Frances

Frances Knitted Toy by Stana D. Sortor

What is Being Made

Frances is a knitted stuffed toy fox character designed by independent designer Stana D. Sortor. The pattern includes three distinct projects: the main Frances doll (approximately 9 inches sitting height or 14 inches from head to tail), a Baby fox companion piece (approximately 9 inches head to tail), and optional snack food accessories including knitted mice and a hen. This is an intermediate-level knitting project suitable for crafters with foundational knitting skills who are ready to tackle more complex construction.

Techniques Used

The Frances pattern employs knitting in the round as its primary construction method, a technique that creates seamless, tubular fabric ideal for stuffed toy construction. The pattern utilizes color work with multiple yarn colors to create detailed facial features, markings, and clothing elements on the fox character. Pieces are constructed separately and then seamed together using a yarn needle. The toy is stuffed with polyester fiberfill to create a three-dimensional, plush finished piece. The design incorporates an apron detail for the main Frances character, adding visual interest and dimensional shaping to the garment.

Stitches Used

While specific stitch abbreviations are referenced in the pattern documentation, the project centers on fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for toy construction. The pattern uses standard knit and purl stitches worked in the round using double-pointed needles, creating the foundation for the toy's body, head, limbs, and accessories. Color changes are incorporated throughout to build the fox's distinctive features and the character's clothing elements.

Materials and Tools

The Frances pattern calls for Cascade 220 Superwash yarn, a 100% superwash wool yarn with 220 yards per 100 grams. The pattern requires one skein each of six coordinating colors: Pumpkin (MC/main color), Pumpkin Spice (C1), White (C2), Black (C3), Feather Grey (C4), and Sapphire Heather (C5). Total yardage for Frances is 150–170 yards in the main color plus 40–50 yards each in accent colors, with the Baby fox requiring 85–105 yards total and snack food accessories using minimal yardage (10–15 yards). Knitting is worked on US #3/3.25 mm double-pointed needles (a set of 5), or preferred needles for knitting in the round. Additional notions include a yarn needle for seaming, scissors, stitch markers, stitch holders, and a small bag of polyester fiberfill for stuffing.

Pattern Format

This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it convenient for digital access and printing. The downloadable format allows crafters to reference instructions while working on their knitting projects.