Crochet Tutorial: Picnic Garden Leopard Doll – Free Crochet Pattern

This Picnic Garden Leopard Doll is a sweet amigurumi-style leopard with a rounded spotted head, large glossy eyes, cream muzzle, pink nose, whiskers, garden dress, brown vest, shoulder bag, sandals, straw hat, picnic basket, and a tiny fruit plate. The finished doll has a soft handmade picnic look with green gingham checks, flower embroidery, leopard spots, and delicate accessories inspired by the image.

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

Finished Size

Using sport weight cotton yarn and a 2.25 mm crochet hook, the finished leopard doll measures about 10.5–11 inches tall from the top of the head to the bottom of the sandals. The head is large and rounded, the body is compact, the dress is flared, and the limbs are slim like the doll shown in the picture.

• Head width: about 4 inches across the cheeks.
• Body height: about 3.25 inches before the dress skirt.
• Leg length: about 3 inches including feet and sandals.
• Arm length: about 2.75 inches.
• Tail length: about 3.75 inches, curved slightly to one side.
• Hat diameter: about 4.25 inches.
• Bag size: about 1.5 inches wide by 1.75 inches tall.

Materials

• Sport weight cotton yarn in golden tan for the leopard body.
• Sport weight cotton yarn in cream for muzzle, toes, inner face, and dress base.
• Sport weight cotton yarn in dark brown for spots, vest, sandals, tail tip, and outlines.
• Sport weight cotton yarn in green for gingham checks, collar, leaves, and embroidery.
• Sport weight cotton yarn in light beige or straw color for hat, basket, and shoulder bag.
• Small amounts of pink yarn for the nose and flower details.
• Small amounts of red, yellow, purple, white, and orange yarn for flowers, fruits, and tiny decorations.
• 2 black safety eyes, 14–16 mm, or glossy black crochet eyes.
• White embroidery thread or thin yarn for eye highlights and whiskers.
• Black embroidery thread for mouth line and eye accents.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• 2.25 mm crochet hook for the doll.
• 2.0 mm crochet hook for tiny flowers, fruit, and detail pieces.
• Yarn needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Small brown button or crocheted button for the bag flap.
• Optional: thin craft wire for shaping the tail and hat brim.

Abbreviations

• MR: magic ring
• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• tr: treble crochet
• inc: 2 sc in the same stitch
• dec: invisible single crochet decrease
• BLO: back loop only
• FLO: front loop only
• st: stitch
• sts: stitches
• R: round or row
• FO: fasten off

Gauge and Crochet Style

Work tightly enough that stuffing does not show through the stitches. The leopard in the image has a compact amigurumi texture, so the stitches should be firm, even, and small. Use a smaller hook than the yarn label recommends.

• Gauge: 8 sc and 8 rounds measure about 1 inch with sport cotton and a 2.25 mm hook.
• Working method: Most body pieces are worked in continuous spiral rounds.
• Seaming: Use mattress stitch or whipstitch with matching yarn.
• Stuffing: Stuff firmly for the head and feet, moderately for the body, lightly for arms and tail.

Color Placement Overview

The doll has a golden tan leopard body with dark brown rosette-style spots. The muzzle and lower face are cream. The dress is cream with green gingham checks and a flared skirt. A short brown vest sits over the shoulders. The shoes are brown sandals with cream toes and tiny red ladybug accents.

The accessories include a straw-colored round hat with a floral band, a tan crossbody bag with a flap and button, a small picnic basket, and a tiny plate of colorful fruit. These pieces complete the garden picnic theme and should be made with neat, small stitches.

