Knitting Tutorial: Puppy Amigurumi in Strawberry Gingham Overalls – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet knitted puppy amigurumi features a warm brown head and body, long floppy ears, cream paws, glossy black eyes, a rounded dark nose, and soft strawberry gingham overalls. The outfit includes green straps, white chest bib, strawberry appliqués, tiny flower buttons, a little bee, plus a knitted strawberry pouch and fruit basket for the full picnic look.

 

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is worked mostly in the round using small needles and firm stuffing. The puppy is shaped with a large oval head, a narrower neck, a seated soft body, long tapered arms, short legs, oversized cream paws, and wide floppy ears. The overalls are knitted separately and fitted over the body.

The sample is designed to look like the image: a handmade knitted puppy lying comfortably in green and white strawberry gingham overalls. The overalls have cropped legs, a front bib, two shoulder straps, strawberry decorations along the legs, a small red strawberry on the bib, and playful garden details.

Finished Size

• Finished height: about 12 inches from top of head to bottom of feet.
• Head width: about 4 inches across after stuffing.
• Body height: about 5 inches from neck to seat.
• Arm length: about 4.5 inches each.
• Leg length: about 3.5 inches each, including cream paw.
• Strawberry pouch: about 2.5 inches wide.
• Fruit basket: about 2 inches wide and 1.75 inches tall.

Skill Level

Adventurous beginner to intermediate. You should know how to knit in the round, increase, decrease, pick up stitches, change colors, sew small pieces, embroider simple details, and join stuffed shapes neatly. Every shaped part includes stitch counts so the finished puppy keeps the soft rounded proportions shown in the image.

Materials

• Yarn A: medium warm brown, DK weight, about 95 yards for head, ears, body, arms, and legs.
• Yarn B: pale cream or beige, DK weight, about 35 yards for muzzle, chest, paws, and hand tips.
• Yarn C: light grassy green, DK weight, about 65 yards for overalls, straps, gingham checks, and strawberry leaves.
• Yarn D: white, DK weight, about 35 yards for gingham checks, bib, flower petals, and eye highlights.
• Yarn E: red, DK weight, about 25 yards for strawberries and pouch.
• Yarn F: yellow, DK weight, small amount for flower centers, bee body, banana, and basket fruit.
• Yarn G: black or dark brown, small amount for bee stripes, mouth, eye accents, and nostrils.
• Yarn H: tan or basket brown, DK weight, about 18 yards for fruit basket.
• Set of US 3 double-pointed needles, 3.25 mm, or size needed for firm fabric.
• Set of US 2 double-pointed needles, 2.75 mm, for straps, small appliqués, and accessories.
• Two 10 mm black safety eyes or sew-on glass-look eyes.
• One 18 mm dark brown oval safety nose, or knitted nose instructions below.
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing.
• Tapestry needle, stitch markers, embroidery needle, pins, scissors, and row counter.

Gauge

• Stockinette in the round: 6 stitches and 8 rounds equal 1 inch using US 3 needles.
• Small accessory stockinette: 7 stitches and 9 rounds equal 1 inch using US 2 needles.
• Important: Amigurumi fabric should be firm. If stuffing shows through, go down one needle size.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• K: knit.
• P: purl.
• St or sts: stitch or stitches.
• Rnd: round.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• Kfb: knit into front and back of same stitch, increasing 1 stitch.
• K2tog: knit 2 stitches together, decreasing 1 stitch.
• SSK: slip, slip, knit, decreasing 1 stitch.
• M1L: make 1 left increase.
• M1R: make 1 right increase.
• St st: stockinette stitch.
• Garter stitch: knit every row when worked flat.

Important Construction Notes

The puppy is knitted as separate soft pieces and then sewn together. The head is intentionally larger than the body, with the eyes placed high and wide. The ears are long, rounded, and attached low on each side of the head so they hang like the image.

The overalls are worked as two short legs joined into one body section. The green and white gingham is made with simple color blocks instead of long stranded floats. Small strawberry appliqués are sewn to the cuffs, bib, pouch, and basket so the finished toy has the same picnic theme.

