Knitting Tutorial: Woodland Cat Autumn Fox Cardigan Doll – Free Knitting Pattern

This woodland cat knit doll wears a cozy autumn cardigan with rust sleeves, green edging, tiny fox panels, oak-leaf details, tan pants, and little rust shoes with white toes. The design also includes a crossbody satchel with a mushroom accent, a small acorn hair clip, rounded cat ears, blue safety eyes, whiskers, pumpkins, acorns, and a golden knit beret-style prop for a warm woodland display.

 

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written in US English knitting terms and is designed for a soft seated woodland cat doll with a large rounded head, short plush body, separate limbs, embroidered facial details, and layered autumn clothing. The finished doll is about 12 inches tall when made with DK weight yarn and 2.75 mm needles.

The doll is knitted mostly flat and seamed, with some small details worked as tiny flat pieces. The visible texture in the image is close, firm stockinette with neat ribbing on cuffs, shoes, pants, cardigan bands, and accessories. Stuff firmly, but keep the cat soft and rounded.

Skill Level

• Level: Confident beginner to intermediate.
• Main skills: knit, purl, increase, decrease, mattress stitch, short seams, color changes, simple embroidery, duplicate stitch, and basic shaping.
• Construction: the head, body, arms, legs, ears, muzzle, tail, clothing, bag, shoes, pumpkins, acorns, and beret are made separately, then sewn together.

Finished Size

• Doll height: about 12 inches from shoes to top of ears.
• Head width: about 4.5 inches across after stuffing.
• Body height: about 4 inches before legs are attached.
• Cardigan length: about 3.25 inches from shoulder to lower hem.
• Bag size: about 2 inches wide by 2.25 inches tall.
• Pumpkins: about 1.25 to 2.5 inches wide depending on yarn tension.

Materials

• DK weight yarn in dark woodland brown for head, outer ears, and markings.
• DK weight yarn in cream white for muzzle, chest, inner ears, paws, tail tip, and shoe toes.
• DK weight yarn in warm tan for pants and lower body accents.
• DK weight yarn in forest green for cardigan body, cuffs, edging, and leaves.
• DK weight yarn in rusty orange for cardigan sleeves, shoulder panels, fox details, pumpkins, and shoes.
• DK weight yarn in golden yellow for oak leaves, beret, pumpkin, and acorn accents.
• Small amounts of chestnut brown, beige, red, off-white, and black embroidery yarn.
• 2.75 mm straight needles for firm doll pieces.
• 2.25 mm straight needles for tiny appliques and tighter details.
• Pair of 10 to 12 mm blue safety eyes or glossy black eyes with blue felt backing.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Tapestry needle.
• Removable stitch markers.
• White embroidery thread or thin cotton for whiskers.
• Small piece of cardboard or plastic canvas for the satchel base, optional.

Gauge

Using DK yarn and 2.75 mm needles, work 26 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Gauge is important for keeping the doll compact and rounded. If your fabric looks loose or stuffing shows through, use smaller needles.

• Stockinette stitch: knit right-side rows, purl wrong-side rows.
• Garter stitch: knit every row.
• Ribbing: k1, p1 across each row.
• Make 1 increase: lift the strand between stitches and knit through the back loop.
• Decreases: use k2tog for right-leaning decreases and ssk for left-leaning decreases.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• st or sts: stitch or stitches.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• m1: make 1 stitch.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• ssk: slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together.
• inc: increase.
• dec: decrease.
• rep: repeat.

Main Cat Head

The head is large, rounded, and slightly wider than the body. It is worked in dark woodland brown with a cream-white face patch added separately. Keep the top smooth, then shape the lower head softly so the muzzle sits forward and centered.

