If you’ve ever felt daunted by the prospect of knitting in the round using double-pointed needles, fear not! We’ve got you covered with a delightful collection of 25 flat toy knitting patterns that are worked back and forth in rows. Perfect for beginner knitters or anyone looking for a relaxing knitting project, these patterns use basic knitting skills and offer a stress-free alternative to the challenges of circular knitting for knitters of all skill levels.
The beauty of these patterns lies in their simplicity – worked in rows, shaped with simple increases and decreases, and finished off with a touch of seaming and some stuffing magic. Despite their simplicity, these flat toy knitting patterns are very polished looking and you usually can’t tell them apart from their counterparts that are knit in the round.
In this curated list, you’ll find an array of charming creations, from cuddly stuffed animals like bears and dogs to adorable dolls and fun toys like balls. There are even designs for toy foods like doughnuts (yum!) and toy plants too. There are so many great flat free toy knitting patterns to choose from and you are sure to gain some inspiration for the perfect gift for a small child or for baby showers along the way.
Whether you’re a novice knitter honing your craft or a seasoned pro seeking a soothing project, these flat toy knitting patterns are sure to spark your creativity. Grab your favorite yarn, your trusty needles, and let’s embark on a journey of crafting joy. Scroll down and prepare to be inspired!
Small Sausage Dog
I’m sure that I’ve featured this adorable pattern in other free knitting round-ups but I’m still not immune to its charm. Just look at those tiny little legs and that cute rainbow sweater, and that endearing long snout! You can’t even tell that it’s knit flat and you only need to use basic stitches. Best of all, you won’t need very much yarn at all so this is a great small project for stash busting.
Designer: fluff & fuzz
Yarn: Hayfield Bonus DK (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Silly Striped Teddy
Speaking of projects that are great for using up leftover yarns, check out this super cute teddy bear with a striped sweater. The extra long torso of this design is chock full of thin stripes of a fun color combination for a dash of whimsy. Stubby arms and legs combined with the lack of a neck further simplify the design to make things even easier.
Designer: Amy Gaines for Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Otso
If you are looking for a more realistic bear to knit, then you will love this little cutie in tweed yarn. Slight tonal variations in the yarn give this bear a more natural coloring and help conceal the seams. The best bit is that this smiling fellow is generously sized, so he’s the perfect size for snuggling. I think anyone lucky enough to be gifted this bear would instantly fall in love with him!
Designer: Sophie Scott for Loop London
Yarn: The Border Mill Alpaca Tweed (Aran Weight Yarn #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Tiny Little Doughnuts
These doughnuts are much smaller than the ones I usually prefer, but they’re chock full of fiber and calorie free to boot. A thin fingering weight yarn makes these some of the cutest knitting patterns that are so small they can fit snugly in the pockets of stuffed animals that have clothing on. I would have so much fun decorating them with yarny sprinkles and icing drizzle.
Designer: Little Cotton Rabbits
Yarn: Fingering Weight #1
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Fuzzy Mitten Lamb
A slightly fuzzy yarn adds extra softness and charm to this endearing lamb stuffie. Flat knitting toys patterns like this one are an especially perfect project suited for baby shower gifts, don’t you think? There’s nothing quite as cute as seeing a baby bonding with their favorite stuffed animal!
Designer: Barbara Prime
Yarn: Worsted Weight #4
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Koala
Who knew that you could achieve this much realism in flat knit toys? I would definitely do a double take if I saw this stuffed animal in the wild. It looks just like a real koala! A few different factors help this design achieve peak believability: a combination of different blends of yarn with some being slightly fuzzy and the natural pose.
Designer: Claire Garland Dot Pebbles
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Alpaca (Sport Weight #2)
Garnstudio DROPS Kid-Silk (Lace Weight #0)
Garnstudio DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Botanical Buddies
I really like plants but I can never seem to keep them alive for very long. These knit plants are impossible to kill and also impossibly cute! There are a few different designs to choose from here and they are all free. Will you make a cactus, a bonsai tree, or a venus fly trap? You can always skip the eyes and rosy cheeks if you are not a fan of the kawaii style.
Designer: Amanda Berry
Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Simply DK (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free pattern!
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Colorful Patchy Dog
I recognize this colorful pup from a children’s book that I used to read to my son when he was younger. This pattern will give you plenty of practice with changing colors as you knit in back and forth rows. Luckily, the organic shapes are very forgiving, so if you make a few stitches the wrong color I doubt you will even be able to tell.
Designer: Sachiyo Ishii
Yarn: Deramores Studio Anti-Pilling DK (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Bertie the Bee
This buzzing friend of wildflowers is cute as can “bee”! He must have eaten a lot of nectar because he is looking quite rotund. It never ceases to amaze me just how round you can make things even when knitting in rows. Would you like to add this smiling insect to your stuffed animal collection?
Designer: Nicky Stewart
Yarn: Stylecraft Special Double Knit (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Striped Stockinette Snake
At first glance this looks just like a real snake coiled up in a basket and ready to strike. I adore the striped coloring on the snake’s long body, especially with how the color pattern doesn’t remain the same the entire time. Do you know someone who is obsessed with snakes and would love to receive this stuffed friend?
Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Eco Duo (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Simple Ball
There’s a lot of different things that you can do with a free knitting pattern for a ball. Off the top of my head I can think of putting a little bell inside to make a jingling cat toy or adding some weight and using it as a tiny bowling ball for soda bottles. It’s kind of wild to think that this near perfect spherical shape can be made using straight needles!