• Stuff firmly but not hard. The image has soft rounded shaping, not stiff sculpted edges.
• Use mattress stitch for most seams, especially along limbs and the overalls.
• Keep all yarn tails on the inside unless they are used for embroidery.
• Pin every feature in place before sewing. Small placement changes affect the puppy expression.

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Head

Work the head in warm brown. The shape is a large rounded oval with a gentle lower face, similar to the image. Use US 3 needles and knit in the round. Place the beginning marker at the back of the head so shaping stays balanced.

1. With Yarn A, CO 8 sts. Divide over 3 needles and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 8 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts. 16 sts.
5. Rnd 4: Repeat K1, Kfb around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts. 24 sts.
7. Rnd 6: Repeat K2, Kfb around. 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: K all sts. 32 sts.
9. Rnd 8: Repeat K3, Kfb around. 40 sts.
10. Rnd 9: K all sts. 40 sts.
11. Rnd 10: Repeat K4, Kfb around. 48 sts.
12. Rnd 11: K all sts. 48 sts.
13. Rnd 12: Repeat K5, Kfb around. 56 sts.
14. Rnds 13-25: K all sts for 13 rounds. 56 sts.
15. Rnd 26: K18, Kfb, K18, Kfb, K18. 58 sts.
16. Rnds 27-31: K all sts. 58 sts.
17. Rnd 32: K10, K2tog, repeat to last 10 sts, K10. 54 sts.
18. Rnd 33: K all sts. 54 sts.
19. Rnd 34: Repeat K7, K2tog around. 48 sts.
20. Rnd 35: K all sts. 48 sts.
21. Rnd 36: Repeat K6, K2tog around. 42 sts.
22. Rnd 37: K all sts. 42 sts.
23. Rnd 38: Repeat K5, K2tog around. 36 sts.
24. Rnd 39: K all sts. 36 sts.
25. Rnd 40: Repeat K4, K2tog around. 30 sts.
26. Pause to place the eyes before closing. Set eyes between Rnds 22 and 23, about 10 sts apart across the front.
27. Rnd 41: Repeat K3, K2tog around. 24 sts.
28. Stuff the head firmly, shaping the top round and the lower face oval with your hands.
29. Rnd 42: Repeat K2, K2tog around. 18 sts.
30. Rnd 43: Repeat K1, K2tog around. 12 sts.
31. Rnd 44: K2tog around. 6 sts.
32. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave end inside.

Muzzle Patch

The image shows a soft cream muzzle area around the nose, blended into the brown face. This patch is knitted flat and sewn slightly below the eyes. Keep it oval, not circular, so the nose sits forward and gives the puppy a gentle dachshund-like expression.

1. With Yarn B and US 3 needles, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts. 8 sts.
3. Row 2: K1, Kfb, K4, Kfb, K1. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: K1, Kfb, K6, Kfb, K1. 12 sts.
6. Row 5: P all sts. 12 sts.
7. Row 6: K all sts. 12 sts.
8. Row 7: P all sts. 12 sts.
9. Row 8: K1, SSK, K6, K2tog, K1. 10 sts.
10. Row 9: P all sts. 10 sts.
11. Row 10: K1, SSK, K4, K2tog, K1. 8 sts.
12. BO all sts, leaving a 14 inch tail for sewing.

Sew the muzzle patch centered on the lower face, beginning about 2 rounds below the eyes and ending at the lower curve of the head. Add a little stuffing under the center before the final stitches so the nose area becomes raised but still soft.

Nose and Mouth

• Attach the dark oval nose at the center of the cream muzzle, about 1 round below the top edge of the patch.
• If knitting the nose, CO 6 sts with dark brown yarn, work 4 rows in stockinette, then BO and gather the edges into an oval.
• Embroider two small nostril dots with black yarn if using a knitted nose.
• For the mouth, stitch one short vertical line below the nose, then two tiny curved side stitches.
• Add small cream or white eye highlights beside each eye using 2 short embroidery stitches.

Floppy Ears

The ears are long, soft, and rounded. They hang beside the face and slightly forward, matching the image. Work two identical ears flat in warm brown. Do not overstuff them. A thin layer of stuffing at the top only gives natural weight.

