Knitting Tutorial: Basset Hound in Colorful Striped Overalls – Free Knitting Pattern

This cheerful knitted basset hound is designed with long floppy ears, a soft white-and-brown face, colorful striped overalls, flower accents near the ears, cozy paw slippers, a matching shoulder satchel, a tiny striped hat, two acorns, and a small orange pumpkin. The finished toy has a warm handmade look with rounded shaping, neat embroidered details, and bright fair-isle-style stripes.

 

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 creates a sitting-style knitted basset hound doll with a tall oval head, long snout, low-set floppy ears, short rounded body, plump limbs, colorful overalls, matching accessories, and small seasonal props. The design is worked mostly in the round for a smooth toy finish, with flat-knitted details where that gives better control.

The main dog is knitted using firm stockinette fabric so the stuffing does not show through. The overalls use narrow color stripes and small duplicate-stitch motifs to copy the playful handmade texture visible in the image. The bag, hat, slippers, flowers, acorns, and pumpkin are knitted separately and sewn on after the body is assembled.

Finished Size

• Finished height: about 12 inches from slipper sole to top of head.
• Body width: about 4 inches across the overalls.
• Head height: about 4.5 inches from neck to crown.
• Ear length: about 5 inches from top attachment to lower tip.
• Satchel size: about 2 inches wide and 2 inches tall, plus strap.
• Hat size: about 3 inches wide when flat, shaped to sit beside the toy as shown.

Skill Level

Intermediate friendly. A confident beginner can complete this project by working slowly and checking stitch counts often. The shaping is simple, but there are many small color changes, sewn details, and accessories. The most important skills are knitting small pieces in the round, increasing, decreasing, stuffing firmly, seaming neatly, and embroidering small details.

Materials

• Yarn weight: Fingering or sport-weight wool or wool-blend yarn. Use yarn that creates a firm fabric when knitted on small needles.
• White or cream: 35 g for muzzle, face stripe, paws, lower legs, and tail tip.
• Warm tan: 20 g for face patches and arm bands.
• Dark chocolate brown: 35 g for ears, side patches, upper limbs, and tail.
• Teal blue: 15 g for overall straps, trims, bag trim, and hat motifs.
• Coral pink: 10 g for stripes, flowers, hat, bag, and slipper details.
• Dusty rose: 8 g for soft stripe work and flower details.
• Mustard yellow: 8 g for stripes and flower centers.
• Olive green: 8 g for stripes, pumpkin stem, and flower leaves.
• Lavender: 6 g for small flowers and stripe details.
• Rust orange: 12 g for pumpkin and warm stripe accents.
• Light brown: 8 g for acorns, bag buckle area, and button accents.
• Black: small amount for nose, eyes if not using safety eyes, paw claws, and mouth.
• Two black safety eyes: 8 mm, or embroider eyes with black yarn.
• Two small tan buttons: 8 to 10 mm for the overall straps.
• One tiny buckle or embroidered buckle: for the front of the satchel.
• Fiberfill stuffing: about 45 g.
• Needles: US 2 or 2.75 mm double-pointed needles, or long circular needle for magic loop.
• Flat knitting needles: US 2 or 2.75 mm, optional for ears and bag flap.
• Tapestry needle: for sewing and embroidery.
• Stitch markers: at least 4.
• Scrap yarn: for holding stitches.

Gauge

Gauge is important for a firm toy fabric. Work 30 stitches and 42 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette using US 2 or 2.75 mm needles. If your fabric looks loose or stuffing shows through, go down one needle size. If your fabric is stiff and difficult to shape, go up one needle size.

Abbreviations

• BO: bind off.
• CO: cast on.
• dec: decrease.
• inc: increase.
• k: knit.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• kfb: knit into front and back of same stitch.
• p: purl.
• PM: place marker.
• rnd: round.
• RS: right side.
• ssk: slip 1, slip 1, knit slipped stitches together through back loops.
• st or sts: stitch or stitches.
• St st: stockinette stitch.
• WS: wrong side.

