Knitting Tutorial: Spring Goose in Striped Overalls – Free Knitting Pattern

Knitting Tutorial: Spring Goose in Striped Overalls – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet spring goose is a charming handmade knitted goose doll with striped overalls, tiny bee details, a flower purse, sun hat, watering can, sandals, and a potted blossom. It makes a lovely gift for Easter decor, nursery styling, cottagecore shelf display, or collectors looking for a knitted animal doll pattern with accessories. The finished set has the look of a boutique stuffed goose toy, yet it is sized for home makers who enjoy detailed soft toy knitting. Every piece is shaped to create the same cheerful garden character shown in the image.

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

Materials

  • Main goose color: white fingering or light sport yarn for head, neck, wings, and upper body.
  • Striped overalls colors: pale cream, light blue, sage green, and aqua.
  • Beak and feet: bright orange.
  • Bag: warm tan or light brown.
  • Bee appliqués: yellow, black, and white scraps.
  • Daisy flowers: white, pale yellow, and green scraps.
  • Hat: pale cream, blue, sage, and yellow scraps.
  • Sandals: sky blue and white scraps.
  • Watering can: dusty lavender-gray and tiny flower colors.
  • Flower pot: terracotta, brown, pink, yellow, and green scraps.
  • Needles: 2.25 mm and 2.75 mm straight needles or DPNs, depending on your preferred toy method.
  • Optional: 2.0 mm double-pointed needles for very small parts.
  • Tapestry needle for seaming and embroidery.
  • Locking stitch markers for positioning.
  • Toy stuffing, packed firmly but evenly.
  • Thin craft wire optional for the watering can handle only, if you want a crisper curve.
  • Black embroidery thread for sleepy side eyes.

Finished Size

Using fingering or light sport yarn at a firm toy gauge, the goose stands about 8 to 9 inches tall from feet to top of head flower. The main body is rounded and pear shaped, the neck is long and slim, and the accessories are sized to look intentionally miniature beside the goose.

Gauge

Gauge is not critical for toys, but consistency is essential.

  • Stockinette gauge: about 8 to 9 stitches and 11 to 12 rows per inch on 2.75 mm needles.
  • Work tightly so stuffing does not show through.
  • If your fabric looks open, go down a needle size.

Abbreviations

  • k = knit
  • p = purl
  • st(s) = stitch(es)
  • RS = right side
  • WS = wrong side
  • inc = increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of same stitch
  • kfb = knit front and back
  • ssk = slip, slip, knit
  • k2tog = knit 2 together
  • p2tog = purl 2 together
  • yo = yarn over
  • rep = repeat
  • BO = bind off
  • CO = cast on
  • M1 = make 1 increase

Pattern Notes

  • This pattern is worked mostly flat and seamed. That makes the shaping easy to read and easy to match closely to the image.
  • For a neater toy finish, leave long tails on all parts and use mattress stitch wherever possible.
  • The goose body is knitted from the lower front upward, with the striped overall area built directly into the body.
  • The neck is long and narrow with a gentle backward lean when sewn in place.
  • The wings are slim, dropped slightly low on the body, and angled downward.
  • The beak is a stuffed wedge that projects forward clearly from the face.
  • The feet are wide, flat, and slightly ruffled at the front edge to resemble webbed feet.
  • Small embellishments are what make this design look like the picture, so do not skip the bees, daisies, purse embroidery, head flower, hat, sandals, or side accessories.

Color Sequence for the Striped Overall Body

The body dress-overall area shows narrow horizontal stripes. Use this 2-row stripe repeat after the first lower body rows unless otherwise stated:

  1. 2 rows pale cream
  2. 2 rows light blue
  3. 2 rows sage green
  4. 2 rows pale cream
  5. 2 rows aqua
  6. 2 rows pale cream

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Repeat the sequence to maintain the same soft striped effect. The neck and upper head remain solid white. The body is mostly striped, with a blue trim line around the upper chest opening.

Main Body

Front Body

With striped body colors, begin at lower body in pale cream. CO 14 sts.

  1. Row 1 WS: purl.
  2. Row 2 RS: k1, inc in next 12 sts, k1. 26 sts.
  3. Row 3: purl.
  4. Row 4: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 28 sts.
  5. Row 5: purl.
  6. Row 6: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 30 sts.
  7. Row 7: purl.
  8. Row 8: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 32 sts.
  9. Rows 9-10: work even in stockinette, changing colors to continue stripe sequence.
  10. Row 11 RS: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 34 sts.
  11. Row 12: purl.
  12. Row 13: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 36 sts.
  13. Row 14: purl.
  14. Row 15: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 38 sts.
  15. Row 16: purl.
  16. Rows 17-24: continue even in stockinette, keeping stripes aligned.