1. With Yarn A and US 3 needles, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts. 10 sts.
3. Row 2: K1, Kfb, K6, Kfb, K1. 12 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts. 12 sts.
5. Row 4: K1, Kfb, K8, Kfb, K1. 14 sts.
6. Rows 5-8: Work in stockinette, beginning with a P row. 14 sts.
7. Row 9: P all sts. 14 sts.
8. Row 10: K all sts. 14 sts.
9. Rows 11-24: Continue stockinette for 14 rows. 14 sts.
10. Row 25: P all sts. 14 sts.
11. Row 26: K1, SSK, K8, K2tog, K1. 12 sts.
12. Row 27: P all sts. 12 sts.
13. Row 28: K1, SSK, K6, K2tog, K1. 10 sts.
14. Row 29: P all sts. 10 sts.
15. Row 30: K1, SSK, K4, K2tog, K1. 8 sts.
16. Row 31: P all sts. 8 sts.
17. Row 32: K1, SSK, K2, K2tog, K1. 6 sts.
18. BO all sts. Leave a long tail.

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Fold each ear lengthwise with wrong sides together and sew around the edge, leaving the top cast-on edge open. Add a whisper of stuffing only in the upper third. Sew each ear to the head between Rnds 18 and 28, about 12 sts apart across the face.

Body

The body is smaller than the head and sits inside the overalls. The upper chest has a cream area visible above the bib. Work from the bottom upward in brown, then change to cream for the chest and neck section.

1. With Yarn A and US 3 needles, CO 10 sts. Divide and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 10 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. 20 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts. 20 sts.
5. Rnd 4: Repeat K1, Kfb around. 30 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts. 30 sts.
7. Rnd 6: Repeat K2, Kfb around. 40 sts.
8. Rnds 7-16: K all sts. 40 sts.
9. Rnd 17: Repeat K8, K2tog around. 36 sts.
10. Rnds 18-21: K all sts. 36 sts.
11. Rnd 22: Repeat K7, K2tog around. 32 sts.
12. Rnd 23: K all sts. 32 sts.
13. Change to Yarn B for the cream upper chest.
14. Rnds 24-29: K all sts in cream. 32 sts.
15. Rnd 30: Repeat K6, K2tog around. 28 sts.
16. Rnd 31: K all sts. 28 sts.
17. Rnd 32: Repeat K5, K2tog around. 24 sts.
18. Rnd 33: K all sts. 24 sts.
19. Stuff the body firmly, keeping the base round and the chest slightly narrow.
20. Rnd 34: Repeat K2, K2tog around. 18 sts.
21. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for sewing to the head.

Arms

The arms are long and relaxed. In the image, each arm is brown at the upper section with a cream paw at the end. The paws are slightly wider and rounded, with embroidered toe lines. Work two arms the same way.

1. With Yarn B and US 3 needles, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 8 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. 16 sts.
4. Rnds 3-8: K all sts in cream. 16 sts.
5. Rnd 9: Repeat K2, K2tog around. 12 sts.
6. Change to Yarn A.
7. Rnds 10-28: K all sts in brown. 12 sts.
8. Stuff the paw firmly and the arm lightly so it remains flexible.
9. Rnd 29: Repeat K1, K2tog around. 8 sts.
10. BO all sts. Leave a long tail for sewing.

Flatten the top of each arm slightly. Sew arms to the body at the upper sides, just below the neck, angling them downward. The cream paws should point slightly outward, as if the puppy is lying gently on the wooden surface.

Paw Toe Embroidery for Arms

• Thread Yarn A or light brown embroidery yarn onto a needle.
• On each cream hand, make three straight vertical toe lines over Rnds 2-6.
• Space the toe lines evenly across the front half of the paw.
• Pull gently so the stitches indent the cream fabric slightly.

Legs

The legs are short, brown, and mostly covered by the overall legs. The cream feet are large and rounded with visible toe lines. Make two legs and sew them under the body so they sit apart beneath the gingham overalls.

1. With Yarn B and US 3 needles, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 8 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: Repeat K1, Kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Rnds 4-9: K all sts. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 10: K6, K2tog six times, K6. 18 sts.
7. Rnd 11: K all sts. 18 sts.
8. Rnd 12: Repeat K4, K2tog around. 15 sts.
9. Change to Yarn A.
10. Rnds 13-26: K all sts in brown. 15 sts.
11. Stuff the foot firmly and the leg moderately.
12. Rnd 27: Repeat K3, K2tog around. 12 sts.
13. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.

