Knitting Tutorial: Cocker Spaniel Dog in Blue Striped Dress – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet knitted cocker spaniel is made as a soft seated toy with a rounded puppy head, long curly ears, a tan body, glossy black eyes, and a small black embroidered nose. She wears a blue and cream striped dress with a flowered apron pocket, a straw-style knitted hat with a blue band, tiny flower sandals, a shoulder purse, and a small basket of knitted berries.

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 in US English knitting terms. The dog is worked mostly in stockinette stitch on double-pointed needles or with the magic loop method. The finished toy is designed to sit upright on a bench or shelf, with the legs hanging down and the dress skirt spreading slightly over the knees.

The shape in the image is soft and rounded, not flat. The head is larger than the body, the muzzle is gently raised, the arms hang at the sides, and the ears are long, looped, and full. The accessories are knitted separately and sewn on carefully after stuffing.

• Finished height: About 12 inches from bottom of feet to top of hat.
• Seated height: About 9 inches from seat to top of hat.
• Head width: About 4 inches after stuffing.
• Body width: About 3 inches across the belly before dress.
• Gauge: 7 stitches and 10 rounds = 1 inch in stockinette using toy yarn and US 2 needles.
• Style: Seamless and seamed small-parts knitting with firm toy stuffing.

Materials

• Sport weight yarn in warm tan for the dog body, head, legs, arms, and muzzle, about 120 yards.
• Sport weight yarn in cream for dress stripes, apron pocket, purse details, and small flowers, about 35 yards.
• Sport weight yarn in sky blue for dress stripes, hem, hat band, and shoulder straps, about 45 yards.
• Sport weight yarn in straw beige for the hat and basket, about 35 yards.
• Small amounts of rose, pink, lavender, green, red, white, and dark green yarn for flowers, leaves, and berries.
• Small amount of black yarn for the nose, mouth, and eye highlights if safety eyes are not used.
• Pair of 10 mm black safety eyes, or black yarn for embroidered eyes.
• US 2 double-pointed needles or long circular needle for magic loop.
• US 1 needles for the dress straps, purse strap, and small flower details.
• Yarn needle, stitch markers, stuffing, pins, and scissors.
• Two tiny wooden-look buttons for the dress bib, or embroidered button circles.

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 front and back of 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.
• G st: Garter stitch, knit every row when working flat.
• I-cord: Small knitted cord worked over 3 or 4 stitches.

Important Construction Notes

Work the toy fabric firmly so stuffing does not show through. If your stitches are loose, move down one needle size. The dress and accessories should sit over the stuffed dog, so knit them slightly more relaxed than the body pieces.

The dog in the image has a gentle handmade look. The face is centered, the ears frame the cheeks, and the dress begins just below the neck. Pin every part in place before sewing. Small changes in placement will affect the expression, so take your time with the face.

• Use tan yarn for all body parts unless another color is named.
• Stuff the head firmly, but do not overstuff the muzzle.
• Stuff the feet and lower legs firmly so the legs hang neatly.
• Leave the arms softly stuffed so they rest naturally against the dress.
• Work all sewn seams with matching yarn and small invisible stitches.

Body

The body is pear-shaped, narrower at the neck and wider at the lower belly. It is worked from the bottom up in the round. The lower body must be firm because the dress and apron sit over it.

1. With tan yarn, CO 12 sts. Divide over needles and join to work in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. You now have 24 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: Repeat K1, kfb around. You now have 36 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: Repeat K2, kfb around. You now have 48 sts.
8. Rnds 7-16: K all sts for 10 rounds.
9. Rnd 17: Repeat K10, k2tog around. You now have 44 sts.
10. Rnds 18-23: K all sts for 6 rounds.
11. Rnd 24: Repeat K9, k2tog around. You now have 40 sts.
12. Rnds 25-29: K all sts for 5 rounds.
13. Rnd 30: Repeat K8, k2tog around. You now have 36 sts.
14. Rnds 31-34: K all sts for 4 rounds.
15. Rnd 35: Repeat K4, k2tog around. You now have 30 sts.
16. Rnds 36-38: K all sts for 3 rounds.
17. Rnd 39: Repeat K3, k2tog around. You now have 24 sts.
18. Rnd 40: K all sts.

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Stuff the body firmly, shaping the bottom into a rounded seated base. Add extra stuffing at the front belly so the dress has the same gentle curve shown in the image. Leave the 24 neck stitches live on a spare needle or waste yarn.

Head

The head is larger than the body and rounded like a soft puppy face. It is worked from the neck upward, then closed at the crown. The muzzle is added separately so the face has a raised snout.

