Knitting Tutorial: Beagle Puppy in Daisy Cardigan and Cream Garden Dress – Free Knitting Pattern.

This sweet knitted keepsake is a soft puppy-inspired garden doll with a rounded cream face, floppy ears, glossy safety eyes, a fluffy white bonnet, a sage green cable cardigan, a cream embroidered meadow dress, a tiny brown crossbody bag, ribbed legs, and strapped sandals. The finished scene also includes a round blue sun cushion and a small yarn basket for a cozy handmade display.

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

• Main doll height: about 11 in / 28 cm from top of bonnet to bottom of sandals.
• Head width: about 4.5 in / 11.5 cm after stuffing.
• Dress length: about 4 in / 10 cm from neckline to hem.
• Cardigan width: about 5.25 in / 13.5 cm across the chest when laid flat.
• Crossbody bag: about 1.5 in / 4 cm wide.
• Round blue cushion: about 4 in / 10 cm across.
• Yarn basket: about 2 in / 5 cm wide.

Skill Level

This pattern is written for a confident beginner to intermediate knitter. The doll body uses small pieces, shaping, seaming, and neat stuffing. The cardigan uses simple cable panels. The dress uses stockinette stitch with duplicate stitch and embroidery for the tiny garden flowers.

Most parts are knitted flat and seamed. The face and small decorations are added at the end, which makes the project easier to control. Work slowly, count your stitches often, and use removable markers to keep the shaping even.

Materials

• Yarn weight: fingering or sport weight yarn. Use the same yarn weight for all main doll pieces.
• Main face and paws: warm oatmeal beige, about 35 yd.
• Bonnet and fluffy head ring: soft ivory or white, about 25 yd.
• Dress: cream, about 55 yd.
• Cardigan: sage green, about 45 yd.
• Legs: pale beige or cream, about 25 yd.
• Bag and sandals: chestnut brown, about 25 yd.
• Small embroidery colors: rose pink, red, mustard yellow, olive green, dark green, blue, and tan scraps.
• Needles: US 2 / 2.75 mm straight needles or DPNs for flat knitting.
• Optional smaller needles: US 1 / 2.25 mm for firm straps and tiny flowers.
• Safety eyes: two black 8 mm eyes, or use black yarn embroidery for a child-safe version.
• Stuffing: polyester fiberfill.
• Other tools: tapestry needle, stitch markers, small cable needle, sewing pins, scissors, black embroidery thread, blush pencil if desired, one tiny button for bag flap, and two tiny red buttons for dress front.

Gauge

Using US 2 / 2.75 mm needles in stockinette stitch, aim for 7 stitches and 9 rows per 1 in / 2.5 cm. A firm gauge is important because stuffed toys need tight stitches. If your fabric looks loose, move down one needle size.

The exact gauge is less important than creating a dense fabric. The finished doll should feel soft but not floppy. The head, body, arms, and legs should keep their rounded shape after stuffing.

Abbreviations

• BO: bind off.
• CO: cast on.
• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• st / sts: stitch / stitches.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• ssk: slip 1, slip 1, knit slipped stitches together through back loop.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• p2tog: purl 2 stitches together.
• m1L: make 1 left increase.
• m1R: make 1 right increase.
• sl1: slip 1 stitch purlwise.
• C4F: slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold in front, k2, k2 from cable needle.
• C4B: slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold in back, k2, k2 from cable needle.

Construction Notes

The doll is built from separate knitted shapes. The head is a rounded oval with a slightly wider cheek area. The muzzle is embroidered directly onto the lower face, then lightly sculpted with thread to create the soft puppy expression shown in the image.

The bonnet is worked as a white textured ring and cap around the face. It should sit like a fluffy hood, framing the eyes and cheeks. The ears are attached at each side under the bonnet edge, angled slightly downward.

The cream dress is worked as a flared skirt and bodice. The flower border is added after knitting with short embroidered stems, leaves, French-knot-style dots, and small lazy-daisy petals. The green cardigan is separate and sits open at the front.

