Knitting Tutorial: Gardener Puppy in Carrot Dungarees – Free Knitting Pattern

This cheerful gardener puppy is a hand-knit toy with a spotted brown-and-white face, floppy dark ears, green carrot dungarees, a yellow striped shirt, red flower sandals, and sweet garden accessories. The set includes a strawberry crossbody bag, a straw-style sunhat with a red bow, cream gloves, a small produce basket, tiny vegetables, and ladybug hair clips.

 

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 pattern is written for a puppy doll about 11.5 inches tall from the top of the head to the bottom of the sandals. The body is knitted mostly flat and seamed, which makes it friendly for newer knitters who are still practicing shaping.

The finished look is soft, slightly rounded, and similar to the photo: a larger head, slim body, short arms, straight legs, floppy ears, and removable-style garden accessories. Use firm stuffing so the toy can hold the dungarees and bag neatly.

• Finished puppy height: about 11.5 inches / 29 cm.
• Head: about 3.25 inches wide after stuffing.
• Body: about 4.25 inches tall from neck to crotch.
• Legs: about 3.25 inches long before sandals.
• Arms: about 3 inches long.
• Hat: about 4.5 inches wide across brim.
• Basket: about 2 inches wide and 1.5 inches tall.

Skill Level

This is an intermediate beginner pattern. You should know how to knit, purl, increase, decrease, sew seams, pick up stitches, and embroider simple details. The small accessories use the same basic techniques in miniature form.

• Knitting flat on straight needles or DPNs used as straight needles.
• Basic shaping with K2tog, SSK, M1L, and M1R.
• Mattress stitch and whipstitch seaming.
• Simple embroidery for spots, carrots, flowers, toes, mouth, and ladybugs.

Yarn and Supplies

Use sport weight or light DK yarn for a small, neat toy. Choose wool or wool-blend yarn if you want the pieces to hold their shape well. Cotton can work, but it may make the doll slightly heavier and less elastic.

• Sport weight yarn in warm brown for puppy body.
• Sport weight yarn in white for muzzle, blaze, paws, socks, and toe details.
• Sport weight yarn in dark chocolate brown for ears and back head patches.
• Sport weight yarn in green for dungarees.
• Sport weight yarn in yellow and white for striped shirt.
• Sport weight yarn in red for sandals, strawberry bag, hat ribbon, and bow.
• Small amount of orange yarn for carrot embroidery and tiny carrots.
• Small amount of darker green yarn for carrot tops, strawberry leaves, and basket vegetables.
• Small amount of purple yarn for a tiny beet or radish.
• Small amount of black yarn for toes, mouth, nose accents, and ladybug spots.
• Small amount of cream or beige yarn for hat, gloves, basket, and crossbody strap.
• US 2 / 2.75 mm knitting needles.
• US 1 / 2.25 mm needles for tiny accessories if desired.
• Tapestry needle.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Two 8 mm black safety eyes or sewn yarn eyes.
• One 10 mm brown safety nose, or brown yarn for an embroidered nose.
• Two tiny beige buttons for dungaree straps.
• Optional small amount of felt or thin card for basket base support.
• Stitch markers and sewing pins.

Gauge

Gauge is important for matching the proportions. Work a small swatch in stockinette stitch. A slightly firm gauge keeps stuffing from showing through and gives the puppy a smooth toy shape.

• Gauge: 28 stitches and 38 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US 2 needles.
• Firm toy gauge: stuffing should not show between stitches.
• If your stitches are loose, use smaller needles.
• If your fabric feels stiff and hard to seam, use a slightly larger needle.

Abbreviations

• K: knit.
• P: purl.
• St / sts: stitch / stitches.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• Kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch.
• M1L: make 1 left increase.
• M1R: make 1 right increase.
• K2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• SSK: slip, slip, knit.
• P2tog: purl 2 stitches together.
• BO: bind off.
• CO: cast on.
• St st: stockinette stitch, knit RS rows and purl WS rows.

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Color Placement Notes

The puppy in the photo has a white center blaze running down the face, a white muzzle, warm brown facial spots, dark floppy ears, white paws, white lower legs, and brown limbs. The clothing and accessories add most of the color.

