Knitting Tutorial: Lavender Turtle Girl in Cream Cable Dress with Sun Hat – Free Knitting Pattern.

This sweet knitted lavender turtle girl has a round sleepy face, embroidered lavender shell spots, a soft pink bow, a cream cable dress with dusty-rose trim, mint shell backpack, tiny shoulder bag, crossed sandals, and a matching sun hat. The finished doll is designed to sit on a garden bench with a small knitted picnic cloth, strawberry, and soft yarn details.

 

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 Notes

This pattern creates a seated turtle girl about 11 inches tall from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet when worked in DK yarn at a firm toy gauge. The head is oversized and round, the body is smaller and softly pear-shaped, and the legs are attached forward so the doll sits naturally.

The pieces are knitted mainly in the round using double-pointed needles or magic loop. The cream cable dress is knitted separately from the bottom up, then slipped over the body before final arm placement. The shell is a shallow stuffed oval sewn to the back like a soft backpack.

• Skill level: Confident beginner to intermediate.
• Main techniques: Knit in the round, increases, decreases, simple cables, embroidery, seaming, light stuffing.
• Finished doll height: About 11 inches tall seated.
• Head width: About 5 inches across after stuffing.
• Dress length: About 4 inches from shoulder to hem.
• Recommended gauge: 7 stitches and 10 rounds = 1 inch in stockinette, knitted firmly.

Materials

• DK weight yarn in soft lavender for head, arms, legs, and visible body.
• DK weight yarn in cream for the cable dress and sun hat crown.
• DK weight yarn in dusty rose pink for bow, dress edging, bag, sandal soles, nose, and trim.
• DK weight yarn in mint green for shell, sandal straps, and shell straps.
• Small amount of pale purple yarn for head spots and flower details.
• Small amount of white yarn for tiny flowers.
• Small amount of black embroidery thread or fine black yarn for closed eyes and mouth.
• Small amount of red yarn and green yarn for the strawberry prop.
• Small amount of lavender, peach, and cream yarn for the hat band and picnic cloth stripes.
• US size 2 needles, 2.75 mm, double-pointed needles or long circular needle for magic loop.
• US size 3 needles, 3.25 mm, for the dress if you want the fabric to slide more easily over the body.
• Cable needle or one spare double-pointed needle.
• Tapestry needle.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Two removable stitch markers.
• Blush powder or pink yarn for cheek circles.

Abbreviations

• k = knit.
• p = purl.
• st = stitch.
• sts = stitches.
• rnd = round.
• RS = right side.
• WS = wrong side.
• kfb = knit into the front and back of the same stitch, increasing 1 stitch.
• m1 = make 1 stitch by lifting the bar between stitches and knitting through the back loop.
• k2tog = knit 2 stitches together.
• ssk = slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 1 stitch knitwise, knit slipped stitches together through the back loops.
• BO = bind off.
• CO = cast on.
• C4F = slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, k2, then k2 from cable needle.
• C4B = slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, k2, then k2 from cable needle.

Color Placement Guide

The doll in the image has a pastel garden look. Keep the lavender body visible on the head, arms, and legs. The dress should be warm cream with vertical cable panels. The hem, neckline, shoulder edging, sandals, and purse are dusty rose and mint, so the accessories look soft and coordinated.

• Lavender: Head, body base, arms, legs, and feet.
• Cream: Dress, sun hat crown, sun hat brim, and picnic cloth base.
• Dusty rose: Bow, bag, dress trim, sandal sole trim, nose, and some stripes.
• Mint green: Shell, shell straps, sandal straps, and small leaf details.
• Pale purple: Raised head spots and small flowers.
• Black: Closed smiling eyes and mouth embroidery.

Head

The head is the largest piece and should be stuffed firmly into a smooth sphere. Knit it in lavender. The face is embroidered after the head is fully stuffed. Leave enough yarn at the end for closing and shaping.

