Knitting Tutorial: Dinosaur Costume Puppy – Free Knitting Pattern

This Dinosaur Costume Puppy is a soft knitted toy with a white puppy face, glossy safety eyes, a black nose, and a full green dinosaur suit. The costume includes a rounded hood with white teeth, raised eyes, tiny horns, orange back spikes, a yellow belly panel, a long tail, green slippers with yellow leaf accents, a small bone, a flower, an acorn, and a tiny mushroom picnic detail.

 

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 written to create a seated puppy wearing a dinosaur costume, closely matching the pictured knitted doll. The puppy has a round white head framed by a green hood, a compact seated body, short arms, small feet, and playful woodland accessories.

The toy is worked mostly in the round using double-pointed needles or the magic loop method. Small flat pieces such as teeth, spikes, flower petals, slipper leaves, and bone ends are worked separately and sewn on with careful placement.

The finished toy is designed to sit upright on a table or shelf. The body should feel firm, not floppy, so use a tight gauge and stuff each part gradually while shaping. The dinosaur hood should wrap the puppy face like a soft costume frame.

Finished Size

• Finished height: about 11.5 in / 29 cm from slipper soles to top horns.
• Seated height: about 9.5 in / 24 cm when placed on a bench or shelf edge.
• Head width: about 4.5 in / 11.5 cm across the cheeks.
• Body width: about 4 in / 10 cm across the yellow belly.
• Tail length: about 4.25 in / 11 cm from body to tip.
• Hood opening: about 3.75 in / 9.5 cm wide after edging.

Skill Level

Confident beginner to intermediate. You should know how to knit in the round, increase, decrease, pick up stitches, change colors, sew small pieces, and embroider simple facial details. The instructions are detailed so newer knitters can follow each section carefully.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn in soft white for puppy head, muzzle, paws, and inner face.
• Worsted weight yarn in leaf green for dinosaur suit, hood, legs, sleeves, slippers, and tail.
• Worsted weight yarn in warm yellow for belly panel, flower petals, and slipper leaf details.
• Worsted weight yarn in orange for dinosaur back spikes.
• Small amount of brown yarn for acorn cap, bone shading, and optional basket handle.
• Small amount of tan yarn for acorn body and knitted bone.
• Small amount of red-orange yarn for mushroom cap.
• Small amount of cream yarn for mushroom stem and flower center.
• Black embroidery thread for mouth and tiny hood nostrils.
• Pair of 12 mm black safety eyes for puppy face.
• Pair of 14 mm glossy black safety eyes for dinosaur hood.
• One 12 mm black safety nose.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Small button, 8 to 10 mm, for front costume closure.
• Yarn needle, stitch markers, pins, scissors, and row counter.

Needles and Notions

• US 3 / 3.25 mm double-pointed needles or long circular needle for magic loop.
• US 2 / 2.75 mm needles for small tight accessories.
• Optional US 4 / 3.5 mm needle for looser flat yellow belly panel if your fabric pulls inward.
• Removable stitch markers for round beginnings and facial placement.
• Long doll needle for shaping the puppy face.

Gauge

Work at a firm toy gauge so stuffing does not show. In stockinette stitch, 24 stitches and 34 rounds should measure about 4 in / 10 cm using US 3 / 3.25 mm needles. The exact gauge is less important than a tight, smooth fabric.

For the pictured look, the stitches should be visible but compact. The green dinosaur suit has a slightly ribbed knitted texture, while the white puppy face is smooth and rounded. Do not use loose gauge for the head, muzzle, or hood.

Abbreviations

• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• st / sts: stitch / stitches.
• rnd / rnds: round / rounds.
• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• kfb: knit into front and back of same stitch, increasing 1 stitch.
• m1: make 1 stitch using lifted strand.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• ssk: slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together.
• p2tog: purl 2 stitches together.
• sl1: slip 1 stitch.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.

Construction Notes

The white puppy head is knitted first, then the muzzle and cheeks are shaped separately and sewn onto the lower face. The green dinosaur hood is made as a separate rounded helmet with a front opening, then placed around the puppy face.

The body is knitted in green with a yellow belly panel added to the front. The legs are short and wide so the puppy can sit. The slippers are made as green sole covers with white paw fronts and yellow leaf decorations on top.

