How to Knit an Emoji
Complete size - 6cm width x 6cm height x 3cm depth
What you will need...
Total time - 2 Hours 30 Minutes (Each Knitted Emoji on average, dependent on facial features)
4mm knitting needles (UK 8, US 6)
Double knitting yarn - various colours
Sewing up needle
Scissors
Stuffing/Toy Filling
Before You Start...
Abbreviations
K = Knit P = Purl St = Stitch Sts = Stitches
Cast On - I use the thumb method.
Inc = Increase - by working into the front and the back of the same stitch, to make two stitches out of one.
K2tog = Knit two stitches together at the same time as above (thereby halving your stitches).
St-st = Stocking stitch. Alternating a row of knit stitches (right side), with a row of purl stitches (wrong side).
Cast off - Kwise unless otherwise stated. US - bind off.
B&T tightly - Using sewing up needle, thread yarn through all remaining stitches.
TOP TIP
To add your facial features, count the knitted rows and pin any separate added knitted pieces so they can be fixed in the correct position.
WhatsApp, iPhone, Snapchat and such like all use slightly different emojis - have a browse to help decide which to do.
You can of course that your own artistic flair to these!
How to Make it...
Made up of two knitted main pieces oversewn together, with various knitted pieces to add or ideas to embroider on, to make your own desired facial expressions.
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Knitted Emoji Basic Body
Make 2 or each Emoji
Time - 20 minutes each piece
Size 6.5cm
Needles 4mm (UK 8, US 6)
Yarn Yellow (or vary according to design)
Cast on 4sts
Inc Knit-wise into every stitch (8sts)
Next row P
Continue in st-st a further 6 rows, Inc Kwise into the first and last stitch of all K rows (14sts)
St-st a further 4 rows
Continue in st-st a further 6 rows, decrease Kwise (K2tog) at the start and end of all K rows (8sts)
K2tog to end (4sts)
Cast off Pwise
Knitted Poo Emoji Body
Make 2 for each Emoji
Time - 20 minutes each leaf
Size 6cm x 6.5cm
Needles 4mm (UK 8, US 6)
Yarn Brown
Cast on 8sts
Next row P
Next row K, Inc Kwise into first 2sts and last 2sts of this row (14sts)
Beginning with a P row, continue in st-st 3 rows
Next row K2tog (twice), K8, K2tog (twice) (10sts)
Beginning with a P row, continue in st-st a further 5 rows
Next row K2tog (twice), K2, K2tog (twice) (6sts)
Continue in st-st a further 5 rows
Next row K2tog three times
Next row P
B&t tightly and fasten off
Emoji Tear
Make 2 for each Laughing emoji (one for knitted sad emoji)
Time - 5 minutes each Tear
Size 2cm
Needles 4mm (UK 8, US 6)
Yarn Light Blue
Cast on 2sts
Inc Kwise into both sts (4sts)
Beginning with a P row st-st 3 rows
K2tog twice (2sts)
Next row P
K2tog &fasten off
Emoji Hearts
Make 2 for each Love emoji (one for the blowing a kiss emoji)
Time - 10 minutes each Heart
Size 2cm
Needles 4mm (UK 8, US 6)
Yarn Red/Pink
Cast on 4sts
Inc K wise, K2, Inc Kwise (6sts)
Next row P
K2tog, K2, K2tog (4sts)
Next row P
K2tog twice (2sts)
Next row P
K2tog
Sew a couple of loops through the middle stitches of the top two rows. This will pull in the top to make a better heart shape. Fasten off.
Emoji Eye
Make 2 for each Poo emoji (one for crazy emoji)
Time - 5 minutes each Eye
Size 1.5 x 2cm
Needles 4mm (UK 8, US 6)
Yarn White
Cast on 2sts
Inc Kwise into both sts (4sts)
Beginning with a P row st-st 3 rows
K2tog twice (2sts)
P2tog and fasten off
Emoji Grin
Make 1 for each emoji if required
Time - 15 minutes each
Size 3.5cm
Needles 4mm (UK 8, US 6)
Yarn Brown/white
Cast on 6 sts
Next row P
Inc Kwise twice, K2, Inc Kwise twice (10sts)
Next row P
(Join on white at this stage if adding top strip for teeth)
Next row K
Cast off P wise for no teeth, or Cast off K wise with white teeth
Emoji Mask/Grimace
Make 1 for each emoji if required
Time - 15 minutes each
Size 3.5cm
Needles 4mm (UK 8, US 6)
Yarn White
Cast on 10sts
(K2P2) to end
Next row (P2K2) to end
Cast off Pwise
Poo Mouth
Make 1 for each emoji if required
Time - 10 minutes each
Size 3cm
Needles 4mm (UK 8, US 6)
Yarn White
Cast on 6sts
Inc K wise, K4, Inc Kwise (8sts)
Next row P
Cast off Pwise
Tongue
Make 1 for each Crazy emoji
Time - 5 minutes each
Size 2cm
Needles 4mm (UK 8, US 6)
Yarn Red/Pink
Cast on 5sts
Beginning with a P row st-st 5 rows
K2tog, K1, K2tog (3sts)
Next row P
B&t tightly
Piece it Together...
Sew any additional knitted facial features to the main body piece before sewing up altogether. This allows easier hiding of loose ends.
Backstitch any other detailing required as per your design, including loop stitching for the poo emoji eyes - count the numbers of knitted stitches to keep your design symmetrical.
Once all your facial features are sewn on, place the second body piece to the back of this front face piece, with right side of st-st together. Oversew cast-on and cast-off edges and row ends of these two body pieces. Leave a small gap to allow light stuffing (so that the emoji is still fairly flat), then complete this oversewing and fasten off.
Finger-knitting a length of yarn to attach to the top of the emoji will allow these little fellas to be decoratively tied onto a door handle or hook, or even added as a purse/bag charm. Alternatively, sew onto a hairband or headband to make a fun knitted hair accessory!
Make it Different!
If you don't fancy knitting so many of them and maybe struggling to choose between the different faces, you could always do a different face on either side of the emoji and can then flip it over.
Those lucky enough to have the newest latest gadgets may also know, but I've heard that on some phones you can make up your own emojis. You can of course add your own artistic flair to these as you so wish!
Behind the Scenes!
These patterns are all made up as I go along, learning from mistakes along the way. Every time I create a new pattern, I record it in the Updates part of this site (effectively my blog…) There is a story behind each creation, and this can help give you some more ideas and inspiration.
All done?
Feel free to share your successes or any other tips or suggestions by emailing me. If it's all gone swimmingly and you're ready for you next challenge, have a look at what to try next!