1. With dark woodland brown and 2.75 mm needles, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: purl all sts.
3. Row 2: k1, m1, k8, m1, k1. 12 sts.
4. Row 3 and all WS rows through Row 17: purl.
5. Row 4: k1, m1, k10, m1, k1. 14 sts.
6. Row 6: k1, m1, k12, m1, k1. 16 sts.
7. Row 8: k2, m1, k12, m1, k2. 18 sts.
8. Row 10: k2, m1, k14, m1, k2. 20 sts.
9. Row 12: k3, m1, k14, m1, k3. 22 sts.
10. Row 14: k3, m1, k16, m1, k3. 24 sts.
11. Row 16: k4, m1, k16, m1, k4. 26 sts.
12. Rows 18 to 38: work in stockinette stitch.
13. Row 39: purl.
14. Row 40: k4, ssk, k14, k2tog, k4. 24 sts.
15. Row 42: k3, ssk, k14, k2tog, k3. 22 sts.
16. Row 44: k3, ssk, k12, k2tog, k3. 20 sts.
17. Row 46: k2, ssk, k12, k2tog, k2. 18 sts.
18. Row 48: k2, ssk, k10, k2tog, k2. 16 sts.
19. Row 50: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
20. Row 52: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
21. BO, leaving a long tail for seaming.

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Make a second head piece the same way. Sew the two head pieces together around the edge, leaving the lower neck area open. Stuff firmly, shaping the top into a gentle dome and the cheeks into a soft round cat face.

White Face Patch

The cat has a cream-white blaze that rises between the eyes and widens into the muzzle. This piece is sewn onto the front of the head after stuffing. It should sit lower than the eye line and create the sweet woodland kitten expression.

1. With cream white and 2.25 mm needles, CO 4 sts.
2. Row 1: purl.
3. Row 2: k1, m1, k2, m1, k1. 6 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: k1, m1, k4, m1, k1. 8 sts.
6. Row 5: purl.
7. Row 6: k2, m1, k4, m1, k2. 10 sts.
8. Rows 7 to 12: stockinette stitch.
9. Row 13: purl.
10. Row 14: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
11. Row 15: purl.
12. Row 16: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
13. Rows 17 to 20: stockinette stitch for the narrow forehead stripe.
14. Row 21: purl.
15. Row 22: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
16. BO.

Pin the white patch to the head with the wide section over the lower face and the narrow stripe reaching between the eyes. Sew with small whipstitches. Lightly stuff under the lower muzzle area before closing the last few stitches to give it a raised shape.

Rounded Muzzle Pads

1. With cream white and 2.25 mm needles, CO 8 sts for one muzzle pad.
2. Rows 1 to 6: stockinette stitch.
3. Row 7: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
4. Row 8: purl.
5. Row 9: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
6. Thread yarn through remaining sts, pull tight, and seam into a small oval.
7. Make a second pad the same way.

Sew both muzzle pads side by side on the lower white face patch. Add a small amount of stuffing under each pad so the mouth area is rounded. The pads should touch at the center and sit directly below the nose.

Pink Nose and Mouth

• Use soft pink yarn or embroidery floss.
• Work horizontal satin stitches across the center of the muzzle, about 6 stitches wide.
• Add two shorter stitches above to create a rounded triangle shape.
• Bring the yarn down from the nose center and embroider a short vertical line.
• Add a tiny split mouth with two curved stitches in pale brown or pink.

Cat Ears

The ears are wide, rounded triangles with dark brown outer edges and cream-white inner panels. They sit high on the head, slightly angled outward. The shape should look soft rather than sharp.

Outer Ear, Make 2

1. With dark woodland brown and 2.75 mm needles, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: stockinette stitch.
3. Row 5: ssk, k10, k2tog. 12 sts.
4. Row 6: purl.
5. Row 7: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
6. Row 8: purl.
7. Row 9: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
8. Row 10: purl.
9. Row 11: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
10. Row 12: purl.
11. Row 13: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
12. Row 14: purl.
13. Row 15: ssk, k2tog. 2 sts.
14. BO.

Inner Ear, Make 2

1. With cream white and 2.25 mm needles, CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: stockinette stitch.
3. Row 5: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
4. Row 6: purl.
5. Row 7: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
6. Row 8: purl.
7. Row 9: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
8. Row 10: purl.
9. Row 11: ssk, k2tog. 2 sts.
10. BO.

Sew one inner ear to each outer ear. Fold each ear slightly at the lower edge and sew to the head, placing the inner edges about 2 inches apart. Angle the ears outward so the doll matches the cozy handmade woodland-cat look in the image.

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Body

The body is smaller than the head and slightly pear-shaped. It is mostly hidden by the cardigan, but a cream center chest and tan lower section are visible. Work the main body firmly so the doll sits upright.