For a close match, keep the puppy body slim and the head slightly oversized. The head should look gentle and expressive, with the eyes set wide apart and the ears attached high on the sides.

• Face: white blaze centered from forehead to nose.
• Muzzle: white oval area shaped with duplicate stitch or color changes.
• Spots: mottled brown around both eyes, with more brown on the sides of the face.
• Ears: dark chocolate brown, floppy, rounded, and textured.
• Overalls: green short dungarees with orange carrot embroidery.
• Shirt: yellow-and-white striped short sleeves and collar.
• Shoes: red sandals with white flower decorations and black toe lines.

Head

The head is worked flat from the lower back neck upward, then shaped into a rounded puppy head. The white face blaze can be worked using intarsia or added later with duplicate stitch. Duplicate stitch is easier for beginners.

Back Head and Face Base

1. With warm brown yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: K1, Kfb, K14, Kfb, K1. 20 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, Kfb, K16, Kfb, K1. 22 sts.
6. Row 5: Purl all sts.
7. Row 6: K2, Kfb, K16, Kfb, K2. 24 sts.
8. Row 7: Purl all sts.
9. Row 8: K2, Kfb, K18, Kfb, K2. 26 sts.
10. Row 9: Purl all sts.
11. Row 10: K3, Kfb, K18, Kfb, K3. 28 sts.
12. Rows 11-18: Work in St st, starting with a purl row.
13. Row 19 WS: Purl all sts.
14. Row 20 RS: K4, SSK, K16, K2tog, K4. 26 sts.
15. Row 21: Purl all sts.
16. Row 22: K3, SSK, K16, K2tog, K3. 24 sts.
17. Row 23: Purl all sts.
18. Row 24: K2, SSK, K16, K2tog, K2. 22 sts.
19. Row 25: Purl all sts.
20. Row 26: K1, SSK, K16, K2tog, K1. 20 sts.
21. Row 27: Purl all sts.
22. Row 28: K1, SSK, K14, K2tog, K1. 18 sts.
23. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining sts and pull gently.

Front Muzzle Panel

This panel creates the rounded white muzzle that sits on the lower face. It should be lightly stuffed before sewing, so the nose area protrudes slightly like the puppy in the photo.

1. With white yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: Kfb, K6, Kfb. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K8, Kfb. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-8: Work in St st.
7. Row 9 WS: Purl all sts.
8. Row 10 RS: SSK, K8, K2tog. 10 sts.
9. Row 11: Purl all sts.
10. Row 12: SSK, K6, K2tog. 8 sts.
11. Row 13: Purl all sts.
12. BO all sts loosely.

White Face Blaze

The blaze is the vertical white stripe between the eyes. It is narrow at the top, slightly wider over the forehead, then blends into the muzzle. Work it with duplicate stitch after the head is stuffed.

• Mark the center line of the face with pins.
• Using white yarn, duplicate stitch over 3 center sts for 8 rows above the muzzle.
• Widen to 5 sts for 4 rows on the upper forehead.
• Narrow back to 3 sts for 3 rows near the top of the head.
• Keep the edges softly uneven to imitate the handmade spotted look.

Brown Face Spots

The face in the photo has irregular brown markings around the eyes. Use duplicate stitch in warm brown and a few dark brown stitches to make soft, speckled patches.

• Left eye patch: duplicate stitch a rounded patch about 7 sts wide and 8 rows tall.
• Right eye patch: duplicate stitch a slightly taller patch about 6 sts wide and 9 rows tall.
• Add 6 to 10 single dark brown duplicate stitches around each patch for texture.
• Do not make both sides perfectly identical; a natural spotted look is best.

Body

The body is a simple pear-shaped piece, narrow at the neck and wider at the hips. The dungarees cover most of it, but the shaping matters because the puppy should sit neatly inside the outfit.