Color Stripe Key for Overalls and Accessories

The overalls in the image have a hand-knit striped look with coral, teal, cream, rose, mustard, olive, and brown. Use the stripe order below for the torso, legs, bag, slippers, and hat so the whole set looks coordinated.

• Stripe A: teal blue, 2 rounds.
• Stripe B: coral pink, 2 rounds.
• Stripe C: cream, 2 rounds.
• Stripe D: dusty rose, 2 rounds.
• Stripe E: mustard yellow, 1 round.
• Stripe F: olive green, 1 round.
• Stripe G: dark chocolate brown, 2 rounds.
• Motif rounds: work tiny V shapes by duplicate stitch after knitting, using teal over cream, cream over brown, and rose over teal.

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Important Construction Notes

• Stuff the head firmly, especially through the muzzle and cheeks, so the basset hound face keeps its long oval shape.
• Keep the ears soft and slightly flat. Do not over-stuff them. The image shows floppy, flexible ears with a gentle curve.
• The arms angle outward from the shoulder and curve slightly forward. Sew them between the body and side of the overalls.
• The legs are short and rounded, with white feet showing inside colorful slipper edges.
• The overalls are knitted as part of the lower body, then straps are added separately and buttoned at the chest.
• The bag hangs across the chest from the dog’s right shoulder to the left hip.
• The tiny hat, acorns, and pumpkin are separate props. Knit them firmly enough to hold their shape.

Main Body and Overalls

The body is worked from the lower seat upward. The lower section includes the colorful overall fabric. The top edge of the overalls reaches the chest, with teal straps sewn over the shoulders and small tan buttons at the front.

Lower Body

1. With teal blue, CO 12 sts. Divide evenly over needles and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in every st around. You now have 24 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: k1, kfb; repeat around. You now have 36 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: k2, kfb; repeat around. You now have 48 sts.
8. Rnd 7: k all sts.
9. Rnd 8: k3, kfb; repeat around. You now have 60 sts.
10. Rnds 9 to 10: k all sts in teal blue.
11. Rnds 11 to 12: change to coral pink and k all sts.
12. Rnds 13 to 14: change to cream and k all sts.
13. Rnd 15: change to olive green and k all sts.
14. Rnd 16: change to mustard yellow and k all sts.
15. Rnds 17 to 18: change to dusty rose and k all sts.
16. Rnds 19 to 20: change to dark chocolate brown and k all sts.
17. Rnds 21 to 22: change to teal blue and k all sts.
18. Rnds 23 to 24: change to coral pink and k all sts.
19. Rnd 25: k8, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 54 sts.
20. Rnd 26: k all sts in cream.
21. Rnd 27: k7, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 48 sts.
22. Rnd 28: k all sts in cream.

Stuff the lower body lightly at first. Keep the bottom broad and slightly rounded, because the basset hound sits low in the image. Add more stuffing later after the upper torso is shaped.

Upper Chest Above Overalls

1. Rnd 29: change to dark chocolate brown. k all sts.
2. Rnd 30: k all sts.
3. Rnd 31: k6, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 42 sts.
4. Rnd 32: k all sts.
5. Rnd 33: k5, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 36 sts.
6. Rnd 34: k all sts.
7. Rnd 35: k4, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 30 sts.
8. Rnd 36: k all sts.
9. Rnd 37: k3, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
10. Rnd 38: k all sts.
11. Rnd 39: k2, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 18 sts.
12. Rnd 40: k all sts.
13. Do not close the neck. Leave the 18 sts live on scrap yarn for attaching the head, or BO loosely if you prefer sewing the head separately.

Finish stuffing the torso firmly. The body should be rounded but not spherical. Shape it with your hands so the front is slightly flatter where the overalls and satchel will sit.

Overall Bib and Straps

Front Bib

The bib sits at the chest and overlaps the striped body. Knit it flat so the top edge looks crisp and handmade.

