This charming knit monkey is designed with a sweet vintage feel, long relaxed limbs, a rounded muzzle, floral sandals, a lace-style collar, a striped sweater, a crossbody bag, and tiny garden accessories that make the finished toy look wonderfully collectible. If you love handmade stuffed animals, heirloom toy knitting, boutique plush dolls, and giftable knitted décor, this project is a lovely choice for your next handmade item, nursery display, or craft fair piece. The finished monkey has a soft, thoughtful expression and a carefully layered outfit that gives it the feel of a premium artisan knit toy.
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 to help you recreate the monkey and the visible accessories shown in the image as closely as possible.
The monkey has a large rounded head, a softly stuffed protruding muzzle, circular ears with rolled inner ear shaping, a striped sweater with floral accents, short beige trousers, long taupe legs, slim cream hands, sandal-style shoes with flower decorations, a small knitted hat, a shoulder bag, a basket with yarn balls, and a tiny carrot.
The construction is detailed, but beginner-friendly if you move slowly and check your stitch counts often.
The instructions use clear stitch numbers throughout so you are never left guessing.
Finished Size
- Main monkey seated height: about 14 inches / 35.5 cm from top of head to bottom of sandals
- Standing total length: about 18 inches / 46 cm if legs are stretched
- Head width: about 4.75 inches / 12 cm
- Sweater width across chest: about 4.5 inches / 11.5 cm
- Hat diameter: about 3.25 inches / 8 cm
- Bag body: about 2.25 x 2.5 inches / 5.5 x 6.5 cm
- Basket width: about 2 inches / 5 cm
- Carrot: about 1.75 inches / 4.5 cm long
Skill Level
Intermediate. A confident beginner can make it with patience, but the shaping, outfit assembly, embroidery, and small accessories require close attention.
Materials
- Main yarn, light worsted / DK: warm taupe for head and tail
- Light beige / cream: muzzle, hands, inner details, shoe edging
- Darker brown: ears and optional outline accents
- Dusty blue: sweater stripes, bow, bag stripe
- Camel beige: trousers, hat, bag flap, basket
- Mauve pink: flowers and rosy embroidery details
- Green: stems, leaves, carrot top
- Orange: carrot
- White: daisy petals and collar edge if desired
- Small amount of lace-weight cream cotton: optional if you want a true soft lace collar look
- Toy stuffing
- Pair of 12 mm brown safety eyes
- Black or dark brown embroidery thread
- 3 mm and 3.25 mm knitting needles
- Set of double-pointed needles in matching sizes
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Waste yarn
- Thin cardboard for sandal soles, optional
Gauge
26 stitches and 34 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette on 3.25 mm needles after light blocking.
Gauge matters because the head-to-body proportion is a big part of the toy’s charm.
If your fabric is loose, size down your needles. The stuffing should not show through.
Abbreviations
- CO = cast on
- BO = bind off
- K = knit
- P = purl
- St st = stockinette stitch
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- inc = increase 1 stitch, use kfb unless stated
- dec = decrease 1 stitch, use k2tog or p2tog as suitable
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- k2tog = knit 2 together
- p2tog = purl 2 together
- yo = yarn over
- rep = repeat
- sl = slip
- st(s) = stitch(es)
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Color Notes
To match the image closely, use the following visual balance.
- Head and upper face: soft taupe
- Muzzle: pale beige slightly lighter than the face
- Ears: outer dark brown, inner light beige and dark brown swirl effect
- Body sweater: alternating dusty blue and cream stripes
- Trousers: warm beige
- Legs: medium taupe-brown
- Hands and feet details: cream
- Bag and hat: beige with dusty blue accents
- Flowers: soft mauve pink with green stems
Construction Order
- Knit the head
- Knit the muzzle
- Knit the ears
- Knit the body from lower torso upward
- Knit two arms
- Knit two legs
- Knit two sandal soles and straps
- Knit the tail
- Knit sweater surface motifs and collar
- Knit trousers edging if worked separately
- Knit bag, hat, basket, yarn balls, and carrot
- Assemble and embroider the face
Head
The head is large and softly oval, with slightly wider cheek area and a gentle narrowing at the crown.
Work from the top down on double-pointed needles, or use magic loop.
Head Main Piece
- With taupe, CO 8 sts. Divide evenly across needles. Join carefully. Place marker for start of round.
- Round 1: K all.
- Round 2: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
- Round 3: K all.
- Round 4: K1, kfb, rep to end. 24 sts.
- Round 5: K all.
- Round 6: K2, kfb, rep to end. 32 sts.