1. With warm brown yarn, CO 16 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: K1, Kfb, K12, Kfb, K1. 18 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, Kfb, K14, Kfb, K1. 20 sts.
6. Row 5: Purl all sts.
7. Row 6: K2, Kfb, K14, Kfb, K2. 22 sts.
8. Row 7: Purl all sts.
9. Row 8: K2, Kfb, K16, Kfb, K2. 24 sts.
10. Rows 9-20: Work in St st.
11. Row 21 WS: Purl all sts.
12. Row 22 RS: K3, SSK, K14, K2tog, K3. 22 sts.
13. Row 23: Purl all sts.
14. Row 24: K2, SSK, K14, K2tog, K2. 20 sts.
15. Rows 25-30: Work in St st.
16. Row 31 WS: Purl all sts.
17. Row 32 RS: K2, SSK, K12, K2tog, K2. 18 sts.
18. Row 33: Purl all sts.
19. Row 34: K2, SSK, K10, K2tog, K2. 16 sts.
20. BO all sts.

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Make a second body piece the same way. Sew the two body pieces together around the sides, leaving the neck open. Stuff firmly at the hips and more gently near the neck.

Legs

The legs are straight and narrow with white sock sections at the bottom. They are mostly hidden by the green shorts, but the visible lower legs should show warm brown above white sock cuffs.

Make Two Legs

1. With white yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: Work in K1, P1 rib for a small sock cuff.
3. Change to warm brown yarn.
4. Rows 5-18: Work in St st.
5. Row 19 RS: K2, Kfb, K6, Kfb, K2. 14 sts.
6. Rows 20-28: Work in St st.
7. Row 29 RS: K2, SSK, K6, K2tog, K2. 12 sts.
8. Row 30 WS: Purl all sts.
9. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for seaming.

Fold each leg lengthwise with right sides together. Sew the back seam from ankle to top. Turn right side out and stuff firmly, leaving the top slightly flatter for easier attachment.

Feet and Red Sandals

The photo shows red open-toe sandals with white flower details and black toe lines. Knit the foot in white, then add a red sandal top and small flower embellishment.

White Foot Base, Make Two

1. With white yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: Kfb, K8, Kfb. 12 sts.
4. Rows 3-8: Work in St st.
5. Row 9 WS: Purl all sts.
6. Row 10 RS: SSK, K8, K2tog. 10 sts.
7. Row 11 WS: Purl all sts.
8. Row 12 RS: SSK, K6, K2tog. 8 sts.
9. BO all sts.

Red Sandal Strap, Make Two

1. With red yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1-3: Knit all sts.
3. Row 4: K2tog, K10, K2tog. 12 sts.
4. Row 5: Knit all sts.
5. BO all sts.

• Sew each white foot to the bottom of a leg.
• Sew the red sandal strap across the front of the foot, leaving the white toes visible.
• With black yarn, embroider three short vertical toe lines on each foot.
• With white yarn, make five tiny lazy daisy stitches on the outer side of each sandal.
• Use yellow yarn for one small stitch in the center of each flower.

Arms

The arms are slim with warm brown upper sections and white paws. They hang down beside the body and should be lightly stuffed so they stay soft and poseable.

Make Two Arms

1. With white yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: Work in St st.
3. Change to warm brown yarn.
4. Row 7 RS: Kfb, K8, Kfb. 12 sts.
5. Rows 8-24: Work in St st.
6. Row 25 RS: SSK, K8, K2tog. 10 sts.
7. Row 26 WS: Purl all sts.
8. BO all sts.

• Fold each arm lengthwise and sew the side seam.
• Stuff the paw and lower arm lightly.
• Leave the top 0.5 inch unstuffed for flat shoulder attachment.
• With black yarn, embroider three tiny claw lines on each white paw.

Floppy Ears

The ears are dark chocolate brown and soft, with rounded ends. In the photo, they sit high on the head and flop outward. Knit them in garter stitch for a plush, textured edge.

Make Two Ears

1. With dark chocolate brown yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Knit all sts.
3. Row 3: Kfb, K6, Kfb. 10 sts.
4. Rows 4-6: Knit all sts.
5. Row 7: Kfb, K8, Kfb. 12 sts.
6. Rows 8-18: Knit all sts.
7. Row 19: SSK, K8, K2tog. 10 sts.
8. Rows 20-22: Knit all sts.
9. Row 23: SSK, K6, K2tog. 8 sts.
10. Row 24: Knit all sts.
11. Row 25: SSK, K4, K2tog. 6 sts.
12. BO all sts.

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For thicker ears, make four ear pieces instead of two. Sew two pieces together for each ear, leaving the cast-on edge open. Do not stuff the ears. Attach them high on the sides of the head.

