Knitted Whale Toy
Imagine a charming knitted whale toy that effortlessly brings joy into any room it swims into! This adorable creation not only adds a touch of whimsy to your space but also serves as a cuddly companion for all ages. With its soft texture and endearing design, it's a delightful reminder of the beauty found in handmade treasures. Whether as a gift for a loved one or a treat for yourself, this knitted whale toy is sure to make a splash and become a beloved part of your decor or collection.
Supplies needed for your knit whale:
- Bulky Yarn (I used “wonderfluff“). Grab a color for the top and another for the underbelly!
- Scrap yarn to embroider eyes and nose
- Scissors (I’ve had these for years!)
- 3.75 straight knitting needles
- Tapestry needle to sew together your creation
- Wool — stuffing with wool really makes your toy special!
Stitches Used for this knit whale:
- Knit
- Purl
- KFB (knit front and back)
- SSK (slip slip knit)
- K2TOG (knit two together)
- P2TOG (purl two together)
Let’s jump right into it!
Step 1: Top half of knit whale
First, we will knit the top piece of the whale.
We will start shaping the tail end.
I used blue yarn for the top half of my whale.
For the first 8 rows of this piece, you should end up with 18 stitches at the end of each of your rows.
With 3.75mm straight needles, cast on 18 stitches.
Row 1: SSK, Knit 1, (KFB) twice, Knit 2, SSK, K2TOG, Knit 2, (KFB) twice, Knit 1, K2TOG.
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: SSK, Knit 1, (KFB) twice, Knit 2, SSK, K2TOG, Knit 2, (KFB) twice, Knit 1, K2TOG.
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: SSK, Knit 1, (KFB) twice, Knit 2, SSK, K2TOG, Knit 2, (KFB) twice, Knit 1, K2TOG.
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: SSK, Knit 1, (KFB) twice, Knit 2, SSK, K2TOG, Knit 2, (KFB) twice, Knit 1, K2TOG.
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: (Knit 1, K2TOG) to end. (12 stitches left on needles)
Row 10: Purl
Row 11: (Knit 1, K2TOG) to end. (8 stitches left on needles)
Row 12: Purl
Row 13: Knit
Row 14: Purl
Row 15: Knit
Row 16: Purl
Row 17: Knit
Row 18: Purl
Row 19: Knit
Row 20: Purl
Row 21: Knit
Row 22: Purl
Row 23: Knit
Row 24: Purl
The tail is now complete. Begin to shape for body.
Row 25: (Knit 1, KFB) to end (12 stitches total on needles)
Row 26: Purl
Row 27: (Knit 1, KFB) to end (18 stitches total on needles)
Row 28: Purl
Row 29: (Knit 1, KFB) to end (27 stitches total on needles)
Row 30: Purl
Row 31: (Knit 1, KFB) to end (40 stitches total on needles)
Row 32: Purl
Row 33: Knit 20 stitches, turn. Work on these 20 stitches only.
Row 34: Cast on 2 stitches, Purl to end. (22 stitches worked)
Row 35: Knit 20 stitches, (KFB) twice. (24 stitches worked)
Row 36: Cast on 2 stitches, purl to end. (26 stitches worked)
Row 37: Knit 24 stitches, (KFB) twice. (28 stitches worked)
Row 38: Cast on 2 stitches, purl to end. (30 stitches worked)
Row 39: Knit 28 stitches, (KFB) twice. (32 stitches worked)
Row 40: Cast on 2 stitches, Purl to end. (34 stitches worked)
Row 41: Knit 32 sttiches, (KFB) twice. (36 stitches worked)
Row 42: Purl these 36 stitches.
Rows 43 to 72: work in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl the next)
Row 73: Knit to last 2 stitches, K2TOG (34 stitches worked)
Row 74: Purl
Row 75: Knit to last 2 stitches, K2TOG (32 stitches worked)
Row 76: Purl
Row 77: Knit to last 2 stitches, K2TOG (30 stitches worked)
Row 78: Purl
Row 79: Knit to last 2 stitches, K2TOG (28 stitches worked)
Row 80: P2TOG, Purl to end.
