Knitting Tutorial: Cat Vegetable Garden Overalls Doll – Free Knitting Pattern.

This cheerful knitted cat doll is dressed for a sunny vegetable garden day. The design includes an orange tabby cat body, cream muzzle and chest, blue garden overalls with carrot and radish embroidery, rolled cuffs, brown sandals with tiny bee accents, a striped sunhat with a sunflower, a carrot crossbody bag, a watering can, two small garden trowels, and a basket of vegetables.

 

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 and Construction

This knitted doll is worked mainly in the round for a smooth toy finish. The finished cat measures about 11.5 inches tall from the sandal soles to the top of the ears, and about 13 inches tall including the brimmed garden hat. The body has a rounded head, short neck, soft pear-shaped torso, rounded arms, full overall legs, and small oval feet.

The image shows a plush, firm fabric with visible stockinette stitches, so use needles small enough to make a tight fabric. The head is slightly wider than the torso. The overalls sit high on the chest, with two straps and two small buttons. The hat is shallow, wide-brimmed, and striped in pale yellow and cream.

Skill Level

• Level: Adventurous beginner to intermediate.
• Main skills: Knitting in the round, basic increases and decreases, short shaping, color changes, seaming, embroidery, and simple toy assembly.
• Best method: Magic loop or double-pointed needles.
• Gauge: 7 stitches and 10 rounds = 1 inch in stockinette with toy stuffing inserted lightly behind the fabric.

Materials

• DK weight yarn in orange tabby brown, cream, blue denim, straw yellow, white, dark brown, carrot orange, leaf green, red, pink, gray, black, yellow, and small amounts of tan.
• US size 2 needles, 2.75 mm, for the doll and accessories.
• US size 1 needles, 2.25 mm, for tiny straps, leaves, whisker anchor stitches, and small tools.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Two 10 mm yellow cat safety eyes or embroidered eyes.
• Two tiny tan buttons for the overall straps.
• Tapestry needle.
• Six strands of white embroidery floss or fine white yarn for whiskers.
• Black embroidery floss for mouth lines and pupils if using plain safety eyes.
• Optional: thin pipe cleaner for the watering can spout and trowel handles, fully covered by knitting.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on.
• BO: Bind off.
• K: Knit.
• P: Purl.
• St or sts: Stitch or stitches.
• Rnd: Round.
• RS: Right side.
• WS: Wrong side.
• Kfb: Knit into the front and back of the same stitch.
• K2tog: Knit 2 stitches together.
• SSK: Slip, slip, knit the slipped stitches together.
• St st: Stockinette stitch.
• Seed st: Alternate K1, P1, then reverse on the next round or row.
• I-cord: Knit all stitches, slide them back to the other needle tip, and repeat.

Main Cat Body

Legs and Feet

Make two legs. Each leg begins with a brown sandal foot, then changes to orange fur, then blue overall pants. Stuff as you work, keeping the feet firm and the legs softly rounded.

1. With dark brown yarn, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all.
4. Rnd 3: K4, kfb 8 times, K4. 24 sts.
5. Rnds 4-6: K all in dark brown.
6. Rnd 7: K4, k2tog 8 times, K4. 16 sts.
7. Change to orange tabby brown. Rnds 8-11: K all.
8. Change to blue denim. Rnd 12: Kfb, K6, kfb, K8. 18 sts.
9. Rnds 13-24: K all in blue denim.
10. Rnd 25: P all to create the rolled cuff ridge.
11. Rnds 26-28: K all.
12. Place first leg on spare yarn. Make the second leg the same, but do not cut yarn after the second leg.

Join Legs and Knit Lower Body

1. With blue yarn still attached to the second leg, K18 across second leg.
2. CO 4 sts for the crotch bridge.
3. K18 across first leg.
4. CO 4 sts for the back bridge. 44 sts total.
5. Rnds 1-8: K all in blue denim.
6. Rnd 9: K10, kfb, K20, kfb, K12. 46 sts.
7. Rnds 10-20: K all. This forms the rounded overall belly.
8. Rnd 21: K11, k2tog, K20, ssk, K11. 44 sts.
9. Rnd 22: K all.
10. Rnd 23: K10, k2tog, K20, ssk, K10. 42 sts.
11. Rnd 24: K all.
12. Change to cream for the neck and upper chest sweater. Rnds 25-30: K all.
13. Rnd 31: K5, k2tog around to last 0 sts. 36 sts.
14. Rnds 32-34: K all.