- Round 7: K all.
- Round 8: K3, kfb, rep to end. 40 sts.
- Round 9: K all.
- Round 10: K4, kfb, rep to end. 48 sts.
- Round 11: K all.
- Round 12: K5, kfb, rep to end. 56 sts.
- Rounds 13 to 24: K all.
This top section creates the smooth rounded crown seen in the image.
Now begin subtle cheek shaping.
- Round 25: K9, kfb, rep 5 more times, knit remaining sts. 62 sts.
- Round 26: K all.
- Round 27: K10, kfb, rep 5 more times, knit remaining sts. 68 sts.
- Rounds 28 to 36: K all.
If using safety eyes, mark placement now before closing the lower head.
Place the eyes between rounds 27 and 28, spacing them 12 sts apart across the front center.
Do not secure permanently yet if you want to test muzzle placement first.
- Round 37: K8, k2tog, rep to end. 61 sts.
- Round 38: K all.
- Round 39: K7, k2tog, rep to end. 55 sts.
- Round 40: K all.
- Round 41: K6, k2tog, rep to end. 48 sts.
- Round 42: K all.
- Round 43: K5, k2tog, rep to end. 41 sts.
- Round 44: K all.
Stuff the top and cheeks firmly but not rock hard.
The face should remain softly compressible.
- Round 45: K4, k2tog, rep to end. 34 sts.
- Round 46: K all.
- Round 47: K3, k2tog, rep to end. 27 sts.
- Round 48: K all.
Leave the lower opening temporarily open.
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You will attach the head to the body after adding the muzzle and ears.
Muzzle
The muzzle is the most important shape on this toy.
It should be broad, rounded, and gently puffed, sitting low on the face and covering the lower eye area only slightly.
Work flat in pale beige.
- CO 10 sts.
- Row 1 RS: K.
- Row 2 WS: P.
- Row 3: K1, inc, knit to last 1 st, inc, K1. 12 sts.
- Row 4: P.
- Row 5: K1, inc, knit to last 1 st, inc, K1. 14 sts.
- Row 6: P.
- Row 7: K1, inc, knit to last 1 st, inc, K1. 16 sts.
- Row 8: P.
- Row 9: K1, inc, knit to last 1 st, inc, K1. 18 sts.
- Row 10: P.
- Rows 11 to 19: Work in St st, odd rows knit, even rows purl.
- Row 20: P.
- Row 21: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. 16 sts.
- Row 22: P.
- Row 23: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. 14 sts.
- Row 24: P.
- Row 25: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. 12 sts.
- Row 26: P.
- BO knitwise.
Leave a long sewing tail.
Lightly stuff only the center of the muzzle so it stays plump but not spherical.
Before sewing it to the face, pinch the upper edge slightly so the muzzle becomes more oval and projects outward.
Ears
Each ear is circular, fairly large, and sewn at the side of the head with a slight forward tilt.
The image shows a visible inner spiral look. This can be suggested with embroidery or by knitting an inner circle and lightly couching it in place.
Outer Ear, Make 2
With dark brown, CO 8 sts on dpns and join.
- Round 1: K all.
- Round 2: Kfb all around. 16 sts.
- Round 3: K all.
- Round 4: K1, kfb, rep to end. 24 sts.
- Round 5: K all.
- Round 6: K2, kfb, rep to end. 32 sts.
- Rounds 7 to 11: K all.
- BO loosely.
Inner Ear, Make 2
With light beige, repeat outer ear through round 5 only for 24 sts.
- Rounds 6 to 8: K all.
- BO loosely.
Using dark brown yarn, embroider a spiral from the center outward on each inner ear.
Sew inner ear onto outer ear, then fold the bottom edge of the ear inward by 0.5 inch / 1.25 cm to create a cupped shape.
Body
The body is slimmer than the head and sits upright with a gentle tummy.
It should look like the sweater is worn over a compact torso.
Work from lower body upward in beige first, then change colors for the sweater.
Lower Torso and Waist
- With camel beige, CO 28 sts. Join in round.
- Rounds 1 to 6: K all.
- Round 7: P all for turning ridge.
- Rounds 8 to 12: K all.
- Round 13: K6, kfb, rep 3 more times, knit remaining sts. 32 sts.
- Rounds 14 to 18: K all.
This section forms the top of the trousers and low waist.
Now switch to sweater colors.
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Sweater Section
- Round 19: Change to dusty blue, K all.
- Round 20: K all.
- Round 21: K all.
- Round 22: Change to cream, K all.
- Round 23: K all.