1. With teal blue, CO 18 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: change to coral pink, k all sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Row 5: change to cream, k all sts.
7. Row 6: p all sts.
8. Row 7: change to teal blue, k2, ssk, k10, k2tog, k2. You now have 16 sts.
9. Row 8: p all sts.
10. Row 9: k2, ssk, k8, k2tog, k2. You now have 14 sts.
11. Row 10: p all sts.
12. Row 11: k all sts.
13. Row 12: p all sts.
14. BO all sts neatly.

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Sew the bib to the upper front of the overalls, centered on the chest. The lower edge should overlap the striped torso by about 3 rounds. Use small mattress stitches and keep the top edge open-looking, not pulled too tight.

Overall Straps

1. Make 2 straps. With teal blue, CO 5 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 28: k all sts for garter stitch.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one end of each strap to the back upper edge of the overalls.
5. Cross each strap over the shoulder line and bring it to the front bib.
6. Sew a small tan button at the front end of each strap.

The buttons in the image are round, pale wood-tone buttons. If you prefer an entirely knitted finish, embroider a small round button using tan yarn and a black center dot.

Head

The basset hound head is tall and oval, with a white central face and muzzle, tan-brown side patches, dark eye areas, and a large rounded snout. The easiest way to control the look is to knit the head in cream, then add tan side patches by duplicate stitch or sewn appliqué pieces.

Basic Head Shape

1. With cream, CO 8 sts. Divide evenly and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in every st around. You now have 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: k all sts.
4. Rnd 3: k1, kfb; repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: k all sts.
6. Rnd 5: k2, kfb; repeat around. You now have 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: k all sts.
8. Rnd 7: k3, kfb; repeat around. You now have 40 sts.
9. Rnd 8: k all sts.
10. Rnd 9: k4, kfb; repeat around. You now have 48 sts.
11. Rnd 10: k all sts.
12. Rnd 11: k5, kfb; repeat around. You now have 56 sts.
13. Rnds 12 to 22: k all sts.
14. Rnd 23: k6, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 49 sts.
15. Rnd 24: k all sts.
16. Rnd 25: k5, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 42 sts.
17. Rnd 26: k all sts.
18. Rnd 27: k4, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 35 sts.
19. Rnd 28: k all sts.
20. Rnd 29: k3, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 28 sts.
21. Rnd 30: k all sts.
22. Rnd 31: k2, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 21 sts.
23. Rnd 32: k all sts.
24. Stop here and stuff the top and sides of the head firmly, leaving room for the muzzle shaping.

Long Muzzle Extension

The muzzle is worked from the front lower face. It should look long, rounded, and slightly protruding, not flat. Use cream yarn and shape it as an oval tube.

1. Pick up 24 sts on the lower front of the head, arranged as 8 sts across the top, 4 sts down each side, and 8 sts across the bottom.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: k all sts.
4. Rnd 3: k5, kfb, k12, kfb, k5. You now have 26 sts.
5. Rnd 4: k all sts.
6. Rnd 5: k6, kfb, k12, kfb, k6. You now have 28 sts.
7. Rnds 6 to 12: k all sts.
8. Rnd 13: k5, k2tog, k14, ssk, k5. You now have 26 sts.
9. Rnd 14: k4, k2tog, k14, ssk, k4. You now have 24 sts.
10. Rnd 15: k2, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 18 sts.
11. Rnd 16: k1, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 12 sts.
12. Stuff the muzzle firmly. Make sure it projects forward with a gentle oval shape.
13. Rnd 17: k2tog around. You now have 6 sts.
14. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave in end.

Face Patches

The image shows warm tan and brown patches framing the white center stripe. Make two mirrored patch pieces and sew them to the head before attaching the ears.

1. Make 2 patches. With warm tan, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: kfb, k8, kfb. You now have 12 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Row 5: kfb, k10, kfb. You now have 14 sts.
7. Rows 6 to 12: work in St st.
8. Row 13: ssk, k10, k2tog. You now have 12 sts.
9. Row 14: p all sts.
10. Row 15: ssk, k8, k2tog. You now have 10 sts.
11. Row 16: p all sts.
12. BO all sts.

