Striped Linen Ghost with Hat: Free Knit Pattern
Introduction
This little striped ghost is the perfect quick knit for anyone who loves soft, squishy toys but wants something a bit more textured than plain stockinette. Worked in the round from the bottom up, it uses simple linen stitch in alternating moss and lichen green stripes, which gives the fabric a dense, ridged, almost woven look. The velvet yarn makes it wonderfully soft and cuddly, while the tiny separate cone hat and white pom-pom add a playful Nordic winter touch. It's beginner-friendly, uses only knit, purl, and simple decreases, and comes together in an evening or two.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight velvet yarn (100% polyester, approx. 100 yds / 50 g per ball):
- Color A (MC, moss green): approx. 50 yds
- Color B (CC, lichen green): approx. 50 yds
- Color C (white): small amount for the pom-pom
- Needles: 4.0 mm (US 6) circular needle, 40 cm long, or a set of 4 double-pointed needles in the same size
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, small pom-pom maker or a fork and cardboard (about 2 cm diameter), polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Finished size: Ghost 12 cm tall x 9 cm wide; Hat 5 cm tall x 4 cm wide (excluding pom-pom)
Abbreviations
- CO – cast on
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- K – knit
- P – purl
- K2tog – knit two stitches together (a decrease)
- sl 1 wyif – slip one stitch purlwise with the yarn held in front of the work
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
- MC / CC – main color / contrasting color
Gauge
20 sts and 36 rows = 10 cm in linen stitch pattern. Knit a small swatch in the round (or a flat swatch in linen stitch) and measure it before starting; adjust your needle size if needed to match.
Tips Before You Start
- Velvet yarn can shed and slip, so keep your tension relaxed and avoid pulling the slipped stitches tight — the linen stitch needs a little slack to look even.
- Stuff the ghost lightly and evenly as you close the top; overstuffing will stretch the linen stitch and distort the stripes.
- Carry the unused color loosely up the inside of the work when you change stripes, or simply cut and rejoin if you prefer — the inside won't be seen.
- Steam block the body only, keeping the iron well away from the pom-pom so it stays fluffy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ghost Body (worked in the round from the bottom up)
With A, CO 36 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.
Rounds 1-6: *K1, sl 1 wyif; repeat from * to end (36 sts).
Change to B.
Rounds 7-12: Work in linen stitch pattern as above (36 sts).
Change to A.
Rounds 13-18: Work in linen stitch pattern (36 sts).
Change to B.
Rounds 19-24: Work in linen stitch pattern (36 sts).
Change to A.
Rounds 25-30: Work in linen stitch pattern (36 sts).
Shape the top, continuing in A:
Round 31: *K2tog, sl 1 wyif; repeat from * to end (24 sts).
Round 32: *K1, sl 1 wyif; repeat from * to end (24 sts).
Round 33: *K2tog, sl 1 wyif; repeat from * to end (12 sts).
Round 34: *K1, sl 1 wyif; repeat from * to end (12 sts).
Round 35: *K2tog; repeat from * to end (6 sts).
Cut yarn, leaving a 15 cm tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 6 sts, pull tight to close, and weave in the ends.
Hat (worked flat)
With B, CO 12 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit (12 sts).
Row 2 (WS): Purl (12 sts).
Row 3: *K2tog; repeat from * to end (6 sts).
Row 4: Purl (6 sts).
Row 5: *K2tog; repeat from * to end (3 sts).
Row 6: Purl (3 sts).
Cut yarn, leaving a 15 cm tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 3 sts and pull tight. Sew the side edges together to form a cone and weave in the ends.
Pom-pom
With C, make a small pom-pom about 2 cm in diameter. Attach it securely to the tip of the hat.
Assembly and Finishing
Stuff the ghost body lightly and evenly through the opening at the top before closing it fully. Sew the hat to the top of the ghost's head, slightly off-center if you like. Weave in all remaining ends on the inside of the work. Gently steam block the ghost to shape, avoiding the pom-pom, and let it dry completely before displaying.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the stripe colors for a classic white ghost with a single accent stripe, or use a self-striping velvet yarn for a no-fuss striped look.
- Add a tiny embroidered face with black or dark green yarn before closing the top for extra character.
- Make a set in different sizes by casting on 24 or 48 sts and adjusting the decrease rounds proportionally for a family of ghosts.