- Round 24: K all.
- Round 25: Change to dusty blue, K all.
- Round 26: K all.
- Round 27: K all.
- Round 28: Change to cream, K all.
- Round 29: K all.
- Round 30: K all.
- Round 31: Change to dusty blue, K all.
- Round 32: K all.
- Round 33: K all.
- Round 34: Change to cream, K all.
- Round 35: K all.
- Round 36: K all.
On the front center, use duplicate stitch in cream over the dusty blue stripe section to create two small vertical cable-like decorative motifs if desired.
These are visible in the photograph and give the sweater extra texture.
On rounds 25 to 31 area, embroider tiny pink flowers with green stems across the lower front and sleeve line later during finishing.
Upper Body and Neck
- Round 37: K6, k2tog, rep to end. 28 sts.
- Round 38: K all.
- Round 39: K5, k2tog, rep to end. 24 sts.
- Round 40: K all.
- Round 41: K all.
- Round 42: K2tog all around. 12 sts.
Stuff the body firmly at the base and medium-firm at the chest.
Leave a long tail for sewing the body to the head opening.
Arms, Make 2
The arms are long, narrow, and relaxed.
The upper part is striped sweater fabric and the lower hand is pale cream.
Work from hand upward.
- With cream, CO 10 sts. Join in round.
- Rounds 1 to 10: K all.
- Round 11: K1, kfb, rep to end. 15 sts.
- Rounds 12 to 15: K all.
- Round 16: Change to dusty blue, K all.
- Rounds 17 to 19: K all.
- Round 20: Change to cream, K all.
- Rounds 21 to 23: K all.
- Round 24: Change to dusty blue, K all.
- Rounds 25 to 27: K all.
- Round 28: Change to cream, K all.
- Rounds 29 to 31: K all.
- Round 32: Change to dusty blue, K all.
- Rounds 33 to 36: K all.
- Round 37: K every 3rd and 4th st together around. 12 sts.
- Rounds 38 to 40: K all.
- BO.
Stuff lightly.
The lower hand should remain slightly flat, not tube-like.
Flatten the top opening and sew each arm to the body just below the neck seam.
Angle them downward so they hang beside the torso as in the image.
Legs, Make 2
The legs are long, straight, and slightly thicker near the top than the ankle.
Work from foot opening upward in taupe-brown.
- CO 16 sts. Join in round.
- Rounds 1 to 24: K all.
- Round 25: K6, k2tog, K6, k2tog. 14 sts.
- Rounds 26 to 34: K all.
- Round 35: K all.
- Round 36: K1, kfb, repeat every 7 sts. 16 sts.
- Rounds 37 to 42: K all.
- BO.
Stuff firmly enough to hold shape, but leave the very top 0.75 inch / 2 cm unstuffed for easier sewing.
Sew to the lower body with the legs hanging downward and slightly forward.
They should be close together in front when the monkey is seated.
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Hands and Finger Suggestion
The image shows slender cream hands with a simple paw-like finish rather than separate fingers.
After stuffing the hands lightly, make two short vertical stitches at the lower hand edge on each arm to suggest three divisions.
Do not overdefine them.
The hand shape should remain soft and simple.
Sandal Shoes, Make 2
The sandals are built separately and sewn onto the lower legs.
Each one has a flat sole, a top strap, and a tiny flower at the center.
Sole, Make 4
With beige, work flat.
- CO 8 sts.
- Row 1: K.
- Row 2: P.
- Row 3: K1, inc, knit to last 1 st, inc, K1. 10 sts.
- Row 4: P.
- Row 5: K1, inc, knit to last 1 st, inc, K1. 12 sts.
- Rows 6 to 12: Work in St st.
- Row 13: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. 10 sts.
- Row 14: P.
- Row 15: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. 8 sts.
- BO.
Make two pairs.
For each shoe, sew two sole pieces together, adding a thin cardboard insert if desired.
Toe Base
With cream, pick up 12 sts around the front half of one sole.
- Row 1 RS: K.
- Row 2 WS: P.
- Row 3: K.
- Row 4: P2tog, P2, P2tog, P2, P2tog. 9 sts.
- BO.
Gather slightly to form a rounded toe front.
Now embroider or sculpt five short toe bumps with cream yarn on the visible front edge.
This is an important detail because the photograph shows clear toe shaping.
Strap
- With beige, CO 10 sts.
- Rows 1 to 3: Knit every row.
- BO.
Sew the strap across the foot, leaving a little lift so it looks like an open sandal rather than a closed shoe.
Flower Decoration, Make 2
With pale pink, CO 3 sts.
