Knitting Tutorial: Floral Garden Puppy Doll – Free Knitting Pattern.

This sweet knitted puppy doll has a soft gray-and-cream face, floppy ears with pink inner panels, bright blue eyes, rosy cheeks, a turquoise floral garden dress, striped shoulder purse, flower sandals, tiny hair bows, a strawberry clip, a knitted sun hat, a flower basket, and a miniature watering can. The pattern below builds each visible detail separately, then joins everything into one cheerful garden puppy keepsake.

 

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

• Doll height: about 11 inches from top of head to bottom of sandals.
• Head width: about 4.25 inches across after stuffing.
• Dress width: about 6 inches across lower hem when lightly spread.
• Hat width: about 4.75 inches across the brim.
• Basket: about 1.75 inches wide.
• Watering can: about 1.5 inches tall.

Skill Level

This is an intermediate knitted toy pattern. A confident beginner can follow it slowly because every section gives stitch counts, shaping, color changes, and assembly placement. The doll is knitted mostly in the round with small flat pieces for accessories, appliqués, and decorative details.

Materials

• Sport weight yarn: light gray, cream white, soft pink, turquoise blue, bright pink, yellow, leaf green, beige, tan, red, black, and a small amount of pale blue.
• Needles: US 2 / 2.75 mm double-pointed needles or long circular needle for magic loop.
• Smaller needle: US 1 / 2.25 mm for firm accessories and embroidery-like knitted pieces.
• Safety eyes: two 14 mm blue safety eyes, or knit and sew felt-style eyes if preferred.
• Stuffing: polyester fiberfill.
• Other tools: tapestry needle, stitch markers, removable markers, row counter, small scissors, pins, and blush powder or pink yarn for cheek color.
• Optional: clear craft glue for securing tiny bows and clips after sewing.

Gauge

Gauge is important because the puppy needs a compact, smooth knitted surface. Work a firm gauge so stuffing does not show through the stitches.

• Doll gauge: 28 stitches and 38 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US 2 needles.
• Accessory gauge: 32 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches on US 1 needles.
• Texture: stitches should look tight, even, and plush, similar to the smooth knitted surface in the image.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• K: knit.
• P: purl.
• Sts: stitches.
• Rnd: round.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• Kfb: knit into front and back of the same stitch, increasing 1 stitch.
• K2tog: knit 2 stitches together, decreasing 1 stitch.
• SSK: slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 knitwise, knit slipped stitches together through back loops.
• M1L: make 1 left increase.
• M1R: make 1 right increase.
• St st: stockinette stitch.
• I-cord: small knitted tube made by sliding stitches across the needle instead of turning.

Construction Notes

The puppy is made from separate knitted pieces: head, muzzle, body, arms, legs, ears, dress, purse, sandals, hat, flower basket, watering can, and tiny decorations. The head and body are firmly stuffed, while the ears and dress remain softer so they drape naturally.

Use mattress stitch for most seams. When sewing parts to the body, use the yarn tail from each piece and take tiny stitches through the back loops only. This keeps the finished surface neat and toy-like.

The white facial stripe is knitted directly into the head with simple color changes. Use small floats on the inside and avoid pulling too tightly. The gray side panels should curve around the face, while the cream center runs from the forehead down to the muzzle.

Head

Work the head in the round from the top down. Use cream for the center stripe and light gray for both side panels. The easiest method is to divide the stitches into three color areas: gray side, cream center, gray side.

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts. Divide across double-pointed 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.
5. Rnd 4: K1, kfb around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: K2, kfb around. 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: K all sts.
9. Rnd 8: K3, kfb around. 40 sts.
10. Rnd 9: K all sts.
11. Rnd 10: K4, kfb around. 48 sts.
12. Rnd 11: K all sts.
13. Rnd 12: K5, kfb around. 56 sts.
14. Rnd 13: K all sts.
15. Rnd 14: K6, kfb around. 64 sts.

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Now place color markers. The first 22 sts are gray left face, the next 20 sts are cream center stripe, and the last 22 sts are gray right face. Keep the cream section centered at the front.

