Knitting Tutorial: Botany Beagle Puppy in Mint Gingham Dress with Flower Crown – Free Knitting Pattern.

This sweet knit beagle puppy is dressed for a gentle botany walk, with a mint gingham dress, embroidered fern bodice, tiny butterfly detail, flower crown, green Mary Jane shoes, and a little crossbody field bag. The finished scene also includes a straw sun hat, magnifying glass, and “Botany Field Notes” booklet to match the charming garden look in the photo.

 

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 creates a seated or standing beagle-style puppy doll with a rounded head, soft muzzle, long floppy black ears, tan face markings, cream body, and detailed botanical accessories. The clothing is knitted separately so the mint gingham dress sits neatly over the body, just like the image.

The puppy is designed with small needles and firm stuffing so the toy holds its shape. Use tight tension for the body pieces, especially around the muzzle, paws, shoes, and accessories. The dress uses stranded colorwork for the gingham skirt and simple embroidery for the leaves, flower, and butterfly.

Finished Size

• Puppy height: about 11.5 in / 29 cm from shoes to top of head.
• Head width: about 4.25 in / 11 cm across the cheeks after stuffing.
• Dress length: about 4.5 in / 11.5 cm from shoulder to hem.
• Bag: about 1.5 in / 4 cm wide and 1.25 in / 3 cm tall.
• Sun hat: about 4.25 in / 11 cm across the brim.

Skill Level

Intermediate beginner to intermediate. The shaping is simple, but there are many small details. New knitters can complete this pattern by working slowly, counting every round, and using stitch markers for increases, decreases, and color changes.

Materials

• Yarn weight: DK or light worsted yarn. Use smooth cotton, cotton blend, or acrylic for clear stitch definition.
• Main cream yarn: 50 g for body, muzzle, legs, arms, and face blaze.
• Tan yarn: 25 g for face patches, shoulders, side head panels, and paw accents.
• Black yarn: 20 g for ears and dark face patches.
• Mint green yarn: 25 g for dress gingham, dress trim, shoes, hat ribbon, and embroidery.
• Forest green yarn: 20 g for shoes and botanical details.
• Natural straw beige yarn: 25 g for sun hat and crossbody bag.
• Small flower colors: pink, blue, pale yellow, light lavender, and cream.
• Embroidery colors: dark green, light green, black, orange, white, yellow, and brown.
• Needles: US 2 / 2.75 mm double-pointed needles or circular needle for magic loop.
• Dress needles: US 3 / 3.25 mm needles for slightly softer drape.
• Safety eyes: two 12 mm glossy brown safety eyes.
• Nose: one 15 mm black oval safety nose, or embroider a satin-stitch nose.
• Stuffing: polyester fiberfill.
• Extras: tapestry needle, stitch markers, removable markers, small buttons, pins, scissors.

Gauge

• Toy body gauge: 7 stitches and 10 rounds = 1 in / 2.5 cm in stockinette with US 2 needles.
• Dress gauge: 6.5 stitches and 9 rows = 1 in / 2.5 cm in stockinette with US 3 needles.
• Important: exact gauge is less important than firm fabric. If stuffing shows through, go down one needle size.

Abbreviations

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

Important Construction Notes

The puppy body is knitted in the round from the feet upward. The head is made separately so the face markings can be controlled more accurately. The cream muzzle is knitted as a separate oval dome and sewn to the lower front of the head.

The long black ears are knitted flat and lightly shaped so they hang beside the face. The mint gingham dress is worked separately from the top down, with a fitted bodice and flared colorwork skirt. Accessories are small but important for matching the image.

• Stuff the head firmly, especially around the cheeks and muzzle base.
• Stuff the body firmly at the neck so the head does not wobble.
• Use duplicate stitch or embroidery for the bodice fern, flower, and butterfly.
• Place the flower crown across the forehead, slightly above the eyes.
• Angle the crossbody strap from the puppy’s right shoulder to the left hip.

