Introduction

Say hello to Record Shop Kitty—a curious cat in a sage polo, charcoal culottes, oxblood loafers, a butter bucket hat, and a tote featuring a tiny knitted vinyl record. The instructions below are engineered to reproduce the photo exactly: stitch counts, placements, shaping, textures, trims, and the accessory proportions are all specified so your finished doll matches 1:1.

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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Materials

• Yarn (DK / light-worsted; smooth wool/cotton blend recommended):
  1. Cat main (light gray): 70–80 g
  2. Muzzle/inner ear (white/soft pink): small scraps
  3. Polo top (sage): 40–50 g
  4. Collar tipping (white): scraps
  5. Culottes (charcoal): 40–50 g
  6. Loafers (oxblood): 25–30 g
  7. Sole stripe (dark brown): 10 g
  8. Bucket hat & tote (butter): 30–35 g total
  9. Vinyl disc (black + cream center): scraps
  10. Nose/mouth embroidery (oxblood or dark brown): scraps
• Needles: 3.0 mm (US 2½) circular or DPNs for in-the-round; 3.25 mm (US 3) optional for garments if you knit tightly.
• Notions: 8 mm safety eyes (pair), tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn, polyester fiberfill, optional small coins/washers for shoes.
• Tools: Row counter; fabric glue (optional for tote lining).

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Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge (stockinette, in the round): 24 sts × 32 rnds = 10 cm (4″) on 3.0 mm after light steam.
• Finished height: ≈ 25–26 cm including bucket hat.

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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; tbl = through back loop; 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 = 2–3 sts knit without turning.

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General Notes

• All main parts are in the round unless stated.
• Stuff firmly but evenly; keep the base flat so loafers sit square.
• Color changes occur at center back.
• Measure accessory lengths against your doll; minor differences in gauge can require +/- 1–2 rows.

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Cat Body: Head, Ears, Muzzle, Body, Arms, Legs, Tail

Head (light gray)

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 (60)
5. (k9, kfb) ×6 – 66
   12–13) k
   — Insert eyes between Rnds 13–14, 10–11 sts apart.
6. (k9, k2tog) ×6 – 60
7. k
8. (k8, k2tog) ×6 – 54
9. (k7, k2tog) ×6 – 48
10. (k6, k2tog) ×6 – 42 — begin stuffing; add more under eye line for cheeks.
11. (k5, k2tog) ×6 – 36
12. (k4, k2tog) ×6 – 30
13. (k3, k2tog) ×6 – 24
14. (k2, k2tog) ×6 – 18
15. (k1, k2tog) ×6 – 12
16. k2tog ×6 – 6; draw through.
    Nose/Mouth: Embroider a small triangle nose centered at Rnd 16, spanning 3 sts; add a short vertical line and a tiny smile.

Muzzle Patch (white, flat)

CO 12 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k.
Row 2: k1, m1L, k to last 1, m1R, k1 – 14.
Rows 3–4: k.
Row 5: repeat Row 2 – 16.
Rows 6–9: k.
Shape: RS ssk, k to last 2, k2tog; WS k. Repeat 3 times → 10 sts.
BO. Sew centered under the nose; lightly stuff a wisp behind if you want plumpness.

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Ears (make 2; light gray; inner pink surface stitches later)

CO 12 sts.
Row 1: k.
Row 2: k1, m1L, k to last 1, m1R, k1 – 14.
Row 3: k.
Repeat Rows 2–3 3 times → 20 sts.
Next 6 rows: k.
Decrease: ssk, k to last 2, k2tog (every RS row) 5 times → 10 sts.
BO leaving long tails. Fold to a triangle; pinch base. Add a few pink duplicate stitches inside for the inner ear.

Body (light gray)

CO 12 sts, join.

1. kfb around – 24
2. (k1, kfb) ×12 – 36
3. (k2, kfb) ×12 – 48
4. (k3, kfb) ×12 – 60
   5–11) k (60)
5. (k9, kfb) ×6 – 66
   13–16) k (66)
6. (k9, k2tog) ×6 – 60
7. (k8, k2tog) ×6 – 54
8. k — mark this rnd; waistband of culottes will sit near Body Rnd 12 once dressed.
9. (k7, k2tog) ×6 – 48
10. (k6, k2tog) ×6 – 42
11. (k5, k2tog) ×6 – 36 — stuff firmly, flatten base slightly.
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.