Tail

The tail is small and may peek out behind the dungarees. Keep it short and gently curved, because the front view in the photo focuses on the outfit and accessories.

1. With warm brown yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1-10: Work in St st.
3. Row 11: K2tog across. 4 sts.
4. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and pull closed.
5. Sew the side seam and stuff lightly.
6. Attach to the back body, just above the dungaree shorts line.

Yellow and White Striped Shirt

The shirt is visible under the dungarees. It has short sleeves and horizontal yellow-and-white stripes. Work the shirt as a small top that slides over the body before the head is attached.

Shirt Front

1. With yellow yarn, CO 24 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Knit all sts for lower edge.
3. Rows 3-4: Work in St st with white yarn.
4. Rows 5-6: Work in St st with yellow yarn.
5. Rows 7-8: Work in St st with white yarn.
6. Rows 9-10: Work in St st with yellow yarn.
7. Row 11 RS: K4, BO 4 sts, K8, BO 4 sts, K4. This creates arm openings.
8. Row 12 WS: P4, CO 4 sts, P8, CO 4 sts, P4. 24 sts.
9. Rows 13-14: Work in St st with white yarn.
10. Rows 15-16: Work in St st with yellow yarn.
11. Row 17 RS: K6, BO 12 sts, K6. Neck opening.
12. Place first 6 sts on a holder and work second shoulder first.
13. Rows 18-20 on shoulder: Work 3 rows in St st.
14. BO shoulder sts.
15. Rejoin yarn to held 6 sts and work 3 rows in St st.
16. BO shoulder sts.

Shirt Back

1. Work the same as shirt front through Row 16.
2. Row 17 RS: K8, BO 8 sts, K8.
3. Work each shoulder for 3 rows in St st.
4. BO each shoulder.

Sleeves, Make Two

1. With yellow yarn, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Knit all sts.
3. Rows 3-4: Work in St st with white yarn.
4. Rows 5-6: Work in St st with yellow yarn.
5. Rows 7-8: Work in St st with white yarn.
6. BO all sts loosely.

• Sew one shoulder seam.
• Pick up and knit 28 sts around the neck with yellow yarn.
• Knit 2 rows, then BO loosely for the collar.
• Sew the second shoulder seam.
• Sew sleeves into arm openings.
• Sew side seams, leaving the lower edge open.

Green Carrot Dungarees

The dungarees are the main clothing piece. They are green, short-legged, and decorated with small orange carrots. The straps cross over the shoulders and fasten with two small beige buttons at the front.

Left Shorts Leg

1. With green yarn, CO 20 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: Knit all sts for the cuff.
3. Rows 5-10: Work in St st.
4. Row 11 RS: K18, M1R, K2. 21 sts.
5. Row 12 WS: Purl all sts.
6. Place sts on a holder.

Right Shorts Leg

1. With green yarn, CO 20 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: Knit all sts for the cuff.
3. Rows 5-10: Work in St st.
4. Row 11 RS: K2, M1L, K18. 21 sts.
5. Row 12 WS: Purl all sts.
6. Do not cut yarn.

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Join Shorts and Bib Front

1. With RS facing, knit across right leg 21 sts.
2. CO 2 sts for crotch bridge.
3. Knit across left leg 21 sts. 44 sts.
4. Rows 14-20: Work in St st.
5. Row 21 RS: K4, SSK, K32, K2tog, K4. 42 sts.
6. Row 22 WS: Purl all sts.
7. Row 23 RS: K4, SSK, K30, K2tog, K4. 40 sts.
8. Rows 24-28: Work in St st.
9. Row 29 RS: K10, BO 20 sts, K10.
10. Work the first 10 sts for the left bib side.
11. Rows 30-35: Work in St st on 10 sts.
12. Row 36 RS: K2, SSK, K2, K2tog, K2. 8 sts.
13. Row 37 WS: Purl all sts.
14. Row 38 RS: K2, SSK, K2tog, K2. 6 sts.
15. Rows 39-42: Work in St st.
16. BO 6 sts.
17. Rejoin yarn to the second 10 sts and repeat for the right bib side.