Head

Use golden tan yarn. The head is oversized, round, and slightly wider at the cheeks. Place the safety eyes before closing the head. The cream muzzle will be sewn on later, so keep the front smooth and firm.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc in each st around. (12)
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 6 times. (18)
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat 6 times. (24)
5. R5: sc 3, inc; repeat 6 times. (30)
6. R6: sc 4, inc; repeat 6 times. (36)
7. R7: sc 5, inc; repeat 6 times. (42)
8. R8: sc 6, inc; repeat 6 times. (48)
9. R9: sc 7, inc; repeat 6 times. (54)
10. R10: sc 8, inc; repeat 6 times. (60)
11. R11–R18: sc around. (60)
12. R19: sc 18, inc, sc 22, inc, sc 18. (62)
13. R20–R21: sc around. (62)
14. R22: sc 18, dec, sc 22, dec, sc 18. (60)
15. R23: sc 8, dec; repeat 6 times. (54)
16. R24: sc 7, dec; repeat 6 times. (48)
17. R25: sc 6, dec; repeat 6 times. (42)
18. R26: sc 5, dec; repeat 6 times. (36)

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Insert the safety eyes between R17 and R18, about 11 stitches apart. The eyes should look large and glossy, sitting above the muzzle area. Add extra stuffing into the cheeks before continuing.

1. R27: sc 4, dec; repeat 6 times. (30)
2. R28: sc 3, dec; repeat 6 times. (24)
3. R29: sc 2, dec; repeat 6 times. (18)
4. R30: sc 1, dec; repeat 6 times. (12)
5. R31: dec around. (6)

FO and close the hole with a yarn needle. Shape the head by gently pressing the cheek area outward. The front should have a sweet rounded leopard face with enough space for a cream muzzle and pink triangular nose.

Cream Face Patches

The image shows a soft cream lower face around the eyes and muzzle. Make two cheek patches and one oval muzzle. Use cream yarn and keep the pieces flat.

Left and Right Eye-Cheek Patches

Make 2.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc in each st around. (12)
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 6 times. (18)
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat 6 times. (24)
5. R5: sc 5, hdc 3, dc 2, hdc 3, sc 11. (24)

FO with a long tail. Sew one patch under and around each eye, letting the top edge curve slightly upward. The patches should touch near the center but not cover the eyes.

Oval Muzzle

1. Ch 7.
2. R1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 5, 3 sc in last ch, work on the other side of the chain, sc 4, inc. (14)
3. R2: inc, sc 4, inc in next 3 sts, sc 4, inc in next 2 sts. (20)
4. R3: sc 1, inc, sc 5, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 5, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc. (26)
5. R4: sc around. (26)

FO with a long tail. Lightly stuff the muzzle while sewing it to the lower front of the head, centered beneath the eyes. Sew the top edge just below the eye patches and curve the bottom edge down to form a soft cat-like mouth area.

Nose and Mouth

Use pink yarn for the nose. The nose is a small rounded triangle centered at the top of the muzzle.

1. Ch 4.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch. (3)
3. Row 2: ch 1, turn, dec over first 2 sts, sc in last st. (2)
4. Row 3: ch 1, turn, dec. (1)

FO, sew the nose with the point facing downward. With black thread, embroider one short vertical line from the nose tip down 3 rounds. Then embroider a small curved mouth on each side. Add three white whiskers on each cheek, each about 1.25 inches long, gently angled outward.

Ears

The ears are rounded leopard ears with dark brown edging and golden tan centers. Make two ears and sew them high on the sides of the head, around R9–R15.

Inner Ear

Use golden tan yarn. Make 2.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc in each st around. (12)
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 6 times. (18)
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat 6 times. (24)
5. R5: sc around. (24)

FO. Do not stuff.

Outer Ear and Border

Use dark brown yarn.

1. Hold one inner ear and crochet through the edge stitches.
2. R1: join dark brown yarn, sc around the outer edge. (24)
3. R2: sc 3, inc; repeat 6 times. (30)
4. R3: sc around. (30)

Fold each ear slightly into a shallow cup and sew the bottom 8 stitches together. Attach ears on the head sides, tilted outward. The bottom of each ear should sit around eye height, and the top should rise close to the crown.

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Leopard Spots

The spots are very important for matching the image. Use dark brown yarn or embroidery thread. Place smaller solid spots on the cheeks and limbs, and irregular broken rosettes across the forehead, ears, arms, legs, and tail.