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The cream section should show above the overalls like the ribbed sweater panel in the photo. If you prefer a ribbed look, work Rnds 25-30 as K2, P2 rib instead of plain stockinette.

Torso Stuffing

Stuff the lower body firmly through the top opening. Shape the belly so the front is softly rounded and the back is flatter. Add extra stuffing to the hips and upper thighs so the overalls look full, like soft garden pants. Do not overstuff the neck because the head must sit neatly on top.

Head

The cat head is worked from the neck upward in orange tabby brown. The face has cream cheeks, a cream muzzle, a pink nose, large yellow eyes, white whiskers, and darker vertical tabby stripes. The head should be round and slightly wider than the body.

1. Continue from the cream neck using orange tabby brown.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every 6th st around. 42 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all.
4. Rnd 3: K6, kfb around. 48 sts.
5. Rnd 4: K all.
6. Rnd 5: K7, kfb around. 54 sts.
7. Rnds 6-16: K all.
8. Rnd 17: K8, kfb around. 60 sts.
9. Rnds 18-24: K all.
10. Place safety eyes between Rnds 15 and 16 of the head, 9 sts apart. Use yellow eyes if available.
11. Rnd 25: K8, k2tog around. 54 sts.
12. Rnd 26: K all.
13. Rnd 27: K7, k2tog around. 48 sts.
14. Rnd 28: K6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
15. Begin stuffing the head. Keep the cheeks full and the forehead rounded.
16. Rnd 29: K5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
17. Rnd 30: K4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
18. Rnd 31: K3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
19. Rnd 32: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
20. Rnd 33: K1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
21. Rnd 34: K2tog around. 6 sts.
22. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave in end.

Cream Muzzle and Cheeks

The muzzle in the image is cream, with two rounded cheek pads and a small centered pink nose. Make two cheek pads first, then one small bridge oval for the center.

Cheek Pads, Make 2

1. With cream yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: P all.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K4, kfb. 8 sts.
4. Row 3: P all.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K6, kfb. 10 sts.
6. Rows 5-8: Work in St st.
7. Row 9: P all.
8. Row 10: SSK, K6, k2tog. 8 sts.
9. Row 11: P all.
10. Row 12: SSK, K4, k2tog. 6 sts.
11. BO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Center Muzzle Bridge

1. With cream yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: Work in St st.
3. Row 7: SSK, K1, k2tog. 3 sts.
4. BO, leaving a long tail.

Sew the two cheek pads side by side below the eyes, lightly stuffing each pad before closing the final edge. Sew the center bridge vertically between them. Embroider a small pink triangle nose over the top center of the cheeks, then stitch a short black line down and two tiny curved mouth lines.

Ears

The cat has two small triangular ears peeking from under the hat. They are orange outside with pink inner ear patches. Make the ears firm but not bulky.

Outer Ears, Make 2

1. With orange tabby brown, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Work in St st.
3. Row 3: SSK, K10, k2tog. 12 sts.
4. Row 4: P all.
5. Row 5: SSK, K8, k2tog. 10 sts.
6. Row 6: P all.
7. Row 7: SSK, K6, k2tog. 8 sts.
8. Row 8: P all.
9. Row 9: SSK, K4, k2tog. 6 sts.
10. Row 10: P all.
11. Row 11: SSK, K2, k2tog. 4 sts.
12. Row 12: P all.
13. Row 13: SSK, k2tog. 2 sts.
14. Row 14: K2tog. 1 st.
15. Fasten off.

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Inner Ear Patches, Make 2

1. With pink yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Work in St st.
3. Row 3: SSK, K4, k2tog. 6 sts.
4. Row 4: P all.
5. Row 5: SSK, K2, k2tog. 4 sts.
6. Row 6: P all.
7. Row 7: SSK, k2tog. 2 sts.
8. Row 8: K2tog. 1 st.
9. Fasten off.

Sew one pink patch to each orange ear. Pin the ears to the top sides of the head, angled outward at about 35 degrees. Sew securely along the base and halfway up each side so the ears stay upright under the hat brim.

Arms

The arms are slim, rounded, and orange, with small cream paw tips. They hang at the sides just outside the overalls.