1. Rnds 15-18: With gray, K22; with cream, K20; with gray, K22. 64 sts.
2. Rnd 19: With gray, K21; with cream, K22; with gray, K21. 64 sts.
3. Rnd 20: Repeat Rnd 19.
4. Rnd 21: With gray, K20; with cream, K24; with gray, K20. 64 sts.
5. Rnds 22-25: Repeat Rnd 21.
6. Rnd 26: With gray, K19; with cream, K26; with gray, K19. 64 sts.
7. Rnds 27-30: Repeat Rnd 26.
8. Rnd 31: With gray, K20; with cream, K24; with gray, K20. 64 sts.
9. Rnd 32: Repeat Rnd 31.
10. Rnd 33: K6, k2tog around, keeping colors aligned. 56 sts.
11. Rnd 34: K all sts, keeping gray and cream sections visible.
12. Rnd 35: K5, k2tog around. 48 sts.
13. Rnd 36: K all sts.

Insert the blue safety eyes between Rnds 24 and 25, placing them 10 sts apart across the cream center. The eyes should sit just inside the gray side panels so the face looks wide and soft. Add a small white yarn highlight later if you are not using glossy safety eyes.

1. Rnd 37: K4, k2tog around. 40 sts.
2. Rnd 38: K all sts.
3. Rnd 39: K3, k2tog around. 32 sts.
4. Rnd 40: K all sts.
5. Rnd 41: K2, k2tog around. 24 sts.

Stuff the head firmly. Shape the cheeks by pushing extra stuffing to the lower front of the face. The top should stay round, while the lower front should look softly puffy like the puppy in the photo.

1. Rnd 42: K1, k2tog around. 16 sts.
2. Rnd 43: K2tog around. 8 sts.
3. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave in securely.

Muzzle and Nose Area

The muzzle is a small cream oval sewn to the lower face. It creates the rounded puppy snout and holds the black nose embroidery.

1. With cream yarn and US 2 needles, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K8, kfb. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-9: Work in St st, beginning with a purl row.
7. Row 10: SSK, K8, k2tog. 10 sts.
8. Row 11: P all sts.
9. Row 12: SSK, K6, k2tog. 8 sts.
10. BO, leaving a long tail.

Stuff the muzzle very lightly. Sew it to the lower cream stripe, centered below the eyes. The upper edge should sit about 3 rounds below the eye line, and the lower edge should slightly overlap the closing area of the head.

For the nose, use black yarn. Make a satin-stitch oval about 0.45 inch wide at the top center of the muzzle. Work 7 horizontal stitches, then wrap once around the center to smooth the shape. Stitch one straight black line downward for the mouth, then make a tiny split line at the bottom.

Body

The body is knitted in light gray and shaped like a small seated doll torso. The dress will cover most of it, but the neck, arms, and legs need strong attachment points.

1. With light gray yarn, CO 12 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb around. 24 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K3, kfb around. 30 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: K4, kfb around. 36 sts.
8. Rnds 7-18: K all sts.
9. Rnd 19: K4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
10. Rnds 20-23: K all sts.
11. Rnd 24: K3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
12. Rnds 25-27: K all sts.
13. Rnd 28: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
14. Stuff the body firmly, keeping the base rounded and the neck narrow.
15. Rnd 29: K all sts.
16. BO, leaving a long tail for sewing the head to the body.

Sew the head to the body with the cream face centered forward. Use two full circles of stitching around the neck so the head does not wobble. The puppy should have a slightly large head compared with the body, matching the cute doll proportion in the image.

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Arms

Make two arms. Each arm begins with a cream paw, then changes to gray for the sleeve-like upper arm. The white paw should look rounded at the end.

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb around. 16 sts.
4. Rnds 3-6: K all sts.
5. Rnd 7: K2, k2tog around. 12 sts.
6. Change to light gray.
7. Rnds 8-22: K all sts.
8. Rnd 23: K1, k2tog around. 8 sts.
9. Stuff lightly, keeping the paw fuller than the upper arm.
10. BO, leaving a long tail.

Sew the arms to the sides of the upper body at a gentle downward angle. The paws should rest against the dress, with the cream tips visible below the short dress sleeves.

Legs and Feet

Make two legs. The legs are gray with cream front toes. The sandals are added separately so the feet look like the photo.

1. With cream yarn, CO 10 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb, K8, kfb. 12 sts.
4. Rnds 3-7: K all sts.
5. Rnd 8: K3 cream, change to gray, K9. This places cream at the toe front.
6. Rnds 9-10: K3 cream, K9 gray.
7. Change fully to gray.
8. Rnds 11-25: K all sts.
9. Rnd 26: K2, k2tog around. 9 sts.
10. Stuff the foot firmly and the leg moderately.
11. BO, leaving a long tail.