1. With cream white and 2.75 mm needles, CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: purl.
3. Row 2: k1, m1, k10, m1, k1. 14 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: k2, m1, k10, m1, k2. 16 sts.
6. Row 5: purl.
7. Row 6: k2, m1, k12, m1, k2. 18 sts.
8. Rows 7 to 14: stockinette stitch.
9. Change to warm tan for the lower torso.
10. Rows 15 to 28: stockinette stitch.
11. Row 29: purl.
12. Row 30: k2, ssk, k10, k2tog, k2. 16 sts.
13. Row 32: k2, ssk, k8, k2tog, k2. 14 sts.
14. Row 34: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
15. BO, leaving a long tail.

Make a second body piece the same way. Sew side edges together, stuff firmly, and close the lower edge. Attach the head to the top of the body with strong stitching. Work around the neck twice so the head stays steady and centered.

Legs and Pants, Make 2

The doll has tan knitted pants with softly rounded legs. Each leg is worked from the shoe opening upward, then attached below the body. The feet are separate shoe pieces, so keep the lower leg narrow.

1. With warm tan and 2.75 mm needles, CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 5 to 24: stockinette stitch.
4. Row 25: k1, m1, k10, m1, k1. 14 sts.
5. Rows 26 to 34: stockinette stitch.
6. Row 35: ssk, k10, k2tog. 12 sts.
7. Row 36: purl.
8. BO, leaving a long tail.

Fold each leg lengthwise and seam from ankle to top. Stuff lightly so the pants stay cylindrical but not bulky. Sew the upper legs to the lower body with the feet pointing forward. The doll should be able to sit with legs hanging down.

White Feet, Make 2

1. With cream white and 2.75 mm needles, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: purl.
3. Row 2: k1, m1, k6, m1, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: k1, m1, k8, m1, k1. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 12: stockinette stitch.
7. Row 13: purl.
8. Row 14: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
9. Row 16: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
10. BO.

Seam each foot into a small oval, stuff lightly, and sew to the bottom front of each pant leg. The white portion should show clearly through the open toe area of the rust shoes.

Rust Woodland Shoes, Make 2

The shoes are rust-orange slippers with a raised rim, white toe opening, tan sole, and a tiny leaf accent on the outer side. They should sit around the white feet rather than covering them completely.

1. With rusty orange and 2.25 mm needles, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 3: garter stitch for the shoe rim.
3. Rows 4 to 9: stockinette stitch.
4. Row 10: k4, BO 10 sts, k4. This creates the open toe space.
5. Row 11: p4, CO 10 sts over the gap, p4. 18 sts.
6. Rows 12 to 15: stockinette stitch.
7. Change to tan.
8. Rows 16 to 18: garter stitch for the sole.
9. BO.

Wrap each shoe around a white foot and seam at the back heel. Sew the tan sole under the foot. Add a short rust strap across the top by CO 8 sts, knitting 2 rows, and binding off. Sew one strap to each shoe.

Small Shoe Leaves, Make 2

1. With golden yellow and 2.25 mm needles, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1. 5 sts.
4. Row 3: knit.
5. Row 4: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
6. Row 5: k3tog. 1 st.
7. Fasten off and sew to the outer shoe strap.

Arms and Paws, Make 2

The arms are short and soft, with white paws showing below the cardigan sleeves. One paw is slightly visible near the side of the satchel, so keep the hands rounded and small.

1. With cream white and 2.75 mm needles, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 6: stockinette stitch.
3. Change to dark woodland brown.
4. Rows 7 to 14: stockinette stitch.
5. Change to rusty orange for the upper sleeve section if you want the sleeve built into the arm.
6. Rows 15 to 22: stockinette stitch.
7. Row 23: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
8. Row 24: purl.
9. BO.

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Fold each arm lengthwise, seam, and stuff lightly. Sew the arms to the sides of the upper body, angled downward. Make sure the white paws extend below the cardigan sleeve edges.

White Tail

The image shows a short white tail peeking from the side. It is rounded and simple, placed behind the doll near the lower cardigan edge.

1. With cream white and 2.75 mm needles, CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 14: stockinette stitch.
3. Row 15: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
4. Row 16: purl.
5. Row 17: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
6. Thread yarn through remaining sts, pull tight, and seam into a small tube.

Stuff the tail softly and sew it to the back right side of the body so it curves outward. Keep the tail visible beside the cardigan and above the shoe line.

