Take a stitch on the wild side! I have a whole herd of knitted animal patterns for you to explore, ranging from deep blue sea creatures to jungle friends.
Knitted Amigurumi animals and creature comforts in a variety of adorable tones and shades are ideal for playrooms and nurseries — and you can even make your own zoo! Stitch, detail, and stuff each character to make these lovable pals come to life.
Keep them as desk or bookshelf companions, or give them to a critter-obsessed child!
35 Knitted Animal Patterns For You To Make For Your Little One
These animals are surprisingly easy to make; with a few evenings of work, you can have a covetable companion for life. And, of course, these knitted animals are much easier to look after than the real things―they don’t eat, won’t make a mess, and are legal to keep in your home.
Be warned though, these unlikely characters will become your new best friends as you knit your way through the whole menagerie!
1. Knitted Zebra Pattern by Yarnspirations
Use whichever color you like and knit-up a veritable zoo full of cute zebras for any child you love. This one makes a wonderful gifting toy, but be sure to treasure one for yourself too.
Also see: Crochet Zebra Patterns
Get the Pattern here
2. Ginger And Smudge Toy Cats Knitting Pattern by Fluff And Fuzz
What a pair of lazy fat cats! Ginger, the orange striped cat, is having a little lie down, (they could make a sweet doorstop) and Smudge, the grey cat is waiting for a head scratch (they could also be used as a bookend).
These cats are knitted in acrylic DK yarns on single pointed needles (not in the round). Smudge uses kitchener stitch, an invisible grafting technique, to finish the top of their head.
Get the Pattern by Fluff And Fuzz here
3. Knitted Bird Pattern by Beaded Wire
Twitching to knit? Get off to a flying start with this knitted bird pattern, which has instructions you need to bring a flock of colorful birds to life. Great for gifts or perching as decorations, these quirky birds are fantastic fun to make and display, whatever your knitting experience,
Get the Pattern by Beaded Wire here
4. Muffin, The Puppy Dog Knitting Pattern by Toy Shelf
Muffin is a really cute little puppy and fun to knit. As his legs move easily, he can be placed in a variety of different poses. He is easy to knit and will only take small amounts of yarn.
Get the Pattern by Toy Shelf here
5. Free Elephant Knitting Pattern by Gathered
This super-cute knitted elephant toy gives unbeatable cuddles and is sure to brighten up anyone’s day! Knitted toys make thoughtful gifts for special occasions, and I think this cuddly elephant would be a fun addition to a jungle-themed bedroom or nursery.
Just make sure you embroider the eyes rather than using buttons if you’re making her for a young child. With a garter stitch body and simple shaping using increases and decreases, she’s easy to knit and ideal for toy knitting beginners.
Get the Pattern here
6. Opus, The Octopus Knitting Pattern by Knitty
Who doesn’t need a life-sized, squishy, tentacled companion? With his sleepy eyes and wonderfully squishable body, Opus the Octopus is equally at home perched on a sofa or at the head of a bed.
He’s also a great decoration for a child’s room. Opus’s design is inspired by the real thing (octopus vulgaris in particular), but minus the creepy parrot-like beak.
Get the Pattern here
7. Petite Pocket Pets Knitted Animal Patterns by Fuzzy Mitten
This Petite Pocket Pets Pattern makes six tiny and lovable toy animals for you to cherish. The instructions include a House Cat, Doodle Pup, Pug Pup, Dutch Rabbit, Lop Rabbit, and Teddy-bear Hamster. There is also a bonus bandanna scarf to accessorize your toys.
Get the Pattern by Fuzzy Mitten here
8. Horse/Unicorn Knitting Pattern by Koha Knits
Knit a sweet horse or unicorn for a new arrival — easy to grip and perfect for a cuddle. This toy is designed in a Waldorf style, it is easy to knit using simple techniques and minimal materials. The horse or unicorn can also be easily made into a rattle.