Dungaree Back

1. Work two legs and join exactly as for the front through Row 28.
2. Rows 29-36: Work in St st across all 40 sts.
3. Row 37 RS: K5, SSK, K26, K2tog, K5. 38 sts.
4. Row 38 WS: Purl all sts.
5. Row 39 RS: K5, SSK, K24, K2tog, K5. 36 sts.
6. Rows 40-42: Work in St st.
7. BO all sts.

Shoulder Straps, Make Two

1. With green yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Rows 1-34: Knit all sts.
3. Row 35: K2, YO, K2tog, K2 to form a buttonhole.
4. Rows 36-38: Knit all sts.
5. BO all sts.

• Sew front and back dungaree pieces together at side seams and inner leg seams.
• Slip dungarees onto the puppy over the shirt.
• Sew straps to the upper back edge, crossing slightly if desired.
• Bring straps over the shoulders to the front bib.
• Sew two small beige buttons to the front bib.
• Button or stitch straps in place securely.

Carrot Embroidery on Dungarees

The dungarees in the photo have scattered orange carrot motifs. Keep the carrots small and vertical, placed over the bib and shorts without making the front too crowded.

• Use orange yarn to stitch 8 small carrots on the front.
• Each carrot is 3 duplicate stitches tall and 1 stitch wide at the bottom.
• Add one diagonal orange stitch on each side for a tapered carrot shape.
• Use green yarn to stitch 2 short leaves at the top of each carrot.
• Place 2 carrots on the bib, 3 on the left shorts leg, and 3 on the right shorts leg.

Strawberry Crossbody Bag

The strawberry bag hangs diagonally across the puppy’s body. The fruit is red with tiny white seed stitches and green leaves at the top. A beige knitted strap crosses from shoulder to opposite hip.

Strawberry Body

1. With red yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: Kfb, K6, Kfb. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K8, Kfb. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-10: Work in St st.
7. Row 11 WS: Purl all sts.
8. Row 12 RS: SSK, K8, K2tog. 10 sts.
9. Row 13 WS: Purl all sts.
10. Row 14 RS: SSK, K6, K2tog. 8 sts.
11. Row 15 WS: Purl all sts.
12. Row 16 RS: SSK, K4, K2tog. 6 sts.
13. Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts.

Make a second strawberry body piece the same way. Sew the two pieces together, leaving a small top opening. Stuff very lightly so it looks like a soft purse, not a hard ball.

Strawberry Leaves

1. With green yarn, CO 15 sts.
2. Row 1: K3, turn, P3, turn, SSK, K1, pass first st over. One point made.
3. Rejoin yarn to remaining sts and repeat the 3-st point four more times.
4. After five points are made, sew the leaf strip to the top of the strawberry.

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Bag Strap

1. With beige yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Knit every row until the strap measures 12 inches.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one end to each side of the strawberry top.
5. Position strap diagonally from the puppy’s left shoulder to right hip.

• Use white yarn to embroider 9 to 12 tiny seed stitches on the strawberry.
• Keep the seeds staggered in vertical rows.
• Sew the strawberry bag lightly to the dungarees if the toy is for display.

Sunhat with Red Ribbon

The sunhat is beige with a round crown, soft brim, and red ribbon bow. It sits beside the puppy in the photo, but you may size it to fit loosely on the head.

Hat Crown

1. With beige yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: Kfb in each st. 16 sts.
4. Row 3 WS: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4 RS: K1, Kfb across to last st, K1. 30 sts.
6. Row 5 WS: Purl all sts.
7. Row 6 RS: K2, Kfb across to last 2 sts, K2. 43 sts.
8. Rows 7-16: Work in St st.
9. Row 17 RS: K2, K2tog across to last 3 sts, K3. 33 sts.
10. Row 18 WS: Purl all sts.
11. BO all sts loosely.

Hat Brim

1. With beige yarn, CO 60 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: Knit all sts.
3. Row 5 RS: K5, M1R across to last 5 sts, K5. About 70 sts.
4. Rows 6-10: Knit all sts.
5. Row 11 RS: K8, M1R across to last 6 sts, K6. About 78 sts.
6. Rows 12-16: Knit all sts.
7. BO all sts loosely.

• Sew the brim into a ring.
• Sew the crown into the center opening of the brim.
• Shape the brim gently with your fingers so it curves upward slightly.
• For a visible woven look, embroider 8 long beige spokes from the crown center outward.