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Sew one patch on each side of the face, beginning near the top of the forehead and curving down beside the muzzle. Leave a clean cream stripe down the center front. Use dark brown duplicate stitch around the lower edges if you want deeper shading near the eyes.

Eyes, Nose, and Mouth

• Place the eyes between head rounds 15 and 16, about 9 sts apart, positioned on the tan patches beside the cream stripe.
• For sleepy basset expression, angle the eyes slightly downward toward the muzzle.
• Embroider the nose at the front of the muzzle over rounds 10 to 13 of the muzzle extension.
• Use black yarn to satin stitch an oval nose about 7 sts wide and 5 rows tall.
• Add one short vertical black stitch below the nose.
• Add two tiny curved mouth stitches, one to each side, using dark brown or black yarn.
• Add small pale tan freckles on the muzzle with 3 short stitches on each side.

Long Floppy Ears

The ears are one of the strongest features of the toy. They are long, dark brown, and hang from the sides of the head down toward the arms. Knit them flat with soft shaping, then lightly steam or hand-shape them so they curve inward.

1. Make 2 ears. With dark chocolate brown, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: kfb, k8, kfb. You now have 12 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Row 5: kfb, k10, kfb. You now have 14 sts.
7. Row 6: p all sts.
8. Row 7: kfb, k12, kfb. You now have 16 sts.
9. Rows 8 to 34: work in St st.
10. Row 35: ssk, k12, k2tog. You now have 14 sts.
11. Row 36: p all sts.
12. Row 37: ssk, k10, k2tog. You now have 12 sts.
13. Row 38: p all sts.
14. Row 39: ssk, k8, k2tog. You now have 10 sts.
15. Row 40: p all sts.
16. Row 41: ssk, k6, k2tog. You now have 8 sts.
17. Row 42: p all sts.
18. BO all sts.

Fold the top edge of each ear slightly inward and sew it to the side of the head from rounds 12 to 17. The ears should begin just behind the eye line. Sew the top 1 inch firmly, but leave the rest loose and floppy.

Arms

The arms are white at the paws, warm tan through the wrist, and dark brown at the upper arm. They extend outward from the body and sit over the sides of the overalls.

1. Make 2 arms. With cream, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in every st around. You now have 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: k all sts.
4. Rnd 3: k3, kfb; repeat around. You now have 20 sts.
5. Rnds 4 to 9: k all sts in cream.
6. Rnd 10: change to warm tan, k all sts.
7. Rnd 11: k all sts.
8. Rnd 12: change to dark chocolate brown, k all sts.
9. Rnds 13 to 24: k all sts.
10. Rnd 25: k3, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 16 sts.
11. Rnd 26: k all sts.
12. Stuff the paw firmly and the upper arm lightly.
13. Rnd 27: k2, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 12 sts.
14. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Flatten the open upper edge slightly. Sew each arm to the side of the upper body between rounds 31 and 36 of the torso. Angle the arms slightly downward and outward so the cream paws show clearly.

Paw Claws

• Use black yarn and a tapestry needle.
• On each paw, embroider 3 curved claw lines.
• Each claw should be about 3 rows tall.
• Place the claws along the lower front of the cream paw.
• Keep the stitches loose enough that they curve naturally, not like straight bars.

Legs and Feet

The legs are short and thick, with striped overall fabric covering the upper legs and cream feet visible inside colorful slipper borders. Knit the legs separately, sew them to the lower body, then add slippers around the feet.

Legs

1. Make 2 legs. With cream, CO 10 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in every st around. You now have 20 sts.
3. Rnd 2: k all sts.
4. Rnd 3: k4, kfb; repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
5. Rnds 4 to 8: k all sts in cream.
6. Rnd 9: change to teal blue, k all sts.
7. Rnd 10: change to coral pink, k all sts.
8. Rnd 11: change to cream, k all sts.
9. Rnd 12: change to dusty rose, k all sts.
10. Rnd 13: change to olive green, k all sts.
11. Rnd 14: change to mustard yellow, k all sts.
12. Rnd 15: change to teal blue, k all sts.
13. Rnd 16: change to dark chocolate brown, k all sts.
14. Rnd 17: k all sts.
15. Rnd 18: k4, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 20 sts.
16. Rnd 19: k all sts.
17. Rnd 20: k3, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 16 sts.
18. Stuff the foot and lower leg firmly.
19. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Sew the legs to the front lower body, about 1 inch apart. The feet should point forward and slightly outward. The lower body should rest visually between the two legs, just like the toy in the image.