Autumn Fox Cardigan

The cardigan is the main clothing feature. It has a forest-green body, rusty orange sleeves and shoulder panels, green front bands, ribbed cuffs, a short open front, small foxes near the lower fronts, and embroidered oak leaves on the upper chest and sleeves.

Cardigan Back

1. With forest green and 2.75 mm needles, CO 28 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 5: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 6 to 18: stockinette stitch.
4. Change to rusty orange.
5. Rows 19 to 26: stockinette stitch for the autumn shoulder panel.
6. Row 27: BO 4 sts, knit to end. 24 sts.
7. Row 28: BO 4 sts, purl to end. 20 sts.
8. Rows 29 to 34: stockinette stitch.
9. BO.

Left Front

1. With forest green, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 5: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 6 to 18: stockinette stitch, keeping the front edge neat.
4. Change to rusty orange.
5. Rows 19 to 24: stockinette stitch.
6. Row 25: BO 4 sts at armhole edge, knit to end. 12 sts.
7. Row 26: purl.
8. Row 27: k to last 2 sts, k2tog at neck edge. 11 sts.
9. Row 29: k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 10 sts.
10. Rows 30 to 34: stockinette stitch.
11. BO.

Right Front

1. With forest green, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 5: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 6 to 18: stockinette stitch.
4. Change to rusty orange.
5. Rows 19 to 24: stockinette stitch.
6. Row 25: knit to end after binding off 4 sts at the armhole edge as needed to mirror the left front. 12 sts.
7. Row 26: purl.
8. Row 27: ssk at neck edge, knit to end. 11 sts.
9. Row 29: ssk, knit to end. 10 sts.
10. Rows 30 to 34: stockinette stitch.
11. BO.

Cardigan Sleeves, Make 2

1. With forest green, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 5: k1, p1 rib.
3. Change to rusty orange.
4. Rows 6 to 9: stockinette stitch.
5. Row 10: k1, m1, k16, m1, k1. 20 sts.
6. Rows 11 to 18: stockinette stitch.
7. Row 19: k1, m1, k18, m1, k1. 22 sts.
8. Rows 20 to 24: stockinette stitch.
9. BO.

Seam cardigan shoulders. Sew sleeves into armholes, then seam the sleeve and side edges. Place the cardigan on the doll before adding the front bands so you can adjust the fit around the stuffed body.

Green Front Bands and Collar

1. With forest green and 2.25 mm needles, CO 5 sts.
2. Work in k1, p1 rib until the strip reaches from the lower left hem, up the front, around the neck, and down the right front.
3. BO loosely.
4. Sew the band evenly to the cardigan opening.

Add a second narrow decorative dark green seam line beside the front band by working duplicate stitch or surface embroidery. This gives the cardigan the layered, cozy edge seen in the image.

Fox Motifs on Cardigan Fronts

Each lower front has a tiny fox face and chest. These are best added with duplicate stitch and embroidery after the cardigan is sewn. Keep the foxes small, bright, and symmetrical.

• On each lower green front, mark a rectangle about 7 stitches wide and 9 rows tall.
• With rusty orange, duplicate stitch a small fox head: 3 stitches wide at top, 5 stitches wide at center, and 3 stitches wide at lower edge.
• With cream white, add a V-shaped face patch using two diagonal stitches and one center stitch.
• With dark brown, add two tiny ear stitches at the top corners.
• With black embroidery thread, add two eye dots and one nose dot.
• With cream white, add two short chest stitches below the face.

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Oak Leaves on Cardigan

The cardigan has golden leaves on the chest and rust leaves on the sleeves. You may knit tiny leaves separately or embroider them directly. For a raised look, make separate appliques.

Small Oak Leaf Appliques, Make 6

1. With golden yellow or rusty orange and 2.25 mm needles, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: k3.
3. Row 2: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1. 5 sts.
4. Row 3: k5.
5. Row 4: k1, m1, k3, m1, k1. 7 sts.
6. Row 5: BO 1, k5, BO 1 by passing stitches carefully at both edges. 5 sts remain.
7. Row 6: k5.
8. Row 7: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
9. Row 8: k3tog. 1 st.
10. Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.

• Sew two golden leaves to the upper front chest panels.
• Sew one rusty leaf to each green cuff area.
• Sew two extra leaves near the lower sides if you want the fuller woodland look from the image.
• Embroider a center vein on every leaf using dark tan yarn.