Embroider three short gray toe lines on each cream foot. Sew the legs to the lower body about 0.75 inch apart. They should point straight down under the dress, with the feet angled slightly outward.

Floppy Ears

Make two outer ears in gray and two inner ears in soft pink. Sew one pink piece to one gray piece before attaching the ear to the head. The ears should be long, rounded, and hang beside the face.

Outer Ear, Make 2

1. With gray yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K8, kfb. 12 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K10, kfb. 14 sts.
6. Rows 5-28: Work in St st.
7. Row 29: SSK, K10, k2tog. 12 sts.
8. Row 30: P all sts.
9. Row 31: SSK, K8, k2tog. 10 sts.
10. Row 32: P all sts.
11. Row 33: SSK, K6, k2tog. 8 sts.
12. BO.

Inner Ear, Make 2

1. With soft pink yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Rows 3-25: Work in St st.
5. Row 26: SSK, K6, k2tog. 8 sts.
6. Row 27: P all sts.
7. Row 28: SSK, K4, k2tog. 6 sts.
8. BO.

Sew each pink inner ear to the center of a gray outer ear. Attach ears between Rnds 16 and 18 of the head, about 15 sts apart across the top back. Let the ears hang down the sides, with the pink inner panels facing slightly forward.

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Turquoise Floral Dress

The dress is worked from the hem upward in turquoise blue. It has a pink lower edge, a yellow trim near the sleeves, and simple duplicate-stitch flowers. The lower skirt flares outward like the image.

1. With bright pink yarn, CO 72 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: P all sts to make a small ridge.
4. Change to turquoise blue.
5. Rnds 3-8: K all sts. 72 sts.
6. Rnd 9: K10, k2tog around. 66 sts.
7. Rnds 10-14: K all sts.
8. Rnd 15: K9, k2tog around. 60 sts.
9. Rnds 16-20: K all sts.
10. Rnd 21: K8, k2tog around. 54 sts.
11. Rnds 22-25: K all sts.
12. Rnd 26: K7, k2tog around. 48 sts.
13. Rnds 27-29: K all sts.

Begin the bodice shaping. The front and back are worked flat from this point to create arm openings. Keep the beginning of the round at the center back.

1. Front bodice: K24 sts and place remaining 24 sts on a holder.
2. Row 1 WS: P24.
3. Row 2 RS: K2, ssk, K16, k2tog, K2. 22 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: K2, ssk, K14, k2tog, K2. 20 sts.
6. Rows 5-8: Work in St st.
7. Row 9: P all sts.
8. Row 10: With yellow yarn, K all sts.
9. Row 11: With yellow yarn, P all sts.
10. BO loosely.

Repeat the same 11 rows for the back bodice using the 24 held sts. Sew the shoulder edges together with tiny stitches, leaving the middle neck opening wide enough to slide over the body before final sewing.

Dress Flower Embroidery

The flowers on the dress are added with duplicate stitch so they look like knitted colorwork. Place them evenly across the skirt and bodice. Use bright pink for large petals, yellow for centers, and green for leaves.

• Large flower, make 7: Duplicate stitch one yellow center over 1 knitted stitch. Around it, duplicate stitch 5 pink petals, each petal covering 1 stitch wide by 2 rows tall.
• Small yellow flower, make 5: Work one yellow center and 4 pale pink petals around it.
• Leaf sprigs: Use green yarn to duplicate stitch V-shaped pairs beside each flower. Each leaf is 1 stitch wide and 2 rows tall.
• Placement: Put 4 large flowers around the lower skirt, 2 near the waist, and 1 on the chest. Add small flowers between them to match the garden look.

Slide the dress onto the doll. Sew the back opening closed at the neck and tack the waist to the body with four hidden stitches so it stays in place. The lower hem should sit above the knees, letting the gray legs and sandals show.

Short Dress Sleeves

The sleeves are small turquoise caps with yellow edging. Make two.

1. With turquoise yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: Work in St st.
3. Row 5: K2, k2tog across to last 2 sts, K2. 14 sts.
4. Row 6: P all sts.
5. Change to yellow.
6. Row 7: K all sts.
7. BO.

Sew one sleeve over each shoulder area, curving it around the top of the gray arm. The yellow edge should sit like a tiny trim line.

Striped Shoulder Purse

The purse is a small rounded rectangle with horizontal pastel stripes and a diagonal pink strap across the dress.

