Allotment Penguin – Free Knitting Pattern

Hình ảnh Ghim câu chuyện

Introduction

Meet the Allotment Penguin—a tidy gardener in green overalls, a sky-striped tee, mustard shoes, and an olive visor, holding a little cream tote with a sprout patch and a rope belt with a mini trowel. This pattern is written to reproduce the photo exactly, including stitch counts, shaping, color placements, and the specific pose where the right hand grips the tote handle at its center.





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


Materials

  • Yarn (DK / light-worsted, smooth wool/cotton blend):
    1. Black (head, body, wings): 60–70 g
    2. Off-white/cream (face mask, tee stripes, tote, pocket flap): 45–55 g
    3. Sky blue (tee stripes): 20–25 g
    4. Leaf/olive green (overalls, visor): 55–65 g
    5. Mustard (shoes, beak): 25–30 g
    6. Rope belt (light camel): 10 g
    7. Sprout motif (leaf green + tan stem): scraps
    8. Tiny trowel (grey + brown): scraps
  • Needles: 3.0 mm (US 2½) circular or DPNs for in-the-round; an optional 3.25 mm (US 3) for the tee/visor if you knit tightly.
  • Notions: 8 mm black safety eyes (pair), 3 small buttons (6–7 mm, matching color), tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn, fiberfill.
  • Optional: tiny piece of thin card to shape visor brim; small coins/washers for shoe soles.

Gauge & Size

  • Gauge (stockinette, in the round): 24 sts × 32 rnds = 10 cm (4″) on 3.0 mm after light steam.
  • Finished height: ~24–25 cm.

Abbreviations (US terms)

k = knit, p = purl, kfb = knit front & back, k2tog = knit 2 together, ssk = slip slip knit, m1L/m1R = make one left/right, yo = yarn over, BO = bind off, CO = cast on, pm/sm = place/slip marker, rnd(s) = round(s), st(s) = stitch(es), RS/WS = right/wrong side, i-cord = knit on 2–3 sts without turning.


General Notes

  • Parts are in the round unless stated.
  • Stuff firmly but evenly; keep the base flat.
  • All color changes occur at the center back.
  • The pattern includes an exact tote-handle pass-through so the right wing sits inside the loop.

Penguin: Head, Beak, Face Mask, Body, Wings, Feet

Head (black)

CO 12 sts, join; pm.

  1. kfb around – 24
  2. (k1, kfb) ×12 – 36
  3. (k2, kfb) ×12 – 48
  4. (k3, kfb) ×12 – 60
    5–10) k around (60)
  5. (k9, kfb) ×6 – 66
  6. k around
  7. k around — Insert safety eyes between Rnds 13–14, 10–11 sts apart.
  8. (k9, k2tog) ×6 – 60
  9. k
  10. (k8, k2tog) ×6 – 54
  11. (k7, k2tog) ×6 – 48
  12. (k6, k2tog) ×6 – 42 — begin stuffing.
  13. (k5, k2tog) ×6 – 36
  14. (k4, k2tog) ×6 – 30
  15. (k3, k2tog) ×6 – 24
  16. (k2, k2tog) ×6 – 18
  17. (k1, k2tog) ×6 – 12
  18. k2tog ×6 – 6. Draw through and secure.

Face Mask (cream, worked flat then appliquéd)

CO 14 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k.
Row 2: k1, m1L, k to last 1, m1R, k1 – 16.
Row 3: k.
Repeat Rows 2–3 4 times24 sts.
Work 6 rows even.
Taper: RS ssk, k to last 2, k2tog; WS k. Repeat taper 4 times16 sts.
BO, leaving a long tail. Pin an oval on the head so the lower edge sits at Head Rnd 16; sew neatly.




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Beak (mustard, in the round)

CO 8 sts; join.

  1. (k1, kfb) ×4 – 12
  2. k
  3. (k2, kfb) ×4 – 16
  4. k
  5. (k2tog, k2) ×4 – 12
  6. (k2tog, k1) ×4 – 8
    Stuff lightly; draw through. Position center so the top meets the lower edge of the face mask at Rnd 16.

Body (black)

CO 12 sts, join.