The body should now look softly rounded and wide at the lower half.

  1. Row 25 RS: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 36 sts.
  2. Row 26: purl.
  3. Row 27: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 34 sts.
  4. Row 28: purl.
  5. Rows 29-32: work even.
  6. Row 33 RS: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 32 sts.
  7. Row 34: purl.
  8. Row 35: work even.
  9. Row 36: purl.

At this point the body begins narrowing toward the shoulder line.

  1. Row 37 RS: with light blue, knit all sts.
  2. Row 38 WS: purl all sts. This creates the visible upper trim line.

Change to white for upper chest and neck.

  1. Row 39 RS: k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 30 sts.
  2. Row 40: purl.
  3. Row 41: k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 28 sts.
  4. Row 42: purl.
  5. Row 43: k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 26 sts.
  6. Row 44: purl.
  7. Row 45 RS: k5, BO center 16 sts, knit last 5 sts.

Work each neck side separately.

Left side:

  1. Row 46 WS: p5.
  2. Row 47 RS: k1, ssk, k2. 4 sts.
  3. Row 48: purl.
  4. Rows 49-62: work 14 rows stockinette on 4 sts.
  5. BO.

Right side:

  1. Row 46 WS: p5.
  2. Row 47 RS: k2, k2tog, k1. 4 sts.
  3. Row 48: purl.
  4. Rows 49-62: work 14 rows stockinette on 4 sts.
  5. BO.

Back Body

Work exactly as front through Row 44.

  1. Row 45 RS: k9, BO center 8 sts, knit last 9 sts.

Work each shoulder-neck strip separately.

Left back:

  1. Row 46 WS: p9.
  2. Row 47 RS: k2, k2tog, knit to end. 8 sts.
  3. Row 48: purl.
  4. Row 49: k2, k2tog, knit to end. 7 sts.
  5. Row 50: purl.
  6. Rows 51-62: stockinette on 7 sts.
  7. BO.

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Right back:

  1. Row 46 WS: p9.
  2. Row 47 RS: knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 8 sts.
  3. Row 48: purl.
  4. Row 49: knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 7 sts.
  5. Row 50: purl.
  6. Rows 51-62: stockinette on 7 sts.
  7. BO.

Lower Body Gusset

This oval base helps the goose stand with a plump rounded body.

With pale cream, CO 8 sts.

  1. Row 1: knit.
  2. Row 2: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 10 sts.
  3. Row 3: purl.
  4. Row 4: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 12 sts.
  5. Row 5: purl.
  6. Row 6: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 14 sts.
  7. Row 7: purl.
  8. Rows 8-15: stockinette.
  9. Row 16: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
  10. Row 17: purl.
  11. Row 18: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
  12. Row 19: purl.
  13. Row 20: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
  14. BO.

Head

The head is a smooth oval with a gentle forehead and slightly narrower chin. Make 2.

With white, CO 10 sts.

  1. Row 1 WS: purl.
  2. Row 2 RS: k1, inc in each st to last 1, k1. 18 sts.
  3. Row 3: purl.
  4. Row 4: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 20 sts.
  5. Row 5: purl.
  6. Row 6: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 22 sts.
  7. Row 7: purl.
  8. Row 8: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 24 sts.
  9. Rows 9-20: stockinette.
  10. Row 21 RS: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 22 sts.
  11. Row 22: purl.
  12. Row 23: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 20 sts.
  13. Row 24: purl.
  14. Row 25: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 18 sts.
  15. Row 26: purl.
  16. Row 27: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 16 sts.
  17. Row 28: purl.
  18. Row 29: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
  19. Row 30: purl.
  20. BO.

Neck Insert

This insert gives the long neck better shaping and keeps it from collapsing. Make 2.

With white, CO 6 sts.

  1. Rows 1-24: work 24 rows stockinette.
  2. BO.

Beak

The beak is a padded wedge, slightly rounded at the upper line and fuller underneath. Make 2.

With orange, CO 8 sts.

  1. Row 1 WS: purl.
  2. Row 2 RS: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 10 sts.
  3. Row 3: purl.
  4. Row 4: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 12 sts.
  5. Rows 5-8: stockinette.
  6. Row 9 RS: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
  7. Row 10: purl.
  8. Row 11: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
  9. Row 12: purl.
  10. BO.