Get the Pattern by Koha Knits here
9. Koala Knitting Pattern by Prima
Welcome to what could be cutest of all – a cuddly knitted koala. This free pattern shows you how to make a cuddly toy that’s perfect as a keepsake or gift. Made with grey and white wool with detailing in black yarn and felt, it’s a simply adorable knitting project. Once made he has an approximate sitting height of 18cm.
Get the Pattern here
10. Knit Hedgehogs Pattern by Purl Soho
Make your own adorable Knit Hedgehog! Knit in one piece without a lick of sewing or even grafting, these sweet little hedgies are super fun to make and even more fun to cuddle!
Get the Pattern here
11. Brax, The Brachiosaurus Knitting Pattern by Arty Crafty Alice
Introducing Brax, the Brachiosaurus! This cuddly little creation would make the perfect prehistoric pal for someone special, and a fun filled project for an intermediate level knitter.
Knitted on straight 3mm needles, Brax is an easy to follow pattern using the following skills; knit, purl, cast off in middle of row, knit front and back increase, knit two together decrease and purl two together decrease. There is also an optional alternative pattern to create a striped body using intarsia colour work.
Get the Pattern by Arty Crafty Alice here
12. Giraffe Toy Knitting Pattern by Fluff And Fuzz
Playtime will be extra special for little ones with this baby giraffe to cuddle and share fun times with. Giraffes in the wild have unique coat patterns, and your giraffe can, too, as the spots are decorated with Swiss darning (duplicate stitch) after knitting. Also included in this pattern is a chart of patch shapes you can copy on your toy.
Get the Pattern by Fluff And Fuzz here
13. Dress Up Rabbit Doll Knitting Pattern by Out Of The Thistle
This Dress Up Rabbit Doll Knitting Pattern is an exceptional template for endless creative opportunities! This pattern creates a basic bunny that allows for a variety of finishes.
With this pattern, you can embroider spots, you can double knit stripes, you can embroider on flowers or stars or any kind of decorative details, and you can incorporate shirts or stockings! Make it fuzzy or knit it in wool and dye it. Another bonus: dress it up!
Get the Pattern by Out Of The Thistle here
14. Tarragon, The Gentle Dragon Knitting Pattern by Knit A Zoo
Mythology or reality? The reality is that Tarragon is a dragon with a tender heart and an obscure predilection for French cuisine.
He will only blow fire for bbq-ing some sausages — to eat with lots of onions and garlic sauce! One day to knit, one second to love! Gift this friendly fantasy creature to a special little one and see her face light up!
Get the Pattern here
15. Knitted Woodland Animals Pattern by Huggable Bears
This pattern includes 4 sweet woodland animals: Fox, Squirrel, Badger, and Raccoon. They can be created in any medium of yarn, from plain cotton, acrylic, wool or eyelash/faux fur or any one of the fuzzy/fleecy yarns available today. We are spoilt for choice.
They measure 12 inches/30cm standing. Knitted flat on straight needles, the legs and body are knitted as one piece. A simple seam is sewn from inside leg to outside leg to form a hip joint enabling them to sit or stand easily.
Get the Pattern by Huggable Bears here
16. Knitted Baby Sea Animals Pattern by Beth Decker
Who loves babies? I do! Make these fun knitting machine baby sea animals with me! They are super quick and easy to make. They are great as a little stuffed toy, add them to a keychain and attach to your child’s backpack, or decorate a babies room with them. The possibilities are truly endless!
Get the Pattern here
17. Luke, The Sloth Knitting Pattern by Let’s Knit
Fall in love with this cuddly pal! A lover of lazy days and long naps, this quirky clawed pal is after a simple life. He’s incredibly soft to cuddle and loves hanging around. Luke is relatively simple to knit as he uses only basic stitches and a little shaping, and he’s knitted flat so he’s a great toy project for beginners. Why not knit him for your little ones?
Get the Pattern here
18. Knitted Llama Pattern by Red Heart
Leave the drama behind and stitch up a sweet llama toy for children of all ages! Choose your favorite colors to finish a perfect plaything with loopy fur stitchwork, colorful blanket and cute ear pompoms. Customize shades to your child’s preferences, for extra meaning. This lovable llama measures 18″ in height — perfectly sized for cuddling!
