. Thread a narrow i-cord drawstring if desired.
Paw patch: Using Yarn G, duplicate-stitch a big paw on the left knee (one large pad + four small toes), centered just above fold cuff. Keep edges rounded.

Bucket Hat (Yarn C; in the round)

CO 64 sts; join.
Rnds 1–5: k1, p1 rib (crown band).
Rnds 6–18: k.
Crown dec:
Rnd 19: (k6, k2tog) ×8 (56).
Rnd 20: k.
Rnd 21: (k5, k2tog) ×8 (48).
Rnd 22: k.
Rnd 23: (k4, k2tog) ×8 (40).
Rnd 24: (k3, k2tog) ×8 (32).
Rnd 25: (k2, k2tog) ×8 (24).
Rnd 26: (k1, k2tog) ×8 (16).
Rnd 27: (k2tog) ×8 (8). Draw through, pull tight.
Brim: Pick up 64 sts around just above rib edge; work in garter (k one rnd, p one rnd) for 6 rounds, then BO. Steam brim to a soft, natural flare.

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Sneakers (2 shoes; A cream soles, C uppers)

Soles (flat, A):
CO 6. Row 1: k.
Row 2: kfb, k4, kfb (8).
Row 3: k.
Row 4: kfb, k6, kfb (10).
Row 5: k.
Row 6: kfb, k8, kfb (12).
Rows 7–10: k.
Row 11: k2tog, k8, ssk (10).
Row 12: k.
Row 13: k2tog, k6, ssk (8).
Row 14: BO.
Pick up around sole with A and work 2 tight garter rounds to mimic jute-like edge; BO.

Uppers (C; in the round):
Pick up ~30 sts around edge.
Rnds 1–3: k.
Rnd 4: k8, (ssk, k6, k2tog) ×2, k8 (toe shaping).
Rnds 5–6: k.
BO heel section; keep 14 front sts live; work tongue flat 3 rows, BO.
Laces: i-cord ties or chained cords; sew at sides and tie bow.

Crossbody “03” Bag (Yarn C; accent H white; in the round)

Pouch body: CO 28 sts; join; k in the round 14 rounds (cylindrical).
Base: Switch to working flat in the round (magic circle): kfb ×14 (28), next rnd (k1, kfb) ×14 (42). BO and sew to bottom for a softly rounded base.
Rim: Pick up 28 at top; k1, p1 rib 3 rnds; BO.
Strap: i-cord 3 sts × ~20–22 cm (fit across body). Sew ends at pouch sides so bag sits on right hip.
Number “03”: With H white, duplicate-stitch 03 on lower-right front of pouch; the “0” height ≈ 6 sts; keep clean verticals.

Cricket Bat (Yarn A cream for blade, C or B for handle)

Handle (i-cord): With C (or B), CO 4 sts; i-cord for 3 cm; do not BO.
Blade (flat, A):
Row 1 (pick up across i-cord live sts): kfb ×4 (8).
Row 2: k.
Row 3: kfb, k6, kfb (10).
Row 4: k.
Row 5: kfb, k8, kfb (12).
Rows 6–12: k (grow blade length).
Row 13: k2tog, k8, ssk (10).
Row 14: k.
Row 15: k2tog, k6, ssk (8).
Row 16: BO leaving a long tail.
Fold blade wrong sides together; insert a tiny rectangle of thin card/plastic if you like a crisp flat face. Whipstitch edges neatly; stuff very lightly.
Grip: Spiral-wrap a short strand of C around the handle and secure.
Handhold: Position bat in the right paw; tack a few invisible stitches to keep it “held.”

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ASSEMBLY & DRESSING

Blocking & Prep

• Light steam-block sweater collar and jogger cuffs for an even edge.
• Shape hat brim while warm so it curves softly.
• Keep duplicates stitches (paw and “03”) relaxed to avoid puckering.

Attach Parts

1. Ears: Sew at about the head’s side midpoint, tilting forward.
2. Arms: Stitch to body at the shoulder taper.
3. Tail: Centered low back, slight upward tilt.
4. Face: Add nose/mouth if not done; check eye alignment from multiple angles.

Dress the Pup

• Put on joggers first; fold cuffs.
• Pull sweater on from feet up; the V sits centered with triple stripes visible (from outside in: navy → mustard → deep teal).
• Add sneakers, tie bows.
• Seat bucket hat low so brim kisses ear tops.
• Sling the “03” bag across the chest, resting on right hip.
• Place the cricket bat into the right paw and secure with a couple of hidden stitches.

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Troubleshooting for a Photo-Perfect Match

• Head too tall/skinny: Add 2 filler rounds before snout shaping; stuff lower head more.
• V-neck ripples: Pick up fewer sts at the V; work centered double decrease (ssk, k2tog) at the point every RS row for a sharp angle.
• Joggers riding high: Add 2–3 stockinette rounds before waistband.
• Shoes loose: Shorten lace length and tighten upper pick-up count by 2 sts.
• Bag sits too high: Lengthen i-cord strap by 1–1.5 cm.
• Bat flops: Insert stiffer card, or lightly wire the edge before seaming.

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Care, Safety & Styling

• For under-3s, embroider eyes instead of using safety eyes; secure small accessories firmly.
• Hand-wash cool, press moisture out in a towel, lay flat to dry.
• For photography, use soft natural light and a wood bench or sofa background to echo the village-green mood. Keep tones pastel: cream, sage/teal, navy & mustard accents, bright white “03”.