Slipper Edges

1. With coral pink, pick up 24 sts around the base of one cream foot.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: change to mustard yellow, k all sts.
4. Rnd 3: change to teal blue, k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: change to dusty rose, k all sts.
6. BO loosely.
7. Repeat for the second foot.

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Fold the slipper edge outward slightly so it frames the cream foot. Add a tiny flower to the outside edge of each slipper, using coral for one flower and light blue or teal for the other.

Tail

The tail is mostly dark brown with a cream tip and hangs down between the legs behind the body. It should be small but visible below the overalls.

1. With cream, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1 to 4: k all sts.
3. Change to dark chocolate brown.
4. Rnds 5 to 18: k all sts.
5. Stuff very lightly using a thin strand of fiberfill.
6. BO all sts.
7. Sew to the lower back of the body, centered between the legs.

Flower Decorations Near the Ears

The image shows tiny flowers tucked near both sides of the head. They soften the hound’s expression and add a colorful cottage style. Make several small flowers and arrange them near the ear bases.

Simple Five-Petal Knitted Flower

1. Make 5 petals for each flower. With flower color, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. You now have 5 sts.
4. Row 3: k all sts.
5. Row 4: ssk, k1, k2tog. You now have 3 sts.
6. Row 5: slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped st over. You now have 1 st.
7. Cut yarn and pull through.
8. Sew 5 petals in a circle.
9. Add a French knot or tiny satin stitch in mustard yellow for the flower center.

• Make 1 pale yellow flower for the left side of the head.
• Make 1 lavender flower for the right side.
• Make 1 coral flower near the upper ear.
• Add 2 tiny green leaf stitches beside the flowers.

Shoulder Satchel

The satchel hangs at the front hip with a diagonal strap across the chest. It matches the overalls with colorful stripes and has a teal flap, small buckle detail, and brown strap.

Bag Body

1. With teal blue, CO 18 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: change to coral pink, k all sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Row 5: change to cream, k all sts.
7. Row 6: p all sts.
8. Row 7: change to mustard yellow, k all sts.
9. Row 8: p all sts.
10. Row 9: change to dusty rose, k all sts.
11. Row 10: p all sts.
12. Row 11: change to teal blue, k all sts.
13. Row 12: p all sts.
14. Row 13: change to dark chocolate brown, k all sts.
15. Row 14: p all sts.
16. Rows 15 to 18: continue in St st using coral pink.
17. BO all sts.

Fold the rectangle in half with the wrong sides together. Sew the side seams to create a small pouch. Lightly stuff the inside or insert a small folded piece of felt if you want the bag to keep its boxy shape.

Bag Flap

1. With teal blue, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: work in garter stitch.
3. Row 5: k2, ssk, k8, k2tog, k2. You now have 14 sts.
4. Row 6: k all sts.
5. Row 7: k2, ssk, k6, k2tog, k2. You now have 12 sts.
6. Row 8: k all sts.
7. BO all sts.

Sew the flap to the back top edge of the bag and fold it over the front. Embroider a tiny rectangular buckle using brown and mustard yarn. Add one vertical brown strap line down the flap center.

Bag Strap

1. With dark brown, CO 4 sts.
2. Work in garter stitch for 58 rows, or until the strap fits diagonally from shoulder to opposite hip.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one end to each upper side of the bag.

Place the strap over the hound’s right shoulder and let the bag sit on the lower left front of the overalls. Tack the strap at the shoulder and side seam with tiny stitches so it does not slide.