Main Head

Use warm oatmeal beige yarn. Knit the head flat, then seam down the back. Stuff firmly but gently so the front face remains smooth.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: purl all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: k1, m1R, k10, m1L, k1. 14 sts.
4. Row 3: purl all sts.
5. Row 4: k1, m1R, k12, m1L, k1. 16 sts.
6. Row 5: purl all sts.
7. Row 6: k2, m1R, k12, m1L, k2. 18 sts.
8. Row 7: purl all sts.
9. Row 8: k2, m1R, k14, m1L, k2. 20 sts.
10. Row 9: purl all sts.
11. Row 10: k3, m1R, k14, m1L, k3. 22 sts.
12. Row 11: purl all sts.
13. Row 12: k3, m1R, k16, m1L, k3. 24 sts.
14. Rows 13 to 24: work in stockinette stitch, starting with a purl row.
15. Row 25: p6, p2tog, p8, p2tog, p6. 22 sts.
16. Row 26: k5, k2tog, k8, ssk, k5. 20 sts.
17. Row 27: purl all sts.
18. Row 28: k4, k2tog, k8, ssk, k4. 18 sts.
19. Row 29: purl all sts.
20. Row 30: k3, k2tog, k8, ssk, k3. 16 sts.
21. Row 31: p2, p2tog, p8, p2tog, p2. 14 sts.
22. Row 32: k1, k2tog, k8, ssk, k1. 12 sts.
23. Cut yarn, leaving a 12 in tail. Thread through remaining sts, pull snug, and seam the back of the head.

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Stuff the head through the lower opening before closing completely. Shape the cheeks by adding a little extra stuffing to the lower front. The head should be wider across the eyes and cheeks than at the top.

Face Shaping and Muzzle

The face in the image has a tiny V-shaped nose and a soft vertical line down the center. Use black embroidery thread or thin black yarn for this detail.

1. Place safety eyes between Rows 16 and 17 of the head, 8 sts apart.
2. Before locking the washers, check that the eyes sit level and slightly wide apart.
3. Thread beige yarn through the back of the head and pull gently under each eye to create a mild indentation.
4. For the nose, embroider a small black V shape centered between the eyes, about 4 rows below them.
5. Add one straight vertical stitch from the bottom of the V down 3 rows.
6. Add a tiny curved smile by making one short diagonal stitch on each side of the lower nose line.
7. Using black thread, stitch one soft eyebrow above each eye. Each brow should be about 4 stitches long and angled gently upward.

Do not over-tighten the sculpting thread. The expression should stay sweet and relaxed. The face should look rounded and calm, with the nose placed low enough to keep the puppy-like baby look.

Floppy Ears

Make two ears in warm oatmeal beige. Each ear is oval, soft, and slightly cupped. The ears should hang outward from the bonnet edge.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: purl all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: k1, m1R, k6, m1L, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: purl all sts.
5. Row 4: k1, m1R, k8, m1L, k1. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 13: stockinette stitch.
7. Row 14: k2, k2tog, k4, ssk, k2. 10 sts.
8. Row 15: purl all sts.
9. Row 16: k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1. 8 sts.
10. Row 17: purl all sts.
11. Row 18: k2tog, k4, ssk. 6 sts.
12. BO loosely.

Fold each ear lightly lengthwise and stitch the cast-on edge into a small gathered base. Sew the ears to the sides of the head between Rows 14 and 18, tucking the base under the white bonnet ring.

White Bonnet and Fluffy Head Ring

The image shows a white woolly hood framing the face. Use ivory or white yarn. For extra softness, use a brushed mohair-style strand held with your main yarn, or work garter ridges with regular yarn.