📌Thank you for reading the article

The orange dinosaur spikes run from the back of the hood down the back and onto the tail. Each spike is knitted as a small triangular piece and sewn in a firm upright line. The tail is attached slightly angled to the right side so it rests behind the body.

White Puppy Head

Use soft white yarn and US 3 / 3.25 mm needles. Work in the round. Stuff firmly as you go, especially around the cheeks and crown. The head should be round and slightly wider at the cheek line than at the top.

1. CO 8 sts. Divide across needles and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 3: repeat k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: knit all sts.
6. Rnd 5: repeat k2, kfb around. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: knit all sts.
8. Rnd 7: repeat k3, kfb around. 40 sts.
9. Rnd 8: knit all sts.
10. Rnd 9: repeat k4, kfb around. 48 sts.
11. Rnd 10: knit all sts.
12. Rnd 11: repeat k5, kfb around. 56 sts.
13. Rnds 12 to 23: knit all sts for 12 rounds.
14. Rnd 24: k18, kfb 4 times, k12, kfb 4 times, k18. 64 sts.
15. Rnds 25 to 29: knit all sts.
16. Rnd 30: k18, repeat k2tog 4 times, k12, repeat k2tog 4 times, k18. 56 sts.
17. Rnd 31: knit all sts.
18. Rnd 32: repeat k5, k2tog around. 48 sts.
19. Rnd 33: knit all sts.
20. Rnd 34: repeat k4, k2tog around. 40 sts.
21. Rnd 35: repeat k3, k2tog around. 32 sts.
22. Pause and insert the 12 mm puppy safety eyes between Rnds 21 and 22, leaving 10 sts between them across the front.
23. Insert the black safety nose later after the muzzle is sewn on, not directly into the head yet.
24. Rnd 36: repeat k2, k2tog around. 24 sts.
25. Stuff the head firmly. Add extra stuffing to the lower cheeks.
26. Rnd 37: repeat k1, k2tog around. 16 sts.
27. Rnd 38: k2tog around. 8 sts.
28. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave in securely.

Rounded Muzzle

The muzzle sits low on the face and creates the puppy expression. It should be oval, softly protruding, and centered below the safety eyes. Use white yarn and work in the round.

1. CO 6 sts.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: repeat k1, kfb around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 3: repeat k2, kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Rnds 4 to 7: knit all sts.
6. Rnd 8: k6, kfb 4 times, k4, kfb 4 times, k6. 32 sts.
7. Rnds 9 to 10: knit all sts.
8. Rnd 11: k6, repeat k2tog 4 times, k4, repeat k2tog 4 times, k6. 24 sts.
9. BO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Lightly stuff the muzzle. Pin it to the lower front of the head with the top edge just below the eyes. Sew around the edge using small mattress stitches. Insert the black safety nose at the center upper part of the muzzle before completely closing the seam.

Cheek Shaping and Mouth

• Thread white yarn onto a long doll needle.
• Enter at the back lower head and exit below the left eye.
• Take a small stitch down toward the left side of the muzzle and pull gently.
• Repeat on the right side to create soft cheek dimples.
• Do not pull too tightly; the face should remain plush and gentle.
• With black embroidery thread, stitch a short vertical line down from the nose.
• Add a tiny curved mouth using two small backstitches, one to each side.

Small Puppy Ears

The ears are mostly hidden inside the dinosaur hood, but small soft white ears are visible at the sides of the puppy face. Make two.

1. Using white yarn, CO 8 sts on US 3 needles.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Rows 5 to 10: work in stockinette stitch.
7. Row 11: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
8. Row 12: purl.
9. Row 13: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
10. Row 14: purl.
11. Row 15: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
12. BO, leaving a sewing tail.

Fold each ear slightly lengthwise and sew the base closed. Attach the ears to the sides of the head between Rnds 20 and 27, angled downward. The hood will frame them, so keep them flat and close to the face.

Green Dinosaur Hood

The hood is the most important costume piece. It wraps around the white puppy head like a dinosaur face. The front opening must leave the puppy’s eyes, muzzle, cheeks, and nose visible while forming a green border above the forehead and around the chin.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Work the hood in green as a rounded cap first. Then create the front face opening by binding off center stitches and working back and forth. Use firm stuffing only in the top ridge if needed, but most of the hood should sit like clothing over the head.

