As a closet red head I never saw my own fiery locks looking back at me from the toy shop aisle. Monica’s hair is orange. Red-headed children will recognise themselves in her immediately, but any child who gets handed a knitted witch with this much attitude is going to love her.
She is also the kind of toy that changes a child’s mind about knitting. One minute they think it is something adults do. The next, they want to know how.
This halloween witch toy knitting pattern is free right here on the blog. Monica knits up in DK yarn over a handful of evenings, from her striped body to that magnificently orange hair, and the full pattern is below whenever you’re ready to cast on. A printable PDF version is also available in the shop if you prefer something to keep by your chair.
Quick Look
What you’ll find in this post:
- The full, free Monica the Witch knitting pattern, easy to follow from start to finish
- The yarn, needles and notions you’ll need to get started
- A quick word on tension and toy safety before you cast on
- Clear instructions for every piece, including the hat, cape and that famous orange hair
- Answers to the questions people ask most about knitting Monica
- Where to find the printable PDF version, if you’d rather have it to hand while you knit
What You Will Need
Yarn
King Cole Big Value DK (100% Acrylic, 145m/158yds per 50g):
You can use any DK weight yarn, great stash busting project.
- Yarn A Black (shade 4053) one 50g ball
- Yarn B Violet (shade 4038) one 50g ball
- Yarn C Blush (shade 4058) one 50g ball
- Yarn D Orange (shade 4028) one 50g ball
Any DK weight yarn will work. The Craft Yarn Council yarn weight system is a useful reference if you are checking a substitute yarn.
Needles
- 3.25mm straight needles
- 3.25mm double-pointed needles (DPN), used for the arms
Also Needed
- Crochet hook (any small size, for applying hair)
- Sewing needle and thread
- Toy stuffing
- 2 small black safety eyes
- Firm cardboard for the base (optional, but it helps her stand)
Tension
26 sts x 36 rows = 10 x 10cm in stocking stitch on 3.25mm needles.
Tension is not critical for this project, but working to tension gives a finished height of approximately 23cm.
A Note on Safety
Monica the Witch uses small safety eyes. This toy is not suitable for children under 36 months due to the small parts. If you are making her for a young child, embroider the eyes using a scrap of black yarn instead of using safety components. For further guidance on toy knitting and safety, see the UK Hand Knitting Association’s advice for knitters.
Abbreviations
A full list of knitting abbreviations is available as a free download on the blog.
Pattern Notes
All pieces are worked flat and seamed together. Instructions for making up Monica are at the end of the pattern.
Monica the Witch Knitting Pattern
Pattern copyright Jane Burns Designs. For personal use only. Please do not reproduce or distribute without permission.
Body
Using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A, cast on 42 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit. [42 sts]
Row 2 (WS): Purl. [42 sts]
Change to Yarn B
Continue working in 2-row stripes, alternating Yarn A and Yarn B for the remainder of the Body.
Row 3-4: Beg with a k row, work in st st. [42 sts]
Row 5: (K5, k2tog) 6 times. [36 sts]
Rows 6-10: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [36 sts]
Row 11: (K4, k2tog) 6 times. [30 sts]
Rows 12-16: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [30 sts]
Row 17: (K3, k2tog) 6 times. [24 sts]
Rows 18-24: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [24 sts]
Row 25: (K2, k2tog) 6 times. [18 sts]
Rows 26-32: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [18 sts]
Row 33: (K1, k2tog) 6 times. [12 sts]
Row 34: Purl. [12 sts]
Change to Yarn C
Rows 35-36: Beg with a k row, work in st st. [12 sts]
Row 37: (K2tog) 6 times. [6 sts]
Row 38: Purl. [6 sts]
Do not break yarn. Continue directly to Head.
Head
Head continues directly from Body. Yarn C is still attached.
Row 1 (RS): (Kfb) 6 times. [12 sts]
Row 2 (and all WS rows): Purl.
Row 3: K1, m1, (k2, m1) 5 times, k1. [18 sts]
Row 5: K1, m1, (k3, m1) 5 times, k2. [24 sts]
Row 7: K2, m1, (k4, m1) 5 times, k2. [30 sts]
Rows 9-16: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [30 sts]
Row 17: K1, k2tog, (k3, k2tog) 5 times, k2. [24 sts]
Row 19: K1, k2tog, (k2, k2tog) 5 times, k1. [18 sts]
Row 20: (P1, p2tog) 6 times. [12 sts]
Row 21: (K2tog) 6 times. [6 sts]
Break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining 6 sts, pull tight and fasten off.
The PDF version has all the making up steps laid out clearly on one page, which helps when your hands are busy.
Base
Using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A, cast on 42 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit. [42 sts]
Row 2 (WS): (K5, k2tog) 6 times. [36 sts]
Row 3: Purl. [36 sts]
Row 4: (K4, k2tog) 6 times. [30 sts]
Row 5: Purl. [30 sts]
Row 6: (K3, k2tog) 6 times. [24 sts]
Row 7: Purl. [24 sts]
Row 8: (K2, k2tog) 6 times. [18 sts]
Row 9: Purl. [18 sts]
Row 10: (K1, k2tog) 6 times. [12 sts]
Row 11: (P2tog) 6 times. [6 sts]
Break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining 6 sts, pull tight and fasten off.
