Finlay Fox

Finlay Fox Knitted Toy by Angela Turner

What is Being Made

Finlay Fox is an intermediate-level knitted stuffed toy fox designed by Angela Turner. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a charming handmade fox toy approximately 26cm tall from the base to the tip of the ears. The project is suitable for knitters with some experience and produces a finished plush companion perfect for children or as a decorative piece.

Knitting Techniques Used

The pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for toy construction. Stocking stitch forms the primary fabric structure, creating a smooth, finished appearance ideal for stuffed animals. The pattern uses cast-on and row-based construction to build the toy's body pieces. Knitters will work with yarn bobbins to manage multiple colors during the project, allowing for color changes and detailed sections like the fox's distinctive features. The pattern includes tension guidance to ensure consistent sizing, specifying that 2.25mm needles in stocking stitch should produce a 4-inch square over 44 rows.

Stitches and Construction Methods

The primary stitch used throughout Finlay Fox is stocking stitch, which creates the smooth, flat fabric characteristic of quality toy knitting. The pattern begins with casting on 34 stitches and progresses through rows of stocking stitch to build the toy's structure. Construction involves working with stitch holders to manage stitches during assembly and shaping. The toy incorporates wire integration for poseable elements—specifically 28cm of garden wire or florist wire—allowing the fox's limbs and features to be positioned and shaped after knitting is complete. A pipe cleaner adds additional structural support and flexibility to the finished toy.

Yarn and Materials

Finlay Fox is designed to be worked in DK weight yarn, specifically using Stylecraft Life yarn in multiple coordinated colors. The color palette includes:

• Copper (2312) – 100g for the main fox body
• Cream (2305) – 100g for the glasses detail
• Denim (2322) – 100g for accent sections
• Charcoal (2323) – 100g for additional details
• Zing (2356) – 100g for the tail

The pattern requires 2.25mm knitting needles as the primary tool, with 2.5mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) for specific sections, and 3mm needles for other components. Additional materials include 2 x 8mm black safety toy eyes, 6 x yarn bobbins for color management, a tapestry needle for finishing and seaming, and polyester fiberfill for stuffing. The pattern provides a glasses template and notes that plastic glasses can substitute for wire-framed versions when making toys for young children.

Design Features

The Finlay Fox pattern emphasizes safety and customization for different audiences. The inclusion of both wire-framed and plastic glasses options allows makers to choose appropriate embellishments based on the toy's intended recipient. The multi-color construction using separate yarn bobbins enables detailed color work and realistic fox markings. The combination of wire and pipe cleaner creates a poseable toy that maintains its shape while remaining soft and safe for play.