1. Using green yarn, CO 10 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 20 sts.
3. Rnd 2: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 3: repeat k1, kfb around. 30 sts.
5. Rnd 4: knit all sts.
6. Rnd 5: repeat k2, kfb around. 40 sts.
7. Rnd 6: knit all sts.
8. Rnd 7: repeat k3, kfb around. 50 sts.
9. Rnd 8: knit all sts.
10. Rnd 9: repeat k4, kfb around. 60 sts.
11. Rnds 10 to 18: knit all sts.
12. Rnd 19: k12, BO 36 sts loosely for face opening, k12. You now have 24 live sts at the back and sides.
13. Rows 20 to 27: working back and forth, knit on RS and purl on WS over these 24 sts.
14. Row 28: k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 22 sts.
15. Row 29: purl all sts.
16. Row 30: k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 20 sts.
17. Row 31: purl all sts.
18. BO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Hood Face Opening Edging

The green rim around the puppy face should look thick and rounded. Pick up stitches around the face opening and knit a narrow rolled border.

1. With green yarn and RS facing, pick up 72 sts evenly around the hood opening.
2. Rnd 1: knit all sts.
3. Rnd 2: purl all sts.
4. Rnd 3: knit all sts.
5. Rnd 4: purl all sts.
6. BO knitwise, keeping the edge stretchy.

Place the hood over the puppy head. The top edge should sit above the eyes, the sides should frame the cheeks, and the lower green edge should rest under the muzzle. Use hidden stitches to tack the hood to the head at the back, under the chin, and near both sides.

White Dinosaur Teeth

The image shows small white triangular teeth along the upper inside edge of the hood. Make seven teeth: one center tooth, three on the left, and three on the right.

1. Using white yarn and US 2 needles, CO 5 sts.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: sl1, k2tog, pass slipped st over. 1 st.
7. Cut yarn and pull through.

Sew the teeth to the inside upper hood rim. The center tooth should point down between the puppy eyes. Space the remaining teeth evenly, with the outer teeth sitting just above the puppy cheeks.

Dinosaur Hood Eyes

The dinosaur costume has large glossy eyes on top of the green hood. Make two raised green eye bases and add 14 mm black safety eyes before sewing them on.

1. Using green yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 3: repeat k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Rnds 4 to 6: knit all sts.
6. Insert one 14 mm safety eye into the center front of the piece.
7. Rnd 7: repeat k1, k2tog around. 16 sts.
8. Stuff lightly.
9. Rnd 8: k2tog around. 8 sts.
10. Cut yarn, pull through remaining sts, and close.

Sew one dinosaur eye base to each side of the upper hood, slightly forward from the crown. The eyes should face outward and forward, giving the costume a playful reptile look. Place them about 1.25 in / 3 cm apart across the top front.

Tiny Hood Nostrils

Use black embroidery thread to add two tiny nostril marks to the front upper green hood rim. Place one small stitch on each side above the white teeth line. Each nostril should be only 2 to 3 stitches wide.

Top Acorn and Horn Details

The picture includes small rounded decorative pieces on the top of the hood, like a tiny acorn and yellow bump behind it. These details make the dinosaur costume look handmade and whimsical.

Tiny Brown Acorn

1. Using tan yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 12 sts.
3. Rnds 2 to 4: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 5: k2tog around. 6 sts.
5. Stuff lightly and pull closed.
6. Using brown yarn, pick up 12 sts around the top half.
7. Rnds 1 to 3: knit all sts.
8. Rnd 4: k2tog around. 6 sts.
9. Pull closed and weave in.

Tiny Yellow Bump

1. Using yellow yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 12 sts.
3. Rnds 2 to 3: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 4: k2tog around. 6 sts.
5. Stuff lightly and close.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Sew the brown acorn slightly to the right of the hood crown. Sew the yellow bump just behind and to the left. Keep both pieces small so they do not overpower the dinosaur eyes.

Green Dinosaur Body

The body is pear-shaped with a round seated lower section and a narrower neck. The front remains green, but a separate yellow belly panel is sewn on later. Work in the round from the bottom upward.