Sew the legs to the lower body after the overalls are fitted, or baste them first and adjust the clothing over them. The feet should show clearly below the green overall cuffs, just like the image.

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Foot Toe Embroidery

• Use brown yarn to make four long toe lines on each cream foot.
• Begin near the front edge of the foot and stitch upward for 4 rounds.
• Place the center two lines straight and the outer lines slightly angled.
• Do not pull too tightly. The toes should look soft and rounded.

Tail

The tail is mostly hidden by the overalls in the image, but a small soft tail helps the toy look finished from behind. Knit a short tapered brown tail and sew it at the lower back before fitting the overalls completely.

1. With Yarn A and US 3 needles, CO 6 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Repeat K1, Kfb around. 9 sts.
4. Rnds 3-8: K all sts. 9 sts.
5. Rnd 9: Repeat K1, K2tog around. 6 sts.
6. Cut yarn, thread through sts, and pull closed.
7. Stuff lightly and sew to the back of the body at a slight upward angle.

Green and White Gingham Overalls

The overalls are the most recognizable clothing feature. They are light green with white gingham squares, short legs, a bib, and shoulder straps. Work the pants from the bottom cuffs upward, using simple color blocks. Each leg is knitted first, then joined for the seat and waist.

Gingham Color Pattern

• Rounds 1-2 of chart repeat: K4 green, K4 white, repeat around.
• Rounds 3-4 of chart repeat: K4 white, K4 green, repeat around.
• Keep floats loose across the back, or use small separate yarn bobbins for clean blocks.
• For beginners, duplicate stitch the white squares after knitting the pants in green.

First Overall Leg

1. With Yarn C and US 3 needles, CO 28 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-3: K2, P2 rib around in green. 28 sts.
3. Rnd 4: K all sts in green. 28 sts.
4. Rnds 5-12: Work gingham color pattern over 28 sts. Keep four-stitch blocks aligned.
5. Rnd 13: K all sts in green. 28 sts.
6. Rnd 14: K13, Kfb, K13, Kfb. 30 sts.
7. Rnds 15-20: Continue gingham pattern over 30 sts, adjusting last block with 2 green sts if needed.
8. Place leg on spare needle. Do not cut yarn if this is the second leg.

Second Overall Leg

1. Work the second leg exactly the same as the first leg through Rnd 20.
2. Keep the working yarn attached to the second leg.
3. Hold both legs with inner sides facing each other.
4. K30 sts from second leg, CO 4 sts for crotch, K30 sts from first leg, CO 4 sts for back crotch. 68 sts.

Overall Body

1. Rnd 1: K all sts in green. 68 sts.
2. Rnds 2-9: Continue gingham pattern across the pants body. 68 sts.
3. Rnd 10: K15, K2tog, K30, K2tog, K19. 66 sts.
4. Rnd 11: K all sts in green. 66 sts.
5. Rnd 12: K all sts in gingham pattern. 66 sts.
6. Rnd 13: K14, K2tog, K29, K2tog, K19. 64 sts.
7. Rnd 14: K all sts in green. 64 sts.
8. Rnd 15: K all sts in gingham pattern. 64 sts.
9. Rnd 16: Repeat K6, K2tog around. 56 sts.
10. Rnd 17: K all sts in green. 56 sts.
11. Rnd 18: K2, P2 rib around in green. 56 sts.
12. Rnd 19: K2, P2 rib around in green. 56 sts.
13. BO all sts loosely in pattern.

Try the overalls on the body before sewing the limbs permanently. The waistband should sit just below the cream chest. The pant legs should end above the cream feet, leaving the brown lower legs and oversized cream paws visible.

White Front Bib

The bib is a flat white rectangle sewn to the upper front of the overalls. It sits between the straps and covers the center chest area. A red strawberry appliqué is added to the middle, matching the small strawberry motif in the image.

