Liam the Llama’s laid-back vibe, oversized head, and Peruvian-inspired hat give him the appearance of a hacky sack champion en route to a Grateful Dead concert. Although his head appears too large for his tiny body, his neck is sufficiently stuffed to hold his head proud and high, as every well-behaved llama should. Brush the finished piece with a wire slicker brush to create the fuzzy “llama-ness” of his fleece.

DESIGNER Brenda K. B. Anderson

DIFFICULTY Intermediate

FINISHED SIZE LLAMA 18.5” head circumference and 17.5” tall.

HAT 17″ circumference and 5.5” tall (excluding earflaps).

YARN LLAMA Sugar Bush Yarns Rapture (50% LlamaSoft, 50% superfine merino wool; 211 yd
 / 3.5 oz): #1001 boho beige (MC) and #1002 serenity sand (CC), 1 ball each.

HAT Sugar Bush Yarns Itty Bitty (65% fine superwash merino, 25% nylon,
10% cashmere; 153 yd / 1.75 oz): #5008 indigo (A), #5009 sunglow (B), and #5004 crimson (C), 1 ball each.

NEEDLES LLAMA Size 4 (3.5 mm): 16″ circular and set of double-pointed. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.


HAT Size 3 (3.25 mm): 16″ circular and set of double-pointed. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

NOTIONS LLAMA Markers; removable marker; stitch holders; tapestry needle; polyester fiberfill; one 9″ × 12″ sheet of black (or brown) 1/4”-thick craft foam; two white 1” buttons and two black 1 1/8” buttons (Note: Buttons should be flat, with no shank, and have the same number of holes so that they can be stitched together when stacked); sewing needle and black thread; small amount of beige felt and matching thread for eyelids; small amount of instant glue to keep lower lids in place (optional); 1 skein of dark brown embroidery floss and embroidery needle for nose/mouth; wire slicker brush (see Notes).

HAT Markers; stitch holders; tapestry needle; size E/4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook.

GAUGE LLAMA 24 sts and 31 rnds = 4″ in St st.

HAT 23 sts and 34 rnds = 4″ in St st.

NOTES The sample used almost all of one skein of the main color (MC). Consider purchasing an extra skein as insurance.

It is important to knit at a gauge tight enough so that when the stuffing is added, you cannot see through your stitches.

The llama is worked in the round from the top down, setting aside stitches for arms to be worked later. Ears, muzzle, and tail are worked separately and stitched onto head and body. All pieces made with MC yarn were brushed with a wire slicker brush (used for pet grooming) to give the head and body a fluffy texture. Results will vary when using other yarns; if you choose to substitute yarn, be sure to brush a swatch to see how it will look. It is best to brush pieces before attaching the muzzle, ears, and tail because it is easier to get a uniform look when pieces are separate. A knitted bolster fits inside neck to help support the heavy head. The bolster is knitted to a smaller size and then stuffed very firmly in order to give it stability; this then sits inside of the llama’s neck (with a small amount of padding between bolster and llama’s neck) and allows the neck to have the strength of an overstuffed piece, but not suffer the consequences of the stuffing showing between stitches.

Toy is made with small pieces and is not intended for children younger than three years old.