  1. kfb around – 24
  2. (k1, kfb) ×12 – 36
  3. (k2, kfb) ×12 – 48
  4. (k3, kfb) ×12 – 60
    5–12) k (60)
  5. (k9, kfb) ×6 – 66
    14–18) k (66)
  6. (k9, k2tog) ×6 – 60
  7. (k8, k2tog) ×6 – 54
  8. k — mark as the chest line.
  9. (k7, k2tog) ×6 – 48
  10. (k6, k2tog) ×6 – 42
  11. (k5, k2tog) ×6 – 36 — stuff firmly, flatten base.
  12. (k4, k2tog) ×6 – 30
  13. (k3, k2tog) ×6 – 24
  14. (k2, k2tog) ×6 – 18
  15. (k1, k2tog) ×6 – 12
  16. k2tog ×6 – 6; close.

Wings/Arms (make 2, black)

CO 8 sts; join.

  1. (kfb, k1) ×4 – 12
    2–10) k (12)
  2. (k2, k2tog) ×3 – 9
    12–14) k (9)
  3. (k1, k2tog) ×3 – 6
    Stuff very lightly in the shoulder only; draw through. Flatten opening for sewing.
    Right wing special note: keep the distal ⅓ unstuffed and soft so it can thread through the tote handle.

Shoes / Feet (make 2, mustard)

Soles (worked flat, then in the round):
CO 8 sts.
Row 1: k across; rotate, PU 8 sts along the cast-on edge (16 total), join to work in the round.
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) ×8 – 24
Rnd 3: k
Rnd 4: at toe center (k2, kfb) ×4; at heel (k2tog) ×2 – 26
Rnd 5 (BLO): k around to turn up walls.
Rnd 6–8: k.
Rnd 9: toe shaping k6, (k2tog) ×4, k to end – 22
Rnd 10: k, then p 1 rnd to form a welt line.
Rnd 11: k, BO loosely.
Sew feet to legs later; insert a coin/washer before closing if desired.


Clothing & Accessories

Striped Tee (cream & sky, in the round; short sleeves)

Body:
With cream, CO 66 sts, join.
Rnds 1–3: k1, p1 rib.
Rnds 4–5: sky knit.
Rnds 6–7: cream knit.
Continue single-row stripes (2 rnds per color) until body measures 5 cm from hem ending with cream.
Armhole split:
Next rnd: k 10, BO 6 (right sleeve gap), k 18, BO 6, k 26 — 54 sts remain.
Work 3 rnds even.
Neck: (k7, k2tog) ×6 – 48; knit 1 rnd; work 1×1 rib for 3 rnds in cream; BO in rib.

Sleeves (pick up & knit):
PU 24 sts around each gap with cream.
Rnd 1: k1, p1 rib.
Rnd 2: with sky, k;
Rnd 3: with cream, k;
Rnd 4: rib 1 rnd cream; BO. Keep the sleeves short and neat.

Dungaree Overalls (leaf/olive green)

Shorts base:
CO 60 sts, join.
Rnds 1–3: k.
Rnd 4: (k8, k2tog) ×6 – 54.
Rnds 5–8: k.
Split legs: 27 sts each.
Leg 1: k 8 rnds; Rnd 9 p around (fold ridge); Rnd 10–11 k; BO elastic.
Leg 2: as Leg 1.

Waistband & bib:
Rejoin yarn at center front between legs; PU 22 sts along waist.
Rows (flat) 1–6: stockinette.
Row 7: k2tog at each edge – 20.
Row 8–10: work seed stitch (k1, p1) for a textured bib top; BO.

Straps (make 2):
CO 5 sts; work i-cord for 10–11 cm (fit over shoulders). BO.
Front tabs: on each top corner of bib, PU 5 sts, work seed stitch 4 rows, BO. Sew a matching small button on each tab; sew strap ends underneath the tabs so the buttons show consistently.

Side Tool Pocket & Flap (cream):
Pocket: CO 12 sts; work stockinette 10 rows; BO.
Flap: CO 10 sts; work garter 4 rows; BO.
Sew pocket to right short’s outer side; attach flap at top edge; close with a matching small button.
Belt loops (4 pcs): CO 3 sts, k 8 rows, BO. Sew two at front waist sides and two at back.

Rope Belt & Mini Trowel

Belt (camel):
Make a 3-strand i-cord rope: knit three separate i-cords (2 sts each), each 22–24 cm; twist them together and stitch the ends so the twist holds. Thread through belt loops and tie off-center.

Trowel charm:

  • Handle (brown): i-cord 2 sts × 2.5 cm.
  • Blade (grey, flat): CO 5 sts; Row 1 k; Row 2 ssk, k1, k2tog (3); Row 3 k; Row 4 sl1, k2tog, psso (1); pull tight. Sew blade to handle; tack charm to the right front of the belt.