1. Make two. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in each st. 16 sts.
3. Rnds 2-4: K all.
4. Change to orange tabby brown.
5. Rnd 5: K2tog around. 8 sts.
6. Rnd 6: Kfb in each st. 16 sts.
7. Rnds 7-23: K all.
8. Rnd 24: K2, k2tog around. 12 sts.
9. Stuff lightly, leaving the top 0.5 inch flat for sewing.
10. Rnd 25: K2tog around. 6 sts.
11. Cut yarn, pull through remaining sts, and close.

Embroider three tiny cream claw lines at the end of each paw. Sew the arms to the body just below the cream neck section, slightly angled downward.

Tabby Face and Fur Markings

The tabby markings are embroidered after the head is stuffed. Use dark brown yarn split into a thinner strand. Keep the stitches smooth and slightly sunken into the fabric.

• Work one vertical dark stripe from the forehead center down toward the nose, stopping above the eyes.
• Add two shorter vertical stripes on each side of the forehead.
• Add two small curved stripes on each cheek, outside the cream muzzle.
• Add darker stitches around the side edges of the head to suggest orange tabby fur.
• Use white floss for three whiskers on each side. Anchor each whisker at the cream cheek and let it extend outward in a gentle curve.

Blue Garden Overalls

The lower part of the overalls was knitted directly into the body, but the front bib, straps, pocket details, and vegetable embroidery are added separately. This gives the garment the raised, handmade look shown in the image.

Front Bib

1. With blue denim yarn, CO 24 sts.
2. Row 1: P all.
3. Row 2: K all.
4. Rows 3-14: Work in St st.
5. Row 15: SSK, K20, k2tog. 22 sts.
6. Row 16: P all.
7. Row 17: SSK, K18, k2tog. 20 sts.
8. Row 18: P all.
9. Rows 19-24: Work in St st.
10. BO neatly.

Place the bib over the cream chest and upper blue body. The bottom of the bib should overlap the top of the pants. Sew around the sides and bottom only, leaving the top edge clean.

Overall Straps, Make 2

1. With blue yarn and smaller needles, CO 4 sts.
2. Work I-cord for 28 rows.
3. BO and leave a sewing tail.

Sew the straps from the back waist, over the shoulders, to the top corners of the bib. Add one small tan button to each top bib corner. The buttons should sit just below the cat’s cream neck, like the photo.

Rolled Cuffs

The purl ridge already forms the cuff line. To make the cuffs look thicker, pick up 18 sts around each pant leg at the cuff ridge with blue yarn. Knit 4 rounds, purl 1 round, knit 2 rounds, then BO loosely. Roll the cuff upward and tack it with small blue stitches.

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Vegetable Embroidery on Overalls

The overalls show three orange carrots across the upper bib and two groups of red radishes near the lower front. Embroider them after the bib is attached.

Carrots on Bib

• Use carrot orange yarn for three tapered carrot shapes.
• For each carrot, make 5 vertical satin stitches, starting wide at the top and narrowing at the bottom.
• Place the center carrot slightly lower than the side carrots.
• Use leaf green yarn to stitch three straight leaf lines above each carrot.

Radishes on Lower Overalls

• Make two radish clusters, one on each side of the lower belly.
• For each cluster, stitch one red oval using 5 satin stitches.
• Add a white tapered root with 2 long stitches below the red oval.
• Add 3 green leaf stitches above each radish.
• Use a small pink stitch between the red and white sections for the highlighted rim.

Brown Sandals and Bee Charms

The image shows brown open sandals over the orange feet, with light sole edges and tiny yellow bee charms near the ankles. The foot base is already dark brown, but the straps and sole edging are added now.

Sandal Sole Edging

1. With tan yarn, pick up 20 sts around the bottom edge of one foot.
2. Knit 1 round.
3. BO loosely.
4. Repeat for the second foot.

Top Strap

1. With dark brown yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Work I-cord for 12 rows.
3. BO and sew across the top of the foot.
4. Repeat for the second sandal.

Bee Charms

• With yellow yarn, make a small oval by CO 4 sts, knitting 3 rows, and gathering the edge closed.
• Use black thread to wrap 2 stripes around the oval.
• Add two tiny white wing stitches.
• Sew one bee to the outside ankle of each sandal.

Striped Garden Sunhat

The hat has a rounded crown, pale yellow and cream stripes, a broad flexible brim, and a sunflower on one side. Work the crown in the round first, then pick up stitches for the brim.