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Wings

The wings are narrow, lightly stuffed, and hang downward at the side. Make 2.

With white, CO 12 sts.

  1. Row 1 WS: purl.
  2. Row 2 RS: knit.
  3. Row 3: purl.
  4. Row 4: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 14 sts.
  5. Row 5: purl.
  6. Rows 6-12: stockinette.
  7. Row 13 RS: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
  8. Row 14: purl.
  9. Row 15: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
  10. Row 16: purl.
  11. Row 17: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
  12. Row 18: purl.
  13. Row 19: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
  14. Row 20: purl.
  15. BO.

Feet

Each foot is made from a top and sole, then lightly stuffed at the ankle and left flat across the front. Make 2 tops and 2 soles.

Foot Top

With orange, CO 10 sts.

  1. Row 1 WS: purl.
  2. Row 2 RS: k1, inc in each of next 8 sts, k1. 18 sts.
  3. Row 3: purl.
  4. Row 4: knit.
  5. Row 5: purl.
  6. Row 6: knit.
  7. Row 7: purl.
  8. Row 8: k2, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k2, ssk, k2, ssk, k2. 14 sts.
  9. Row 9: purl.
  10. Row 10: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 12 sts.
  11. BO.

Foot Sole

With orange, CO 8 sts.

  1. Row 1: knit.
  2. Row 2: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 10 sts.
  3. Row 3: purl.
  4. Row 4: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 12 sts.
  5. Rows 5-8: stockinette.
  6. BO.

Bee Appliqués

Make 3 bees total: 2 for the overalls and 1 for the hat.

Bee Body

With yellow, CO 6 sts.

  1. Rows 1-2: stockinette.
  2. Change to black.
  3. Rows 3-4: stockinette.
  4. Change to yellow.
  5. Rows 5-6: stockinette.
  6. BO.

Roll lightly into a tiny padded oval and sew closed.

Bee Wings

With white, CO 3 sts for each wing.

  1. Row 1: knit.
  2. Row 2: purl.
  3. Row 3: k1, kfb, k1. 4 sts.
  4. Row 4: purl.
  5. BO.

Make 2 tiny wings per bee and stitch just above the body.

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Daisy Appliqués for Body, Purse, Hat, and Sandals

Each small daisy is made the same way.

With white, CO 12 sts.

  1. Row 1: k2tog across. 6 sts.
  2. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight into a circle.

Use yellow yarn to make a French knot or tiny satin stitch center. Make small green leaves by CO 3 sts, knit 1 row, BO.

Crossbody Purse

The purse sits at the goose’s right side in the image, with a diagonal strap across the chest. Make 2 purse pieces.

With tan, CO 10 sts.

  1. Rows 1-10: stockinette, slipping first stitch of every row for neat edges.
  2. Row 11 RS: k2tog, knit to last 2 sts, ssk. 8 sts.
  3. Row 12: purl.
  4. Row 13: knit.
  5. BO.

Sew front and back together along sides and bottom. Lightly stuff or leave flat. Embroider 3 tiny flowers on the front using white, pale blue, yellow, and green. Add a strap as follows:

With tan, CO 42 sts.

  1. Row 1: knit.
  2. BO.

Stretch gently and sew one end to the back upper left corner of the purse and the other to the opposite side so it crosses the goose from left shoulder to right hip.

Flower for Top of Head

This flower is larger than the tiny daisies and sits slightly to one side near the top of the head.

Flower Petals

With white, CO 15 sts.

  1. Row 1: k2tog across to last st, k1. 8 sts.
  2. Row 2: purl.
  3. Cut yarn, thread through sts, pull into a circle.

Flower Center

With pale yellow, CO 4 sts.

  1. Rows 1-2: stockinette.
  2. Thread through stitches and pull into a tiny round knot.

Leaves

With sage, make 2.

CO 5 sts.

  1. Row 1: knit.
  2. Row 2: purl.
  3. Row 3: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
  4. BO.

Sun Hat

The hat in the image is soft, round, and shallow with a neat cream brim, striped crown, and one bee. It is displayed beside the goose rather than worn, so exact head fit is not required. The hat is worked in two pieces: crown side and brim.

Hat Crown Top

With pale cream, CO 8 sts.