1. Using green yarn, CO 12 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 24 sts.
3. Rnd 2: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 3: repeat k1, kfb around. 36 sts.
5. Rnd 4: knit all sts.
6. Rnd 5: repeat k2, kfb around. 48 sts.
7. Rnd 6: knit all sts.
8. Rnd 7: repeat k3, kfb around. 60 sts.
9. Rnds 8 to 18: knit all sts.
10. Rnd 19: k10, k2tog, k8, k2tog, k16, k2tog, k8, k2tog, k10. 56 sts.
11. Rnd 20: knit all sts.
12. Rnd 21: repeat k12, k2tog around. 52 sts.
13. Rnd 22: knit all sts.
14. Rnd 23: repeat k11, k2tog around. 48 sts.
15. Rnd 24: knit all sts.
16. Rnd 25: repeat k6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
17. Rnd 26: knit all sts.
18. Rnd 27: repeat k5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
19. Rnd 28: knit all sts.
20. Rnd 29: repeat k4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
21. Rnd 30: knit all sts.
22. BO, leaving a long tail for attaching the head.

Stuff the body firmly. Add more stuffing to the lower front belly so the puppy sits with a soft rounded tummy. Keep the top neck opening slightly flatter so the head can sit securely.

Yellow Belly Panel

The yellow belly panel begins under the hood and extends down the front body. It should look like a vertical oval patch, wider at the lower tummy and narrower at the top.

1. Using yellow yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1. 12 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: k1, kfb, k8, kfb, k1. 14 sts.
7. Row 6: purl.
8. Row 7: k1, kfb, k10, kfb, k1. 16 sts.
9. Rows 8 to 22: work in stockinette stitch.
10. Row 23: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
11. Row 24: purl.
12. Row 25: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
13. Row 26: purl.
14. Row 27: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
15. Row 28: purl.
16. BO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Pin the yellow panel to the center front of the green body. The top should sit just under the chin, and the bottom should stop above the legs. Sew around the edge with small stitches. Do not overstuff under the panel; it should lie smoothly.

Front Costume Strap and Button

The picture shows a green diagonal strap crossing over the yellow belly with a small button near the upper chest. This detail gives the costume a cardigan-like closure.

1. Using green yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Work 32 rows in garter stitch, knitting every row.
3. BO, leaving a sewing tail.

Place the strap diagonally from the puppy’s upper left shoulder area down toward the lower right side of the belly. Sew the ends neatly to the green body, then tack the center lightly so it stays flat. Sew the small button near the upper center where the strap begins.

Short Green Arms with White Paws

The arms are short and rounded. Each sleeve is green, and each paw is white. Make two. Work from the white paw upward into the green sleeve.

1. Using white yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 16 sts.
3. Rnds 2 to 5: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 6: repeat k2, k2tog around. 12 sts.
5. Change to green yarn.
6. Rnd 7: knit all sts through the back loop to create a clean color edge.
7. Rnds 8 to 17: knit all sts.
8. Rnd 18: repeat k1, k2tog around. 8 sts.
9. Stuff the paw firmly and the sleeve lightly.
10. Cut yarn, pull through remaining sts, and close.

Sew the arms to the sides of the body just below the head. Angle them slightly downward so the paws rest beside the belly. The right paw should sit near the small knitted bone, and the left paw should hang naturally outward.

Green Legs and White Feet

The legs are short, seated, and slightly spread apart. The white puppy feet show at the front, with green dinosaur slippers around them. Make two legs.

1. Using white yarn, CO 10 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 20 sts.
3. Rnd 2: knit all sts.
4. Rnd 3: k5, kfb 5 times, k5, kfb 5 times. 30 sts.
5. Rnds 4 to 7: knit all sts.
6. Rnd 8: k5, repeat k2tog 5 times, k5, repeat k2tog 5 times. 20 sts.
7. Change to green yarn.
8. Rnd 9: knit all sts through the back loop.
9. Rnds 10 to 18: knit all sts.
10. Rnd 19: repeat k2, k2tog around. 15 sts.
11. Rnd 20: knit all sts.
12. Stuff the foot firmly and the upper leg moderately.
13. BO, leaving a long sewing tail.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Sew the legs to the lower front body, spaced about 1 in / 2.5 cm apart. Angle the feet forward so the white toes show below the green costume. The legs should support the seated shape but not make the body stand upright.

Green Dinosaur Slippers

The slippers are green covers around the white feet with yellow leaf decorations on top. Make two slipper soles and two top bands.

Slipper Sole

1. Using green yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
7. Rows 6 to 14: stockinette stitch.
8. Row 15: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
9. Row 16: purl.
10. Row 17: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
11. BO.