1. With Yarn D and US 2 needles, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Knit all sts for garter edge.
3. Rows 3-14: Work stockinette stitch, knitting RS rows and purling WS rows.
4. Rows 15-16: Knit all sts for garter edge.
5. BO all sts, leaving a long white tail.
6. Sew the bib to the front waistband area, centered over the puppy’s chest.

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Overall Shoulder Straps

The straps are light green and cross from the top corners of the bib over the puppy’s shoulders to the back waistband. They are narrow, flat, and slightly textured. Knit them in garter stitch so they do not curl.

1. With Yarn C and US 2 needles, CO 5 sts.
2. Rows 1-34: Knit all sts every row. 5 sts.
3. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.
4. Make a second strap the same way.
5. Sew one end of each strap to the top corner of the white bib.
6. Bring each strap over the shoulder and sew the other end to the back waistband.

Flower Buttons on Straps

The image shows small flower buttons where the straps meet the bib. Make one pink flower and one white flower, or two flowers in mixed pastel colors. These are tiny knitted petals gathered around a yellow center.

1. For each petal, with Yarn D or soft pink yarn and US 2 needles, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts. 3 sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts. 3 sts.
4. Row 3: K3tog. 1 st.
5. Cut yarn and pull through. Make 5 petals per flower.
6. Arrange petals in a circle and stitch through the bases.
7. Use Yarn F to sew 4 small yellow stitches in the center.
8. Sew one flower at each top corner of the bib over the strap end.

Strawberry Appliqué for Bib

1. With Yarn E and US 2 needles, CO 5 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts. 5 sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K3, Kfb. 7 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts. 7 sts.
5. Row 4: K all sts. 7 sts.
6. Row 5: P all sts. 7 sts.
7. Row 6: SSK, K3, K2tog. 5 sts.
8. Row 7: P all sts. 5 sts.
9. Row 8: SSK, K1, K2tog. 3 sts.
10. Cut yarn, thread through 3 sts, and pull closed.
11. With green yarn, embroider three tiny leaf stitches at the top.
12. With white yarn, add 5 tiny seed stitches across the red berry.
13. Sew the strawberry to the center of the white bib.

Strawberry Appliqués for Overall Legs

The cuffs in the image have several small red strawberries. Make 8 small strawberries: 4 for the left leg and 4 for the right leg. Sew them along the lower green cuffs and lower front legs in a neat row.

1. With Yarn E and US 2 needles, CO 4 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts. 4 sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K2, Kfb. 6 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts. 6 sts.
5. Row 4: SSK, K2, K2tog. 4 sts.
6. Row 5: P all sts. 4 sts.
7. Row 6: SSK, K2tog. 2 sts.
8. Cut yarn and pull through both sts.
9. Add two green leaf stitches at the top and three white seed stitches on each berry.

Tiny Bee Decoration

A small bee sits on the front of the overalls near one strap. It is made from a yellow knitted oval with black embroidered stripes and two pale wings. This playful detail helps match the garden picnic look of the image.

1. With Yarn F and US 2 needles, CO 6 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Work stockinette stitch. 6 sts.
3. Row 3: Kfb, K4, Kfb. 8 sts.
4. Rows 4-7: Work stockinette stitch. 8 sts.
5. Row 8: SSK, K4, K2tog. 6 sts.
6. BO all sts. Gather edge into a small oval and stuff very lightly.
7. Using Yarn G, embroider 3 short black stripes around the yellow oval.
8. For each wing, CO 3 sts with white yarn, knit 3 rows, then BO.
9. Sew wings to the top of the bee and attach bee to the right front overall area.

Large Strawberry Pouch

The separate strawberry pouch in the image is round, red, and shaped like a plump strawberry with green leaves on top. It has a green band and a small yellow button charm. This accessory can sit beside the puppy or be lightly attached to one hand.

1. With Yarn E and US 3 needles, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 8 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts. 16 sts.
5. Rnd 4: Repeat K1, Kfb around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts. 24 sts.
7. Rnd 6: Repeat K2, Kfb around. 32 sts.
8. Rnds 7-15: K all sts. 32 sts.
9. Rnd 16: Repeat K2, K2tog around. 24 sts.
10. Rnd 17: K all sts. 24 sts.
11. Rnd 18: Repeat K1, K2tog around. 16 sts.
12. Stuff the strawberry firmly into a rounded dome.
13. Rnd 19: K2tog around. 8 sts.
14. Cut yarn, thread through sts, and pull closed.