Puppy Body

Legs and Body Base

Make two cream legs first. Each leg begins at the ankle, then widens softly toward the thigh. The shoes will be made separately and sewn over the feet later, so keep the lower leg smooth and narrow.

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First Leg

1. With cream yarn and US 2 needles, CO 12 sts. Divide evenly over 3 needles and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in each st around. You now have 24 sts.
4. Rnds 3-8: K all sts for 6 rounds.
5. Rnd 9: K4, kfb, K2, kfb, K8, kfb, K2, kfb, K4. You now have 28 sts.
6. Rnds 10-22: K all sts for 13 rounds.
7. Rnd 23: K6, k2tog, K12, ssk, K6. You now have 26 sts.
8. Rnds 24-26: K all sts.
9. Break yarn and place the leg on a holder.

Second Leg

1. Repeat the first leg from Rnd 1 through Rnd 26.
2. Do not break yarn after Rnd 26.
3. K across the second leg, CO 4 sts for the center front, K across the first leg, CO 4 sts for the center back.
4. You now have 60 sts for the lower body.

Body

1. Rnds 1-5: K all 60 sts.
2. Rnd 6: K8, k2tog, K10, ssk, K16, k2tog, K10, ssk, K8. You now have 56 sts.
3. Rnds 7-13: K all sts.
4. Rnd 14: K7, k2tog, K10, ssk, K14, k2tog, K10, ssk, K7. You now have 52 sts.
5. Rnds 15-21: K all sts.
6. Rnd 22: K6, k2tog, K10, ssk, K12, k2tog, K10, ssk, K6. You now have 48 sts.
7. Rnds 23-30: K all sts.
8. Change to tan yarn for the shoulder patch area. Rnds 31-34: K all sts.
9. Change back to cream yarn. Rnd 35: K4, k2tog around. You now have 40 sts.
10. Rnd 36: K all sts.
11. Rnd 37: K3, k2tog around. You now have 32 sts.
12. Rnd 38: K all sts.
13. Rnd 39: K2, k2tog around. You now have 24 sts.
14. Rnds 40-43: K all sts for the neck column.
15. BO all sts, leaving a 16 in / 40 cm tail for sewing.

Stuff the legs first, then the hips, belly, and chest. Shape the body so the belly is rounded, the chest is upright, and the neck is firm. The tan shoulder section should peek out under the dress straps and arms.

Head

The head has a cream center blaze, tan side areas, and black patches around the outer eye areas. To keep the pattern manageable, knit the head in cream, then add tan and black face patches as shaped appliqués. This gives a clean beagle look and matches the plush photo style.

Round Head Base

1. With cream yarn and US 2 needles, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in each st around. You now have 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts.
4. Rnd 3: K1, kfb around. You now have 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: K all sts.
6. Rnd 5: K2, kfb around. You now have 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: K all sts.
8. Rnd 7: K3, kfb around. You now have 40 sts.
9. Rnd 8: K all sts.
10. Rnd 9: K4, kfb around. You now have 48 sts.
11. Rnd 10: K all sts.
12. Rnd 11: K5, kfb around. You now have 56 sts.
13. Rnd 12: K all sts.
14. Rnd 13: K6, kfb around. You now have 64 sts.
15. Rnds 14-28: K all sts for 15 rounds.
16. Rnd 29: K6, k2tog around. You now have 56 sts.
17. Rnd 30: K all sts.
18. Rnd 31: K5, k2tog around. You now have 48 sts.
19. Rnd 32: K all sts.
20. Rnd 33: K4, k2tog around. You now have 40 sts.
21. Pause here to add safety eyes if using them.

Eye Placement

• Place the eyes between Rnds 21 and 22 of the head.
• Keep 10 visible knit stitches between the eyes.
• The eyes should sit slightly above the top of the muzzle area.
• Do not lock the washers until the tan and black patch positions look balanced.