Bonnet Cap

1. CO 36 sts in white.
2. Rows 1 to 4: knit all sts for a soft garter edge.
3. Row 5 RS: k4, p28, k4.
4. Row 6 WS: knit all sts.
5. Repeat Rows 5 and 6 until the piece measures 2.25 in / 5.5 cm.
6. Next RS: k4, k2tog across center section until 18 center sts remain reduced to 14, k4. 22 sts total.
7. Next WS: knit all sts.
8. Next RS: k2tog across. 11 sts.
9. Cut yarn, thread through sts, pull tight, and seam the back.

Place the bonnet over the top and back of the head, leaving the face open. Sew invisibly around the back and sides. Let the white edge sit just above the eyebrows and curve around the cheeks.

Fluffy Face Ring

1. CO 46 sts in white.
2. Rows 1 to 3: knit all sts.
3. Row 4: BO loosely knitwise.
4. Use the long strip as a raised ring around the face opening.
5. Sew it around the bonnet edge, beginning under one ear, curving over the forehead, and ending under the second ear.

The ring should look puffy, not flat. Take small stitches only along the lower edge of the strip so the outer edge lifts slightly like the plush white border in the reference image.

Small Berry Decoration on Bonnet

The top right side of the bonnet has a tiny cluster of berries and leaves. Make this small so it does not overpower the face.

• Red berry: CO 6 sts in red, knit 4 rows, cut yarn, gather all edges into a ball, stuff with yarn scraps, and close.
• Blue berry: CO 5 sts in navy blue, knit 3 rows, gather into a smaller ball, and close.
• Leaf: CO 3 sts in green, k1, m1, k1, m1, k1 on Row 2, purl Row 3, k2tog, k1, ssk on Row 4, then BO.
• Sew the red berry, blue berry, and leaf to the upper right side of the bonnet.

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Body

The body is hidden under the dress, but it gives the doll a stable shape. Use oatmeal beige yarn for the upper body. Keep the body slightly narrower than the head.

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: purl all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: k2, m1R, k14, m1L, k2. 20 sts.
4. Row 3: purl all sts.
5. Row 4: k3, m1R, k14, m1L, k3. 22 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 16: stockinette stitch.
7. Row 17: p5, p2tog, p8, p2tog, p5. 20 sts.
8. Row 18: k4, k2tog, k8, ssk, k4. 18 sts.
9. Rows 19 to 22: stockinette stitch.
10. BO all sts, leaving a long sewing tail.

Seam the back of the body. Stuff firmly enough to support the dress and cardigan. Sew the head to the body with several rounds of strong stitches, making sure the face points straight forward.

Legs

Make two slim legs in pale beige or cream. The legs in the image are long, straight, and ribbed slightly by the stitch texture.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: work k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 5 to 30: stockinette stitch.
4. Row 31: k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1. 8 sts.
5. Row 32: purl all sts.
6. BO all sts.

Seam each leg into a tube. Stuff lightly, keeping the legs slim. Sew the tops of the legs to the lower body, spaced about 4 sts apart at the center front.

Arms and Paws

Make two arms with beige paws and sage green sleeves. Each arm hangs softly downward from the cardigan sleeve area.

1. With beige yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: stockinette stitch.
3. Change to sage green.
4. Rows 5 to 22: stockinette stitch.
5. Row 23: k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1. 6 sts.
6. Row 24: purl all sts.
7. BO all sts.

Seam each arm and stuff lightly. Keep the beige paw rounded. Sew the arms to the shoulders after the dress is in place but before attaching the cardigan front edges, so the sleeves sit naturally.

Cream Garden Dress

The dress is one of the most important details. It has a plain cream bodice, a gently flared skirt, and a garden flower border near the hem. The dress should cover the body and upper legs, ending above the sandals.

Dress Skirt

1. CO 54 sts in cream.
2. Rows 1 to 4: knit all sts for a garter hem.
3. Row 5 RS: knit all sts.
4. Row 6 WS: purl all sts.
5. Rows 7 to 22: continue stockinette stitch.
6. Row 23 RS: k4, k2tog, repeat from k4, k2tog across. 45 sts.
7. Row 24 WS: purl all sts.
8. Row 25 RS: k3, k2tog, repeat from k3, k2tog across. 36 sts.
9. Row 26 WS: purl all sts.
10. Row 27 RS: k2, k2tog, repeat from k2, k2tog across. 27 sts.
11. Row 28 WS: purl all sts.