Forehead and Head Spot Map

• Across R5–R8: embroider 9 short dark brown dash spots, each 2 stitches wide.
• Across R9–R13: embroider 12 irregular C-shaped rosettes, each about 3 stitches wide and 2 rounds tall.
• On the sides of the face: add 5 smaller brown dots on each side, avoiding the cream patches.
• On the top of the head: add 8 scattered short vertical dashes.
• On each ear: embroider 4 small brown dashes along the outer golden area.

How to Make Each Rosette

1. Thread dark brown yarn onto a sharp yarn needle.
2. Make a short vertical stitch over 1 round and 1 stitch width.
3. Make a second short stitch next to it, leaving a tiny gap.
4. Add a third stitch below them to form a broken C or tiny square shape.
5. Do not make every spot identical; vary the angle for a natural leopard pattern.

Body

The body is small compared with the head and sits under the flared picnic dress. Use golden tan yarn for the base body. The upper chest will be mostly covered by the dress bodice and vest.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc in each st around. (12)
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 6 times. (18)
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat 6 times. (24)
5. R5: sc 3, inc; repeat 6 times. (30)
6. R6: sc 4, inc; repeat 6 times. (36)
7. R7–R12: sc around. (36)
8. R13: sc 4, dec; repeat 6 times. (30)
9. R14–R16: sc around. (30)
10. R17: sc 3, dec; repeat 6 times. (24)
11. R18–R20: sc around. (24)
12. R21: sc 2, dec; repeat 6 times. (18)
13. R22: sc around. (18)

Stuff firmly but do not stretch the stitches. FO with a long tail for sewing. Sew the body to the bottom center of the head, slightly forward so the doll has a sweet seated-picnic posture when dressed.

Legs

Make 2. The legs are slim leopard legs with cream toes and brown sandals. Start with cream for the toes, then change to golden tan. Add spots after crocheting.

Foot and Leg

1. Using cream yarn, ch 6.
2. R1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 4, 3 sc in last ch, work on the other side, sc 3, inc. (12)
3. R2: inc, sc 3, inc in next 3 sts, sc 3, inc in next 2 sts. (18)
4. R3: BLO sc around. (18)
5. R4: sc 5, dec 4 times, sc 5. (14)
6. R5: sc 4, dec 3 times, sc 4. (11)
7. Change to golden tan.
8. R6: BLO sc around. (11)
9. R7–R20: sc around. (11)

Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Embroider three cream toe lines on the front of each foot with tan or brown thread, spacing them evenly.

Leg Spots

• Add 12 dark brown spots on each leg.
• Place 4 spots on the front, 4 on the outside, and 4 on the back.
• Each spot should be 1–2 stitches wide.
• Keep the cream toes clean except for toe lines.

Arms

Make 2. The arms are slender and hang down at the sides. Start with cream hands and change to golden tan for the spotted leopard arms.

1. Using cream yarn, R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: sc 1, inc; repeat 3 times. (9)
3. R3–R5: sc around. (9)
4. Change to golden tan.
5. R6: BLO sc around. (9)
6. R7–R19: sc around. (9)
7. R20: flatten the opening and sc through both layers with 4 sc. (4)

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Stuff only the lower half of each arm. Add 7–9 small dark brown spots on each arm. Sew the arms to the upper body at R20 of the body, angled slightly downward so they frame the dress and vest.

Tail

The tail is long, golden tan, spotted, and has a dark brown tip. It curves to one side behind the dress, visible near the right side of the doll.

1. Using dark brown yarn, R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: sc 1, inc; repeat 3 times. (9)
3. R3–R5: sc around. (9)
4. Change to golden tan.
5. R6–R31: sc around. (9)

Stuff very lightly as you go. Insert thin craft wire if you want a gentle curve. FO with a long tail. Embroider 16–18 dark brown spots along the golden section. Sew the tail to the back lower body before adding the dress skirt, letting the tail curve to the doll’s right side.