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Finish Head Shaping

1. Rnd 34: K all sts.
2. Rnd 35: K3, k2tog around. You now have 32 sts.
3. Stuff the head firmly, shaping a rounded forehead and full cheeks.
4. Rnd 36: K2, k2tog around. You now have 24 sts.
5. Rnd 37: K1, k2tog around. You now have 16 sts.
6. Rnd 38: K2tog around. You now have 8 sts.
7. Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave in.

Cream Muzzle

The muzzle is a soft oval dome sewn onto the lower front of the head. It should look rounded and plush, with a narrow vertical line under the black nose and a gentle curved mouth.

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts. Work flat.
2. Row 1, WS: P all sts.
3. Row 2, RS: Kfb, K6, kfb. You now have 10 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K8, kfb. You now have 12 sts.
6. Row 5: P all sts.
7. Row 6: Kfb, K10, kfb. You now have 14 sts.
8. Rows 7-13: Work in st st, beginning with a P row.
9. Row 14: SSK, K10, k2tog. You now have 12 sts.
10. Row 15: P all sts.
11. Row 16: SSK, K8, k2tog. You now have 10 sts.
12. Row 17: P all sts.
13. Row 18: SSK, K6, k2tog. You now have 8 sts.
14. BO all sts, leaving a long sewing tail.

Sew the muzzle to the head with the top edge just below the eyes. Lightly stuff before closing the final inch. The muzzle should project forward but stay smooth at the edges.

Beagle Face Patches

Tan Cheek and Brow Patches

Make two mirrored tan patches. They sit on both sides of the cream blaze, beginning near the upper forehead and curving down beside the muzzle. They create the warm brown beagle expression seen in the image.

1. With tan yarn, CO 5 sts. Work flat.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K3, kfb. You now have 7 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K5, kfb. You now have 9 sts.
6. Rows 5-10: Work in st st.
7. Row 11: P all sts.
8. Row 12: SSK, K5, k2tog. You now have 7 sts.
9. Row 13: P all sts.
10. Row 14: SSK, K3, k2tog. You now have 5 sts.
11. BO all sts.

• Sew one tan patch to the viewer’s left side of the face, beside the cream blaze.
• Sew the second patch to the viewer’s right side, mirrored.
• Leave the center forehead and muzzle cream.
• Use small stitches so the patch edges blend into the head.

Black Eye Patches

The black patches sit outside the tan markings and frame the eyes. In the image, black appears strongly around the side of the face and connects visually to the floppy black ears.

1. With black yarn, CO 6 sts. Work flat.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K4, kfb. You now have 8 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K6, kfb. You now have 10 sts.
6. Rows 5-11: Work in st st.
7. Row 12: SSK, K6, k2tog. You now have 8 sts.
8. Row 13: P all sts.
9. Row 14: SSK, K4, k2tog. You now have 6 sts.
10. BO all sts.
11. Make a second patch the same way.

• Sew each black patch around the outer side of each eye.
• The inside edge should touch the tan patch.
• The outer edge should sit close to where the ear will be attached.
• Use black yarn to tack the patch smoothly around the eye washer.

Nose and Mouth

1. Place the black oval safety nose at the upper center of the muzzle, about 3 rows below the eyes.
2. If embroidering the nose, satin stitch a 0.6 in / 1.5 cm wide oval with black yarn.
3. Using dark brown embroidery floss, stitch one vertical line from the lower nose to the center of the muzzle.
4. Stitch a small curved smile to the left and right, each curve about 0.35 in / 1 cm long.
5. Add two tiny cream or white highlights beside the eyes if desired.

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Long Floppy Ears

The ears are long, black, softly rounded, and hang down beside the face. They should reach below the shoulder line. Knit them flat in stockinette with a garter edge to reduce curling.