Dress Bodice

1. Continue with 27 sts.
2. Rows 29 to 34: stockinette stitch.
3. Row 35 RS armhole shaping: k6, BO 3, k9, BO 3, k6.
4. Row 36 WS: p6, CO 3 over gap, p9, CO 3 over gap, p6. 27 sts.
5. Rows 37 to 42: stockinette stitch.
6. Rows 43 to 46: knit all sts for a small neckline ridge.
7. BO loosely.

Seam the back of the dress from the hem up to the waist, leaving the top back open enough to slide onto the doll. Put the dress on the body, then close the upper back with small removable stitches or a tiny snap.

Tiny Red Buttons and Front Detail

• Sew two tiny red buttons at the upper front center of the dress.
• With olive green yarn, embroider two small vertical vine stitches below the buttons.
• With cream yarn, add one straight stitch between the buttons to imitate the center placket.

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Embroidered Garden Flower Border

The lower dress has a row of scattered flowers in red, rose, yellow, and soft pink. Work the embroidery after the dress is seamed and placed flat. Keep the flowers uneven and natural, like a meadow.

1. Thread olive green yarn. Make 12 to 15 vertical stems between Rows 6 and 14 above the hem.
2. For each stem, work one straight stitch upward for 3 to 5 rows.
3. Add tiny leaves with short diagonal stitches on both sides of selected stems.
4. Use red yarn to make small flower dots on 4 stems.
5. Use rose pink yarn to make 5-petal lazy-daisy flowers on 3 stems.
6. Use mustard yellow yarn to make 3 small daisy centers.
7. Use pale pink yarn to scatter tiny buds between the larger flowers.
8. Add a few dark green short stitches at the base to imitate grass.

Do not make the flower row perfectly even. The charm comes from the mixed height and spacing. Keep most of the embroidery near the lower third of the skirt, leaving the center of the dress clean and cream.

Sage Green Cable Cardigan

The cardigan is cropped, open-front, and sage green. It has textured cable panels running down both fronts and plain sleeves. It should sit over the cream dress without closing completely.

Back Panel

1. CO 24 sts in sage green.
2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 5 to 22: stockinette stitch.
4. Row 23 RS: k5, BO 4, k6, BO 4, k5.
5. Row 24 WS: p5, CO 4, p6, CO 4, p5. 24 sts.
6. Rows 25 to 30: stockinette stitch.
7. BO all sts.

Left Front

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
3. Row 5 RS: k4, p2, k6, k2.
4. Row 6 WS: p2, p6, k2, p4.
5. Row 7 RS: C4F over first 4 knit sts, p2, k6, k2.
6. Row 8 WS: p2, p6, k2, p4.
7. Rows 9 to 14: repeat Rows 5 and 6 three times.
8. Row 15 RS: repeat cable row.
9. Rows 16 to 24: maintain pattern.
10. Row 25 neckline: BO 3 sts at front edge, work to end. 11 sts.
11. Row 26: work even.
12. Row 27: BO 2 sts at front edge, work to end. 9 sts.
13. Rows 28 to 30: work even.
14. BO all sts.

Right Front

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
3. Row 5 RS: k2, k6, p2, k4.
4. Row 6 WS: p4, k2, p6, p2.
5. Row 7 RS: k2, k6, p2, C4B over final 4 knit sts.
6. Row 8 WS: p4, k2, p6, p2.
7. Rows 9 to 24: continue as for left front, mirroring cable direction.
8. Row 25 neckline: work to final 3 sts, BO 3 sts. 11 sts.
9. Row 26: work even.
10. Row 27: work to final 2 sts, BO 2 sts. 9 sts.
11. Rows 28 to 30: work even.
12. BO all sts.