Dress Bodice

The dress has a cream base with green picnic gingham. It begins as a fitted bodice, then opens into a full skirt. Use cream yarn for the base. Green checks are added with surface crochet and embroidery.

Bodice Base

Work in rows. Chain 1 and turn at the end of each row.

1. Row 1: ch 31, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (30)
2. Row 2: sc across. (30)
3. Row 3: sc 4, ch 6, skip 6, sc 10, ch 6, skip 6, sc 4. (30 including chains)
4. Row 4: sc 4, sc 6 into chain space, sc 10, sc 6 into chain space, sc 4. (30)
5. Row 5: sc 5, inc, sc 18, inc, sc 5. (32)
6. Row 6: sc across. (32)
7. Row 7: sc 6, inc, sc 18, inc, sc 6. (34)
8. Row 8: sc across. (34)

Do not fasten off. Wrap the bodice around the body with the opening at the back. It should fit snugly under the arms. Join the back edges with 4 small stitches or add two tiny chain loops and knots as closures.

Flared Dress Skirt

The skirt is wide, soft, and flares outward like the photo. Continue from the lower edge of the bodice. Use cream yarn first.

1. R1: working along the lower edge of the bodice, make 34 sc evenly. (34)
2. R2: FLO inc in each st around. (68)
3. R3: sc around. (68)
4. R4: sc 7, inc; repeat 8 times, sc 4. (76)
5. R5–R6: sc around. (76)
6. R7: sc 8, inc; repeat 8 times, sc 4. (84)
7. R8–R9: sc around. (84)
8. R10: sc 9, inc; repeat 8 times, sc 4. (92)
9. R11–R15: sc around. (92)
10. R16: sc 10, inc; repeat 8 times, sc 4. (100)
11. R17–R20: sc around. (100)
12. R21: with cream, sc around in BLO. (100)
13. R22: sl st around loosely for a neat hem. (100)

FO and weave in ends. The skirt should reach to the top of the feet, with the legs showing below. Block the hem lightly with your fingers so it spreads into a soft bell shape.

Green Gingham Checks

The dress in the image has a clear green-and-cream picnic check pattern. Add the checks after the dress is finished. Use green yarn and a yarn needle or surface slip stitch.

Vertical Green Lines

• Starting at the center front of the bodice, embroider one vertical green line from the neckline to the hem.
• Add another vertical line every 4 stitches around the skirt.
• Each line should run straight down over the rounds.
• Use long surface stitches over 2 rounds at a time so the lines stay neat.

Horizontal Green Lines

• Work the first horizontal line around the waist where the bodice meets the skirt.
• Add one horizontal green line every 3 rounds down the skirt.
• Use slightly darker green for every other horizontal line to create depth.
• At intersections, make one tiny extra stitch to form a darker square.

Thicker Check Squares

To match the bold gingham look, fill selected intersection squares with short duplicate stitches. Fill every other square on alternating rows. Keep the pattern balanced at the front, because that is the most visible area.

Dress Collar and Sleeves

The doll has short green sleeves and a small green collar peeking out under the brown vest. These details make the dress look garden-like and finished.

Collar

1. Join green yarn at the neckline back.
2. R1: sc evenly around the neckline, placing 1 sc in each stitch and 2 sc at each front corner. About 34 sc
3. R2: ch 1, turn, sc 2, hdc 2, dc 2, hdc 2, sc across back neckline, hdc 2, dc 2, hdc 2, sc 2.
4. FO and weave in ends.

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Sleeve Edges

1. Join green yarn at one armhole.
2. R1: sc 16 evenly around the armhole. (16)
3. R2: sc 1, inc; repeat 8 times. (24)
4. R3: sl st around loosely. (24)

Repeat for the second sleeve. The sleeves should look like small green ruffled caps under the vest shoulders.

Brown Vest

The vest is short, textured, and dark brown. It sits open at the front with two narrow panels and a back piece. Make it separately and sew it over the dress.