1. With turquoise yarn and US 1 needles, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Work in St st with turquoise.
3. Rows 3-4: Work in St st with bright pink.
4. Rows 5-6: Work in St st with yellow.
5. Rows 7-8: Work in St st with turquoise.
6. Rows 9-10: Work in St st with bright pink.
7. Rows 11-12: Work in St st with yellow.
8. Rows 13-16: Work in St st with turquoise.
9. BO, leaving a long tail.

Fold the piece in half with wrong sides together and seam the sides. Lightly stuff or insert a small scrap of yarn to puff the purse. Sew the top closed. For the flap, pick up 10 sts along the top front, K 3 rows in turquoise, then BO.

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For the strap, make a pink I-cord over 3 sts for 9 inches. Sew one end to the upper left shoulder area and the other end to the purse. Position the purse on the puppy’s right hip, with the strap crossing diagonally over the floral dress.

Sandals

Make two cream soles, then add turquoise straps and a tiny pink flower on each sandal.

Sole, Make 2

1. With beige yarn and US 1 needles, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Rows 3-13: Work in St st.
5. Row 14: SSK, K6, k2tog. 8 sts.
6. BO.

Upper Straps

1. With turquoise yarn, make a 3-st I-cord for 1.5 inches. Make 4 pieces total.
2. Sew two straps across each foot, one close to the toes and one across the instep.
3. Using pink yarn, make a tiny flower by CO 5 sts, BO all sts, curl into a rosette, and secure with yellow center stitch.
4. Sew one flower to the outer side of each sandal strap.

Sew the cream soles under the feet with beige yarn. The front of each sole should peek beyond the cream toes, creating the soft sandal look shown in the image.

Straw Garden Hat

The hat is knitted in cream-beige yarn with a wide brim and a shallow crown. It sits beside the puppy in the photo, but you can also lightly tack it to the head for display.

1. With beige yarn and US 1 needles, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K1, kfb around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: K2, kfb around. 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: K all sts.
9. Rnd 8: K3, kfb around. 40 sts.
10. Rnds 9-15: K all sts for the shallow crown.
11. Rnd 16: P all sts to create the brim fold line.
12. Rnd 17: K4, kfb around. 48 sts.
13. Rnd 18: K all sts.
14. Rnd 19: K5, kfb around. 56 sts.
15. Rnd 20: K all sts.
16. Rnd 21: K6, kfb around. 64 sts.
17. Rnd 22: P all sts for a subtle brim ridge.
18. Rnd 23: K all sts.
19. BO loosely.

For the pink hat ribbon, make a 3-st I-cord for 10 inches. Wrap it around the crown and tie or sew a bow on the side. To make a knitted bow, CO 10 sts with soft pink, work 6 rows in St st, BO, wrap yarn around the center, and sew to the ribbon.

Hair Bows and Strawberry Clip

The puppy has small decorations near the top of the head: a pink bow on one side, a little flower clip, and a red strawberry clip on the other side. These are tiny pieces, so use US 1 needles and short yarn tails.

Pink Bow, Make 2

1. With soft pink yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1-5: Work in St st.
3. BO.
4. Wrap yarn tightly around the center 5 times to make the bow shape.
5. Sew one bow near the base of each ear, just above the ear attachment line.

Small Flower Clip

1. With pink yarn, CO 5 sts and BO all sts. Make 5 petals.
2. Arrange petals in a circle and sew together with a yellow center stitch.
3. Make one leaf by CO 3 sts, K 1 row, BO.
4. Sew the flower on the upper left head area, slightly above the eye line.

Strawberry Clip

1. With red yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K4, kfb. 8 sts.
4. Rows 3-5: Work in St st.
5. Row 6: SSK, K4, k2tog. 6 sts.
6. Row 7: P all sts.
7. Row 8: SSK, K2, k2tog. 4 sts.
8. BO, then sew into a small rounded triangle.
9. With white yarn, embroider 5 tiny seed stitches.
10. With green yarn, make three leaf stitches at the top.
11. Sew the strawberry to the upper right head with a small turquoise knitted strip behind it for the clip.

Garden Flower Basket

The basket is knitted in tan with a little handle and several bright flowers. It is displayed beside the puppy, matching the garden theme.