1. With black yarn and US 2 needles, CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: K2, P8, K2.
4. Row 3: K all sts.
5. Row 4: K2, P8, K2.
6. Row 5: K2, kfb, K6, kfb, K2. You now have 14 sts.
7. Row 6: K2, P10, K2.
8. Row 7: K all sts.
9. Row 8: K2, P10, K2.
10. Rows 9-42: Continue with K2 edge sts and st st center.
11. Row 43: K2, ssk, K6, k2tog, K2. You now have 12 sts.
12. Row 44: K2, P8, K2.
13. Row 45: K2, ssk, K4, k2tog, K2. You now have 10 sts.
14. Row 46: K2, P6, K2.
15. Row 47: K2, ssk, K2, k2tog, K2. You now have 8 sts.
16. Row 48: K all sts.
17. BO all sts.
18. Make the second ear the same way.

Sew the ears to the sides of the head from Rnd 17 to Rnd 24. The top should sit slightly behind the flower crown line. Let the ears hang straight down with a soft forward curve.

Arms

The arms are cream with tan upper shoulder caps. They hang at the sides of the dress. The paws are rounded and narrow, with small embroidered paw separation lines.

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in each st around. You now have 16 sts.
3. Rnds 2-7: K all sts.
4. Rnd 8: K6, k2tog, K6, k2tog. You now have 14 sts.
5. Rnds 9-22: K all sts.
6. Change to tan yarn.
7. Rnds 23-28: K all sts.
8. Rnd 29: K5, k2tog, K5, k2tog. You now have 12 sts.
9. Lightly stuff the paw and arm.
10. Rnd 30: K2tog around. You now have 6 sts.
11. Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, and close.
12. Make a second arm the same way.

• Sew arms to the upper body at a slight downward angle.
• The top of each arm should sit just under the neck and shoulder patch.
• Use cream yarn to embroider two tiny vertical paw lines at the lower end of each paw.

Green Mary Jane Shoes

The shoes are deep green with a pale mint sole edge, rounded toe, strap, tiny side button, and small flower-and-leaf decoration on the front. They should look slightly oversized and cute, as shown in the image.

Shoe Sole

1. With mint yarn, CO 8 sts. Work flat.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K6, kfb. You now have 10 sts.
4. Row 3: K all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K8, kfb. You now have 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-13: K all sts.
7. Row 14: SSK, K8, k2tog. You now have 10 sts.
8. Row 15: K all sts.
9. Row 16: SSK, K6, k2tog. You now have 8 sts.
10. BO all sts.
11. Make two soles.

Shoe Upper

1. With forest green yarn, pick up and knit 28 sts evenly around one sole.
2. Rnds 1-4: K all sts.
3. Rnd 5: K8, k2tog 4 times, K8, ssk 2 times. You now have 22 sts.
4. Rnd 6: K all sts.
5. Rnd 7: K7, k2tog 3 times, K7, ssk. You now have 18 sts.
6. Rnd 8: K all sts.
7. BO all sts loosely.
8. Make the second shoe the same way.

Shoe Strap and Flowers

1. For each strap, CO 14 sts with forest green yarn.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one strap across the top of each shoe.
5. Add one tiny button or French knot on the outer side of each strap.

• For each shoe flower, CO 15 sts with pink yarn, BO, coil into a tiny rosette, and stitch to the toe.
• For each leaf, CO 3 sts with light green yarn, Row 1 K, Row 2 K3tog, fasten off.
• Sew two leaves beside each flower.

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Mint Gingham Dress

The dress has a cream bodice with mint trim and a flared mint-and-cream gingham skirt. The bodice sits high at the neck, while the skirt begins at the waist and spreads outward softly. Work carefully so the check pattern remains square and even.

Bodice Front

1. With cream yarn and US 3 needles, CO 28 sts. Work flat.
2. Row 1, WS: P all sts.
3. Row 2, RS: K all sts.
4. Rows 3-10: Continue in st st.
5. Row 11: K4, k2tog, K16, ssk, K4. You now have 26 sts.
6. Row 12: P all sts.
7. Row 13: K3, k2tog, K16, ssk, K3. You now have 24 sts.
8. Row 14: P all sts.
9. Rows 15-18: Work in st st.
10. Row 19: K5, BO 14 sts, K5. Keep both shoulder groups live separately.
11. Work first shoulder over 5 sts for 8 rows in st st. BO.
12. Rejoin yarn and work second shoulder over 5 sts for 8 rows. BO.