Hat Crown

1. With straw yellow yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all.
4. Rnd 3: K1, kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: Change to cream, K all.
6. Rnd 5: K2, kfb around. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: Change to straw yellow, K all.
8. Rnd 7: K3, kfb around. 40 sts.
9. Rnd 8: Change to cream, K all.
10. Rnd 9: K4, kfb around. 48 sts.
11. Rnd 10: Change to straw yellow, K all.
12. Rnd 11: K5, kfb around. 56 sts.
13. Rnds 12-18: Continue stripes, working 2 rounds cream, 2 rounds straw yellow.
14. Rnd 19: P all in straw yellow to mark brim fold.

Wide Brim

1. Rnd 20: Kfb in every 7th st. 64 sts.
2. Rnd 21: K all in cream.
3. Rnd 22: Kfb in every 8th st. 72 sts.
4. Rnd 23: K all in straw yellow.
5. Rnd 24: Kfb in every 9th st. 80 sts.
6. Rnd 25: K all in cream.
7. Rnd 26: Kfb in every 10th st. 88 sts.
8. Rnds 27-30: Continue alternating cream and straw yellow every round.
9. Rnd 31: P all in straw yellow for a firm outer rim.
10. Rnd 32: K all.
11. BO loosely.

Weave in all ends. Place the hat on the cat’s head so the brim sits low above the eyes, with the ears peeking from the sides. Tack the hat behind each ear and at the back of the head so it stays in place but still looks soft.

Sunflower Decoration

The sunflower sits on the viewer’s right side of the hat brim. It has a dark brown textured center, yellow petals, and two green leaves.

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Flower Center

1. With dark brown yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: P all.
4. Rnd 3: K all.
5. Rnd 4: K2tog around. 8 sts.
6. Cut yarn, gather closed, and flatten into a small circle.

Petals, Make 10

1. With yellow yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Row 1: K all.
3. Row 2: P all.
4. Row 3: SSK, K1, k2tog. 3 sts.
5. Row 4: P all.
6. Row 5: Slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped st over. 1 st.
7. Fasten off.

Leaves, Make 2

1. With green yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: K all.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K1, kfb. 5 sts.
4. Rows 3-5: Work in St st.
5. Row 6: SSK, K1, k2tog. 3 sts.
6. Row 7: Slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped st over. 1 st.
7. Fasten off.

Sew the petals around the back of the brown center. Add the green leaves behind the flower. Sew the sunflower firmly to the hat brim, slightly angled outward.

Carrot Crossbody Bag

The doll carries an orange carrot-shaped pouch across the body. The strap runs from the left shoulder to the right hip, and the carrot bag hangs at the side with green leafy tops.

Carrot Pouch

1. With carrot orange yarn, CO 18 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-8: K all.
3. Rnd 9: K7, k2tog, K7, k2tog. 16 sts.
4. Rnds 10-12: K all.
5. Rnd 13: K6, k2tog, K6, k2tog. 14 sts.
6. Rnds 14-15: K all.
7. Rnd 16: K5, k2tog, K5, k2tog. 12 sts.
8. Rnd 17: K all.
9. Rnd 18: K4, k2tog, K4, k2tog. 10 sts.
10. Rnd 19: K all.
11. Rnd 20: K3, k2tog, K3, k2tog. 8 sts.
12. Rnd 21: K2tog around. 4 sts.
13. Cut yarn and pull closed. Stuff very lightly.

Leafy Top

• Pick up 10 sts around the open top of the carrot pouch with green yarn.
• Knit 1 round.
• For each leaf, BO 2 sts, then CO 5 sts from that point, knit back, and fasten off at the base.
• Make 5 little leaves around the top.

Crossbody Strap

1. With orange yarn and smaller needles, CO 3 sts.
2. Work I-cord for 52 rows.
3. BO and sew one end to the carrot pouch top.
4. Place across the cat from shoulder to opposite hip, then sew the other end behind the shoulder.

Watering Can

The small gray watering can sits beside the doll. It has a round body, open top, handle, spout, and tiny green leaf decoration.

Can Body

1. With light gray yarn, CO 24 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-8: K all.
3. Rnd 9: K4, k2tog around. 20 sts.
4. Rnd 10: P all to make the top rim.
5. Rnd 11: K all.
6. BO loosely.
7. For the base, pick up 24 sts from the cast-on edge, K2tog around to 12 sts, then K2tog around to 6 sts. Pull closed.

Spout

1. With gray yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Work I-cord for 15 rows.
3. BO, then flatten one end slightly for the pouring lip.
4. Sew the other end to the side of the can at an upward angle.

Handle

1. With gray yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Work I-cord for 24 rows.
3. Curve into a handle and sew both ends to the opposite side of the can.