  1. Row 1: knit.
  2. Row 2: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 10 sts.
  3. Row 3: purl.
  4. Row 4: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 12 sts.
  5. Row 5: purl.
  6. Row 6: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 14 sts.
  7. Row 7: purl.
  8. Row 8: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 16 sts.
  9. Rows 9-10: stockinette.

Work 10 rows in soft stripes using pale cream, blue, sage, and pale cream, changing every 2 rows. BO.

Hat Side Band

With matching striped colors, CO 34 sts.

  1. Rows 1-8: stockinette in stripe sequence.
  2. BO.

Sew short ends together into a ring. Gather crown top lightly to fit band and sew in place.

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Hat Brim

With pale cream, CO 38 sts.

  1. Rows 1-2: garter stitch.
  2. Row 3: k1, M1 across row every 3 sts, ending k1. 50 sts.
  3. Rows 4-7: garter stitch.
  4. BO loosely.

Sew brim around lower edge of hat side band. Add one tiny bee and one small white wing on top of brim area, matching the image.

Sandals

The blue sandals are displayed as a separate accessory. Make 2.

Sandal Sole

With blue, CO 6 sts.

  1. Row 1: knit.
  2. Row 2: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 8 sts.
  3. Row 3: purl.
  4. Row 4: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 10 sts.
  5. Rows 5-8: stockinette.
  6. BO.

Sandal Strap

With blue, CO 14 sts.

  1. Row 1: knit.
  2. BO.

Sew into a loop over the front half of the sole. Add a small white daisy with yellow center near the outer front edge of each sandal.

Watering Can

The watering can is tiny and decorative, sitting to the left of the goose in the image. It has a rounded body, a side spout, top opening, and a small flower embellishment.

Can Body

With dusty lavender-gray, CO 8 sts.

  1. Row 1 WS: purl.
  2. Row 2 RS: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 10 sts.
  3. Row 3: purl.
  4. Row 4: k1, M1, knit to last st, M1, k1. 12 sts.
  5. Rows 5-12: stockinette.
  6. Row 13 RS: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
  7. Row 14: purl.
  8. Row 15: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
  9. BO.

Seam into a tiny cylinder and lightly stuff only at the lower half. Leave the upper edge open-looking by folding inward slightly.

Spout

With same color, CO 4 sts.

  1. Rows 1-6: stockinette.
  2. BO.

Roll into a narrow tube and sew to side at an upward angle.

Handle

With same color, CO 12 sts.

  1. Row 1: knit.
  2. BO.

Curve and sew from upper back to upper side. Add one tiny white daisy with yellow center to the front.

Potted Flower

This accessory sits to the right of the goose and helps complete the garden scene.

Flower Pot

With terracotta, CO 10 sts.

  1. Rows 1-8: stockinette.
  2. Row 9 RS: knit.
  3. Row 10 WS: knit. This creates a fold line.
  4. Rows 11-13: stockinette.
  5. BO.

Seam into a cylinder. Fold top edge outward along garter ridge to make the rim. Insert a little stuffing in the lower half.

Soil

With brown, CO 8 sts.

  1. Rows 1-3: stockinette.
  2. BO.

Sew into top opening.

Stem

With green, CO 10 sts.

  1. Row 1: knit.
  2. BO.

Twist into a stem and sew upright.

Leaves

Make 2 in green.

CO 5 sts.

  1. Row 1: knit.
  2. Row 2: purl.
  3. Row 3: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
  4. BO.

Flower Head

With pink, CO 18 sts.

  1. Row 1: k2tog across. 9 sts.
  2. Thread through sts and pull into a flower ring.

Make center in pale yellow using 4 sts gathered into a knot, then sew onto stem above the leaves.

Overall Chest Detail

Although the striped garment is worked into the body, the image shows it reading visually like a one-piece rounded set of overalls. To improve that look, add these finishing details:

  • Embroider a faint vertical line at each side seam using matching stripe color to suggest the edges of the overalls.
  • Add two tiny tan stitches at the upper chest near where straps would sit, though the purse strap visually crosses the body.
  • Sew two bee appliqués onto the upper front body, one left and one right, slightly below the blue trim.
  • Sew one small daisy low on the front left side of the body.

