Sweater Monster (Knitting Pattern)

My first pattern on the website! It’s pretty simple, the only tricky parts are making the legs and arms, so I think an advanced beginner could probably knit this. 🧶
Scroll down to see the pattern⬇

This pattern is an adaption of one I made a few years ago. The original pattern was inspired by one I saw in a knitting book. Because I returned it to the library before I knitted a monster, I made up my own based on how the other one looked. I changed the pattern because I wanted it to be easier to follow, for him to have legs, and to make it completely different from the one I saw in the book.

*Left to right: new monster, original monster.*

I also made one with pants and a shirt, to be a little less crazy looking then the one with the wild colored sweater. I included color-changing instructions in case you want to make a pants-and-shirt monster too.
A fun thing with these monsters is that you can knit them in any color you like! 🙂
Finished size is about 6 inches (15.24 cm) tall and 4 inches (10.16 cm) wide (not including arms).
You can save this pattern to your Ravelry here.

IMPORTANT: You may sell your finished project at small events such as craft sales, but not in online or retail stores. No wholesale. Please DO NOT resell/repost this written pattern anywhere, or take credit for it. Pattern and images © 2021, ThePastelBicycle.

The Pattern

Materials:

Worsted weight (size 4) yarn in skin and sweater colors
Size 3.25 mm (U.S. 3) knitting needles
Size 3.25 mm (U.S. 3) circular or double pointed knitting needles
Stitch markers
Black embroidery thread or yarn for mouth and eyes (or you can use safety eyes)
Yarn needle
Stuffing

Notes: We work the body from the bottom up, starting with the legs, which are knit separately and then put together with stitches in between. The arms are sewn on after.

Body (make two)

Cast on 3 stitches with skin color onto straight needles to work back and forth.
Row 1: kfb in every stitch. (6 stitches)
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: *kfb, knit 1*, repeat to end. (9 stitches)
Row 4: Purl

Row 5: knit 4, kfb, knit 4. (10 stitches)
Rows 6-8: Work in stocking stitch.
Change to sweater color.
Row 9: *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat to end.
Row 10: *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat to end.
Row 11: *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat to end.
Rows 12-14: Work in stocking stitch.
First leg only: Cut yarn and put stitches onto stitch holder. (picture 1)
If doing second leg, continue as follows:

Row 15: Knit 10 stitches (all of second leg) cast on 8 stitches, put first leg onto knitting needle and knit all 10 stitches with right side facing. (see pictures 2, 3, and 4) (28 stitches)

Row 16: Purl.
Work 24 rows in stocking stitch. (Picture 5)
Note: If you want to make a monster with pants and a shirt, knit 11 rows in pant color, 2 in belt color, and continue in shirt color until you change back to skin color.

Row 41: *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat to end.
Row 42: *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat to end.
Row 43: *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat to end.
Change to skin color.
Row 44: Purl.
Rows 45-50: Work in stocking stitch.
Row 51: K2tog, knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog. (26 stitches)
Row 52: Purl.
Row 53: K2 tog, knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog. (24 stitches)
Row 54: Purl.
Repeat rows 53 and 54 until there are 16 stitches left.
Next row: Purl.
Bind off. Weave in ends, leaving several long tails for sewing up.

Arms (make two)
Cast on 16 stitches onto double pointed or circular needles.
Rounds 1-8: Work in stocking stitch.
Round 9: *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat to end.
Round 10: *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat to end.
Round 11: *knit 1, purl 1*, repeat to end.
Change to skin color.
Rounds 12-16: Work in stocking stitch.
Round 17: *k2tog, knit 1*, repeat to end. (10 stitches)
Round 18: *k2tog, knit 1*, repeat to end. (7 stitches.)
Pull end through last stitches.
Weave in ends, leaving a long tail for sewing up.

Assembly
Sew up body using long tails left from weaving in. Sew it from the legs up, leaving a hole at the top of the head to stuff. (see picture 6 ➡) If you’re using safety eyes, attach them before sewing up.
Stuff arms and sew to body below rib. (picture 7) Add a little bit more stuffing before sewing it on completely, if needed.
Embroider eyes and mouth in the middle of the face, using picture 9 as a guide. I find it helpful to mark where I want the eyes with stitch markers. (picture 8)
Weave in any last ends, and your done!