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Watering Can Leaf

1. With green yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: K all.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K1, kfb. 5 sts.
4. Row 3: P all.
5. Row 4: SSK, K1, k2tog. 3 sts.
6. Row 5: Slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped st over. 1 st.
7. Sew the leaf to the can handle.

Garden Basket With Vegetables

The basket is small, tan, and rounded. It holds little red, yellow, and green vegetables, matching the garden theme in the photo.

Basket

1. With tan yarn, CO 30 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-10: Work seed st.
3. Rnd 11: K3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
4. Rnd 12: K all.
5. Rnd 13: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
6. Rnd 14: K1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
7. Rnd 15: K2tog around. 6 sts.
8. Pull closed to form the base.

Basket Handle

1. With tan yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Work I-cord for 30 rows.
3. Sew each end to the inside top edge of the basket.

Small Vegetables

• Red tomato: CO 8 sts in red, K 4 rounds, K2tog around, gather closed, and add a green top stitch.
• Yellow squash: CO 8 sts in yellow, K 5 rounds, decrease to close, and shape into a small oval.
• Green cabbage: CO 10 sts in green, K 4 rounds, gather closed, then add three folded green leaf stitches around it.
• Carrot nub: CO 6 sts in orange, K 5 rounds, decrease to close, and add two green top stitches.

Sew the vegetables inside the basket so they are visible above the rim. Keep them close together, like a fresh harvest pile.

Garden Trowels

The image includes two small trowels with brown handles, gray shovel heads, and leafy vine details. Make two matching tools.

Handle, Make 2

1. With dark brown yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Work I-cord for 18 rows.
3. BO and weave in ends.

Shovel Head, Make 2

1. With light gray yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: P all.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Rows 3-8: Work in St st.
5. Row 9: SSK, K6, k2tog. 8 sts.
6. Row 10: P all.
7. Row 11: SSK, K4, k2tog. 6 sts.
8. Row 12: P all.
9. Row 13: SSK, K2, k2tog. 4 sts.
10. Row 14: P all.
11. Row 15: SSK, k2tog. 2 sts.
12. Row 16: K2tog. 1 st.
13. Fasten off.

Sew one shovel head to each handle. Add a small green leaf vine near one handle by making two tiny leaves with the same leaf instructions used for the watering can.

Optional Tail

The tail is mostly hidden by the doll’s outfit and seated angle, but you may add a small curved orange tabby tail behind the overalls if desired.

1. With orange yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-22: K all.
3. Stuff lightly as you work.
4. Rnd 23: K2tog around. 4 sts.
5. Pull closed.
6. Embroider three dark brown rings around the tail.
7. Sew to the back lower body, curving slightly to one side.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Pin every piece before sewing. Attach the head and body firmly if any neck gap remains. Sew the bib flat to the front, then add straps, buttons, and vegetable embroidery. Attach arms after the straps so the arms frame the outfit naturally. Place the hat low on the head, then tack it invisibly behind both ears.

Finish the face last. Add the cream cheeks, pink nose, black mouth, forehead stripes, cheek stripes, and long white whiskers. For the bright-eyed look in the photo, outline each eye with one fine dark stitch and add a small white highlight stitch near the pupil if the eye surface allows it.

Care Notes

• Spot clean only with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not soak if safety eyes, buttons, or firm embroidered details are used.
• Press gently with a towel and air dry flat.
• Reshape the hat brim, carrot pouch, and basket while damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The cat has a round orange tabby head with cream muzzle and long whiskers.
• The yellow eyes are level and wide, with a sweet garden-doll expression.
• The blue overalls have straps, buttons, rolled cuffs, carrots, and radishes.
• The hat is striped cream and straw yellow with a sunflower on one side.
• The carrot bag crosses the body from shoulder to hip.
• The sandals include tan edging and tiny bee accents.
• The watering can, basket, vegetables, and trowels are included as separate props.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the doll away from direct sunlight to protect the orange fur, blue overalls, and yellow hat from fading. Keep the small garden tools and basket in a breathable cotton bag when not displayed. Avoid plastic storage in humid rooms, because trapped moisture can flatten the knitted texture.

To refresh the doll, use a soft dry brush over the hat brim, overalls, and basket. Smooth the whiskers with your fingers instead of combing them. If the doll becomes dusty, hold it upside down and tap gently, then reshape the sunflower petals and carrot leaves by hand.