I am stumped! They aren't listed in the pattern as French knots, and they don't appear to be 1/4 or 1/2 stitches like elsewhere in the pattern, they are just sort of... there.

It's a free pattern from DMC, so I am suprised that it's so ambiguous. The DMC patterns have been pretty good so far...

It's this pattern if you'd like to see the whole thing: https://www.dmc.com/AU/en-GB/products/cross-stitch-cat-chistmas-baubles

Edit: After staring at the pattern for a while, one thing I noticed is under the French knots, it lists the black for the eyes, and another colour E5200... looking at the pattern I cannot see a single spot where the E5200 French knot is used... Do you think there is a mistake in the pattern, and the E5200 is meant to be the pink circles for the paws?