Detailed Assembly Order

  1. Sew the two head pieces together, leaving lower edge open. Insert light stuffing, shaping a smooth oval head.
  2. Sew the two neck inserts together into a slim padded strip. Insert into the head opening so the neck will keep its height.
  3. Sew front and back body pieces together at shoulders and sides.
  4. Attach the lower body gusset around the base opening. Stuff body firmly, especially at the lower half, to achieve the plump pear shape.
  5. Sew the lower neck strips from body front and back together around the neck insert. Add extra stuffing carefully into the upper chest and base of neck so the neck rises cleanly from the body.
  6. Sew the completed head securely to the neck top. Angle the head slightly upward and very slightly to one side for the same lively posture seen in the image.
  7. Sew the beak pieces together, lightly stuff, and attach centered on the face. The beak should project clearly forward and sit just above the midpoint of the head.
  8. Sew the wings closed with minimal stuffing. Attach low on the side body, with the upper edge close to the blue trim and the tips angled downward.
  9. Sew each foot top to a foot sole. Add a touch of stuffing only at the heel and ankle. Attach to the body bottom front area, spaced apart enough for the goose to stand, with toes pointing outward slightly.

Facial Placement Guide

Use black embroidery thread for the eyes. The eyes in the image are tiny, simple, and placed at the sides rather than front-facing.

  • Place each eye about 2 rows above the top line of the beak.
  • Set each eye about 4 to 5 stitches out from the beak edge.
  • Use just 1 small straight stitch or 1 tiny French knot per eye.
  • Do not add eyelashes, blush, or a mouth. The clean face is important for the exact look.

Accessory Placement Guide

  • Sew the larger white flower with green leaves to the top left side of the head.
  • Sling the tan purse from the left shoulder area across the body to the right side hip.
  • Set the hat beside the goose, not on the head, if you want the photo styling to match exactly.
  • Place the watering can to the left of the goose.
  • Place the potted flower to the right of the goose.
  • Set the pair of blue sandals in front and slightly right of center.

Shaping Tips for an Accurate Look

The most important part of matching the image is proportion. The body is not tall and narrow. It is rounded, almost egg shaped, with the striped overalls stretching over a full belly. The neck is long compared with the body, and the head is modest in size, not oversized. Keep the wings small, the feet broad, and the beak distinct.

Stuff the lower body firmly so it sits stable on the table. Keep the upper body a little softer. This helps the neck emerge smoothly instead of looking stuck on. The head should be stuffed enough to look smooth, but not so hard that the face becomes square.

The beak should be noticeably raised and softly wedge shaped. Do not flatten it. A flat beak will lose the gentle goose character shown in the image. The feet should be sewn low and wide, with the front edge slightly gathered so they resemble webbing instead of simple tubes.

The wings must sit lower than many toy bird patterns. They are attached around the side of the upper body but hang down in a relaxed way. If they are placed too high or angled outward too much, the silhouette will not match.

Optional Interior Support

If you want the goose to stand even more securely, place a small fabric pouch of plastic pellets inside the very bottom body before closing. Keep the pouch centered. Do not overfill, because the base still needs to look soft and rounded rather than heavy and flat.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the head tilts slightly upward, the beak is centered, and the eyes are tiny and evenly placed. Confirm that the head flower sits off-center, not directly in the middle. Position the purse so the strap lies diagonally across the chest without covering both bees completely.

Steam very lightly from a distance if needed, but never press the stuffed pieces flat. Shape the hat brim gently with your fingers. Arrange the sandals, watering can, and flower pot around the goose so the whole set keeps its spring garden mood.

Care Notes

  • Spot clean whenever possible.
  • Use cool water and mild soap for small marks.
  • Do not twist or wring stuffed parts.
  • Lay flat on a towel and reshape while damp.
  • Keep away from rough play if using very small accessories.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

  • Body is firmly stuffed and rounded.
  • Neck is slim, tall, and stable.
  • Head is smooth and slightly tilted.
  • Beak is centered and gently padded.
  • Wings are low and angled downward.
  • Feet are wide and turned slightly outward.
  • Two bees are attached to the front body.
  • One bee is attached to the hat.
  • Daisy details are added to body, purse, hat, and sandals.
  • Purse strap crosses from left shoulder to right side.
  • Watering can, hat, sandals, and flower pot are completed.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the goose and accessories away from direct sunlight to protect the pastel stripes and orange details from fading. If displaying long term, dust gently with a clean soft brush. For seasonal storage, wrap each accessory separately in tissue so the flower petals and bee wings do not snag.

Avoid hanging the purse or lifting the toy by the neck, hat brim, or wings. Always support the body with both hands. If the goose becomes slightly misshapen over time, open a small seam, add or redistribute stuffing, and close neatly with matching yarn.

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