- Row 1: K.
- BO all.
Make five tiny petals by wrapping and stitching small loops into a flower shape, or embroider a compact flower directly onto the strap.
Add a dusty blue French knot or small stitched center.
Tail
The tail is short, rounded at the tip, and positioned slightly to the left side behind the body.
- With taupe-brown, CO 6 sts on dpns and join.
- Rounds 1 to 10: K all.
- Round 11: Kfb in every other st. 9 sts.
- Rounds 12 to 14: K all.
- Round 15: K2tog around as possible. 5 sts.
- Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and close.
Stuff lightly and sew to the back lower body.
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Lacey Collar
The collar gives the monkey its sweetest vintage character.
To match the image, it should sit around the neck like a soft circular ruffle with little eyelet openings.
You may knit it or use a ready-made narrow lace trim.
The version below is knitted and uses only the approved structure of this pattern.
- With cream cotton or very light DK, CO 60 sts.
- Row 1 RS: K all.
- Row 2 WS: P all.
- Row 3: K1, yo, k2tog, rep to end.
- Row 4: P all.
- Row 5: K2, yo, k2tog, rep to end.
- Row 6: P all.
- Row 7: K all.
- Row 8: P all.
- BO loosely.
Lightly gather one long edge and sew around the neck seam.
Let the eyelet edge flare outward.
Sweater Floral Embroidery
The sweater shows small scattered pink floral details near the lower front and sleeves.
Do this after the body and arms are assembled.
- Use green yarn to embroider short stems, each about 2 to 3 stitches long
- Add two tiny leaves on selected stems using slanted satin stitches
- Use mauve pink yarn to make 3 to 5 petal flowers
- Place 3 flowers across the lower sweater front
- Place 1 flower on each sleeve near the cuff area
Keep the flowers tiny.
If they are too large, the sweater loses the delicate look seen in the image.
Trousers
The trousers appear simple, warm beige, and lightly rolled at the hem.
Because the body lower section was already knitted in beige, you only need to suggest the separate trouser look with finishing details.
- Embroider a shallow vertical center line at the front crotch using matching beige yarn
- At each leg top, add a whipstitched seam line to define the trouser opening
- Roll the lower edge once visually by sewing a narrow folded beige strip around the upper leg if you want stronger separation
An optional separate trouser cuff strip can be made as follows for each leg.
- CO 18 sts in beige.
- Rows 1 to 4: Knit every row.
- BO.
Sew around upper leg top and fold slightly.
Crossbody Bag
The bag is small, rectangular, soft, and slightly rounded by stuffing.
It has a dusty blue lower stripe and a tiny flower on the flap.
Bag Body
- With beige, CO 14 sts.
- Rows 1 to 8: Work in St st, starting with a knit row.
- Rows 9 to 11: Change to dusty blue, work in St st.
- Rows 12 to 19: Change to beige, work in St st.
- BO.
Fold with blue stripe near the lower front.
Sew side seams.
Lightly stuff.
Flap
- With beige, CO 12 sts.
- Rows 1 to 5: Work in St st.
- Row 6: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. 10 sts.
- Row 7: P.
- Row 8: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. 8 sts.
- BO.
Sew the flap to the back upper edge of the bag.
Strap
- With beige, CO 3 sts.
- Knit i-cord for 22 inches / 56 cm.
- BO.
Sew strap diagonally so the bag rests at the monkey’s right hip when viewed from the front.
Decorate flap with one embroidered flower using pink petals and a cream or blue center.
Hat
The hat is a small rounded beige brimmed hat with a blue ribbon.
It sits beside the monkey in the image, not on the head.
Hat Dome
- With beige, CO 8 sts on dpns and join.
- Round 1: K all.
- Round 2: Kfb all around. 16 sts.
- Round 3: K all.
- Round 4: K1, kfb, rep to end. 24 sts.
- Round 5: K all.
- Round 6: K2, kfb, rep to end. 32 sts.
- Rounds 7 to 12: K all.
Brim
- Round 13: K3, kfb, rep to end. 40 sts.
- Round 14: P all.
- Round 15: K all.
- Round 16: K4, kfb, rep to end. 48 sts.
- Rounds 17 to 19: K all.
- BO loosely.
Flatten slightly.
Add a dusty blue ribbon band by wrapping yarn around the base of the dome several times, then tie a neat bow.
Head Bow and Daisy
The monkey has a small dusty blue bow and a white daisy placed on the top right area of the head.
Bow
- With dusty blue, CO 8 sts.
- Rows 1 to 4: Knit every row.