Designer: Alexis Hamann-Nazaroff
Yarn: Aran Weight #4
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Mini Pug
All dogs are amazing in my book whether they are dogs in real life or dogs in knit form. These pugs are especially adorable with their chubby bodies and gangly legs. They’re the perfect size for a last-minute gift for the pug lover in your life and they would fit nicely into a Christmas stocking.
Designer: Katie Durkin
Yarn: Hayfield Bonus DK (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Strawberries
Do you know those plastic toy kitchens with the little refrigerators, sinks, and stovetop burners? Of course you do! Kids love to use their imagination with these kitchen toys that make them feel more grown up. Add an extra layer of fun by whipping up some knit food for them to use while they play in their kitchen. Strawberries, anyone?
Designer: Clickety Sticks
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Puffer Fish
As far as flat toy knitting patterns go, this one is especially spherical, don’t you think? It’s a little bit like knitting magic to be able to use straight needles to create a round shape for the body of this puffer fish. A little bit of crochet is used to make the white parts around the eyes, but you could use a bit of felt instead if you prefer.
Designer: Annie Ahn
Yarn: Sport Weight #2
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Stanley the Travelling Snail
I’ve never seen a cuter bunch of snails in my life. I’m obsessed with their brightly colored bodies and shells. Using a different color for the body and the shell makes the design even more colorful and playful. Have you seen those posts on social media where people make little toys and hide them around in public to cheer people up? These snails would be perfect for that!
Designer: Cilla’s Purls
Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly 4 Ply (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Sebastian the Puppy
Oh my goodness just look at how precious this little puppy dog is. His chubby little limbs, oversize head, and sleepy eyes make him look like a newborn. The pattern is worked using bulky weight yarn so it is pretty quick to make despite being a decent size. Who knew that flat toy knitting patterns could be this cute?
Designer: Tricia Wood
Yarn: Big Twist Classic (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Knitted Stegosaurus
Make your own prehistoric pals with this delightful dinosaur design. These knitted stegosaurus are looking especially adorable in tweedy purple and orange. Who says that dinosaurs have to be some shade of green? The best part is that this pattern works up quickly in bulky weight yarn!
Designer: Jacob Haller
Yarn: Knit Picks Panache (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Hedgehog
This handsome hedgehog is ready for cold weather with his fabulously long scarf. In real life, wild hedgehogs hibernate when it gets cold, but this hedgehog must have decided to stay awake! I think he looks quite dapper with his cold weather accessory and there’s something very Christmas-y about him. He would make a lovely addition to a holiday display!
Designer: Amy Gaines
Yarn: Worsted Weight #4
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Mini Lion
I’d be “lion” if I said that this tiny stuffie wasn’t one of the cutest things I’ve seen all day. Just look at those tiny little whiskers and that handsome lion mane! This designer has a whole series of mini jungle animals that are knit flat. You could make an entire set and gift it to a lucky kiddo in your life!
Designer: Aine Marriott
Yarn: DK Weight #3
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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T-Rex Toy
Do you know a kid or kid at heart who’s crazy for dinosaurs? This smiling t-rex friend is sure to be an instant success with them! One look at his friendly face and outstretched arms will have them hooked. You can easily make a larger sized dinosaur by selecting a thicker weight of yarn and the corresponding hook size.
Designer: Dorling Kindersley
Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton DK (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Daisy May
A plain doll pattern is a great base for building onto. You can select your color palette according to the kiddo that you are making the doll for. Choose their favorite color for the dress to make them squeal with delight or make them a doll that looks just like them. The possibilities are endless!
Designer: fluff & fuzz
Yarn: Adriafil Mirage (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Bunny Soft Toy
Bunnies aren’t just for Easter. They’re good pals to have around all year round, especially when they are as cute as this one! This bunny stuffy has a body that is designed to look humanoid so it can wear clothes. I don’t know why but animals are even cuter when they are wearing clothes! The adorable little overalls are crocheted, but everything else is knit flat.
Designer: Handy Little Me
Yarn: Rico Design Creative Cotton Aran (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Kiko the Knitted Monster
Remember how I said that you can vary the size of your final project by selecting a different weight of yarn and the corresponding hook size? Here you can see that trick in action! Each of the 5 monsters pictured was made using the same exact design. The smallest one was made using a fingering weight yarn and the largest one was made using a bulky weight yarn.
Designer: Paintbox Yarns
Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran (Aran Weight #4)
Paintbox Yarns Chunky Pots (Bulky Weight #5)
Paintbox Yarns Baby DK (DK Weight #3)
Paintbox Yarns Socks (Fingering Weight #1)
Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Super Chunky (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Little Red Riding Hood/Wolf in Granny’s Clothing
Some people like to think that flat toy knitting patterns aren’t as good or as detailed as toys knit in the round, but that’s just not true. Look how crazy intricate this topsy turvy doll is! Here you can see the doll mid flip. On one side is Little Red Riding Hood and when you turn her inside out you can see the wolf in granny’s clothing.
Designer: Underground Crafter
Yarn: DK Weight #3
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Radiant Radish
Here’s another food item to add to your child’s play kitchen set. Introducing a food in play form is a great way to get a child interested in trying the food in real life. Children will have so much fun preparing pretend meals and making you pretend to eat them. You can talk about what radishes taste like and get your kiddo interested in trying them in real life!
Designer: Roving & Mirth
Yarn: Worsted Weight #4
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Final Thoughts on Flat Toy Knitting Patterns
Now do you see what all the fuss is about? There are so many amazing flat toy knitting patterns out there and I’m so excited that I got to share some with you today.
Don’t forget, sharing is caring! Send this free knitting pattern round-up to all your knitting friends so they can join in on the fun too! Bookmark this blog post or save the link to your Pinterest board for amazing knitting patterns.
I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3
Happy Knitting!