Cardigan Sleeves

Make two sleeves. The sleeves are simple and slightly loose, with beige paws peeking out below them.

1. CO 14 sts in sage green.
2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 5 to 20: stockinette stitch.
4. Row 21: k1, k2tog, k8, ssk, k1. 12 sts.
5. Row 22: purl all sts.
6. BO all sts.

Cardigan Assembly

1. Block the cardigan pieces lightly with steam held above the fabric.
2. Sew shoulder seams, joining each front to the back.
3. Sew sleeves into armholes.
4. Close sleeve seams and side seams.
5. Place cardigan on doll over the dress.
6. Tack the cardigan at the shoulders and underarms so it stays open neatly.

The front edges should curve outward slightly, revealing the cream dress underneath. Do not sew the cardigan shut. The open shape is part of the look.

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Brown Crossbody Bag

The bag is small, rounded, and textured. It sits on the doll’s left hip with a long brown strap crossing from the right shoulder to the left side.

Bag Body

1. CO 12 sts in chestnut brown.
2. Rows 1 to 4: knit all sts.
3. Rows 5 to 14: stockinette stitch.
4. Row 15: k2, k2tog, k4, ssk, k2. 10 sts.
5. Row 16: purl all sts.
6. Row 17: k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1. 8 sts.
7. Row 18: purl all sts.
8. BO all sts.

Bag Flap

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 5: knit all sts.
3. Row 6: k2tog, k6, ssk. 8 sts.
4. Row 7: knit all sts.
5. BO all sts.

Fold the bag body in half, seam the sides, and lightly stuff with yarn scraps to make it rounded. Sew the flap to the back top edge and bring it over the front. Add one tiny tan or gold button at the center.

Bag Strap

1. CO 3 sts in chestnut brown.
2. Knit every row until the strap measures 9 in / 23 cm.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one end to each side of the bag.
5. Place the strap diagonally across the body and tack it to the cardigan at the right shoulder.

Sandals and Foot Soles

The sandals are brown with open cream toes. They have a lower sole, a front band, and a narrow ankle strap. Make two.

Foot Shape

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: purl all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: k1, m1R, k6, m1L, k1. 10 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 10: stockinette stitch.
5. Row 11: k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1. 8 sts.
6. Row 12: purl all sts.
7. BO all sts.

Brown Sole

1. With chestnut brown yarn, CO 9 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 12: knit all sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew the brown sole to the bottom of the cream foot.

Front Band and Ankle Strap

• Front band: CO 4 sts in brown, knit 14 rows, BO, and sew across the front of the foot.
• Ankle strap: CO 3 sts in brown, knit 18 rows, BO, and wrap around the ankle.
• Side button: add one tiny tan stitch or bead at the outside of each ankle strap.

Sew each finished sandal to the bottom of a leg. The toes should remain cream and visible, with the brown front band crossing just behind the rounded toe area.

Round Blue Sun Cushion

The round blue and yellow piece in the image can be made as a decorative sun cushion or flat display mat. It is worked as two small circles and seamed around the edge.

Front Circle

1. CO 8 sts in yellow.
2. Row 1: knit all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb in every st. 16 sts.
4. Row 3: purl all sts.
5. Row 4: k1, kfb, repeat across. 24 sts.
6. Row 5: purl all sts.
7. Change to soft blue.
8. Row 6: k2, kfb, repeat across. 32 sts.
9. Row 7: purl all sts.
10. Row 8: k3, kfb, repeat across. 40 sts.
11. Rows 9 to 12: stockinette stitch.
12. Change to tan.
13. Rows 13 to 16: knit all sts.
14. BO loosely.

Back Circle and Details

• Make a second plain circle in blue using the same stitch counts.
• Embroider small tan dash stitches around the blue ring.
• Seam the two circles together, adding a thin layer of stuffing before closing.
• Add a tan running stitch around the outside edge to copy the neat raised border.