Red Ribbon and Bow

1. With red yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Knit every row until the ribbon measures 9 inches.
3. BO all sts.
4. Wrap around the hat base and sew ends at one side.
5. For bow loops, CO 5 sts and knit 12 rows. BO. Make two.
6. For bow tails, CO 4 sts and knit 9 rows. BO. Make two.
7. Pinch bow loops at the center and wrap with red yarn.
8. Sew loops and tails over the ribbon join.

Cream Garden Gloves

The gloves are small flat accessories that sit beside the hat. They are cream colored with brown cuff accents. Each glove has four fingers and a thumb.

Make Two Gloves

1. With cream yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: Work in K1, P1 rib.
3. Rows 5-10: Work in St st.
4. Row 11 RS: K3, BO 2 sts, K2, BO 2 sts, K2, BO 2 sts, K3.
5. Row 12 WS: P3, CO 2 sts, P2, CO 2 sts, P2, CO 2 sts, P3.
6. Rows 13-14: Work in St st.
7. BO all sts.

Thumbs, Make Two

1. With cream yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: Work in St st.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one thumb to the side of each glove.

• Use backstitch between finger sections to define four fingers.
• With warm brown yarn, embroider one cuff stripe on each glove.
• Block gently so the gloves lie flat beside the puppy.

Small Garden Basket

The basket is beige and sits to the puppy’s right side in the photo. It is shallow, rounded, and filled with tiny knitted vegetables. Knit it firmly so it can hold its shape.

Basket Base

1. With beige yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: Knit all sts.
3. Row 5: Kfb, K8, Kfb. 12 sts.
4. Rows 6-10: Knit all sts.
5. Row 11: SSK, K8, K2tog. 10 sts.
6. Rows 12-14: Knit all sts.
7. BO all sts.

Basket Side

1. With beige yarn, CO 40 sts.
2. Rows 1-3: Knit all sts.
3. Rows 4-12: Work in seed stitch: K1, P1 across, then P the knits and K the purls on the next row.
4. Rows 13-15: Knit all sts.
5. BO all sts.

Basket Handle

1. With beige yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Knit every row until handle measures 5 inches.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew each end to opposite sides of the basket.

• Sew the basket side into a ring.
• Sew the ring around the basket base.
• If desired, place a small oval of felt or thin card inside the bottom.
• Curve the handle upward and secure with a few hidden stitches.

Tiny Vegetables for the Basket

The basket contains small colorful vegetables: orange carrots, green leafy pieces, and a purple round vegetable. These are quick pieces, but they add a lot of charm to the finished gardener set.

Mini Carrots, Make Three

1. With orange yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Work in St st.
3. Row 3 RS: SSK, K2, K2tog. 4 sts.
4. Row 4 WS: Purl all sts.
5. Row 5 RS: K2tog twice. 2 sts.
6. Cut yarn and pull through sts.
7. Sew side seam to make a cone.

Carrot Tops

1. With green yarn, CO 9 sts.
2. BO all sts loosely.
3. Fold into three small loops and sew to the carrot top.
4. Repeat for each carrot.

Purple Beet or Radish

1. With purple yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: Kfb in each st. 16 sts.
4. Rows 3-6: Work in St st.
5. Row 7 RS: K2tog across. 8 sts.
6. Cut yarn, thread through sts, stuff lightly, and close.
7. Add 3 green yarn loops at the top for leaves.

Leafy Greens, Make Three

1. With green yarn, CO 7 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: Kfb, K5, Kfb. 9 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts.
6. Row 5: SSK, K5, K2tog. 7 sts.
7. BO all sts.
8. Pinch the base and sew it closed to form a leafy bunch.

Ladybug Hair Clips

The puppy has two tiny red-and-black ladybugs near the ears. Knit or embroider them as small appliqués and sew one at the top of each ear base.

Ladybug Body, Make Two

1. With red yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: Kfb, K4, Kfb. 8 sts.
4. Rows 3-4: Work in St st.
5. Row 5 RS: SSK, K4, K2tog. 6 sts.
6. BO all sts.

Ladybug Head, Make Two

1. With black yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Knit all sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew the black head to the top of the red body.