Cast off. Reattach yarn to remaining 20 stitches.
Row 81: reattach yarn, knit to end.
Row 82: Purl to last 2 stitches, (KFB) twice. (22 stitches total)
Row 83: Cast on 2 stitches, Knit to end (24 stitches total)
Row 84: Purl to last 2 stitches, (KFB) twice. (26 stitches total)
Row 85: Cast on 2 stitches, Knit to end (28 stitches total)
Row 86: Purl to last 2 stitches, (KFB) twice. (30 stitches total)
Row 87: Cast on 2 stitches, Knit to end (32 stitches total)
Row 88: Purl to last 2 stitches, (KFB) twice. (34 stitches total)
Row 89: Cast on 2 stitches, Knit to end (32 stitches total)
Rows 90 – 121: Work in stockinette stitch (Purl one row, knit the next)
Row 122: K2TOG, Knit to end (35 stitches)
Row 123: Purl
Row 124: K2TOG, Knit to end (34 stitches)
Row 125: Purl
Row 126: K2TOG, Knit to end (33 stitches)
Row 127: Purl
Row 128: K2TOG, Knit to end (32 stitches)
Row 129: Purl to last 2 stitches, P2TOG (31 stitches)
Cast off
Step 2: Knit Whale Underbelly
Next we will be knitting the bottom of the whale.
I used white yarn for the underbelly.
Just like before, we will be starting at the tail end.
We’ll work our way towards the bottom belly.
With the same 3.75 mm knitting needles, cast on 18 stitches.
Just like before, the first 8 rows will all leave you with 18 stitches on your needles.
Row 1: SSK, Knit 1, (KFB) twice, Knit 2, SSK, K2TOG, Knit 2, (KFB) twice, Knit 1, K2TOG.
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: SSK, Knit 1, (KFB) twice, Knit 2, SSK, K2TOG, Knit 2, (KFB) twice, Knit 1, K2TOG.
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: SSK, Knit 1, (KFB) twice, Knit 2, SSK, K2TOG, Knit 2, (KFB) twice, Knit 1, K2TOG.
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: SSK, Knit 1, (KFB) twice, Knit 2, SSK, K2TOG, Knit 2, (KFB) twice, Knit 1, K2TOG.
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: (Knit 1, K2TOG) to end. (12 stitches left on needles)
Row 10: Purl
Row 11: (Knit 1, K2TOG) to end. (8 stitches left on needles)
Row 12: Purl
Row 13: Knit
Row 14: Purl
Row 15: Knit
Row 16: Purl
Row 17: Knit
Row 18: Purl
Row 19: Knit
Row 20: Purl
Row 21: Knit
Row 22: Purl
Row 23: Knit
Row 24: Purl
Tail portion is complete. Begin to shape the wide underbelly part.
Row 25: (Knit 1, KFB) to end (12 stitches)
Row 26: Purl
Row 27: (Knit 1, KFB) to end (18 stitches)
Row 28: Purl
Row 29: (Knit 1, KFB) to end (27 stitches)
Rows 30 – 80: Work in stockinette stitch (purl one row, knit the next)
Cast off
Assemble Your Knit Whale
Now that you’ve knitted your pieces for your whale, it’s time to assemble him!
Sew the top seam of the whale, from back to front.
Then, attach the tail pieces together, lining them up neatly.
Work your way down the base of the tail towards the underbody of the whale.
Sew the majority of the underbelly to the whale, leaving an opening to stuff him.
Fill your whale with wool.
I preferred to stuff my whale not completely full so he had a little “give” to him.
Don’t stuff the very end of the tail to keep it having a flat appearance.
Embroider him a couple of eyes, if you wish.