1. Place the 24 body neck sts back onto needles.
2. Rnd 1: With tan yarn, K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Repeat K3, kfb around. You now have 30 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: Repeat K4, kfb around. You now have 36 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: Repeat K5, kfb around. You now have 42 sts.
8. Rnd 7: K all sts.
9. Rnd 8: Repeat K6, kfb around. You now have 48 sts.
10. Rnd 9: K all sts.
11. Rnd 10: Repeat K7, kfb around. You now have 54 sts.
12. Rnds 11-24: K all sts for 14 rounds.
13. Rnd 25: Repeat K7, k2tog around. You now have 48 sts.
14. Rnd 26: K all sts.
15. Rnd 27: Repeat K6, k2tog around. You now have 42 sts.
16. Rnd 28: K all sts.
17. Rnd 29: Repeat K5, k2tog around. You now have 36 sts.
18. Rnd 30: Repeat K4, k2tog around. You now have 30 sts.
19. Rnd 31: Repeat K3, k2tog around. You now have 24 sts.
20. Rnd 32: Repeat K2, k2tog around. You now have 18 sts.
21. Rnd 33: Repeat K1, k2tog around. You now have 12 sts.
22. Rnd 34: K2tog around. You now have 6 sts.

Stuff the head firmly before closing the last opening. Pull the yarn through the remaining 6 stitches and fasten securely. Shape the cheeks with your hands so the lower face is full and the top of the head is smoothly rounded.

Muzzle

The muzzle is oval and soft, placed low on the front of the head. It should sit between the eyes and create the sweet cocker spaniel expression. Do not overstuff it; the shape should be raised but gentle.

1. With tan yarn, CO 8 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1, WS: P all sts.
3. Row 2, RS: K1, kfb, K4, kfb, K1. You now have 10 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb, K6, kfb, K1. You now have 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-9: Work in st st, beginning with a purl row.
7. Row 10: K1, ssk, K6, k2tog, K1. You now have 10 sts.
8. Row 11: P all sts.
9. Row 12: K1, ssk, K4, k2tog, K1. You now have 8 sts.
10. BO all sts, leaving a long sewing tail.

Run a gathering thread around the edge of the muzzle. Add a small amount of stuffing, pull gently into an oval, and pin to the lower front of the head. The top of the muzzle should begin about 2 rounds below the eyes.

Eyes, Nose, and Mouth Placement

Place the safety eyes before finishing the face if possible. The eyes in the image are large, black, glossy, and set wide enough to leave room for the muzzle. They sit slightly above the middle of the head.

• Mark the face center line from crown to muzzle.
• Place eyes between head rounds 17 and 18, about 9 stitches apart.
• Set each eye slightly forward, not too far to the side.
• Sew the muzzle centered below the eyes, covering about 10 stitches across.
• Embroider the nose at the top center of the muzzle using black yarn.

For the nose, stitch a rounded triangle about 5 stitches wide and 4 rows tall. Fill it with horizontal satin stitches until smooth. Add one vertical black stitch down from the nose, then two short diagonal mouth stitches to form a gentle puppy expression.

Long Curly Ears

The ears are one of the most important details. The image shows long floppy cocker spaniel ears with a looped, curly texture. Each ear has a knitted base and attached yarn loops that create the full wavy look.

Ear Base, Make 2

1. With tan yarn, CO 10 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: K1, kfb, K6, kfb, K1. You now have 12 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts.
6. Row 5: K1, kfb, K8, kfb, K1. You now have 14 sts.
7. Rows 6-27: Work in st st, beginning with a purl row.
8. Row 28: K1, ssk, K8, k2tog, K1. You now have 12 sts.
9. Row 29: P all sts.
10. Row 30: K1, ssk, K6, k2tog, K1. You now have 10 sts.
11. Row 31: P all sts.
12. Row 32: K1, ssk, K4, k2tog, K1. You now have 8 sts.
13. BO all sts, leaving a long sewing tail.

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Curly Loop Texture

1. Cut about 90 tan yarn strands for each ear, each 5 inches long.
2. Fold one strand in half to form a loop.
3. Using a crochet hook or yarn needle, pull the folded loop partly through a side stitch on the ear base.
4. Pull the two loose ends through the loop and tighten gently.
5. Attach loops in vertical columns along both sides and across the lower half of each ear.
6. Trim lightly so the loops hang about 2 1/2 to 3 inches long.