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Strawberry Pouch Details

• With white yarn, embroider tiny seed stitches over the red strawberry, spacing them unevenly for a natural look.
• With Yarn C, embroider a curved band around the lower middle of the strawberry pouch.
• Make 5 green leaves by CO 4 sts, knitting 4 rows, then decreasing to 1 st.
• Sew the leaves in a star shape on top of the strawberry.
• For the yellow charm, CO 4 sts, knit 3 rows, BO, gather into a tiny circle, and sew to the green band.
• Optional handle: make a 3-stitch i-cord for 8 inches and sew it to both sides of the pouch.

Small Picnic Fruit Basket

The small basket is knitted in tan yarn and filled with tiny fruit shapes. It appears beside the puppy in the image. The basket is optional for play use, but it completes the visual story and gives the finished display a charming handmade picnic scene.

Basket Base and Sides

1. With Yarn H and US 2 needles, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: Knit every row for a garter stitch base. 18 sts.
3. Pick up 6 sts along the first short side, 18 sts along the cast-on edge, and 6 sts along the second short side. 48 sts total.
4. Join in the round carefully.
5. Rnds 1-8: K all sts. 48 sts.
6. Rnd 9: P all sts to create a rim ridge. 48 sts.
7. Rnd 10: K all sts. 48 sts.
8. BO all sts loosely.
9. Fold the rim slightly outward and tack it in place.

Basket Handle

1. With Yarn H and US 2 needles, CO 4 sts.
2. Rows 1-36: Knit every row. 4 sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one end to each side of the basket, curving the handle over the top.

Tiny Basket Fruits

• Banana: With yellow yarn, CO 5 sts, knit 12 rows, BO. Roll into a curved tube and stitch green yarn at one end.
• Apple or tomato: With red yarn, CO 6 sts, work 6 rounds, stuff lightly, decrease closed, and add green leaves.
• Green fruit: With green yarn, CO 6 sts, work 5 rounds, stuff lightly, and close.
• Check cloth: With red and white yarn, knit a 12-st by 10-row rectangle and embroider small checks.

Loose Tiny Strawberry

The small loose strawberry near the basket is made separately. It should be smaller than the pouch strawberry and larger than the appliqués. Use it as a display accessory beside the puppy’s hand or near the basket.

1. With Yarn E and US 2 needles, CO 6 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. 12 sts.
4. Rnds 3-6: K all sts. 12 sts.
5. Rnd 7: Repeat K1, K2tog around. 8 sts.
6. Stuff lightly.
7. Rnd 8: K2tog around. 4 sts.
8. Pull closed and weave in end.
9. Add green leaf stitches to the top and white seed stitches to the berry.

Assembly Order

Assembly is where the puppy becomes expressive. Work slowly and use pins before sewing. The goal is a relaxed handmade toy with a large sweet face, floppy ears, soft limbs, and overalls that sit naturally around the body without hiding the cream chest and paws.

1. Sew the cream muzzle patch to the head and attach the nose.
2. Add mouth embroidery and eye highlights.
3. Sew the ears to both sides of the head, letting them hang downward.
4. Sew the head to the cream neck opening of the body. Use several rounds of stitches for strength.
5. Sew arms to the upper body, angled down and slightly forward.
6. Sew legs to the bottom body, spaced about 8 sts apart at the front.
7. Sew the small tail to the back if using.
8. Slide the overalls over the legs and body. Adjust the waistband below the cream chest.
9. Tack the overalls to the body at the back waist and side seams with tiny hidden stitches.
10. Sew the bib to the front, then attach shoulder straps over the shoulders.
11. Add flower buttons over the top strap ends.
12. Sew strawberry appliqués onto the bib and lower overall legs.
13. Sew the bee to the right front area of the overalls.
14. Place the strawberry pouch and fruit basket beside the puppy for display.