Tan Pants Waist and Ribbed Center

The visible tan center below the cardigan looks like ribbed trousers or a high-waisted knit garment. Add this detail over the body if your cardigan leaves the center exposed.

1. With warm tan and 2.25 mm needles, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 14: k1, p1 rib.
3. BO.
4. Sew vertically to the lower front body between the cardigan fronts.

This small panel creates the neat ribbed appearance under the open cardigan. It should begin just below the white chest and finish above the top of the legs.

Crossbody Satchel

The satchel is textured brown, rectangular, and worn across the body on a diagonal strap. It has a rounded flap and a tiny mushroom decoration on the front. Use a tight gauge so the bag keeps its shape.

Bag Body

1. With chestnut brown and 2.75 mm needles, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: garter stitch.
3. Rows 5 to 22: stockinette stitch.
4. Rows 23 to 26: garter stitch.
5. BO.

Fold the lower edge upward to form a pouch about 2.25 inches tall. Sew the side seams. If desired, slide a small piece of cardboard or plastic canvas inside before closing to keep the bag flat.

Bag Flap

1. With chestnut brown, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: garter stitch.
3. Row 5: ssk, k12, k2tog. 14 sts.
4. Row 6: knit.
5. Row 7: ssk, k10, k2tog. 12 sts.
6. Row 8: knit.
7. BO.

Sew the flap to the top back of the bag and fold it forward. Add small vertical embroidery stitches across the bag to mimic the ribbed texture visible in the image.

Strap

1. With chestnut brown and 2.25 mm needles, CO 4 sts.
2. Work garter stitch until the strap measures about 13 inches, testing over the doll from shoulder to opposite hip.
3. BO and sew ends securely to the bag sides.

Place the strap over the doll’s right shoulder and let the bag rest at the left hip. Tack the strap invisibly to the cardigan shoulder and side so it stays in the same diagonal position.

Mushroom Applique for Bag

• With red yarn, CO 5 sts and knit 4 rows. Decrease with ssk, k1, k2tog. BO the remaining 3 sts for the mushroom cap.
• With beige yarn, CO 4 sts and knit 5 rows for the stem. BO.
• Sew the beige stem below the red cap on the bag flap.
• Embroider two tiny white dots on the red cap.

Acorn Hair Clip

The small acorn sits near the top of the head beside one ear. It is made with a golden nut and brown textured cap. Sew it firmly so it looks like a woodland hair accessory.

Acorn Nut

1. With golden tan and 2.25 mm needles, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 8: stockinette stitch.
3. Row 9: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
4. Row 10: purl.
5. Thread yarn through remaining sts, pull tight, seam, and stuff lightly.

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Acorn Cap

1. With dark chestnut brown, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 3: garter stitch.
3. Row 4: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
4. Row 5: knit.
5. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull tight.

Sew the cap onto the nut. Add a short brown stem by twisting two strands together and knotting them. Attach the acorn near the right ear, angled slightly forward.

Facial Features and Eyes

Place the eyes before final facial embroidery if you are using safety eyes. The eyes are large, glossy, and spaced widely to create the gentle cat expression.

• Position eyes on the dark brown head, one on each side of the white face patch.
• Place them about 1.25 inches above the top of the muzzle pads.
• Space the eyes about 1.5 inches apart.
• Add a tiny white highlight stitch at the upper outer edge of each eye if desired.
• Embroider curved pale-gray eyebrow lines above the eyes, following the relaxed arc in the image.
• Use three straight white whiskers on each side of the muzzle. Keep them long and fine.

Optional Pumpkins for Display

The image includes small autumn pumpkins around the doll. These are separate display props and help create the harvest table scene. Make one yellow pumpkin and one rust pumpkin for the closest match.

Small Pumpkin

1. With golden yellow or rusty orange and 2.75 mm needles, CO 24 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 18: stockinette stitch.
3. BO, leaving a long tail.
4. Sew the side seam to form a tube.
5. Gather the bottom edge tightly, stuff, then gather the top edge tightly.
6. Wrap yarn from top to bottom six times, pulling gently to create pumpkin ridges.
7. With green yarn, CO 4 sts and knit 6 rows for the stem. Roll and sew to the top.