Slipper Top Band

1. Using green yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Work 14 rows in garter stitch.
3. BO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew each sole under the white foot and wrap the top band across the foot like a sandal strap. Stitch both sides to the sole. Leave the front white toes visible.

Yellow Leaf Decorations

1. Using yellow yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: kfb, k3, kfb. 7 sts.
7. Row 6: purl.
8. Row 7: ssk, k3, k2tog. 5 sts.
9. Row 8: purl.
10. Row 9: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
11. Row 10: purl.
12. Row 11: sl1, k2tog, pass slipped st over. 1 st.
13. Cut yarn and pull through.

Make two yellow leaves. Sew one leaf to the top of each green slipper. Embroider a small green center vein on each leaf using one straight stitch from base to tip.

Dinosaur Tail

The tail is green, tapered, and attached behind the body. It extends to one side and has orange spikes along the top. Work from the tip toward the base.

1. Using green yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1 to 3: knit all sts.
3. Rnd 4: repeat k1, kfb around. 9 sts.
4. Rnds 5 to 7: knit all sts.
5. Rnd 8: repeat k2, kfb around. 12 sts.
6. Rnds 9 to 12: knit all sts.
7. Rnd 13: repeat k3, kfb around. 15 sts.
8. Rnds 14 to 18: knit all sts.
9. Rnd 19: repeat k4, kfb around. 18 sts.
10. Rnds 20 to 24: knit all sts.
11. Stuff the tail firmly, keeping the tip pointed.
12. BO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Sew the base of the tail to the back lower body, slightly to the puppy’s right side. Angle it so the tail rests behind the body instead of sticking straight backward. Add extra stitches at the top base for strength.

Orange Dinosaur Spikes

The orange spikes are triangular and run from the back of the hood down the body and tail. Make nine spikes total: three large for the hood, three medium for the back, and three small for the tail.

Large Hood Spikes

1. Using orange yarn, CO 9 sts.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: ssk, k5, k2tog. 7 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: ssk, k3, k2tog. 5 sts.
7. Row 6: purl.
8. Row 7: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
9. Row 8: purl.
10. Row 9: sl1, k2tog, pass slipped st over. 1 st.
11. Cut yarn and pull through.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Medium Back Spikes

1. Using orange yarn, CO 7 sts.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: ssk, k3, k2tog. 5 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
7. Row 6: purl.
8. Row 7: sl1, k2tog, pass slipped st over. 1 st.
9. Cut yarn and pull through.

Small Tail Spikes

1. Using orange yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: sl1, k2tog, pass slipped st over. 1 st.
7. Cut yarn and pull through.

Fold each spike lightly at the center and sew the base flat. Start with one large spike at the top back of the hood. Add the other two down the hood center. Place three medium spikes down the body back. Sew three small spikes along the tail top.

Yellow Flower on Hood

The dinosaur hood has a small yellow flower near one side, close to the orange spikes. This flower is made with five petals and a pale center.

Flower Center

1. Using cream yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: k2tog around. 6 sts.
4. Cut yarn and pull closed.

Flower Petals

Make five petals with yellow yarn.

1. CO 4 sts.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: kfb, k2, kfb. 6 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
7. Row 6: purl.
8. Row 7: ssk, k2tog. 2 sts.
9. Row 8: p2tog. 1 st.
10. Cut yarn and pull through.

Sew the five petals around the cream center. Attach the finished flower to the right side of the hood, below the dinosaur eye and in front of the orange spikes.

Knitted Bone Accessory

The small bone sits near the puppy’s paw and adds charm to the costume. Use tan yarn and keep it small so it looks like a toy bone.

1. Using tan yarn, CO 6 sts and work an i-cord for 12 rows.
2. BO, leaving a long tail.
3. For each bone end, pick up 4 sts at one side of the i-cord end.
4. Row 1: kfb in each st. 8 sts.
5. Row 2: purl.
6. Row 3: k2tog across. 4 sts.
7. Cut yarn and pull closed.
8. Repeat on the opposite side of the same end to form a double knob.
9. Repeat both knobs on the other end of the i-cord.

Sew the bone lightly to the green right paw or place it loose beside the puppy. For a display toy, attaching the bone with two hidden stitches will keep it from getting lost.

Small Mushroom Picnic Prop

The image includes a tiny red mushroom with white dots beside the puppy. This is optional but helps match the table scene. Work the cap and stem separately.

