Knitting Colorful Monkey Dolls

These charming monkey dolls combine playful colors, fun accessories, and adorable outfits to create irresistible handmade toys that children and collectors will love. This Monkey Dolls comprehensive guide will walk you through creating a set of knitted monkey dolls with customizable clothing and accessories, perfect for gifting or adding to your handmade toy collection.

Monkey Dolls Materials Needed

For the Basic Monkey

• Monkey Dolls Yarn:
  • DK or light worsted weight yarn in skin tone (beige/tan)
  • Colored yarn for body/outfit (blue, purple, pink, or your choice)
  • Small amounts of contrasting colors for accessories
• Monkey Dolls Needles:
  • US size 3-4 (3.25-3.5mm) knitting needles
  • Double-pointed needles (DPNs) for smaller parts
• Monkey Dolls Notions:
  • Safety eyes (9-12mm black)
  • Polyester fiberfill
  • Yarn needle
  • Stitch markers
  • Stitch holders
  • Scissors
  • Small amount of embroidery floss (red for mouth, black for details)
  • Small buttons for decoration
  • Ribbon or yarn for bows
  • Small pompom for hat toppers

Monkey Dolls Essential Techniques

This pattern requires familiarity with these knitting techniques:

• Knitting in the round
• Increasing and decreasing
• Working with double-pointed needles
• Simple color changes
• Basic seaming and joining
• I-cord knitting
• Simple embroidery

Monkey Dolls Basic Body Pattern

Monkey Dolls Head and Face

1. Begin at the top of the head:
   • With colored yarn (blue, purple, or pink), cast on 8 stitches and distribute onto 3 or 4 DPNs.
   • Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
2. Monkey Dolls Increase rounds:
   • Round 1: Knit all stitches (8)
   • Round 2: [KFB (knit front and back of stitch)] around (16)
   • Round 3: Knit all stitches (16)
   • Round 4: [K1, KFB] around (24)
   • Round 5: Knit all stitches (24)
   • Round 6: [K2, KFB] around (32)
   • Round 7: Knit all stitches (32)
   • Round 8: [K3, KFB] around (40)
   • Round 9: Knit all stitches (40)
   • Round 10: [K4, KFB] around (48)
   • Rounds 11-16: Knit all stitches (48)
3. Monkey Dolls Face section:
   • Round 17: Switch to skin tone yarn. Knit all stitches (48)
   • Rounds 18-28: Knit all stitches (48)
4. Monkey Dolls Decrease for chin:
   • Round 29: [K4, K2tog] around (40)
   • Round 30: Knit all stitches (40)
   • Round 31: [K3, K2tog] around (32)
   • Round 32: Knit all stitches (32)
   • Round 33: [K2, K2tog] around (24)
   • Round 34: [K1, K2tog] around (16)

Begin stuffing the head firmly at this point.

5. Closing the head:
   • Round 35: [K2tog] around (8)
   • Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches with yarn needle, pull tight and secure.

Body

1. Begin at the neck:
   • With colored yarn (matching the top of the head), pick up 40 stitches around the neck edge.
   • Join to work in the round.
2. Body shaping:
   • Rounds 1-4: Knit all stitches (40)
   • Round 5: [K4, KFB] around (48)
   • Rounds 6-18: Knit all stitches (48)
   • Round 19: [K4, K2tog] around (40)
   • Round 20: Knit all stitches (40)
   • Round 21: [K2, K2tog] around (30)
   • Round 22: Knit all stitches (30)
   • Round 23: [K1, K2tog] around (20)

Begin stuffing the body firmly.

3. Closing the body:
   • Round 24: [K2tog] around (10)
   • Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight and secure.

Arms (Make 2)

1. Begin at the hand:
   • With skin tone yarn, cast on 12 stitches and distribute onto DPNs.
   • Join to work in the round.
2. Hand and arm:
   • Rounds 1-6: Knit all stitches (12)
   • Round 7: Switch to colored yarn (matching body). Knit all stitches (12)
   • Rounds 8-24: Knit all stitches (12)

Stuff lightly, more firmly at the hands.

3. Closing the arm:
   • Round 25: [K2tog] around (6)
   • Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight and secure.

Legs (Make 2)

1. Begin at the foot:
   • With skin tone yarn, cast on 12 stitches and distribute onto DPNs.
   • Join to work in the round.
2. Foot and leg:
   • Rounds 1-6: Knit all stitches (12)
   • Round 7: Switch to colored yarn (matching body). Knit all stitches (12)
   • Rounds 8-24: Knit all stitches (12)

Stuff firmly, especially in the foot area.

3. Closing the leg:
   • Round 25: [K2tog] around (6)
   • Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight and secure.

Ears (Make 2)

1. Begin at ear edge:
   • With colored yarn (matching body), cast on 12 stitches.
   • Work in rows:
   • Row 1: Knit all stitches (12)
   • Row 2: Purl all stitches (12)
   • Row 3: [K1, K2tog] 4 times (8)
   • Row 4: Purl all stitches (8)
   • Row 5: [K2tog] 4 times (4)
   Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, and secure. Do not stuff ears.

Tail

1. I-cord tail:
   • With colored yarn (matching body), cast on 4 stitches onto one DPN.
   • Work I-cord for 20-25 rows.
   • Bind off, leaving long tail for attaching to body.