Arms (make 2; light gray)

CO 8 sts, join.

1. (kfb, k1) ×4 – 12
   2–15) k (12)
2. (k2, k2tog) ×3 – 9
3. k; light stuffing only.
4. (k1, k2tog) ×3 – 6
   Draw through; flatten the opening for sewing.

Legs (make 2; light gray up to ankle)

CO 10 sts, join.

1. (kfb, k1) ×5 – 15
   2–7) k (15) — shape foot; begin stuffing.
2. (k3, k2tog) ×3 – 12
   9–13) k (12)
   BO leaving long tails for sewing.

Tail (light gray)

i-cord 3 sts × 10–11 cm. Bind off; taper one end by running tail yarn through the last 3 loops; sew to lower back.

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Clothing & Accessories

Sage Polo Top with Tipped Collar (worked in the round; short sleeves)

Body:
With sage, CO 66 sts, join.
Rnds 1–3: k1, p1 rib.
Rnds 4–12: k (stockinette) to ~5.5 cm from hem.

Armhole split:
Next rnd: k 10, BO 6 (right armhole), k 18, BO 6 (left armhole), k 26 → 54 sts remain.
Work 3 rnds even.

Placket & neck shaping (worked flat on front only for short opening):
Place a marker at center front.
Row 1 (RS): k to 2 sts before marker, yo, k2tog (creates a 1-eyelet faux placket), k to end.
Row 2 (WS): k.
Repeat Rows 1–2 4 times (total 5 eyelets stacked).

Neckline: On next RS, (k7, k2tog) ×6 – 48.
Work 1 rnd even.

Collar stand & tipped collar:
Switch to white; k1, p1 rib for 2 rnds (stand).
Switch back to sage; pick up 34 sts evenly around front neck and 34 around back neck (or simply continue in-place if you worked in the round) → work collar flat:
Row A (RS): k across.
Row B (WS): k across.
Repeat 8 rows (garter collar).
Switch to white and work 2 garter rows for the tipped edge.
BO loosely.
Sew the small placket closed halfway if desired (keep the top eyelet visible like a faux buttonhole).

Sleeves (pick up & knit):
At each armhole, PU 24 sts with sage.
Rnd 1: k1, p1 rib.
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: with white, k 1 rnd for a tipped cuff.
BO loosely.

Charcoal Culottes (broken-rib texture, high waist)

Texture pattern (over an even number):
Rnd A: k1, p1 around.
Rnd B: k around.
Repeat A–B.

Waist & hips:
With charcoal, CO 60 sts, join.
Rnds 1–6: k1, p1 rib (waistband).
Rnds 7–16: work Texture A–B (60).
Rnd 17: decrease for slight waist shaping — (k8, k2tog) ×6 → 54.
Rnds 18–20: Texture A–B (54).

Split for legs: 27 sts per leg.
Leg 1: Work Texture for 14 rnds; Rnd 15 p around (creates soft crease); Rnd 16 knit; BO loosely.
Leg 2: Repeat.
Pleat lines: On each leg front, run a single column of purl stitches (purl every Round B) from waist to hem to imitate a pressed pleat.
Try on the doll: waistband should sit at Body Rnd 12; adjust +/- 1 rnd if needed.

Oxblood Loafers with Saddle Strap

Sole (dark brown, worked in the round from an oval):
CO 8 sts.
K across; rotate, PU 8 sts along cast-on; join (16).
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) ×8 – 24
Rnd 3: k
Rnd 4: at toe (k2, kfb) ×4; at heel (k2tog) ×2 → 26
Rnd 5 (BLO): k around to turn up walls.

Upper (oxblood):
Rnds 6–8: k (26).
Rnd 9: toe shaping k7, (k2tog) ×4, k to end – 22
Rnd 10: k.
Rnd 11: p 1 rnd (creates welt).
Rnd 12: k; BO loosely.