Striped Hat with Ear Pom-Poms

The small hat in the image is a separate accessory placed beside the dog. It has colorful stripes, a rounded crown, soft ear flaps, and two small pom-pom-like knitted balls at the top corners.

Hat Body

1. With cream, CO 48 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1 to 3: k1, p1 rib around.
3. Rnd 4: change to coral pink, k all sts.
4. Rnd 5: change to mustard yellow, k all sts.
5. Rnd 6: change to cream, k all sts.
6. Rnd 7: change to teal blue, k all sts.
7. Rnd 8: change to cream, k all sts.
8. Rnd 9: change to dusty rose, k all sts.
9. Rnd 10: change to dark chocolate brown, k all sts.
10. Rnd 11: change to coral pink, k all sts.
11. Rnd 12: change to cream, k all sts.
12. Rnd 13: k6, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 42 sts.
13. Rnd 14: k all sts.
14. Rnd 15: k5, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 36 sts.
15. Rnd 16: k all sts.
16. Rnd 17: k4, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 30 sts.
17. Rnd 18: k all sts.
18. Rnd 19: k3, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
19. Rnd 20: k2, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 18 sts.
20. Rnd 21: k1, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 12 sts.
21. Rnd 22: k2tog around. You now have 6 sts.
22. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave in end.

Ear Flaps

1. Lay the hat flat. Mark 8 sts on each lower side for ear flaps.
2. With cream, pick up 8 sts on one side edge.
3. Row 1: k all sts.
4. Row 2: p all sts.
5. Row 3: ssk, k4, k2tog. You now have 6 sts.
6. Row 4: p all sts.
7. Row 5: ssk, k2, k2tog. You now have 4 sts.
8. Row 6: p all sts.
9. Row 7: ssk, k2tog. You now have 2 sts.
10. Row 8: p2tog. You now have 1 st.
11. Cut yarn and pull through.
12. Repeat on the other side.

Hat Pom-Poms

1. Make 2 small knitted balls. With dusty rose, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in every st around. You now have 12 sts.
3. Rnds 2 to 4: k all sts.
4. Rnd 5: k2tog around. You now have 6 sts.
5. Stuff lightly, pull closed, and sew one ball to each top side of the hat.

Duplicate stitch tiny teal V shapes around the cream stripe of the hat to match the fair-isle-style detail on the overalls. Keep the hat slightly loose and rounded, as if it has been set down beside the toy.

Acorns

Two small knitted acorns sit beside the dog. One is darker brown and one is softer beige-brown. Knit them as tiny seasonal props.

1. Make 2 acorns. With nut brown, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in every st around. You now have 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: k all sts.
4. Rnd 3: k3, kfb; repeat around. You now have 15 sts.
5. Rnds 4 to 7: k all sts.
6. Rnd 8: k3, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 12 sts.
7. Stuff lightly.
8. Rnd 9: k2tog around. You now have 6 sts.
9. Pull closed.
10. For the cap, with taupe, CO 16 sts and join in the round.
11. Rnds 1 to 4: k all sts.
12. Rnd 5: k2tog around. You now have 8 sts.
13. Pull closed and sew cap over the top of the acorn.
14. Embroider a tiny stem with 3 straight stitches in dark brown.

Small Pumpkin

The orange pumpkin is a round ribbed prop with a green stem. Its shape comes from wrapping yarn through the center after knitting, pulling gently to create sections.

1. With rust orange, CO 12 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in every st around. You now have 24 sts.
3. Rnd 2: k all sts.
4. Rnd 3: k3, kfb; repeat around. You now have 30 sts.
5. Rnd 4: k all sts.
6. Rnd 5: k4, kfb; repeat around. You now have 36 sts.
7. Rnds 6 to 15: k all sts.
8. Rnd 16: k4, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 30 sts.
9. Rnd 17: k3, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
10. Rnd 18: k2, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 18 sts.
11. Stuff firmly into a round shape.
12. Rnd 19: k1, k2tog; repeat around. You now have 12 sts.
13. Rnd 20: k2tog around. You now have 6 sts.
14. Pull closed but do not cut the yarn too short.
15. Thread the orange yarn through the center from bottom to top, wrap around the outside, and pull gently.
16. Repeat 6 times around the pumpkin to form deep vertical grooves.

