Japandi Bat Pillow Doll Knitting Free Pattern
Introduction
This Japandi Bat Pillow Doll is a quiet little companion for anyone who loves calm, minimal decor with a touch of whimsy. It is designed for advanced beginners who are comfortable with knit and purl stitches and simple increases, and it comes together from three flat, easy pieces. The blush stockinette body feels soft and squishy in DK cotton, while the emerald basketweave square on the chest adds just enough texture and color to make it special. At about 10 inches wide and 8 inches tall, it sits happily on a shelf, a bed, or a reading chair.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: DK weight cotton. Main color (MC) blush: 100 yd. Contrast color (CC) emerald: 50 yd.
- Needles: 3.75 mm (US 5) knitting needles.
- Notions: tapestry needle, scissors, small amount of polyester fiberfill for light stuffing, stitch markers (optional).
- Finished size: Approx. 10 inches wide (wingtip to wingtip) x 8 inches tall.
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- BO: bind off
- st(s): stitch(es)
- k: knit
- p: purl
- kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch (makes one extra stitch)
- St st: stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows)
- RS: right side (the outside of the piece)
- rep: repeat
- MC: main color (blush)
- CC: contrast color (emerald)
Gauge
22 sts and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette. Knit a small swatch in stockinette, block it lightly, and measure a 4-inch section to check your stitch and row counts before starting.
Tips Before You Start
- Cotton has little stretch, so keep your tension relaxed and even; this keeps the body flat and the basketweave blocks crisp.
- Count your stitches at the end of every increase row on the wings so both wings match exactly.
- Block the chest square before sewing it on so the basketweave texture lies flat and square.
- Stuff the body only lightly; overstuffing rounds the rectangle and hides the flat pillow shape.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Body (MC)
Row 1 (CO): Cast on 44 sts (44 sts).
Rows 2-57: Work in St st (knit on RS rows, purl on WS rows) for 56 rows total, about 7.5 inches (44 sts).
Next row: BO all sts (44 sts bound off).
Chest Square (CC)
Row 1 (RS): [k4, p4] twice, k4, p2 (22 sts).
Row 2: k2, [p4, k4] twice, p4 (22 sts).
Rows 3-4: Rep Rows 1-2 (22 sts).
Row 5: k2, [p4, k4] twice, p4 (22 sts).
Row 6: [k4, p4] twice, k4, p2 (22 sts).
Rows 7-24: Rep Rows 1-6 three more times (24 rows total, 22 sts).
Next row: BO all sts (22 sts bound off).
Wings (make 2, MC)
Row 1 (CO): Cast on 1 st, then kfb (2 sts).
Row 2: k2 (2 sts).
Row 3: k1, kfb, k1 (3 sts).
Row 4: k3 (3 sts).
Rows 5-22: Increase 1 st at each end every other row until you have 21 sts, working the even rows plain (21 sts).
Rows 23-24: Work even for 2 rows (21 sts).
Next row: BO all sts (21 sts bound off).
Repeat Rows 1-24 for the second wing.
Assembly and Finishing
Block all pieces lightly and let them dry completely. Sew the chest square centered on the front of the body, 1 inch in from the top and sides. With right sides together, sew the body sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Stuff lightly, then sew the top closed. Sew each wing to a side of the body at shoulder level, aligning the straight bound-off edge with the body. Weave in all ends and give the finished doll a final light steam or block.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the emerald square for a soft ochre or clay color to change the mood while keeping the Japandi palette.
- Add a small hanging loop at the top of the body before closing it to turn the doll into a wall or door decoration.
- Use a slightly larger needle for the body only to make a loftier, softer pillow with the same stitch counts.