Sew the ears to the sides of the head between rounds 12 and 22. The top edge should sit just below the hat line, and the lower ends should reach the shoulders. Let the curly edges frame the cheeks like the photo.

Legs and Feet

The legs are long enough to hang over the bench edge. Each foot is rounded and slightly wider than the leg. The sandals are added later, so keep the feet neat and smooth.

Make 2 Legs

1. With tan yarn, CO 8 sts. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. You now have 16 sts.
4. Rnds 3-5: K all sts.
5. Rnd 6: K4, kfb, K6, kfb, K4. You now have 18 sts.
6. Rnds 7-10: K all sts.
7. Rnd 11: K4, k2tog, K6, ssk, K4. You now have 16 sts.
8. Rnds 12-14: K all sts.
9. Rnd 15: Repeat K2, k2tog around. You now have 12 sts.
10. Rnds 16-34: K all sts for 19 rounds.
11. Rnd 35: Repeat K1, k2tog around. You now have 8 sts.
12. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and close.

Stuff the foot firmly and the leg moderately. Sew the closed end to the lower front of the body, placing each leg about 6 stitches from the center line. The legs should point downward naturally when the dog is seated.

Arms

The arms are slim and soft, hanging beside the dress. They curve slightly inward toward the skirt, as seen in the image. Do not make them stiff.

1. With tan yarn, CO 8 sts. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Repeat K1, kfb around. You now have 12 sts.
4. Rnds 3-9: K all sts.
5. Rnd 10: K3, k2tog, K2, ssk, K3. You now have 10 sts.
6. Rnds 11-28: K all sts for 18 rounds.
7. Rnd 29: K2tog around. You now have 5 sts.
8. Cut yarn, pull through remaining stitches, and secure.

Stuff the paw end lightly and leave the upper arm almost flat. Sew the arms to the body just below the neck, angled downward. The top of each arm should later be partly covered by the dress bib and shoulder straps.

Small Tail

The tail is mostly hidden behind the dress, but a small soft tail helps the toy balance while sitting.

1. With tan yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-7: K all sts.
3. Rnd 8: K2tog around. You now have 3 sts.
4. Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitches.

Stuff very lightly. Sew the tail to the lower back of the body before dressing the dog. Position it low enough that it does not push the dress forward.

Blue Striped Dress

The dress is worked separately from the bottom hem upward. It has a wide blue lower edge, alternating blue and cream stripes, a simple bib, and two shoulder straps with button details. The skirt should flare softly over the seated legs.

Skirt

1. With blue yarn, CO 72 sts. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: K all sts for a rolled blue hem.
3. Rnd 5: P all sts to create a turning ridge.
4. Rnds 6-9: K all sts in blue.
5. Rnds 10-13: Change to cream and K all sts.
6. Rnds 14-17: Change to blue and K all sts.
7. Rnds 18-21: Change to cream and K all sts.
8. Rnds 22-25: Change to blue and K all sts.
9. Rnd 26: With cream, repeat K10, k2tog around. You now have 66 sts.
10. Rnds 27-28: K all sts in cream.
11. Rnd 29: With blue, repeat K9, k2tog around. You now have 60 sts.
12. Rnds 30-33: K all sts in blue.
13. Rnd 34: With cream, repeat K8, k2tog around. You now have 54 sts.
14. Rnds 35-38: K all sts in cream.
15. Rnd 39: With blue, repeat K7, k2tog around. You now have 48 sts.
16. Rnds 40-43: K all sts in blue.
17. Rnd 44: With cream, repeat K6, k2tog around. You now have 42 sts.
18. Rnds 45-46: K all sts in cream.
19. BO all sts loosely.

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Slide the skirt over the body from the feet upward. The lower blue hem should rest above the feet and flare outward. The top edge should sit around the upper belly, just under where the bib will be sewn.

Dress Bib

1. With blue yarn, CO 18 sts and work flat.
2. Rows 1-2: K all sts.
3. Row 3: K all sts in cream.
4. Row 4: P all sts in cream.
5. Row 5: K all sts in blue.
6. Row 6: P all sts in blue.
7. Rows 7-12: Continue 2 rows cream, 2 rows blue, ending with blue.
8. Rows 13-14: K all sts in blue.
9. BO all sts, leaving a long sewing tail.

Center the bib on the front of the body above the skirt. Sew the lower edge slightly under the top of the skirt so the dress looks continuous. The bib should cover the chest but leave the neck and arms visible.

Shoulder Straps

1. With blue yarn and US 1 needles, CO 4 sts.
2. Work 4-stitch I-cord for 4 1/2 inches.
3. BO and make a second strap the same way.
4. Sew one strap from the upper left bib corner over the shoulder to the back skirt edge.
5. Sew the second strap from the upper right bib corner over the shoulder to the back skirt edge.

