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Looking for a fun animal project? Try these Knitted Gorilla Free Patterns and make a cute toys with simple knitting techniques.
These Knitted Gorilla Free Patterns come in different shapes, sizes, and styles, giving you plenty of ideas for your next handmade project. Some designs have a classic stuffed-animal look, while others feature sweet baby gorillas or playful character details. It will become a cute toy for a child, a handmade gift, or a fun piece for an animal lover’s collection. Grab your needles and yarn, then pick a gorilla pattern that fits your skill level and style.
Knitted Gorilla Free Patterns
1. Gorilla
This classic gorilla design by Kath Dalmeny has a sturdy body and long arms that give it a recognizable shape. The knitting gauge of this pattern is 26 stitches and 34 rows = 10 cm in stockinette stitch.
2. Simon the Gorilla
Simon has a friendly look with a rounded body, long limbs, and a carefully shaped face. The design by Louise Walker has plenty of character, making the toy feel like a small knitted companion rather than an ordinary stuffed animal. It will be a fun gift for a child who enjoys animal toys.
3. Cilla The Ugly Baby Gorilla
Christine Grant is the one who made this gorilla, which has a funny and unusual appearance. This toy is wearing a slouch hat and diaper, which are knitted using a superfast technique. It would also make a memorable addition to your animal-themed collection.
4. Hand Knitted Gorilla Stuffed Animal
This hand-knitted gorilla is available at the Humble Hilo blog, which has a soft stuffed-animal appearance with a solid body and clearly shaped limbs. The dark body and lighter facial area give the toy a classic jungle-animal look.
5. Mummy and Baby Gorilla Knitting Pattern
This pattern by Sachiyo Ishii brings two gorillas together in one sweet project, with a larger mummy and a smaller baby. The size difference makes the pair especially appealing and gives the finished toys a strong family feel. Who could resist a tiny baby gorilla sitting beside its knitted mummy?
6. Donkey Kong Gorilla
Fans of classic video game characters may enjoy this knitted take on Donkey Kong, which measures approximately 8″ tall. The design by Tommy Gurumi is made using DK yarn weight and US 2½ knitting needles.
What To Look For Before Starting
Knitted animals can look simple in a finished photo, but some patterns involve quite a bit of shaping and sewing. Before starting, take a quick look through the pattern instructions. Check how many pieces you need to knit and whether they are worked separately.
The arms, legs, ears, and head may all need to be sewn onto the body. If you are not a fan of sewing knitted pieces together, a pattern with fewer separate sections may be more enjoyable.
Also check the finished size. A small gorilla can be a fairly quick weekend project, while a larger stuffed animal will take more yarn and more time to put together.
Choosing Yarn For A Knitted Gorilla
You do not need to use black yarn just because gorillas have dark fur. Dark gray, charcoal, brown, and other earthy shades can work nicely for a knitted toy.
If you are making one for a child, washable yarn is a practical choice. Toys tend to get handled, carried around, and occasionally dropped in places you would rather not think about.
Pay attention to the yarn weight listed in the pattern. If the designer calls for DK yarn, changing to a much thicker yarn will make the toy larger and can affect the size of each knitted piece. If you do substitute yarn, make a gauge swatch first and keep in mind that the finished measurements may change.
Getting The Shape Right
The stuffing makes a bigger difference than you might expect. If you pack the body too tightly, the stitches can stretch and the toy may lose its soft appearance. If you use too little stuffing, the body can look flat.
Add stuffing gradually instead. Start with the smaller areas, such as the hands, feet, arms, and legs, before filling the main body. Use small pieces of stuffing so you can push them into the corners and shape the toy as you go.
The head usually needs a little more attention. Keep checking it from different angles while stuffing. You want a rounded shape rather than a head that is noticeably flat on one side.
The Face Makes A Big Difference
A gorilla’s face does not have to be complicated to give the toy some personality. The placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth can change the expression quite a bit.
Before sewing or embroidering the facial features permanently, check their position first. You can use pins to test the placement if the pattern allows it. Step back and look at the face from a short distance. Sometimes a tiny adjustment is enough to make the expression look more natural.
For a child’s toy, follow the pattern’s safety recommendations for eyes and other small parts. Embroidered features can be a useful option where loose pieces would not be suitable.
Do Not Rush The Sewing
This is probably the part of knitted toys that takes the most patience. After spending time knitting every piece, it can be tempting to sew the gorilla together quickly.
Instead, lay all the pieces out first. Check where the arms and legs should sit and make sure they are roughly even. This is especially helpful with long arms because their position can change the whole look of the finished gorilla.
Pin pieces in place before sewing when possible. It gives you a chance to move them around without having to undo your stitches later.
Try Different Colors And Details
Once you have made one gorilla, you may want to make another with a slightly different look. You can change the main yarn color or use a lighter shade for the face, hands, and feet.
Accessories can make an even bigger difference. A small hat, diaper, scarf, or other knitted item can turn a basic animal into a character. The Cilla design on this list is a good example of how clothing can give a knitted gorilla a completely different personality.
You can also use leftover yarn for small details. Animal toys do not always require large amounts of each color, so they are handy projects for using up bits of yarn from your stash.
A Good Project For Practicing Toy Knitting
If you have mostly knitted scarves, hats, or other flat projects, a gorilla can be a nice change. You get to practice shaping, working smaller pieces, stuffing, sewing, and adding facial details in one project.
Do not worry if your first knitted animal is not perfectly symmetrical. Handmade toys often have little differences that make them look handmade. Focus on getting the main shape right and take your time with the finishing.
With these Knitted Gorilla Free Patterns, you can choose between classic stuffed animals, a mummy-and-baby pair, a funny baby gorilla, and even a character-inspired design. Pick the one that matches the amount of time you want to spend, gather your yarn and needles, and enjoy watching the little gorilla take shape as you knit.
