Knobby the ninja

Knobby the Ninja Knitted Doll by Phoenixknits

What is Being Made

Knobby the Ninja is a small knitted doll designed by Phoenixknits. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a three-dimensional stuffed toy character, approximately 3 inches high, featuring a ninja-themed design. The doll is constructed using basic knitting techniques to form the body and head, with additional embellishments for facial features and details.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs fundamental shaping techniques essential for creating a three-dimensional doll form. The construction begins with a small cast-on and uses strategic increases and decreases to build the cylindrical body shape. Increases are worked early in the pattern to expand the stitch count, creating the wider body section. Decreases are then systematically applied to taper the form, reducing stitches progressively to shape the head and create definition. The pattern uses the knit-purl alternation method, known as stockinette stitch, to create a smooth fabric surface suitable for a toy. The doll is stuffed with fibrefill to create a three-dimensional form, and a circular piece of stiff card provides structural support and stability to the base.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K): The fundamental stitch creating the primary fabric texture
• Purl (P): Used in alternating rows to form stockinette stitch
• Knit Two Together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to reduce stitch count and shape the doll's form
• Increase One (Inc1): A stitch increase created by knitting into both the front and back of a single stitch, used to expand the fabric width
• Stockinette Stitch (Ss): The combination of knit rows and purl rows worked alternately, creating the smooth, classic knitted fabric surface

Materials Required

This pattern requires DK weight yarn in multiple colors. Less than 10 grams of black DK or equivalent yarn is needed for the base and primary body color. A small scrap of flesh-colored yarn is required for the face section. Construction requires 3mm knitting needles appropriate for DK weight yarn. Additional materials include a circle of stiff card measuring 2¼ inches (6cm) in diameter for the base support, a small amount of fiberfill stuffing for padding and shaping, and eyes created using either 8mm plastic toy eyes, black felt pieces, or embroidered details. This free downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Phoenixknits provides a complete project suitable for knitters with intermediate skill levels.