Degulus the Dodo

Degulus the Dodo by Phoenixknits

What Is Being Made

Degulus the Dodo is a knitted toy figure designed by Phoenixknits. This is a fun, playful knitting project that creates a three-dimensional stuffed dodo bird character. The pattern is not suitable for small children due to small parts, making it an ideal project for older children, teens, and adult crafters who enjoy creating whimsical amigurumi-style toys.

Craft and Technique Overview

This is a knitting project classified at an intermediate difficulty level. The pattern uses fundamental knitting techniques combined with shaping methods to construct a dimensional toy. The design employs increases and decreases to build the three-dimensional form of the dodo character, starting from the body and working outward to create different sections.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stocking Stitch (Ss) – The primary stitch pattern used throughout the project, created by alternating knit rows and purl rows to produce a smooth, classic knitted fabric
• Knit (k) – Basic knit stitch
• Purl (p) – Basic purl stitch
• Increase 1 (Inc.1) – Stitch increases made by knitting into both the front and back of the next stitch to add new stitches to the work
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog) – Stitch decreases that reduce stitch count and help shape the toy
• Turn (TURN) – Directional technique used to work on specific stitches only, allowing for shaping of different sections

Materials and Yarn

Degulus the Dodo is constructed using DK weight yarn or similar in multiple colors to create the bird's distinctive appearance. The color palette includes:

• White
• Dark grey
• Light grey
• Tan

The pattern notes that eyelash yarn can be incorporated into the design, with the specific instruction that when using eyelash yarn, the purl side becomes the right side of the finished fabric. Standard knitting needles appropriate for DK weight yarn are required to complete this project.

Pattern Structure

The pattern begins with the body, specifically starting at the back end (bum). Construction begins with casting on 10 stitches in dark grey, then systematically increases stitches to build width and dimension. The pattern uses a series of increases followed by stocking stitch rows to create bulk, then strategic decreases to shape and taper the form. This building and shaping technique is typical of toy knitting, allowing the crafter to create a three-dimensional figure from flat knitted fabric.