Knit Avocado Leaf Wrap Doll Free Pattern
Introduction
This little avocado doll is a cozy, beginner-friendly knit that looks like a soft pastel candy stripe wrapped in a leaf. It is made for anyone who wants a quick, satisfying project — new knitters ready to try a textured stitch, or experienced makers looking for a sweet gift. The velvet yarn gives it a plush, snuggly feel that is lovely to hold, and the linen-stitch fabric has a dense, woven look. Finished at about 6" (15cm) tall, it sits happily on a shelf, in a basket, or in a pair of small hands.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC 4) velvet yarn, 100% polyester, 100g/120yd (110m) per skein:
- Color A — pastel mint: 60yd (55m)
- Color B — pastel pink: 60yd (55m)
- Color C — pastel yellow: 40yd (37m)
- Color D — cream: 10yd (9m)
- Needles: 3.75mm (US 5) knitting needles
- Notions: tapestry needle, scissors, polyester fiberfill for stuffing, stitch marker (optional)
- Finished size: Approx 6" (15cm) tall x 4" (10cm) wide
Abbreviations
- CO — cast on: make the starting loops on your needle.
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- k — knit: pull the yarn through the loop from front to back.
- sl1p wyif — slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in front: move the yarn to the front of your work, then slide the next stitch from the left needle to the right needle without knitting it.
- WS — wrong side: the back face of the fabric.
- RS — right side: the front face of the fabric.
- BO — bind off: finish the edge so the stitches don't unravel.
Gauge
20 sts and 36 rows = 4" (10cm) in linen stitch. Knit a small swatch in linen stitch and measure a 4" (10cm) section; if you have more stitches than 20, go up a needle size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Linen stitch is simply "slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front, knit 1" repeated — keep the yarn in front for the slip and move it back for the knit, and the woven texture appears on its own.
- Velvet yarn can shed and show every stitch, so work with a light touch and avoid ripping back too often.
- Count your stitches at the end of every row; the slip stitches can hide, and a dropped one is easier to fix right away.
- Stuff the body firmly but in small handfuls so the oval stays smooth and the stripes sit evenly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Body
Worked flat in linen stitch, then folded in half lengthwise and seamed. The four color bands become horizontal stripes across the finished oval.
With A, CO 21 sts.
Rows 1–36: sl1p wyif, k1 across (21 sts).
Change to B.
Rows 37–72: sl1p wyif, k1 across (21 sts).
Change to C.
Rows 73–108: sl1p wyif, k1 across (21 sts).
Change to A.
Rows 109–144: sl1p wyif, k1 across (21 sts).
BO all stitches.
Pit
With D, CO 9 sts.
Rows 1–9: sl1p wyif, k1 across (9 sts).
BO all stitches.
Leaf Strip
With C, CO 7 sts.
Row 1: k1, (sl1p wyif, k1) to end (7 sts).
Repeat Row 1 until the piece measures 12" (30cm), ending after a complete row.
BO all stitches.
Assembly and Finishing
Fold the body panel in half lengthwise with WS facing, so the two long edges meet. Sew the side seams, leaving the bottom open. Stuff firmly, then sew the bottom closed, gathering the edge as you go. Sew the cream pit to the front center of the body. Wrap the leaf strip around the body, crossing it at the front, and sew both ends to the back. Weave in all ends. Block lightly by misting with water and shaping the oval flat; do not press the velvet with a hot iron.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the pastel bands for autumn tones — rust, mustard, and olive — for a seasonal version.
- Make the leaf strip longer and tie it in a bow at the back instead of sewing the ends down.
- Use a slightly larger needle for a loftier, softer fabric, or a smaller one for a firmer doll that holds its shape.