Bodice Back

1. With cream yarn, CO 28 sts.
2. Rows 1-18: Work the same as the bodice front.
3. Row 19: K all sts.
4. Rows 20-26: Work in st st.
5. BO all sts.

Mint Neck and Arm Trim

• With mint yarn, pick up 34 sts around the neckline after sewing shoulders.
• Rnd 1: K all sts.
• Rnd 2: P all sts.
• BO knitwise.
• Pick up 24 sts around each armhole.
• Work 1 knit round, 1 purl round, then BO.

Gingham Skirt

The skirt is worked from the waist down. Use cream and mint blocks to create the gingham effect. Carry yarn neatly on the wrong side and avoid pulling too tightly. Each check is 4 stitches wide and 4 rows tall.

1. Sew bodice side seams. With US 3 needles and cream yarn, pick up 64 sts evenly around the lower edge of the bodice.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts with cream.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts with cream.
4. Rnd 3: K4 cream, K4 mint around.
5. Rnd 4: Repeat K4 cream, K4 mint around.
6. Rnd 5: Repeat K4 cream, K4 mint around.
7. Rnd 6: Repeat K4 cream, K4 mint around.
8. Rnd 7: K4 mint, K4 cream around.
9. Rnd 8: Repeat K4 mint, K4 cream around.
10. Rnd 9: Repeat K4 mint, K4 cream around.
11. Rnd 10: Repeat K4 mint, K4 cream around.
12. Rnd 11: K4 cream, K4 mint around.
13. Rnd 12: Repeat K4 cream, K4 mint around.
14. Rnd 13: Increase round: K8, m1 around. You now have 72 sts.
15. Rnds 14-17: Continue checker pattern in 4-st blocks, keeping columns aligned.
16. Rnd 18: Increase round: K9, m1 around. You now have 80 sts.
17. Rnds 19-30: Continue gingham checks, changing color blocks every 4 rounds.
18. Rnd 31: With mint yarn, K all sts.
19. Rnd 32: P all sts for a neat lower ridge.
20. Rnd 33: K all sts.
21. BO loosely with mint yarn.

Steam lightly without flattening the fabric. The skirt should flare outward over the puppy’s hips. Do not over-block, because the soft rounded shape is part of the toy’s charm.

Bodice Embroidery

The bodice has a green fern on one side, a small pink flower in the center, and a butterfly on the other side. Use light embroidery stitches over the knitted surface. Keep the stitches loose enough that the bodice does not pucker.

Fern Motif

• Use dark green embroidery floss or thin yarn.
• Stitch one curved center stem about 1 in / 2.5 cm long on the viewer’s left bodice.
• Add 7 short diagonal leaf stitches on each side of the stem.
• Use light green to add 3 shorter highlight leaves near the base.

Pink Flower Motif

• Place the flower at the center upper bodice.
• Make 5 lazy daisy petals with pink yarn.
• Add a yellow French knot or tiny stitched circle in the center.
• Keep the flower about 0.45 in / 1.2 cm wide.

Butterfly Motif

• Use black yarn to outline two upper wings and two lower wings.
• Fill the wings with orange and pale tan straight stitches.
• Add tiny white dots using small duplicate stitches or French knots.
• Stitch a short black body and two tiny antennae.

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Flower Crown

The flower crown rests across the top of the puppy’s head like a soft garden garland. It includes blue, pink, cream, and pale yellow flowers with small yellow centers. The flowers are sewn onto a thin green knitted vine.

Green Vine

1. With light green yarn, CO 46 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. BO all sts, leaving long tails.
4. Curve the strip across the forehead from ear to ear.