Vest Back

1. Ch 19.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (18)
3. Row 2–Row 10: ch 1, turn, sc across. (18)
4. Row 11: ch 1, turn, sc 4, ch 4, skip 4, sc 2, ch 4, skip 4, sc 4. (18 including chains)
5. Row 12: ch 1, turn, sc 4, sc 4 in chain space, sc 2, sc 4 in chain space, sc 4. (18)
6. Row 13: ch 1, turn, sc across. (18)

FO and weave in ends.

Front Panels

Make 2.

1. Ch 8.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (7)
3. Row 2–Row 13: ch 1, turn, sc across. (7)
4. Row 14: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 5. (6)
5. Row 15: ch 1, turn, sc across. (6)

FO. Sew each panel to the vest back at the shoulder and side edges. Leave the front open. Add one row of sl st around all vest edges for a raised border.

Vest Texture Lines

• With dark brown yarn, surface slip stitch 3 vertical lines on each front panel.
• Add 4 short horizontal ridge stitches near the lower edge.
• Sew the vest onto the dress only at the shoulders and side seams, keeping the front panels slightly loose.

Flower Embroidery on Dress

The dress has tiny garden flowers embroidered near the lower left front. Use small colorful stitches and green stems.

• With green yarn, embroider 5 stems from R16 to R20 of the skirt.
• Make one red flower with 5 lazy daisy stitches.
• Make one white flower with 5 tiny straight stitches and a yellow center.
• Make one purple flower with 4 small loops and a yellow center.
• Make one yellow flower with 5 short straight stitches.
• Add 4 green leaves using single detached chain stitches.

Keep the flowers small. The embroidery should sit on the lower front-left skirt area, not across the whole skirt. This creates the same delicate garden accent shown in the photo.

Small Flowers on Vest

The vest has tiny colorful flower decorations on one side. Use scraps of pink, blue, yellow, and green.

1. For each flower, make 5 tiny straight stitches in a circle.
2. Add a yellow or white center with one small knot stitch.
3. Place 2 flowers on the right vest panel and 1 flower near the left shoulder.
4. Embroider 2 tiny green leaves beside each flower.

Sandals

The sandals are brown with a strap over the cream toes and a tiny red ladybug accent on each foot. Make two sole pieces and two straps.

Sandal Sole

Make 2 with dark brown yarn.

1. Ch 7.
2. R1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 5, 3 sc in last ch, work on opposite side, sc 4, inc. (14)
3. R2: inc, sc 4, inc in next 3 sts, sc 4, inc in next 2 sts. (20)
4. R3: sc 1, inc, sc 5, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 5, inc, sc 1, inc. (26)

FO with a long tail. Sew one sole under each cream foot, matching the toe curve.

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Front Strap

Make 2 with dark brown yarn.

1. Ch 13.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (12)

Sew one strap across the front of each foot, about 2 rounds behind the toes. Keep it snug but not tight.

Ladybug Accent

Make 2 tiny ladybugs.

1. Using red yarn, make 5 sc in MR. Join with sl st. (5)
2. FO and sew to the outer side of each sandal strap.
3. With black thread, add one tiny head stitch and one small dot on the body.

Shoulder Bag

The shoulder bag is straw colored, rectangular, and hangs across the body with a long diagonal strap. It has a small flap and a brown button.

Bag Body

Use straw beige yarn.

1. Ch 10.
2. R1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 8, 3 sc in last ch, work on opposite side, sc 7, inc. (20)
3. R2: sc around. (20)
4. R3: BLO sc around. (20)
5. R4–R12: sc around. (20)
6. Flatten the top opening and sc 10 through both layers to close. (10)

FO and weave in ends. Lightly press the bag so it becomes a soft rectangle.

Bag Flap

1. Join straw beige yarn to the back top edge of the bag.
2. Row 1: sc 10 across. (10)
3. Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc across. (10)
4. Row 3: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 6, dec. (8)
5. Row 4: ch 1, turn, sc across. (8)
6. Row 5: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 4, dec. (6)

FO. Fold the flap to the front. Sew a tiny brown button or crochet a 4 sc magic ring button and attach it to the flap center.