Get the Pattern here
19. Knitted Wild Animals Pattern by David And Charles
Go wild with these adorable knitted wild animal toys in their own wonderful wardrobes. The animal dolls have the same basic body shape and are the same size so that all of the outfits are interchangeable, so you can mix and match your favorites.
Or you can just make the animals: the animal patterns and a lot of the clothes are knitted flat and then sewn together but some of the clothing is knitted in the round.
There are so many possibilities for animal and outfit changes so that you can make the perfect doll for the cheeky monkeys in your life!
Get the Pattern by David And Charles here
20. Snails And Slugs Knitting Pattern by Mochimochi Land
When they’re not vying to determine which species will slowly take over the world, snails and slugs make cute house pets. Knit some up for your friends and hide them in unusual places. The pattern, which calls for fingering weight yarn, is a tiny bit fiddly, but very fast and super cute!
Get the Pattern here
21. Fishy Friends Knitting Pattern by Trish Le Moose
Scuba diving can be tricky when you’re a knitter — that woolen wetsuit seemed like such a good idea on dry land but 20,000 leagues under the sea? No. But, worry not, because you can still get all nautical with your needles thanks to these fishy friends!
There are four colourful cuties to knit: choose from tiddlers Timothy the Turbot and Pauline the Pollock or land yourself something a little larger with Harold the Haddock and Felicity the Flounder. Whichever you go for, they’re bound to be a keeper!
Get the Pattern by Trish Le Moose here
22. Knitted Australian Animals Pattern by Heaven To Seven
Here’s a collection of seven of Australia’s iconic wildlife creatures. This knitted animal patterns includes instructions to knit all these mini versions: Wallaby, Koala, Tasmanian Devil, Brush Tail Possum, Bilby, Echidna. and Spotted Quoll.
Each animal is about 10 cm (4 inches) tall and requires just a few grams of Worsted Weight (10 Ply) yarn. The animals are knitted flat, and are a very fun way to use remnants.
Get the Pattern by Heaven To Seven here
23. Savannah Chaps Knitted Animal Patterns by Fuzzy Mitten
This knitted animal patterns include instructions for 4 animals: an elephant, a lion, a zebra, and a rhinoceros. The toys can be knit from a single type of yarn, or from multiple yarns. The can also be knit from worsted or chunky weight yarn, in order to achieve the two different sizes.
Get the Pattern by Fuzzy Mitten here
24. Striped Stockinette Snake Knitting Pattern by Purl Soho
Snake is scary? Not all, as many of us have them as pet at home. This Striped Stockinette Snake is a good alternative for those who loves snakes, and will be your next fun knitting project, for sure. It’s simple to make and fun for the kids to play with! I love the soft texture of the yarn and vibrant colors.
Get the Pattern here
25. Shark Knitting Pattern by Two Sisters Teddy Bear
This knitted shark is cute, cuddly and is looking forward to meeting you. From the tip of his blunted nose, to the pointed ends of his tail, this shark is all bark and no bite.
Get the Pattern by Two Sisters Teddy Bear here
26. Hen Knitting Pattern by Dot Pebbles Knits
Strutting about, shaking their tail feathers—and usually making something of a din—hens are some of the most striking creatures in the farmyard.
They are knitted here in some fairly traditional hues, but the color choices are up to you. And if your fingers are feeling nimble, don’t forget to complete your mother chickens by knitting them a few tiny eggs!
Get the Pattern by Dot Pebbles Knits here
27. Fair Isle Mice Knitting Pattern by Janet McMahon
I can’t get over how cute these little mice look in their tiny fair isle sweaters. These smartly dressed rodents are worked flat and use very little amounts of yarn. At just over 3 inches long, these adorable little squeakers fit perfectly in a child’s hands — or snuggly in their pockets!
Get the Pattern here
28. Knitted Polar Bear Pattern by Yarnspirations
Stitched with wonderful furry yarn, this knit polar bear is super lovable and extra fluffy! He’s even ready for outdoor adventures, sporting his own winter scarf.