Add two tiny buttons at the front top corners of the bib. If buttons are not available, embroider each button with a tan circle and a small cross stitch in the center.

Apron Pocket with Embroidered Flowers

The pocket on the front of the dress is cream with a blue edging and small embroidered roses, leaves, and buds. It sits centered on the lower front of the skirt and overlaps the stripes.

1. With cream yarn, CO 16 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: K1, kfb, K12, kfb, K1. You now have 18 sts.
5. Rows 4-9: Work in st st, beginning with a purl row.
6. Row 10: K1, ssk, K12, k2tog, K1. You now have 16 sts.
7. Row 11: P all sts.
8. Row 12: K1, ssk, K10, k2tog, K1. You now have 14 sts.
9. BO all sts.
10. With blue yarn, sew a decorative running stitch around the top and side edges.

Embroider three small roses near the lower center of the pocket. Use rose and pink yarn for spiral stitches. Add two green leaves beside each rose using short straight stitches. Add tiny lavender and yellow knots near the upper corners.

Straw-Style Knitted Hat

The hat is rounded, cream-straw colored, and sits low above the ears. It has a shallow crown, small brim, and blue band with a small side bow or folded accent.

Hat Crown

1. With straw beige yarn, CO 8 sts. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. You now have 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: Repeat K1, kfb around. You now have 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: Repeat K2, kfb around. You now have 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: K all sts.
9. Rnd 8: Repeat K3, kfb around. You now have 40 sts.
10. Rnd 9: K all sts.
11. Rnd 10: Repeat K4, kfb around. You now have 48 sts.
12. Rnds 11-18: K all sts.
13. Rnd 19: P all sts to mark the brim fold.

Hat Brim

1. Rnd 20: Repeat K3, kfb around. You now have 60 sts.
2. Rnds 21-24: K all sts.
3. Rnd 25: P all sts.
4. Rnd 26: K all sts.
5. BO loosely.

Weave in ends and shape the brim gently outward. Place the hat on the head so it tilts slightly forward. The brim should cover the crown seam and sit just above the eyes, while the ears fall from underneath the side edges.

Blue Hat Band and Side Accent

1. With blue yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Work 4-stitch I-cord for 8 inches, or long enough to wrap around the hat crown.
3. Sew the band around the base of the crown just above the brim fold.
4. For the side accent, CO 6 sts with blue yarn.
5. Rows 1-6: K all sts.
6. BO, pinch the center, wrap with yarn twice, and sew to the left side of the band.

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Shoulder Purse

The small purse hangs across the dog’s chest and rests near the right side of the skirt. It is beige with embroidered flowers, matching the image. The strap is a narrow cream cord worn diagonally.

Purse Body

1. With straw beige yarn, CO 14 sts and work flat.
2. Rows 1-2: K all sts.
3. Rows 3-12: Work in st st, beginning with a knit row.
4. Row 13: K all sts to form the fold line.
5. Rows 14-21: Work in st st.
6. BO all sts.

Fold the purse so the bottom section is slightly taller than the front flap. Sew both side seams. Add a small amount of stuffing only if you want the purse to look full. Keep the flap flat and neat.

Purse Strap and Flowers

1. With cream yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Work 3-stitch I-cord for 11 inches.
3. Sew one end to each upper side corner of the purse.
4. Embroider three tiny flowers on the flap using pink, blue, and lavender yarn.
5. Add green straight stitches for stems and leaves.

Place the strap over one shoulder and across the front of the dress. Sew the purse lightly to the dog’s side so it stays in place but still looks like a separate accessory.

Small Basket with Berries

The basket sits beside the dog in the image. It is a small knitted accessory with a rounded base, handle, and colorful berries inside. This piece is optional for play, but important for matching the full scene.

Basket Base

1. With straw beige yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. You now have 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: Repeat K1, kfb around. You now have 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: P all sts to create a base ridge.
6. Rnds 5-12: K all sts.
7. Rnd 13: P all sts.
8. BO loosely.

Basket Handle

1. With straw beige yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Work 4-stitch I-cord for 5 inches.
3. Sew one end to each side of the basket.

Berries and Leaves

1. For each berry, CO 6 sts with red, pink, or white yarn.
2. Work 2 rounds in K.
3. K2tog around, cut yarn, pull closed, and knot securely.
4. Make 5 to 7 berries in mixed colors.
5. For each leaf, CO 3 sts with green yarn, K1 row, then BO.