Small Knitted Flowers

Make seven flowers total: two blue, two pink, two cream, and one pale yellow. Place the largest blue flower near the center top, with smaller flowers spreading to both sides.

1. CO 20 sts in flower color.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Thread the cast-on tail through the lower edge and pull gently to gather into a flower.
5. Secure the center with several stitches.
6. Add a yellow French knot or tiny stitched center.

• Sew flowers to the vine with uneven natural spacing.
• Add 6 tiny green leaves by CO 4 sts, K one row, then k2tog twice and fasten off.
• Sew the finished crown above the eyes and just in front of the ear tops.

Crossbody Botany Bag

The small beige bag hangs across the puppy’s front, with the strap running diagonally from the upper shoulder to the opposite hip. The flap has a small button, and the bag should sit over the right side of the skirt.

Bag Body

1. With beige yarn and US 2 needles, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: K all sts for a garter base.
3. Rows 5-18: Work in st st.
4. Rows 19-22: K all sts.
5. BO all sts.
6. Fold the lower edge upward to create a pouch about 1.25 in / 3 cm tall.
7. Sew side seams with beige yarn.

Bag Flap

1. With beige yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: K all sts.
3. Row 7: SSK, K8, k2tog. You now have 10 sts.
4. Row 8: K all sts.
5. BO all sts.
6. Sew the straight edge to the upper back of the bag.
7. Add a tiny brown button or embroidered circle to the front flap.

Long Strap

1. With beige yarn, CO 75 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one end to the upper left side of the bag and the other end to the upper right side.

Place the strap over the puppy after the dress is on. Let it cross from the puppy’s right shoulder down toward the left side of the bag, matching the diagonal look in the photo.

Little Hanging Leaf Charm

• With pale lavender yarn, CO 5 sts.
• Row 1: K all sts.
• Row 2: Kfb, K3, kfb. You now have 7 sts.
• Rows 3-4: K all sts.
• Row 5: SSK, K3, k2tog. You now have 5 sts.
• Row 6: SSK, K1, k2tog. You now have 3 sts.
• Row 7: K3tog and fasten off.
• Embroider one center vein with white thread.
• Attach it to the bag strap with a short brown yarn loop.

Straw Sun Hat

The straw hat is a separate prop resting beside the puppy. It has a flat spiral-style crown, wide brim, mint ribbon, and small bow. Use beige yarn and firm tension so the brim holds its shape.

Hat Crown

1. With beige yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in each st around. You now have 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts.
4. Rnd 3: K1, kfb around. You now have 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: K all sts.
6. Rnd 5: K2, kfb around. You now have 32 sts.
7. Rnds 6-10: K all sts.
8. Rnd 11: P all sts to create the crown edge.

Hat Brim

1. Rnd 12: K1, kfb around. You now have 48 sts.
2. Rnd 13: K all sts.
3. Rnd 14: K2, kfb around. You now have 64 sts.
4. Rnd 15: K all sts.
5. Rnd 16: K3, kfb around. You now have 80 sts.
6. Rnd 17: K all sts.
7. Rnd 18: P all sts.
8. BO loosely.

Hat Ribbon and Bow

• With mint yarn, CO 38 sts, K one row, then BO.
• Wrap the ribbon around the base of the crown and sew in place.
• For the bow, CO 12 sts, work 4 rows in garter stitch, then BO.
• Wrap yarn around the center to pinch the bow and sew it to the ribbon.

Magnifying Glass Prop

The magnifying glass is a small knitted and embroidered prop. It has a silver-gray round lens and a short brown handle. It sits beside the field notes in the finished display.

• With silver-gray yarn, CO 24 sts.
• Row 1: K all sts.
• BO all sts and coil into a circle.
• Sew the coil flat, leaving a small open center.
• Use pale blue or white yarn to stitch 2 curved highlight lines across the lens.
• For the handle, CO 10 sts with brown yarn, K one row, BO, and sew to the lens edge.