- BO.
Wrap matching yarn around the center and sew onto head.
Daisy
Embroider five to seven white petals around a yellow center knot.
Sew beside the bow, slightly offset.
Basket
The basket is a small textured round basket holding yarn balls.
A simple knit texture works well.
- With basket beige, CO 6 sts on dpns and join.
- Round 1: K all.
- Round 2: Kfb all around. 12 sts.
- Round 3: K all.
- Round 4: K1, kfb, rep to end. 18 sts.
- Round 5: K all.
- Round 6: K2, kfb, rep to end. 24 sts.
- Round 7: P all for turning ridge.
- Rounds 8 to 13: K1, P1 around for basket texture.
- Round 14: BO loosely knitwise.
For the handle, CO 3 sts and work i-cord for 5 inches / 13 cm.
Sew handle to opposite sides.
Mini Yarn Balls
Make three tiny yarn balls in cream, dusty blue, and mauve.
- CO 6 sts on dpns and join.
- Round 1: K all.
- Round 2: Kfb all around. 12 sts.
- Rounds 3 to 4: K all.
- Round 5: K2tog around. 6 sts.
- Stuff with a tiny bit of filling.
- Thread yarn through remaining sts and close.
Mini Carrot
- With orange, CO 8 sts.
- Rows 1 to 2: Work in St st.
- Row 3: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. 6 sts.
- Row 4: P.
- Row 5: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. 4 sts.
- BO.
Sew into a cone and lightly stuff.
For the top, attach three tiny green stitched leaves.
Face Embroidery
The face must stay gentle and warm.
This matters as much as the knitting itself.
- Sew the muzzle centered below the eyes, with the upper edge sitting about 2 rows below eye line
- Lightly stuff before closing the last edge
- Use dark brown yarn to embroider a curved smile across the lower muzzle
- Add a short vertical line from nose area downward if you like, but keep it subtle
- Embroider tiny eyebrow marks in taupe or brown above each eye
- Add a little shaded stitch under each eye using brown yarn for depth
The eyes in the image are glossy and expressive.
Choose dark brown safety eyes with a small highlight if available.
If not, embroider a tiny white highlight stitch after assembly.
Main Assembly
- Sew the muzzle onto the head first
- Attach and secure safety eyes if not already fixed
- Sew ears to each side of the head, slightly above muzzle midpoint
- Attach head to stuffed body firmly with ladder stitch
- Sew arms to upper side body just below collar level
- Sew legs to lower torso, keeping them parallel and close together
- Attach tail to back lower body
- Sew collar around neck seam
- Add sandals to feet
- Sew bag strap and position bag across chest
- Place bow and daisy on head
- Set hat, basket, and carrot as display accessories
Shaping Tips for Accuracy
Do not skip the shaping stage.
This toy looks polished because the proportions are carefully adjusted after knitting.
- Press the top of the muzzle outward while stitching so it protrudes gently
- Keep the head larger than expected compared to the body
- Flatten the lower hands slightly
- Do not overstuff the arms
- Stuff the legs evenly so they hang straight
- Angle the ears forward a little for a friendly expression
- Let the bag sit low, around hip level
- Keep the collar airy and not tightly pulled
Styling Notes
The image has a soft cottage-garden mood.
The monkey is not meant to look formal or overly bright.
Use muted tones, soft stuffing, and delicate embroidery.
If your blue is too saturated, the sweater will lose the antique handmade look visible in the photograph.
If your beige is too yellow, the clothing may look harsher than intended.
Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
Check the face from the front before knotting any final embroidery threads.
The muzzle should be centered, the smile should curve gently upward, and the ears should sit at matching height.
The collar should frame the neck softly, not stand stiffly. Adjust the bag angle and sandal flowers last.
Care Notes
Display is best for this toy, especially with the small accessories.
If gifting to a child, securely embroider all decorative elements instead of using removable trims or loose findings.
Keep the toy away from excessive moisture and rough pulling on the bag strap or collar.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Head larger than body
- Muzzle softly stuffed and centered
- Eyes evenly placed
- Ears slightly cupped and forward-facing
- Sweater stripes balanced
- Floral embroidery kept tiny
- Bag worn diagonally
- Sandals attached evenly
- Bow and daisy secured
- Hat, basket, and carrot completed
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Spot clean gently with a lightly damp cloth and mild soap only when needed.
Do not machine wash, especially with the collar, accessories, and floral embroidery.
Reshape while damp and air dry flat. For long-term storage, wrap in clean tissue and keep in a dry box away from direct sunlight.