Arms (make 2)
Using 3.25mm DPN and Yarn B, cast on 4 sts.
Work i-cord as follows: Slide all 4 sts to the other end of the needle, k4 pulling the working yarn tight behind the piece. Repeat until 14 rows have been worked in total.
If you have not made i-cord before, Very Pink Knits has a clear tutorial that makes it easy to follow along.
Change to Yarn C
Work 4 more rows of i-cord.
Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through all 4 sts and pull tight to secure. Darn in ends.
Cape
Using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A, cast on 48 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit. [48 sts]
Row 2 (WS): Knit. [48 sts]
Row 3 (RS): Knit. [48 sts]
Row 4 (WS): Purl. [48 sts]
Row 5: (K6, k2tog) 6 times. [42 sts]
Rows 6-10: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [42 sts]
Row 11: (K5, k2tog) 6 times. [36 sts]
Rows 12-16: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [36 sts]
Row 17: (K4, k2tog) 6 times. [30 sts]
Rows 18-24: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [30 sts]
Row 25: (K3, k2tog) 6 times. [24 sts]
Rows 26-32: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [24 sts]
Row 33: (K2, k2tog) 6 times. [18 sts]
Rows 34-38: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [18 sts]
Row 39: (K1, k2tog) 6 times. [12 sts]
Row 40: Purl. [12 sts]
Row 41: (K2, yo) 5 times, k2. [17 sts]
Row 42: Purl. [17 sts]
Row 43: (K2, m1) 8 times, k1. [25 sts]
Rows 44-46: Knit. [25 sts]
Cast off.
Cut a length of Yarn A approx 25cm long. Thread through the eyelet row at the collar and use to tie the cape onto Monica.
Hat
Using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A, cast on 36 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit. [36 sts]
Row 2 (WS): Knit. [36 sts]
Row 3 (RS): Knit. [36 sts]
Row 4 (WS): Purl. [36 sts]
Row 5: (K4, k2tog) 6 times. [30 sts]
Rows 6-10: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [30 sts]
Row 11: (K3, k2tog) 6 times. [24 sts]
Rows 12-16: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [24 sts]
Row 17: (K2, k2tog) 6 times. [18 sts]
Rows 18-20: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [18 sts]
Row 21: (K1, k2tog) 6 times. [12 sts]
Rows 22-24: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [12 sts]
Row 25: (K2tog) 6 times. [6 sts]
Rows 26-28: Beg with a p row, work in st st. [6 sts]
Row 29: (K2tog) 3 times. [3 sts]
Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining 3 sts, pull tight and fasten off.
Brim
Using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A, cast on 42 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit. [42 sts]
Row 2 (WS): Knit. [42 sts]
Row 3: (K5, k2tog) 6 times. [36 sts]
Rows 4-5: Knit. [36 sts]
Cast off.
To Make Up
Sew the back seam of the Body from the cast-on edge to the neck. Sew the centre seam of the Base. If desired, cut a circle of firm cardboard to the same size as the Base to help her stand. Stuff the Body, lay the cardboard on the Base, and sew into position.
Sew the seam on the back of the Head, leaving enough room to stuff and insert the safety eyes. Stuff the Head firmly, position and insert the eyes, then close the seam.
Sew on the Arms using the photograph as a guide. Embroider a nose using a small amount of Yarn C.
Sew the back seam of the Hat closed, then sew the Brim to the base of the Hat. Attach the Hat to the Head.
Hair
Cut lengths of Yarn D approx 20cm long. Fold each strand in half to form a loop at the centre. Insert a crochet hook under a stitch on the head, use the hook to pull the loop up through the scalp, then pull the ends of the strand through the loop and pull tight to secure.
Continue until the top and back of the head are covered. Twist the strands to unwrap the single plies, then tease apart to form hair. A blunt needle tip makes this easier.
The PDF Version
Monica is a quick knit, perfect for a last minute gift or a fun weekend of creativity.
If you would like a neatly formatted PDF of this halloween witch toy knitting pattern, complete with clear layout and room for notes by the side, it is available to buy in the shop. It is yours to keep, and you can print it as many times as you like.
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Is this halloween witch toy knitting pattern suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. Monica uses knit and purl stitches throughout, with simple k2tog decreases for shaping. The arms are worked as i-cord on double-pointed needles, which can feel unfamiliar the first time, but you can find a link to a great tutorial in the pattern. The making up takes a little patience, but the knitting itself is straightforward.
How long does it take to knit Monica the Witch?
Monica is made up of eight separate pieces, but most of them are small. A beginner should be able to complete all the knitting over a weekend. The making up and finishing, particularly the hair, takes a little longer, but this can be done over a couple of evenings.
Is this pattern suitable as a gift?
Monica makes a lovely gift for adults and older children. She is not suitable for children under 36 months due to the small safety eye components. For a younger child, the eyes can be embroidered in black yarn instead.
Can I use different colours?
Absolutely. The classic black and purple combination is very much Halloween, but Monica would work equally well in autumnal tones or entirely different colours if you want a different character. The yarn quantities are small, so she is also a good project for using up DK scraps.
Where can I find more free knitting patterns?
The knitting patterns section of the blog has a range of free patterns and tutorials. If you enjoy knitting small toys and decorations, you might also like the Free Baby Bear Rattle Pattern
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