Visor Cap (olive)

CO 64 sts, join.
Rnds 1–4: k1, p1 rib.
Rnds 5–10: stockinette.
Brim (worked flat):
PU 28 sts across the front half of the band.
Row 1 (WS): k.
Row 2 (RS): k2tog, k to last 2, ssk.
Rows 3–4: k.
Row 5: k2tog, k to last 2, ssk.
Row 6: k.
Row 7: BO.
Insert a tiny curved card if you like; whipstitch brim edge to band ends to keep a smooth curve.

Tote with Sprout Patch (cream; handle designed for hand-through grip)

Body (worked flat):
CO 18 sts.
Rows 1–18: stockinette (k RS, p WS).
Row 19–20: garter (k both rows) to prevent curl; BO.
Fold at Row 14 to create a base; mattress-stitch sides.

Handle (single loop, exact size):
CO 40 sts; work i-cord 3 sts × 9–10 cm or knit a flat strap 5 sts × 18 rows; attach both ends to tote top so the inner free opening measures ≈ 3.5 cm high × 2.5 cm wide—this is crucial so the right wing passes through the center comfortably. Reinforce joins with extra stitches.

Sprout patch:
CO 7 sts in cream; work seed stitch 4 rows; BO. Duplicate-stitch a green stem & two leaves; sew patch centered on tote front.

Pose note: After assembly, thread the right wing through the handle loop so the hand sits in the middle. Add one tiny hidden tack from the inner handle to the wing to lock this position; keep the tote side seam facing forward.




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Assembly

  1. Head ↔ Body: Seam closed head opening to body top; insert a wedge of stuffing at the front to support the chin.
  2. Face & Beak: Sew face mask to the head oval; attach beak centered at Rnd 16; check symmetry with the eyes.
  3. Wings: Sew wings to body between Rnds 22–23 with a slight forward angle.
  4. Feet: Align soles flat; sew legs/feet under the body, inner ankles 6 sts apart. Insert washers if desired before final whipstitch.
  5. Dress: Tee → Overalls. Thread straps over shoulders and button to tabs; pass rope belt through loops and tie. Add trowel charm.
  6. Visor: Place low on forehead; a small tack at each ear line keeps the brim curve.
  7. Tote (exact grip): Slide right wing through the center of the handle loop until the handle sits at the midpoint of the wing. Add one invisible stitch under the loop to the wing fabric so the hand is inside the handle and cannot slide out. Let the tote hang at penguin’s right side.

Placement Map (photo-match quick list)

  • Eyes: Head Rnds 13–14, spacing 10–11 sts.
  • Beak: centered on Rnd 16, width 4 sts.
  • Wing joins: Body Rnds 22–23, wings angled 5–10° forward.
  • Feet: soles parallel; gap 6 sts between inner ankles.
  • Tee hem to neck: ≈ 5 cm; sleeves short and even.
  • Overalls: bib width ≈ 20–22 sts; strap buttons level with Tee Row 7; pocket flap sits on right thigh.
  • Belt: rides directly over waistband; trowel hangs just off-center right.
  • Visor: brim depth ~1.7–2.0 cm, gentle curve.
  • Tote: handle inner opening ≈ 3.5 cm; right hand inside the loop midpoint.

Finishing & Tips

  • Blocking: Light steam only—hover the iron; shape visor and shoes with your palms.
  • Neat stripes: For the tee, carry the unused color up the inside and twist strands at the change to avoid holes.
  • Even buttons: Use the same button type for straps and pocket flap to keep the color uniform as in the photo.
  • Stand balance: If your penguin leans, add a coin to each shoe and a tiny felt skid pad under the soles.
  • Tote security: After tacking the handle to the wing, add one extra tiny tack from tote side seam to the short leg so the bag stays facing forward.

Color Recap (as pictured)

  • Main: black body & wings, cream face mask.
  • Tee: cream/sky stripes with cream trims.
  • Overalls & visor: leaf/olive.
  • Shoes & beak: mustard.
  • Belt: camel rope with grey/brown trowel.
  • Tote: cream with green sprout patch.
  • Buttons: matching brass/wood tone—consistent across all.

Enjoy knitting your Allotment Penguin—posed exactly with the right hand through the tote handle, ready for a sunny gardening day by the window!

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