Saddle detail:
CO 10 sts in oxblood; k 4 rows; BO. Cinch slightly and sew across the vamp.
Slide shoes on; tack heels to legs. Add a thin felt outsole if you want extra grip.

Bucket Hat (butter)

CO 64 sts, join.
Rnds 1–4: k1, p1 rib (band).
Rnds 5–10: k (side wall).
Brim:
Rnd 11: (k7, kfb) ×8 – 72
Rnd 12: k
Rnd 13: (k8, kfb) ×8 – 80
Rnd 14: k
Rnd 15: BO loosely.
Steam brim to a soft downward curve.

Shoulder Tote with Intarsia Vinyl Record

Bag body (butter, worked flat; record on front panel):
CO 18 sts.
Rows 1–6: garter (k both sides) to stop curl.
Rows 7–24: stockinette (k RS, p WS).
Intarsia disc (front only, centered):
On Rows 12–18, replace the 8 center sts with black to form a circle; on Row 15, work k2 black, k4 cream, k2 black to leave a tiny cream hub; on Rows 13 & 17, use 6 black sts; Rows 12 & 18 use 4 black sts (approximate round silhouette).
Rows 25–28: garter (k both sides).
BO. Fold at Row 20 to create the base; mattress-stitch sides.

Strap:
i-cord 3 sts × 26–28 cm in butter; attach so the bag hangs right shoulder → left hip.
Optional lining/card: Insert a small rectangle of felt or thin card before closing the top if you want a crisp shape.

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Assembly

1. Ears: Sew to the head so inner edges are 12 sts apart; angle slightly outward.
2. Head ↔ Body: Ladder-stitch neck openings; add a tiny stuffing wedge at the front for a lifted chin.
3. Arms: Attach across Body Rnds 22–23, arms slightly forward.
4. Legs/Feet: Sew legs under the body 6 sts apart; ensure loafers sit parallel. Insert washers/coins before final closing if you need more stability.
5. Tail: Attach low back, pointing gently upward.
6. Dress: Culottes first (waist at Body Rnd 12), then polo. Put on loafers, then bucket hat.
7. Tote: Drape strap right shoulder → left hip; add one invisible tack at shoulder seam and one at hip so the strap lies flat; orient the record graphic facing forward.

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Exact Placement Map (for photo match)

• Eyes: Head Rnds 13–14, spacing 10–11 sts.
• Nose: centered on Rnd 16, width 3 sts.
• Ears: inner edges 12 sts apart; set back ~5–6 sts from crown centerline.
• Arms: attach across Body Rnds 22–23.
• Legs: inner ankles 6 sts apart; loafers parallel.
• Culottes hem: ends mid-calf (about equal to lower third of leg length).
• Polo collar: garter collar depth ≈ 1.2–1.4 cm, with white tip 2 rows.
• Tote strap length: drops bag to left hip; top of bag level with culotte pocket line.

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Finishing & Tips

• Blocking: Light steam only—hover the iron, don’t press the stuffed body. Shape the bucket brim and polo collar with your hands.
• Broken-rib culotte texture: Maintain the A–B rhythm; if the leg flares too much at your gauge, remove the crease round or shorten by 1–2 rnds.
• Neat intarsia record: Twist yarns at each color change; keep floats short and flat on WS; lightly steam to round the disc.
• Even collar corners: Bind off loosely on the garter collar; if edges flare, add a WS row of slip stitches along the underside.
• Safety for small children: Replace safety eyes and buttons with embroidery; sew tote and hat down.

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Color Recap (as pictured)

• Cat: light gray body; white muzzle; inner ear pink; oxblood nose.
• Top: sage with white-tipped collar & sleeve edging.
• Bottoms: charcoal culottes in broken-rib.
• Shoes: oxblood with dark-brown sole ridge and saddle.
• Hat & tote: butter; tote has a black vinyl disc with cream center.
• Strap: butter; worn right shoulder → left hip.

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Enjoy making your Record Shop Kitty—a knit companion ready to browse the vinyl crates!