Make it as a heartwarming gift in any shades you like — if you can bear to give it away! He’s a loyal companion that stimulates imaginations and brings hugs wherever he goes.
Get the Pattern here
29. Felipe, The Flamingo Animal Knitting Pattern by Trish Le Moose
Felipe measures approximately 30cm/12in from the tip of his beak to the end of his body and is around 26cm/10¼in tall when seated. He’s made using just yarn and toy stuffing so you don’t need any extra materials to create his graceful neck and curved beak.
Felipe’s legs are deliberately left unstuffed so, although he can’t stand up, he can do all sorts of yoga poses — just like a real flamingo!
Get the Pattern by Trish Le Moose here
30. Farmyard Knitted Animal Patterns by Fluff And Fuzz
With this pattern, you can knit up a set of farmyard animals, including a cow, goat, pig, duck and rooster. These much-loved creatures make the most wonderful set of companions for youngsters and each one only takes a little yarn from your stash and your basic knitting stitches.
With plenty of characterful detail, hours of fun awaits — and after you’ve finished making them, let someone else have a play!
Get the Pattern by Fluff And Fuzz here
31. Frogs And Bugs Knitted Animal Patterns by Amanda Berry
These little creepy crawlies are quick to knit, and are a super way to use up odds and ends in your yarn stash. This knitting pattern includes instructions to make four toys, including a snail, bumble bee, butterfly and frog.
Get the Pattern by Amanda Berry here
32. Big Snowy Owl Knitting Pattern by Purl Soho
There’s something about owls. Is it their baby-wide eyes? Their mysterious nighttime habits? Or their totemic gumdrop shape? I’m not sure, but owls somehow manage to be simultaneously enigmatic and totally lovable.
This one is heavy on the lovable! With a big, pudgy belly and a cozy soft alpaca-blend yarn, this Big Snowy Owl is one heck of a hugger. At a foot and a half tall and a yard around, he’s just right for little arms to squeeze and for young imaginations to love. Although, you’re never too old for an unconditionally amiable friend!
Get the Pattern here
33. Dorsey Duckling Knitting Pattern by Huggable Bears
Dorsey Duckling sits at 10 inches/25cm and stands at 12 inches/30cm. The pattern uses a fuzzy yarn but he can easily be knitted from a plain Aran/Worsted weight and be just as sweet!
Get the Pattern by Huggable Bears here
34. Alec, The Alligator Knitting Pattern by Amanda Berry
Alec, the Alligator is a pocket-sized snappy toy you can carry with you on your adventures. This pattern is for a 19cm long stuffy, which is knitted flat, using single-pointed, straight knitting needles. You will enjoy making this predator every bit as much as the little one who receives it will love playing with it.
Get the Pattern here
35. Knitted Frog Pattern by Claire G
This little frog is ready to be your pocket pal. Knitted on two needles and knitted in one piece working simple short rows and pick up and knit stitches, you can knit your own pet froggy in no time at all! Perfect for using up stash yarn, I’m pretty sure you won’t want to stop at just the one!
Get the Pattern by Claire G here
MAKE ALL OF YOUR FAVORITE KNITTED ANIMAL PATTERNS WITH A FEW SIMPLE STITCHES, YOU’LL BE SURPRISED TO FIND HOW EASY IT IS TO MAKE THEM ALL.
Let me know whether you’ve completed one of these knitted animal patterns above by sharing some photos of them on our Facebook Page. I’d love to see them!
Knitting animals has always been so popular. Even if you are not only a toy maker, I am sure you knitted an animal at some point. Whether it was a classic stuffed knitted animal or your have just used it as an element in your project. Looking for more ideas? Here are more knitted animal patterns to love:
- 29 Knitted Bunny Patterns
- 29 Elephant Knitting Patterns
- 16 Giraffe Knitting Patterns
- 17 Fish Knitting Patterns
- 15 Fox Knitting Patterns
- 21 Octopus Knitting Patterns
- 27 Dinosaur Knitting Patterns
Whether you’re here to knit an animal for a loved one, or for yourself, I know that you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in this collection of knitted animal patterns. Happy knitting!