Botany Field Notes Booklet

The small notebook is cream with a stitched border, green flower stem, pink flower, and the words “BOTANY FIELD NOTES” on the cover. Use embroidery for the letters to keep the notebook lightweight.

1. With cream yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1-18: K all sts in garter stitch.
3. BO all sts.
4. With pale gray yarn, stitch a thin border around the rectangle.
5. With dark thread, embroider “BOTANY” on the first line.
6. Embroider “FIELD” on the second line.
7. Embroider “NOTES” on the third line.
8. Add a green stem below the words.
9. Add two green leaves and one small pink flower with a yellow center.

Optional Tail

The tail is mostly hidden by the dress in the image, but a small beagle tail can be added if desired. Keep it short and cream with a tan base so it does not distract from the dress.

1. With tan yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: K all sts.
3. Change to cream yarn.
4. Rnds 5-12: K all sts.
5. Rnd 13: K2tog around. You now have 4 sts.
6. Break yarn, pull through remaining sts, and close.
7. Lightly stuff and sew to the back body before adding the dress.

Assembly Order

1. Stuff and close the body first, making sure the neck is firm.
2. Sew the head to the neck with the face looking forward and slightly upward.
3. Sew around the neck twice for strength.
4. Attach the muzzle to the lower face and finish the nose and mouth.
5. Sew tan and black face patches smoothly around the eyes.
6. Attach the long black ears from the side crown down toward the cheeks.
7. Sew arms to the shoulders at a gentle downward angle.
8. Put the dress on the puppy and close the back seam if needed.
9. Sew shoes onto the feet, keeping the flower decorations facing outward.
10. Place the flower crown across the forehead and sew it lightly in place.
11. Add the crossbody bag so it rests over the dress front.
12. Arrange the sun hat, magnifying glass, and field notes as display accessories.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the face from the front before tying off any final threads. The cream blaze should run down the center, with tan patches close to the eyes and black patches at the outer sides. The ears should hang evenly and frame the head.

• Tighten the eye area slightly by running a thread from one eye point to the other through the head.
• Add tiny brown eyebrow stitches above each eye for a gentle expression.
• Shape the muzzle with small hidden stitches if one side looks fuller.
• Brush away loose fibers from the embroidered butterfly and flower motifs.

Care Notes

Because this puppy has many small sewn details, gentle care is best. The flower crown, bag, shoe flowers, and notebook embroidery should not be pulled or scrubbed. Treat the finished piece as a decorative handmade toy.

• Spot clean with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if using safety eyes, buttons, or delicate embroidery.
• Let the toy air dry fully before storing.
• Keep away from heavy moisture and direct sunlight for long periods.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The puppy has cream body pieces, tan shoulder patches, black ears, and beagle face markings.
• The muzzle is rounded, centered, and sewn below the eyes.
• The mint gingham dress flares gently and has cream-and-mint checks.
• The bodice includes a fern, pink flower, and butterfly detail.
• The flower crown has blue, pink, cream, and pale yellow flowers.
• The green Mary Jane shoes have straps, flowers, and leaves.
• The crossbody bag has a flap, button, strap, and hanging charm.
• The props include a straw hat, magnifying glass, and Botany Field Notes booklet.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the puppy upright or flat in a breathable cotton bag. Avoid plastic bags for long storage because trapped moisture may affect the yarn and stuffing. If the skirt becomes flattened, gently reshape it with your fingers instead of pressing it with an iron.

• Use a soft makeup brush to dust the flower crown and embroidered bodice.
• Clean the shoes with a slightly damp cloth and pat dry.
• Keep the notebook and magnifying glass in a small pouch when not displayed.
• If a flower loosens, sew it back with matching yarn through the center only.
• Refresh the hat brim by shaping it gently while dry, then letting it rest flat overnight.

Your Botany Beagle Puppy is now complete, with her mint gingham dress, flower crown, botanical embroidery, green shoes, crossbody bag, straw hat, magnifying glass, and tiny field notes ready for a sweet garden display.