Pumpkin Stem

1. With olive green, CO 5 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1 to 5: k all sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew the stem to the top center of the pumpkin.

Adding Fair-Isle-Style Motifs

The colorful overalls and bag show small decorative V shapes and tiny dots. To keep the pattern easier, knit the stripes first, then use duplicate stitch to add the details. This gives a neat look and avoids carrying many colors in small rounds.

• On cream stripes, duplicate stitch teal V shapes every 4 sts.
• On teal stripes, duplicate stitch cream V shapes every 5 sts.
• On brown stripes, duplicate stitch tiny rose dots every 6 sts.
• On dusty rose stripes, duplicate stitch mustard dots every 6 sts.
• On the bag flap, add 3 teal stitches and 2 coral stitches to connect it visually to the overalls.
• On the hat, add one row of teal V shapes just above the cream brim stripe.

Joining the Head to the Body

The head should sit upright and slightly forward. The image shows a balanced toy with the muzzle facing forward and the ears hanging down each side. Take your time with this step because it controls the expression of the finished basset hound.

1. Place the head over the neck opening and check alignment from the front.
2. The cream center stripe should line up with the middle of the bib.
3. Pin the head to the body with 4 pins: front, back, left side, and right side.
4. Use cream or dark brown yarn depending on the area being sewn.
5. Sew around the neck twice using small firm stitches.
6. Add extra stuffing into the neck before closing the final inch.
7. Shape the lower head gently with your fingers so the muzzle points forward.

Detailed Body Placement Guide

• Eyes: between rounds 15 and 16 of the head, set 9 sts apart.
• Nose: centered on the muzzle front, about 7 sts wide.
• Ears: attached from head rounds 12 to 17, behind the eye line.
• Arms: sewn to torso rounds 31 to 36, angled outward.
• Legs: sewn to lower front body, 1 inch apart.
• Tail: sewn to lower back, centered between legs.
• Bag: rests on the front left hip with strap crossing diagonally.
• Flowers: clustered near the ear bases, not across the forehead center stripe.
• Buttons: placed at the top corners of the front bib.

Optional Light Brushing

If you use wool or alpaca-blend yarn, gently brush the ears, muzzle edges, and tan face patches with a clean soft toothbrush. Brush only a little. The goal is to create a fuzzy handmade surface like the image, not to hide the stitch texture completely.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

• Check that the dog sits evenly with both slippers touching the surface.
• Sew any loose accessory edges down with matching yarn.
• Add final black claw stitches to the paws and slippers.
• Add tiny muzzle freckles with pale tan or gray-brown yarn.
• Shape the ears so they drape downward and slightly outward.
• Place the hat, acorns, and pumpkin beside the toy for display, or lightly tack them to a decorative base if desired.

Care Notes

Spot clean the finished knitted toy with cool water and a mild wool-safe soap. Do not machine wash if you used safety eyes, buttons, a buckle, or many sewn accessories. Press moisture out gently with a towel and reshape the toy while damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The cream face stripe is centered from forehead to muzzle.
• The ears are long, dark brown, soft, and floppy.
• The overalls have bright narrow stripes and small duplicate-stitch motifs.
• The front bib has two tan buttons and teal straps.
• The shoulder bag crosses the chest and rests near the hip.
• The paws have black embroidered claws.
• The slippers have colorful borders and tiny flowers.
• The hat, acorns, and pumpkin are completed as matching props.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the basset hound away from direct sunlight to protect the bright stripes from fading. Keep it in a dry place, especially if you used wool yarn. For long-term display, dust gently with a soft brush and avoid pulling on the ears, bag strap, flowers, or buttons.

If the toy becomes flattened, gently massage the stuffing back into shape with your hands. Smooth the muzzle, round the cheeks, and press the slippers flat so the dog sits neatly again. Small accessories can be reshaped with light steam, but do not steam safety eyes or plastic buttons directly.