Domo

Domo Knitted Toy by Phoenixknits

What is Being Made

Domo is a beginner-friendly knitted toy designed by Phoenixknits. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a small stuffed character measuring approximately 4½ inches high when sitting. The project is ideal for crafters new to toy making who want to create a cute, dimensional figure using basic knitting techniques.

Finished Size and Proportions

The completed Domo toy stands 4½ inches high in a seated position, making it a perfect small decorative piece or gift-sized plush toy.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners. The construction uses increases created by knitting into both the front and back of a stitch to add stitches where needed. Decreases are worked by knitting or purling two stitches together. The body features a textured section created by alternating knit and purl stitches in specific positions to form facial features and definition. Stockinette stitch—alternating knit rows and purl rows—forms the primary fabric for smooth, even surfaces throughout the toy.

Stitches and Abbreviations

• K = knit stitch
• P = purl stitch
• Inc1 = increase one stitch by knitting into the front and back of the next stitch
• Tog = knit or purl the next two stitches together as one (decrease)
• Ss = stockinette stitch (alternating knit one row, purl one row)
• St/sts = stitch or stitches

The pattern emphasizes that increases must be worked using the specified front-and-back method to ensure accurate stitch counts throughout the project.

Materials Required

This toy requires minimal materials, making it economical and accessible for beginners. Yarn: Approximately 25 grams of DK weight yarn in dark brown and black. DK (double knitting) weight yarn is a medium-weight option that works well for small projects and creates defined stitch definition. Needles: 3mm knitting needles are used throughout the pattern, appropriately sized for DK weight yarn. Embellishments and notions: The toy is enhanced with scraps of red and white felt, 7mm black plastic beads for eyes, and a 6-inch pipe cleaner for structural support or poseable elements. Assembly supplies: Clear glue for attaching felt and beads, plus polyester stuffing to fill the knitted body and create a three-dimensional form.

Pattern Structure

The Domo pattern is constructed in separate pieces that are knitted individually and then assembled. The body begins with casting on 28 stitches and features alternating knit and purl sections that create visual texture. After 36 rows, seven stitches are cast off from the beginning of the next two rows, reducing the stitch count to 14 stitches. The pattern then continues in stockinette stitch for 50 rows before casting off. Soles of feet are made as two separate pieces using black yarn, each cast on with 5 stitches and worked in stockinette stitch for 6 rows. Legs are also made as a pair using dark brown yarn, though the complete leg instructions continue beyond the provided excerpt.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it an excellent introduction to toy knitting. The techniques required—casting on, basic stitches, simple increases and decreases, and stockinette stitch—are foundational skills that beginning knitters typically master early in their crafting journey. The small scale and straightforward construction make it an achievable first toy project.