Long Strap

1. Ch 75 with straw beige yarn.
2. Row 1: sl st in 2nd ch from hook and across. (74)

Sew the strap to both upper sides of the bag. Place the strap over the doll’s left shoulder and let the bag rest on the doll’s right hip, just like a crossbody picnic purse.

Straw Hat

The hat is round, flat-brimmed, and straw colored. It sits beside the doll in the image, but you can also place it on the head. Add a floral band around the crown.

Hat Crown

Use straw beige yarn.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc in each st around. (12)
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 6 times. (18)
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat 6 times. (24)
5. R5: sc 3, inc; repeat 6 times. (30)
6. R6: sc 4, inc; repeat 6 times. (36)
7. R7: sc 5, inc; repeat 6 times. (42)
8. R8: BLO sc around. (42)
9. R9–R14: sc around. (42)

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Hat Brim

1. R15: FLO sc 6, inc; repeat 6 times. (48)
2. R16: sc 7, inc; repeat 6 times. (54)
3. R17: sc 8, inc; repeat 6 times. (60)
4. R18: sc 9, inc; repeat 6 times. (66)
5. R19: sc 10, inc; repeat 6 times. (72)
6. R20: sc 11, inc; repeat 6 times. (78)
7. R21: sc around. (78)
8. R22: sl st around loosely. (78)

FO and weave in ends. Flatten the brim gently. If desired, crochet R21 over thin craft wire so the brim keeps a smooth picnic-hat shape.

Hat Band

1. With cream or floral yarn, ch 45.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (44)

Wrap the band around the base of the crown and sew it in place. Add tiny embroidered pink, red, and green flowers around the band to match the floral ribbon in the image.

Head Flower Crown Accent

The leopard has a small floral detail near the top left side of the head. Make tiny blossoms and leaves, then sew them near one ear.

Tiny Blossom

Make 3 flowers in pink, white, and lavender.

1. R1: 5 sc in MR, sl st to join. (5)
2. R2: ch 2, sl st in same st; repeat in each st around for 5 tiny petals.

Tiny Leaves

Make 4 with green yarn.

1. Ch 4.
2. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in last ch.

Sew the flowers and leaves in a small cluster between the left ear and the top of the head. Keep the arrangement low and delicate, not like a full crown.

Picnic Basket

The small basket is straw colored with a curved handle and pink cloth detail. It sits near the doll and adds to the garden picnic scene.

Basket Base

1. Using straw beige yarn, ch 9.
2. R1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 7, 3 sc in last ch, work on opposite side, sc 6, inc. (18)
3. R2: inc, sc 6, inc in next 3 sts, sc 6, inc in next 2 sts. (24)
4. R3: BLO sc around. (24)
5. R4–R8: sc around. (24)
6. R9: sl st around. (24)

FO and shape the basket into a shallow rectangle. Add a few horizontal brown surface stitches to create a woven look.

Basket Handle

1. Ch 28 with straw beige yarn.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (27)
3. Row 2: ch 1, turn, sl st across. (27)

Sew both ends of the handle to the inner sides of the basket. Curve the handle upward. Add a tiny pink cloth by crocheting a 6 by 4 sc rectangle and sewing it to one side of the basket opening.

Tiny Fruit Plate

The fruit plate has several colorful miniature fruits. Keep the pieces very small and sew them onto a white plate so they do not get lost.

White Plate

1. Using white yarn, R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: sc 1, inc; repeat 6 times. (18)
4. R4: sc 2, inc; repeat 6 times. (24)
5. R5: BLO sl st around to make a raised rim. (24)

Grapes

• Make 6 tiny purple knots by wrapping purple yarn around the needle twice and stitching into the plate.
• Cluster them tightly in a triangle shape.
• Add one green leaf with a small lazy daisy stitch.

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Apple or Strawberry

1. Using red yarn, make 5 sc in MR. Join with sl st. (5)
2. Sew it to the plate.
3. Add one green stitch at the top.

Orange and Yellow Fruits

1. Using orange yarn, make 6 sc in MR and close. (6)
2. Using yellow yarn, make another 6 sc in MR and close. (6)
3. Sew both fruits to the plate beside the grapes.

