Toad from Mario

Toad from Mario Knitted Doll

What is Being Made

This is a knitted stuffed toy doll of Toad, a character from the Mario video game franchise, designed by Andrew Lucas. The finished toy measures approximately 17 centimeters in height and is suitable for display or play. The pattern creates a three-dimensional figure with a distinct body, head, and shoulders using basic knitting construction techniques.

Techniques Used

The pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginners. The construction begins with casting on stitches and uses increases to expand the fabric for shaping the body and head. Decreases are worked to reduce stitch counts for tapering sections like the shoulders and head definition. The toy is worked primarily in stocking stitch, which creates a smooth, finished appearance on the right side of the fabric. Garter stitch is also referenced in the abbreviations as an available technique. The pattern uses the bind and tie method, where yarn ends are threaded through a tapestry needle and passed through live stitches on the knitting needle, then drawn up and secured to close openings.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – the fundamental stitch forming the base of the fabric
• Purl stitch (p) – used in alternating rows to create stocking stitch
• Stocking stitch (st st) – alternating knit and purl rows creating a smooth, professional finish
• Garter stitch (gs) – knit rows throughout, creating a textured surface
• Increase (inc) – adding stitches to expand the fabric width for shaping
• Decrease (dec) – reducing stitches, particularly knit two together (k2tog) and purl two together (p2tog) for tapering
• Slip stitch (sl) – referenced in abbreviations for joining or finishing
• Bind and tie (B and T) – threading yarn through stitches to close the toy

Materials Required

This beginner-level project requires 3.25mm needles for all construction. The yarn is double knitting weight wool in multiple colors: white for the base body, beige for the mid-section, purple, yellow, red, and black for details and features. Only small oddments of each color are needed, making this an excellent project for using up yarn scraps. A small amount of polyester or wool stuffing is necessary to fill the completed toy before closure.

Construction Overview

The toy is constructed in distinct sections. The body begins by casting on 25 stitches in white wool, then immediately increasing in every stitch to reach 50 stitches, creating a rapid expansion for the base. Stocking stitch is worked for 10 rows in white, establishing the lower body. The fabric then transitions to beige wool and continues in stocking stitch for 13 rows, forming the mid-body section. Shoulders are shaped by knitting two stitches together across the row, reducing to 25 stitches. The head section begins with increases worked strategically to expand to 37 stitches, then stocking stitch is worked for 17 rows to establish height and volume. The head is then decreased progressively in multiple steps to taper toward closure, with final stitches bound and tied off to secure the opening and complete the three-dimensional form.