Large Golden Beret-Style Pumpkin Prop

1. With golden yellow and 2.75 mm needles, CO 48 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 5: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 6 to 16: stockinette stitch.
4. Row 17: k4, k2tog across. 40 sts.
5. Row 18: purl.
6. Row 19: k3, k2tog across. 32 sts.
7. Row 20: purl.
8. Row 21: k2, k2tog across. 24 sts.
9. Row 22: purl.
10. Row 23: k1, k2tog across. 16 sts.
11. Thread yarn through remaining sts, pull tight, and seam.

Make a pom-pom about 1 inch wide with golden yellow yarn and sew it to the top. This piece can be used as a soft beret beside the doll or as a rounded autumn display cushion.

Acorn Display Pieces

• For each small acorn, knit one golden tan nut using 6 cast-on stitches and 6 rows of stockinette.
• Gather and stuff the nut into a small oval.
• For the cap, CO 6 sts in brown, knit 3 rows in garter stitch, gather, and sew on top.
• Add a tiny stem with a knotted brown yarn tail.
• Make three to five acorns in mixed browns to scatter around the finished doll.

Embroidery Placement Guide

Good placement is the key to making this doll match the image. Before sewing any embroidery permanently, pin the cardigan on the doll and mark the visible areas. The foxes should sit low on both cardigan fronts, while the leaves should decorate the upper chest and sleeves.

• Chest leaves: place one golden leaf on each rusty orange upper front panel.
• Sleeve leaves: place one rusty leaf on each green cuff area.
• Fox panels: place one fox on each green lower front, centered below the chest leaves.
• Bag mushroom: place it on the lower right side of the bag flap from the viewer’s perspective.
• Acorn clip: place it above the right eye area near the ear.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

1. Sew the head to the body with the white chest centered under the face.
2. Attach legs to the lower body so the doll sits naturally.
3. Sew white feet to the legs, then wrap and seam rust shoes around the feet.
4. Attach arms at the shoulders, angled gently downward.
5. Sew the tail to the back side, letting it peek from behind the cardigan.
6. Place the cardigan on the doll and tack it lightly at shoulders and side seams.
7. Add the crossbody satchel, then secure the strap at shoulder and hip.
8. Sew ears to the head, checking that both ears are level and slightly curved.
9. Sew the acorn clip near one ear.
10. Add eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrow arcs, and whiskers last for the cleanest expression.

When embroidering the whiskers, use thin white thread and avoid pulling too tightly. The whiskers should extend outward in straight, delicate lines. Shape the muzzle with your fingers after stitching so the face stays rounded and friendly.

Care Notes

• Spot clean gently with a damp cloth.
• Do not machine wash if safety eyes, cardboard bag inserts, or pom-poms are used.
• Let the doll air dry flat on a towel.
• Keep the whiskers smooth by storing the doll away from heavy objects.
• Use the doll as decoration or gentle play only if all parts are sewn securely.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is larger than the body and softly rounded.
• The white face patch is centered and rises between the eyes.
• The ears have cream inner panels and dark outer edges.
• The cardigan has green fronts, rust shoulders, rust sleeves, and green cuffs.
• Both fox motifs are visible on the lower cardigan fronts.
• Oak leaves decorate the chest, sleeves, and shoes.
• The satchel crosses diagonally and rests at the hip.
• The mushroom applique is attached to the bag flap.
• The small acorn clip is sewn near the top of the head.
• Pumpkins and acorns are finished for the woodland display scene.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For long-term display, keep the doll in a dry area away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade the green cardigan, rust sleeves, and golden accessories. If dust collects, use a soft brush and clean in the direction of the knitted stitches.

If the doll needs deeper cleaning, remove loose display props first. Dab the surface with cool water and mild soap, then press gently with a clean towel. Do not twist, scrub, or soak the doll, because stuffing and embroidered details can shift.

Store the doll upright or lying flat in a breathable cotton bag. Avoid plastic bags for long storage because trapped moisture can affect yarn texture. To preserve the face, place tissue around the whiskers and ears so they do not bend.

Finishing Thought

Your woodland cat autumn fox cardigan doll is complete when the face looks soft, the cardigan sits open at the front, the little satchel crosses the body, and the harvest accessories frame the doll like a cozy forest table scene. Take your time with the small embroidered pieces, because those details give the finished knit its handmade storybook charm.