Arrange the fruit pieces with red, orange, yellow, and purple showing clearly. This tiny plate should look colorful beside the leopard doll.

Joining the Doll

Before final sewing, pin all major pieces in place. The head should be centered and slightly forward. The arms should rest naturally over the dress sides. The legs should point downward under the skirt, with sandals visible at the hem.

1. Sew the legs to the lower body between R4 and R7 of the body, spacing them about 5 stitches apart.
2. Sew the tail to the back lower body before fully securing the skirt.
3. Place the dress on the body and close the back neatly.
4. Sew the body to the head using the long body tail, passing through several stitches for strength.
5. Sew the arms over the dress sleeves, just below the shoulder line.
6. Place the vest over the dress and sew it at the shoulders and side edges.
7. Add the crossbody bag after the vest so the strap lies visibly across the chest.

Facial Eye Details

The large eyes are a key feature. They should look glossy, round, and expressive. Add small white highlights if your safety eyes do not already reflect light.

• With white thread, stitch one tiny highlight at the upper outer edge of each eye.
• With black thread, add a short upper lash line above each eye.
• With dark brown yarn, add 2 small brow dashes above each eye.
• Do not overfill the eye area; the face should stay soft and sweet.

Final Leopard Spot Balancing

After the face, ears, limbs, and tail are attached, check the spots from the front. The image has many dark marks, especially across the forehead and limbs. Add more only where the doll looks too plain.

• Forehead should have the densest spotting.
• Arms and legs should have medium spotting.
• Tail should have spots along the full length and a darker tip.
• Keep the muzzle, toes, and inner cream areas mostly clean.
• Avoid placing large spots too close to the eyes.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Secure every yarn tail inside the doll. Check that the muzzle is centered, the nose points downward, and the whiskers extend evenly from both cheeks. The ears should sit symmetrically, but a slight outward tilt gives the leopard a gentle handmade personality.

Place the dress so the green checks are straight at the front. Adjust the vest so both brown panels hang evenly. The shoulder bag strap should cross diagonally over the chest and the bag should rest near the hip. Position the hat, picnic basket, and fruit plate beside the doll for the full garden picnic display.

Care Notes

• Spot clean with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not soak the doll if safety eyes, embroidery, or buttons are attached.
• Press the dress and hat gently back into shape after cleaning.
• Let the doll air dry flat on a towel.
• Keep away from direct sunlight for long periods to protect the yarn colors.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is round, large, and firmly stuffed.
• The cream muzzle is centered below the eyes.
• The pink nose and black mouth are neatly embroidered.
• The forehead has dense leopard spots.
• The green gingham dress has vertical and horizontal check lines.
• The brown vest is open at the front and sits over the dress.
• The sandals have brown straps and red ladybug accents.
• The crossbody bag hangs diagonally across the doll.
• The straw hat has a floral band.
• The basket and fruit plate are finished as separate picnic props.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For long-term display, keep the doll in a dry place away from dust, moisture, and strong sunlight. If dust collects on the dress or hat, use a soft clean brush and move gently in the direction of the stitches.

If the doll needs deeper cleaning, use a damp cloth and dab only the dirty area. Avoid rubbing the embroidered spots, flowers, whiskers, and gingham lines. Allow all pieces to dry completely before storing.

Store the hat brim flat and keep the picnic basket and fruit plate in a small cloth pouch if they are not displayed. This protects the tiny flowers, fruits, and accessories from being pulled or bent.

Pattern Completion

Your Picnic Garden Leopard Doll is complete when the leopard has a rounded spotted face, glossy eyes, cream muzzle, floral head detail, green picnic dress, brown vest, sandals, crossbody bag, straw hat, basket, and fruit plate. Shape the dress hem, curve the tail gently, and arrange the accessories around the doll for the same cozy garden picnic feeling shown in the image.