Detailed Placement Guide

• Eyes: Place between head Rnds 22 and 23, about 10 sts apart.
• Muzzle: Center below the eyes, with the upper edge about 2 rounds below the eye line.
• Nose: Place in the upper center of the cream muzzle patch.
• Ears: Attach from about Rnd 18 to Rnd 28 on each side of the head.
• Arms: Attach just below the neck, angled down toward the body sides.
• Legs: Attach to the lower front body so paws face forward.
• Bib: Center on the front of overalls, with top edge touching the cream chest.
• Straps: Sew from bib corners over shoulders to the back waistband.
• Bee: Place on the right front overalls near the strap area.
• Strawberries: Place 4 on each overall leg and 1 on the bib.

Making the Gingham Look Clean

For neat gingham, keep the white blocks soft and square. If stranded colorwork feels difficult on such a small piece, knit the overalls in solid green first. Then use duplicate stitch to add white squares over the front and legs. This is often easier for beginners.

• Duplicate stitch each white block over 4 sts wide and 2 rounds tall.
• Offset the blocks every 2 rounds to create the checkered pattern.
• Avoid pulling the duplicate stitches too tightly, or the fabric will pucker.
• Steam lightly from a distance if the overalls need gentle smoothing.

Optional Knitted Safety Eye Rings

The image has bright eyes with soft light rings. If you want that look, add tiny cream stitches around the lower outside edge of each eye. This creates a sweet, reflective expression without changing the simple amigurumi face.

• Use Yarn B or white yarn and a small embroidery needle.
• Make 3 short stitches under the left side of each eye.
• Make 1 tiny white highlight stitch at the upper outer side of each eye.
• Do not cover the black eye surface completely.

Optional Knitted Nose Instead of Safety Nose

A safety nose gives the closest smooth look to the image, but a knitted nose is useful for a fully soft toy. Keep the knitted nose dark, oval, and slightly raised. Sew it firmly so it does not twist during play or display.

1. With dark brown yarn and US 2 needles, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Work stockinette stitch. 8 sts.
3. Row 3: SSK, K4, K2tog. 6 sts.
4. Row 4: P all sts. 6 sts.
5. BO all sts.
6. Run yarn around the edge, pull into an oval, stuff lightly, and sew to muzzle.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the puppy from the front before tying off final yarn tails. The head should tilt naturally, the ears should frame the face, and the eyes should look slightly upward. Add the smallest embroidery details last, including toe lines, nose shine, seed stitches, and the bee’s wings.

• Use tiny stitches to secure the overalls at the back waist and under each arm.
• Brush loose fibers gently with your fingers, not a harsh brush.
• Trim only long fuzzy strands that distract from the face or clothing.
• Make sure every appliqué is sewn down securely around the edges.

Care Notes

Because this puppy includes small appliqués, embroidery, and optional safety parts, gentle care is best. Spot clean with cool water and mild soap. Do not machine wash unless all parts are securely sewn and the toy was made without delicate display accessories.

• Blot wet areas with a clean towel.
• Reshape the head, ears, paws, and overalls while damp.
• Lay flat to dry away from direct sunlight.
• Keep the small fruit basket and strawberry pouch separate during cleaning.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is firmly stuffed and smoothly rounded.
• Eyes are even and bright, with small highlight stitches.
• Muzzle is centered and nose is securely attached.
• Ears hang evenly on both sides of the face.
• Arms and legs are sewn at matching angles.
• Overalls fit smoothly without twisting.
• Gingham squares look balanced across the front.
• Strawberries, flowers, and bee are attached securely.
• Toe lines are embroidered on all cream paws.
• Basket, pouch, and loose strawberry are complete for display.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished puppy in a dry place with good airflow. If displaying it on a shelf, keep it away from strong sunlight so the red strawberries, green overalls, and warm brown yarn stay fresh. Avoid heavy objects pressing on the ears or muzzle.

• For dust, use a soft cloth or gentle air puff.
• For small marks, dab with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not soak the basket if it contains loose fruit pieces.
• Let all pieces dry fully before storing together.
• Wrap the puppy loosely in tissue paper if storing for a long time.

Finishing Thought

Your knitted puppy should now have the same cheerful strawberry picnic style shown in the image: soft brown fur, floppy ears, cream paws, green gingham overalls, flower details, red strawberries, a tiny bee, a strawberry pouch, and a small fruit basket. Take time with the final placement, because those tiny handmade details create the sweetest expression.