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Keyring Buddy (R3)

blank keyring buddy doll

The keyring buddy pattern is a blank for a small doll that can be attached to a keyring by the little loops on it’s arms/legs. This base pattern can be worked with a variety of different body types and accessories to make it look like your favourite character.

A printable version of this pattern (not including accessories) is available.

You will need:

  • scraps of dk yarn
  • toy stuffing
  • split ring
  • 4 x double ended needles (3mm)
  • tapestry needle
  • scissors

Pattern:

(A list of abbreviations is available.)

Arms and Legs

Cast on 2 sts leaving a short tail for sewing.

I-cord 8 rows.

Take the yarn around the back of the knitting as you would for i-cord.

Row 9: kfb, k1 (3)*

I-cord 9 more rows.

Thread the yarn through the remaining stitches and pull tight.

Create the little loop for the hand/foot by threading the cast-on tail of yarn straight through the middle of the increase (ninth) row and sewing firmly in place.

*I usually avoid a bit of structural sewing by picking up from the cast on edge instead of increasing. That can be pretty fiddly and if you don’t have my absolute horror at sewing up you probably don’t need to bother.

COLOUR CHANGES

All the i-cord up to the increase row forms the hand/foot. I usually place the knee/elbow at three rows after the increase then at six rows after the increase you’re in short sleeve or short shorts territory. Plan your colour changes accordingly.

Head

Cast on 6 sts and join into the round.

  1. Round 1: kfb x 6 (12)
  2. Round 2: [kfb, k1] x 6 (18)
  3. Rounds 3 to 7: k –
  4. Round 8: [k2tog, k1] x 6 (12)
  5. Round 9: k2tog x 6 (6)
  6. Round 10: k –

Stuff lightly, thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight.

COLOUR CHANGES

Because anything other than horizontal colour changes are tough in the round, I usually knit the whole head in whatever flesh tone I’m using, then sew on a separately knitted hair piece (see Variations).

Body

Choose from one of these four body types or adapt your own.

RECTANGULAR

rectangular body

Cast on 18sts using the magic cast-on method.

Knit 18 rounds straight.

Stuff body lightly and bind the opening together using Kitchener stitch.

TRIANGULAR

triangular body

Cast on 12sts using the magic cast-on method.

  1. Round 1: k –
  2. Round 2: [k4, kfb, k1] x 2
  3. Rounds 3-5: k –
  4. Round 6: [kfb, k6] x 2
  5. Rounds 7-9: k –
  6. Round 10: [k6, kfb, k1] x 2
  7. Rounds 11-13: k –
  8. Round 14: [kfb, k8] x 2
  9. Rounds 15-18: k –

Stuff body lightly and bind the opening together using Kitchener stitch.

PINCHED

pinched body

Cast on 18sts using the magic cast-on method.

  1. Rounds 1-6: k –
  2. Round 7: [k1, k2tog, k4, k2tog] x 2
  3. Rounds 8-11: k –
  4. Round 12: [kfb, k4, kfb, k1] x 2
  5. Rounds 13-18: k –

Stuff body lightly and bind the opening together using Kitchener stitch.

ROUND

round body

Cast on 16sts using the magic cast-on method.

  1. Round 1: k –
  2. Round 2: [kfb, k7] x 2 (18)
  3. Round 3: [k7, kfb, k1] x 2 (20)
  4. Round 4: [kfb, k9] x 2 (22)
  5. Round 5: [k9, kfb, k1] x 2 (24)
  6. Round 6 to 14: k –
  7. Round 15: [k1, k2tog, k9] x 2 (22)
  8. Round 16: [k9, k2tog] x 2 (20)
  9. Round 17: [k1, k2tog, k7] x 2 (18)
  10. Round 18: [k7, k2tog] x 2 (16)

Stuff body lightly and bind the opening together using Kitchener stitch.

COLOUR CHANGES

Assuming you’re knitting the body from the bottom up low slung trousers end at approximately round 3, but high rise waists can be as high as round 9.

Variations:

The beauty of the keyring buddy is how easy the pattern is to adapt. Here are some mini patterns for various accessories.

Please note that some of these accessories (mostly the coats and sleeves) need to be attached before you finish making up your keyring buddy.

Sewn On

Loose

Making Up:

Diagram showing how the pieces of the doll are arranged.

Arms and legs are attached firmly at the four corners of the body and the head is sewn on top. Try to limit the number of stitches used to secure the pieces or the joints will be stiff. All the other accessories are attached as per their individual instructions.

Because the keyring buddies are small keep decorative embroidery as simple as possible. For example I usually stick to just eyes when doing the faces.

Notes:

Check Out The Gallery

I am a certified nerd and most of the keyring buddies I've knitted reflect that. Although the ODDknit Gallery is very not up to date it goes contain some examples of geeky keyring buddies I've made, along with details as to how they were done. Links below.

Needle/Yarn Size

As with most ODDknit patterns the yarn and needle sizes in the "you will need" section are just a guide. Feel free to improvise with whatever needles and yarn you have lying around - that's half the fun!