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Small Yarn Basket

The basket is optional but completes the handmade scene. It holds tiny knitted yarn balls in green, orange, and blue with a small sunflower accent.

Basket Base

1. CO 16 sts in tan.
2. Rows 1 to 6: knit all sts.
3. Rows 7 to 16: stockinette stitch.
4. Rows 17 to 22: knit all sts.
5. BO all sts.

Fold the piece into a shallow oval cup. Seam the short ends together. Gather the bottom edge slightly with tan yarn and flatten the base so the basket can sit beside the doll.

Basket Handle

1. CO 3 sts in tan.
2. Knit every row until the handle measures 4 in / 10 cm.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one end to each side of the basket.

Tiny Yarn Balls

• Green ball: CO 6 sts, knit 5 rows, gather into a ball, and wrap with a few strands of green yarn.
• Orange ball: CO 8 sts, knit 6 rows, gather into a ball, and wrap with orange yarn.
• Blue ball: CO 6 sts, knit 5 rows, gather into a ball, and wrap with blue yarn.
• Sunflower: make a brown center with a gathered 5-stitch square, then add 6 short yellow petal stitches around it.

Proportions and Placement Guide

The head should be the largest visual element. It is about one third of the doll’s full height. The bonnet adds width and softness, while the dress creates a gentle triangle shape from shoulder to hem.

The cardigan should end around the high waist, not at the bottom of the dress. The sleeves should cover the upper arms and stop just above the beige paws. The bag should sit low on the left side of the skirt.

• Place the eyes slightly below the horizontal center of the head.
• Keep the nose small, centered, and low.
• Sew the ears at a slight downward angle, not straight out.
• Let the dress hem flare wider than the cardigan.
• Keep the flower embroidery close to the hemline.
• Angle the crossbody strap from right shoulder to left hip.
• Position the sandals flat and parallel so the doll rests neatly when displayed.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

1. Attach the stuffed head to the stuffed body using strong matching yarn.
2. Slide the dress onto the body and close the back neatly.
3. Sew the legs under the dress, checking that both feet point forward.
4. Attach arms at the shoulders, then dress them inside the cardigan sleeves.
5. Place the cardigan over the dress and tack it at shoulders and underarms.
6. Sew on the bonnet and fluffy face ring, keeping the face opening smooth.
7. Attach ears under the sides of the bonnet.
8. Add the berry cluster to the upper right side of the bonnet.
9. Sew the bag strap across the chest and secure the bag at the left hip.
10. Add sandals, buttons, flowers, and final embroidery details.

For the softest face, use a long needle to sculpt lightly under the eyes and around the lower muzzle. Add tiny black eyebrow stitches last. A very small amount of blush can be brushed onto the cheeks, but keep it subtle.

Care Notes

• Spot clean only with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if safety eyes, buttons, or embroidery are attached.
• Let the doll air dry flat on a towel.
• Keep away from high heat, direct sunlight, and rough handling.
• For children under three, replace safety eyes and buttons with secure embroidery.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is round, smooth, and firmly stuffed.
• The white bonnet frames the face evenly.
• The ears hang softly from both sides.
• The green cardigan sits open over the cream dress.
• The flower border is scattered naturally near the hem.
• The brown bag crosses the body at the correct angle.
• The sandals show cream toes and brown straps.
• The cushion and basket match the cozy handmade garden theme.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished knitted doll in a dry place with good air circulation. If displaying it on a shelf, place it away from windows so the sage cardigan, cream dress, and embroidery colors stay fresh.

To remove dust, use a soft clean makeup brush or a lint-free cloth. Avoid pulling at the flower embroidery, cable panels, straps, or tiny berry decoration. If the doll loses shape, gently reshape it by hand and let it rest flat overnight.

For long-term storage, wrap the doll loosely in acid-free tissue or clean cotton fabric. Do not compress the bonnet, ears, or bag. Keep the cushion and basket beside the doll so the small accessories do not press marks into the dress.