Facial Features

1. Eyes:
   • Place safety eyes on the face section, between rounds 22-24, approximately 12-14 stitches apart.
   • Secure backings before stuffing is complete.
2. Nose:
   • Using black embroidery floss, embroider a small triangle or oval nose centered below the eyes.
3. Mouth:
   • With red embroidery floss, create a simple curved smile below the nose.
4. Cheeks (optional):
   • With pink yarn or embroidery floss, create small circular patches on each side of the face for rosy cheeks.

Monkey Outfits

Basic Jumpsuit (Blue Monkey)

1. Begin at neck:
   • With blue yarn, pick up 40 stitches around neck edge.
   • Join to work in the round.
2. Body of jumpsuit:
   • Rounds 1-4: Knit all stitches (40)
   • Round 5: [K4, KFB] around (48)
   • Rounds 6-22: Knit all stitches (48)
3. Leg openings:
   • Next round: Knit 24 stitches, bind off 4 stitches, knit 16 stitches, bind off 4 stitches.
   • Work each leg separately in the round for 8-10 rounds.
   • Bind off.

Dress (Purple Monkey)

1. Bodice:
   • With pink yarn, cast on 40 stitches.
   • Join to work in the round.
   • Rounds 1-6: Knit all stitches (40)
2. Skirt:
   • Round 7: [K3, KFB] around (50)
   • Round 8: Knit all stitches (50)
   • Round 9: [K4, KFB] around (60)
   • Rounds 10-16: Knit all stitches (60)
   • Bind off loosely.

Skirt and Top (Pink Monkey)

1. Top:
   • With purple yarn, cast on 40 stitches.
   • Join to work in the round.
   • Rounds 1-8: Knit all stitches (40)
   • Bind off.
2. Skirt:
   • With purple yarn, cast on 48 stitches.
   • Join to work in the round.
   • Rounds 1-3: Knit all stitches (48)
   • Round 4: [K5, KFB] around (56)
   • Rounds 5-10: Knit all stitches (56)
   • Bind off.

Accessories

Hats

1. Basic Cap (Blue Monkey):
   • With blue yarn, cast on 40 stitches.
   • Join to work in the round.
   • Rounds 1-8: Knit all stitches (40)
   • Round 9: [K2, K2tog] around (30)
   • Round 10: [K1, K2tog] around (20)
   • Round 11: [K2tog] around (10)
   • Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight and add a small pompom to the top.
2. Brimmed Hat (Purple and Pink Monkeys):
   • With hat color, cast on 40 stitches.
   • Join to work in the round.
   • Rounds 1-6: Knit all stitches (40)
   • Round 7: [K, P] around to create brim fold line (40)
   • Rounds 8-14: Knit all stitches (40)
   • Round 15: [K6, K2tog] around (35)
   • Round 16: Knit all stitches (35)
   • Round 17: [K5, K2tog] around (30)
   • Round 18: Knit all stitches (30)
   • Round 19: [K3, K2tog] around (24)
   • Round 20: [K2, K2tog] around (18)
   • Round 21: [K1, K2tog] around (12)
   • Round 22: [K2tog] around (6)
   Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight and add a small decorative flower.

Bow Ties and Necklaces

1. Simple Bow Tie:
   • With contrast yarn, cast on 10 stitches.
   • Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 6 rows.
   • Bind off.
   • Pinch center and wrap with a small piece of matching yarn to create bow shape.
2. Necklace:
   • Chain stitch using crochet hook with contrast yarn to desired length.
   • Add small pendant or button if desired.

Assembly

1. Head and Body:
   • The head and body should already be connected if you followed the pattern in sequence.
2. Arms:
   • Sew arms to the sides of the body, positioning them at a natural angle.
3. Legs:
   • Sew legs to the bottom of the body, ensuring the monkey can sit properly.
4. Ears:
   • Fold ears in half and sew to the sides of the head, just where the colored yarn meets the skin tone.
5. Tail:
   • Sew tail to the back of the body.
6. Outfits:
   • Dress the monkeys in their outfits, adjusting as needed for fit.
7. Accessories:
   • Add hats, bow ties, necklaces, and any other decorative elements.

Customization Ideas

This pattern can be modified in numerous ways:

• Change the colors for different monkey personalities
• Create different outfits like swimwear, pajamas, or formal wear
• Add glasses, scarves, or backpacks
• Make seasonal variations with holiday-themed outfits
• Create matching mini accessories like bananas or toys

Finishing Touches

1. Check all seams to ensure they’re secure and no stuffing will escape.
2. Fluff and shape the monkey to ensure proper posture and appearance.
3. Add any final details like extra embroidery or small decorative elements.

Display Ideas

These adorable monkeys look great:

• Sitting on a shelf or bookcase
• Arranged as a family grouping
• In a child’s room on a bed or dresser
• In a playroom scene with other toys
• As seasonal decorations with themed outfits

Care Instructions

To keep your knitted monkeys looking their best:

• Spot clean with mild soap and water
• Allow to air dry completely
• Reshape if necessary after cleaning
• Store away from direct sunlight to prevent fading
• For deeper cleaning, hand wash gently and lay flat to dry

Check this out :Crocheting a Magical Sailor-Inspired Amigurumi Doll

Conclusion

Creating these colorful monkey dolls is a delightful project that combines knitting skills with creative embellishment. The result is a charming set of toys that can be customized to suit any preference or occasion. Whether making them as gifts or for your own collection, these monkeys are sure to bring smiles with their friendly faces and playful outfits.

Happy knitting!