Mushroom Stem

1. Using cream yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1 to 6: knit all sts.
3. Rnd 7: repeat k1, kfb around. 12 sts.
4. Rnds 8 to 9: knit all sts.
5. Stuff lightly.
6. BO, leaving a sewing tail.

Mushroom Cap

1. Using red-orange yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: repeat k1, kfb around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 3: repeat k2, kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Rnds 4 to 6: knit all sts.
6. Rnd 7: repeat k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
7. BO, leaving a sewing tail.

Stuff the cap lightly and sew it to the stem. Use cream yarn to embroider small white dots over the cap. Make each dot with two tiny duplicate stitches so they look rounded.

Optional Mini Basket Handle

The basket in the image is small and placed beside the mushroom. For a simple knitted hint, make only a small tan handle and coil base.

1. Using tan yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Work an i-cord for 24 rows.
3. BO and curve into a handle shape.
4. For the basket base, CO 8 sts and knit 16 rows in garter stitch.
5. Roll the rectangle into a shallow oval and stitch the edges together.
6. Sew the i-cord handle to both sides.

Add tiny colorful yarn balls inside the basket if desired. Use scraps of green, red, blue, or pink yarn and stitch them into small knots.

Assembly Order

1. Sew the muzzle to the puppy head and finish the nose and mouth.
2. Attach the white ears to the sides of the puppy head.
3. Place the green dinosaur hood over the head and tack it securely.
4. Sew the white teeth along the upper hood opening.
5. Add dinosaur hood eyes, nostrils, acorn, yellow bump, and flower.
6. Sew the head to the green body, keeping the face looking forward.
7. Sew the yellow belly panel to the front body.
8. Add the diagonal green strap and small button.
9. Attach arms to the upper body and angle them downward.
10. Attach legs to the lower body and add green slippers.
11. Sew the tail to the back lower body.
12. Sew orange spikes in a straight line from hood to tail.
13. Add bone, mushroom, and basket accessories.

Detailed Placement Guide

The puppy head should sit slightly forward on the body, not directly centered like a ball. This forward placement gives the doll the gentle seated expression shown in the image. Use several strong stitches at the back neck to prevent wobbling.

The hood should not cover the puppy’s face too much. Keep the white muzzle fully visible. The green border should frame the forehead, cheeks, and chin like a soft dinosaur costume opening.

The yellow belly panel should be centered under the face. If it pulls to one side, remove a few stitches and re-pin it before sewing. The diagonal strap should cross the belly gently without covering the entire yellow patch.

The tail should be sewn to the lower back at a slight side angle. When the puppy is sitting, the tail should rest behind it. Add the smallest orange spikes to the top of the tail after the tail is attached, so you can align them with the back spikes.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

• Eye alignment: Check that the puppy eyes are level and the dinosaur hood eyes are slightly higher and wider apart.
• Muzzle shape: Add tiny amounts of stuffing under the muzzle sides if the cheeks look flat.
• Mouth: Keep the embroidered mouth small and sweet, with a short vertical line and two tiny curves.
• Hood teeth: Sew teeth only to the inner green rim so they hang naturally over the white face.
• Spikes: Use firm stitches along the base of each spike so they stand upright.

Care Notes

Spot clean only with a slightly damp cloth. Avoid soaking the toy because safety eyes, stuffing, button details, and small accessories may shift. Let the toy air dry completely before storing or displaying.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The white puppy face is centered inside the green dinosaur hood.
• The hood has visible white teeth along the upper opening.
• The dinosaur eyes sit on top of the hood and face forward.
• The yellow belly panel is smooth and centered.
• The green strap crosses the front with a small button detail.
• The arms, legs, slippers, and tail are securely sewn.
• The orange spikes form a neat line from hood to tail.
• The flower, acorn, bone, mushroom, and optional basket are attached or displayed neatly.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Keep the finished Dinosaur Costume Puppy away from direct sunlight for long periods, especially the green and orange yarns. Store it upright in a dry place with good airflow. If dust appears, use a soft brush and gently clean around the hood teeth, flower, spikes, and slippers.

For long-term storage, wrap the toy loosely in clean tissue paper. Do not compress the hood, tail, or spikes. If the toy is made for a child, check all small sewn parts often and remove decorative accessories if they become loose.