• Use black yarn to embroider a center line down each red body.
• Add three tiny black French knots or straight stitches on each wing side.
• Add two small white stitches on the black head for eyes.
• Sew one ladybug at each upper ear base, as shown in the image.

Facial Features

The expression should be gentle and slightly surprised. Place the eyes wide apart, with the white blaze centered between them. The nose sits at the top of the white muzzle.

• Insert or sew eyes between Rows 15 and 16 of the head, about 8 sts apart.
• Sew the white muzzle panel to the lower front face, centered under the eyes.
• Stuff the muzzle lightly before closing the final stitches.
• Place the brown nose at the top center of the muzzle.
• With black yarn, embroider a short vertical line under the nose.
• Add a tiny curved mouth, no wider than 4 sts.
• Add a few small brown freckles on the white muzzle if desired.

Making the Puppy Look Like the Photo

After knitting all major pieces, take time to shape the toy by pinning before sewing. The head should sit upright and slightly forward. The ears should hang outward, not straight down.

• Attach legs at the lower body front, about 5 sts apart.
• Attach arms at the upper body sides, just below the shirt sleeves.
• Attach the head firmly to the neck opening with several rounds of stitching.
• Attach ears high, with the cast-on edge slightly curved.
• Dress the puppy in the shirt first, then the dungarees.
• Place the strawberry bag strap from the puppy’s right shoulder to left hip, or reverse to match your preferred front view.

Step-by-Step Assembly Order

1. Knit the head, muzzle, body, legs, feet, arms, ears, and tail.
2. Sew and stuff the body pieces, then attach legs.
3. Sew feet to legs and add red sandal straps.
4. Sew and stuff arms lightly, then attach to body sides.
5. Sew the head seam, stuff the head, and close securely.
6. Add the muzzle panel, eyes, nose, mouth, face blaze, and brown spots.
7. Attach the head to the body with strong, hidden stitches.
8. Sew ears to the head and shape them outward.
9. Knit and seam the striped shirt, then dress the puppy.
10. Knit and seam the green dungarees, then dress the puppy over the shirt.
11. Add carrot embroidery and front buttons.
12. Make the strawberry bag, sunhat, gloves, basket, vegetables, and ladybugs.
13. Attach ladybugs near the ears and place accessories around the puppy.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Use matching yarn tails whenever possible for neat seams. For the face, work slowly and check the expression after every few stitches. Small changes in eye height, muzzle placement, or mouth curve can change the puppy’s personality.

• Keep the blaze centered and vertical.
• Do not overstuff the muzzle; it should be rounded but soft.
• Use tiny stitches when securing the ears so they remain floppy.
• Steam lightly from a distance only if your yarn allows it.
• Trim yarn ends carefully and bury them deep inside the toy.

Care Notes

This knitted gardener puppy is best used as a decorative toy or gentle handmade keepsake. If making it for a child, replace safety eyes and nose with embroidered features, and sew every accessory securely.

• Spot clean with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not wring or twist the toy.
• Press gently in a towel to remove moisture.
• Dry flat in a shaded, airy place.
• Reshape the ears, hat brim, and basket while damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is firmly attached and does not wobble.
• Eyes are level and evenly spaced.
• White blaze runs neatly between the eyes.
• Muzzle is centered under the nose.
• Ears are attached high and floppy.
• Dungarees fit over the shirt without pulling.
• Carrot embroidery is scattered across bib and shorts.
• Strawberry bag hangs diagonally across the body.
• Sandals show white toes, black toe lines, and flower details.
• Hat, gloves, basket, vegetables, and ladybugs are complete.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished puppy away from direct sunlight to protect the red, green, and yellow yarns from fading. Keep the small accessories together in a soft cotton bag when not displayed.

• Use a lint roller gently to remove dust from the clothing.
• Refresh flattened stuffing by gently massaging the body and head.
• Avoid hanging the toy by the bag strap or arms.
• Keep away from pets that may chew small buttons or accessories.
• For long-term storage, wrap in acid-free tissue and keep in a dry box.

Your Gardener Puppy in Carrot Dungarees is now ready to display with her sunhat, gloves, basket of vegetables, ladybug clips, red sandals, and strawberry bag. The many tiny details make this project special, so enjoy the finishing process as much as the knitting.