1. With tan yarn and US 1 needles, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: K all sts for garter texture.
3. Rows 5-18: Work in St st.
4. Rows 19-22: K all sts.
5. BO, leaving a long tail.
6. Fold the piece into a small basket shape and seam the back and sides.
7. For the base, pick up 12 sts along the lower edge, K 4 rows, BO, and sew the base closed.
8. For the handle, make a tan 3-st I-cord for 4 inches and sew each end inside the basket.

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For basket flowers, make 5 tiny rosettes in pink, blue, yellow, white, and green. For each flower, CO 6 sts, BO, coil the strip, and stitch through the base. Sew the flowers along the top of the basket so they look full and slightly overflowing.

Mini Watering Can

The watering can is a small tan knitted accessory with a side handle, short spout, and a pink flower on the front.

1. With tan yarn and US 1 needles, CO 16 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-8: K all sts.
3. Rnd 9: K2, k2tog around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 10: K all sts.
5. Rnd 11: K1, k2tog around. 8 sts.
6. Stuff very lightly.
7. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and close.
8. For the base, pick up 16 sts around the cast-on edge, K 1 round, then K2tog around. Pull closed.

For the spout, make a tan 4-st I-cord for 1 inch. Sew it to the upper side of the can, angling upward. Add a cream oval at the spout tip by CO 5 sts, K 2 rows, BO, then sew flat to the end.

For the handle, make a tan 3-st I-cord for 2.5 inches. Curve it and sew one end near the top side of the can and the other end near the lower side. Add one small pink flower to the front, using 5 tiny looped stitches and a yellow center.

Facial Embroidery and Eye Details

The eyes are a major part of the finished expression. If using blue safety eyes, outline each eye with a small ring of pale blue duplicate stitch. Add black lashes with fine yarn or embroidery thread. Make three lashes on the outer edge of each eye, angled upward.

• Eyebrows: Use dark gray yarn to make one short curved stitch above each eye.
• Cheeks: Use soft pink yarn or blush powder. Place blush on both lower cheeks beside the muzzle.
• Mouth: Use black yarn for the center line and a tiny soft pink stitch under it for the lower lip.
• Face shaping: Run a hidden thread from one eye to the other through the back of the head and pull gently to create slight eye sockets.

Flower Placement Guide for the Dress

To match the look of the image, keep the dress colorful but balanced. The turquoise background should remain visible, while the flowers should look scattered like a garden print.

• Place one large pink flower at the center chest, about 4 rows below the neckline.
• Place two large flowers on the upper skirt, one to the left and one to the right.
• Place three large flowers around the lower skirt front.
• Add one flower near the side where the purse does not cover the fabric.
• Stitch yellow centers clearly so each pink flower stands out.
• Add green leaf pairs beside every flower, alternating left and right angles.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

1. Sew the head firmly to the body with the cream face stripe centered.
2. Sew the ears to the side-top of the head and let them fall naturally beside the cheeks.
3. Attach the muzzle, embroider the black nose, and add the small mouth line.
4. Sew arms to the body, then place the dress over the torso and tack it neatly at shoulders and back.
5. Sew legs under the body so they hang below the skirt.
6. Add sandals to the feet, then sew sandal flowers to the outer sides.
7. Attach the purse strap diagonally and secure the purse at the right hip.
8. Sew bows, flower clip, and strawberry clip to the head.
9. Place the hat, basket, and watering can beside the doll for display, or tack them lightly if the doll will be handled often.
10. Finish with blush, eyelashes, eyebrows, and final shaping stitches around the eyes.

Care Notes

Spot clean the doll with a slightly damp cloth and mild soap. Do not soak the doll if safety eyes, blush, or glued details were used. Let the doll air dry completely before storing or displaying.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is round, firm, and securely attached.
• Cream face stripe is centered from forehead to muzzle.
• Ears hang evenly with pink inner panels facing forward.
• Dress hem flares outward and flowers are spread across the turquoise fabric.
• Purse strap crosses the chest diagonally.
• Sandals show cream soles, turquoise straps, and tiny flowers.
• Hat has a wide brim and pink bow ribbon.
• Basket and watering can are small, soft, and garden-themed.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished puppy in a dry place away from direct sunlight so the turquoise dress, pink flowers, and soft gray yarn keep their color. If dust collects on the doll, use a clean soft brush and move gently in the direction of the knitted stitches.

For long-term display, keep the small accessories together in a shallow box or fabric pouch when not in use. Avoid heavy pressure on the ears, hat brim, purse, and watering can handle because those details are intentionally delicate and shaped for a soft handmade look.