Free knitting pattern for a stuffed toy dog...

STUFFED DOG KNITTING PATTERN

This pattern uses dk yarn doubled (i.e. two strands of dk yarn knitted together) and size 5.5mm knitting needles. It produces a dog measuring 14 inches long.

I find that doubling up the yarn and using 5.5mm knitting needles makes a strong fabric that knits up very quickly and contains the stuffing securely.

Don’t worry if the monster looks small when you are knitting it. It will look larger after you have sewed the seams and stuffed it.

Remember: the yarn is used doubled throughout except for the ears and the facial features.

You will need

5.5mm knitting needles (except for the ears which use 4mm knitting needles)

Approximately 65g of dk yarn

Approximately 65g of toy stuffing

White felt and black or brown felt or buttons for the eyes

Small black pom-pom or felt for the nose

Black yarn for the mouth

Red yarn for the tongue

FRONT VIEW

Right leg

Cast on 9 stitches
Work 10 rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a garter stitch row and ending with a purl row)

Cut the yarn and push the leg to the far end of the left hand needle

Left leg

Cast on 9 stitches on the same knitting needle that is holding the right leg

Work 10 rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a garter stitch row and ending with a purl row)

Join legs

Knit across all 9 stitches of the left leg.

Turn your work and cast on 2 stitches

Turn your work again and knit across all 9 stitches of the right leg
You should now have 20 stitches on your needle

Body

Work 23 rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a purl row and ending with a purl row)

Arms

Cast on 10 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a garter stitch row and ending with a purl row) You will have 40 stitches on your needle

Work 10 more rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a garter stitch row and ending with a purl row)

Cast off 10 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. You should now have 20 stitches on your needle

Head

Work 50 rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a garter stitch row and ending with a purl row)

BACK VIEW

Arms

Cast on 10 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a garter stitch row and ending with a purl row) You will have 40 stitches on your needle

Work 10 more rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a garter stitch row and ending with a purl row)

Cast off 10 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows (you will have 20 stitches on your needle)

Work 24 rows straight – (stocking stitch, commencing with a garter stitch row and ending with a purl row)

Left leg

Knit 9 stitches

Turn your work and continue on these 9 stitches for 10 rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a purl row and ending with a garter stitch row)

Cast off these 9 stitches

Right leg

Rejoin yarn to remaining11 stitches

Cast off first 2 stitches

Knit 9 stitches

Work 10 rows – (stocking stitch, commencing with a purl row and ending with a garter stitch row)

Cast off

Ears (make 2)
Remember: size 4mm knitting needles and one single strand of dk yarn

Cast on 8 stitches
Rows 1-22 – (stocking stitch, commencing with a garter stitch row and ending with a purl row)

You will increase one stitch at both ends of rows 3, 7, and 11 until you have 14 stitches on your needle

Row 23 Join new colour (garter stitch row)

Rows 24 - 45 (stocking stitch, commencing with a purl row and ending with a knit row)

You will decrease one stitch at both ends of rows 35, 39, and 43 until you have 8 stitches on the needle

Cast off

Fold in half, right sides together, and sew the 2 long side seams

Turn right side out

Stuff lightly with approved toy stuffing

Making up:

Embroider facial features as desired. If used, sew on pompom and buttons firmly.

Sew up outer leg seams, both sides, around arms and head

Stuff firmly with approved toy stuffing and check that it is not escaping through any holes

Sew up remaining leg seams

Attach the ears, taking care to close the top seam of each ear

Variations:

Let your imagination run riot

To make longer legs, add 2, 4, or 6 rows

Change the colours as required. Use pastels or bright colours as well as doggy colours.

Congratulations, you have completed one beautiful stuffed toy dog. Now all you have to do is to decide who to give it to! Woof!

The knitting pattern and photograph are © Una O’Malley