Place the berries inside the basket and stitch them to the base so they do not fall out. Add two or three tiny green leaves between the berries for a fresh garden look.

Knitted Sandals with Flower Details

The dog wears small tan sandals with floral decoration over the feet. The sandals are simple bands sewn directly to the feet after the legs are attached.

Sandal Soles, Make 2

1. With straw beige yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: K1, kfb, K4, kfb, K1. You now have 10 sts.
4. Rows 3-9: K all sts.
5. Row 10: K1, ssk, K4, k2tog, K1. You now have 8 sts.
6. BO all sts.

Sew each sole under the front part of a foot. Let the edge show slightly around the bottom, like a soft slipper sole.

Toe Bands and Flowers

1. With straw beige yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Work 4-stitch I-cord for 2 inches.
3. BO and sew across the top of one foot.
4. Repeat for the second foot.
5. Embroider one pink flower and two tiny white petals on each toe band.
6. Add one green stitch beside each flower as a leaf.

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Optional Neck Shaping

If the head feels too wobbly, use a hidden support seam. Thread tan yarn from the back of the neck up into the lower head and back down again several times. Pull gently, not tightly. This creates a firm connection while keeping the handmade softness.

You may also add a small roll of stuffing at the back of the neck before sewing the dress straps in place. This helps the head sit upright and keeps the hat balanced.

Embroidered Flower Guide

The image includes tiny flowers on the apron pocket, purse, and sandals. Keep each flower very small so the toy stays delicate. Use short yarn lengths and avoid bulky knots.

• Rose: Make one small center knot, then add 4 or 5 loose spiral stitches around it.
• Simple petal flower: Make 5 straight stitches radiating from one center point.
• French-style knot: Wrap yarn once around the needle, insert close to the starting point, and pull through gently.
• Leaf: Use one short green straight stitch angled outward from the flower.
• Stem: Use two or three tiny backstitches in green yarn.

Assembly Order

1. Knit and stuff the body.
2. Knit the head directly from the body neck stitches and stuff firmly.
3. Knit, stuff, and sew on the muzzle.
4. Attach eyes and embroider the nose and mouth.
5. Knit the ears, add looped texture, and sew them to the head.
6. Knit and attach the legs, checking that the toy sits correctly.
7. Knit and attach the arms at a natural downward angle.
8. Knit and sew on the small tail.
9. Knit the dress skirt, slide it over the body, and secure with small stitches.
10. Add the bib, straps, and front buttons.
11. Add the apron pocket and flower embroidery.
12. Knit the hat, add the band, and sew lightly to the head if desired.
13. Knit the purse, strap, basket, berries, and sandals.
14. Finish with final shaping, trimming, and facial detailing.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Pin all parts before sewing permanently. The ears should frame the face evenly, the hat should sit low and centered, and the purse strap should cross the chest without pulling the dress out of shape.

Use small stitches to secure the skirt at the back and sides. Sew the apron pocket only along the side and lower edges, leaving the top edge slightly open for a realistic pocket look. Add the arms after the dress if you want them to rest cleanly on top.

For the face, add a tiny white yarn highlight to each eye if you are using embroidered eyes. Smooth the muzzle with your fingers, then add the black nose. The expression should be calm, gentle, and slightly curious, matching the soft puppy look in the image.

Care Notes

• Spot clean with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if using safety eyes, buttons, or delicate embroidery.
• Press gently with a towel to remove moisture.
• Air dry flat in a shaded place.
• Reshape the ears, dress, hat, and purse while damp if needed.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is round, firm, and larger than the body.
• The muzzle is centered and softly raised.
• The ears are long, curly, and reach the shoulders.
• The dress has clear blue and cream stripes with a blue hem.
• The bib has two front button details.
• The apron pocket is centered and embroidered with flowers.
• The hat has a straw texture, blue band, and side accent.
• The purse hangs diagonally and rests on the side of the skirt.
• The sandals have small floral decorations.
• The toy sits upright with the legs hanging naturally.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Keep the knitted dog away from strong sunlight for long periods, because the blue stripes and tiny flower colors may fade. Store it sitting upright or lying flat, not crushed under heavier items.

If dust collects on the looped ears, shake them gently and lift the yarn curls with your fingers. Do not brush hard, because the loops may stretch. For long-term display, place the toy in a clean, dry area with good airflow.

When storing the basket, purse, and hat, keep them attached or wrap them beside the toy in tissue paper. This helps the accessories keep their shape and prevents small embroidered details from snagging.