1. CO 8 sts in lavender. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
2. Rnd 1: k all 8 sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in every st around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: repeat k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: repeat k2, kfb around. 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: k all sts.
9. Rnd 8: repeat k3, kfb around. 40 sts.
10. Rnd 9: k all sts.
11. Rnd 10: repeat k4, kfb around. 48 sts.
12. Rnd 11: k all sts.
13. Rnd 12: repeat k5, kfb around. 56 sts.
14. Rnd 13: k all sts.
15. Rnd 14: repeat k6, kfb around. 64 sts.
16. Rnd 15: k all sts.
17. Rnd 16: repeat k7, kfb around. 72 sts.
18. Rnds 17-36: k all sts for 20 rounds.
19. Rnd 37: repeat k7, k2tog around. 64 sts.
20. Rnd 38: k all sts.
21. Rnd 39: repeat k6, k2tog around. 56 sts.
22. Rnd 40: k all sts.
23. Rnd 41: repeat k5, k2tog around. 48 sts.
24. Rnd 42: k all sts.
25. Rnd 43: repeat k4, k2tog around. 40 sts.
26. Rnd 44: repeat k3, k2tog around. 32 sts.
27. Begin stuffing firmly. Shape the top and cheeks into a round plush sphere.
28. Rnd 45: repeat k2, k2tog around. 24 sts.
29. Add more stuffing, especially at the lower cheeks.
30. Rnd 46: repeat k1, k2tog around. 16 sts.
31. Rnd 47: k2tog around. 8 sts.
32. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure.

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Lavender Head Spots

The top right side of the head has raised pale-purple spots. Make five small flat circles and sew them onto the upper forehead and crown. Place them slightly unevenly so they look natural, like soft turtle markings.

1. For each small spot, CO 8 sts in pale purple.
2. Row 1: p all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb in each st. 16 sts.
4. Row 3: p all sts.
5. BO all sts knitwise.
6. Thread the tail around the edge, pull slightly to cup the circle, then flatten it.
7. Make 3 larger spots with 16 sts and 2 tiny spots by CO 6 sts, Row 1 p, Row 2 k, then BO.
8. Sew the larger spots on the upper right crown and the smaller spots between them.

Body

The body is lavender and mostly hidden by the dress. It should be smaller than the head and softly rounded at the belly. The top neck area remains visible above the cream dress neckline.

1. CO 10 sts in lavender. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in every st around. 20 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: repeat k1, kfb around. 30 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: repeat k2, kfb around. 40 sts.
8. Rnd 7: k all sts.
9. Rnd 8: repeat k3, kfb around. 50 sts.
10. Rnds 9-22: k all sts for 14 rounds.
11. Rnd 23: repeat k8, k2tog around. 45 sts.
12. Rnd 24: k all sts.
13. Rnd 25: repeat k7, k2tog around. 40 sts.
14. Rnd 26: k all sts.
15. Rnd 27: repeat k6, k2tog around. 35 sts.
16. Rnd 28: k all sts.
17. Rnd 29: repeat k5, k2tog around. 30 sts.
18. Stuff the body firmly but keep the top flat enough for the head.
19. Rnd 30: repeat k3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
20. Rnds 31-34: k all sts to form the short neck.
21. BO all sts. Leave a long tail for sewing the head to the body.

Legs and Feet

The legs are lavender and hang forward from under the dress. The feet are rounded ovals. The sandals are made separately and sewn over the feet after the legs are attached.

Make 2 Legs

1. CO 12 sts in lavender. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: repeat k1, kfb around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: repeat k2, kfb around. 24 sts.
6. Rnds 5-10: k all sts for the rounded foot.
7. Rnd 11: k8, k2tog 4 times, k8. 20 sts.
8. Rnd 12: k all sts.
9. Rnd 13: k6, k2tog 4 times, k6. 16 sts.
10. Stuff the foot firmly.
11. Rnds 14-34: k all sts for the lower leg.
12. Stuff the leg lightly. Keep the upper leg flexible so the doll can sit.
13. Rnd 35: repeat k2, k2tog around. 12 sts.
14. BO all sts. Leave a long tail for sewing.

Dusty Rose Sole Trim

1. With dusty rose yarn, CO 28 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. BO all sts.
5. Sew this strip around the front lower edge of each foot, following the oval shape.

Mint Cross Sandal Straps

1. For each foot, make 2 mint straps. CO 4 sts.
2. Rows 1-18: work in garter stitch, knitting every row.
3. BO all sts.
4. Cross the two straps over the top of the foot in an X shape.
5. Sew one strap from the inner left side of the sole to the outer right side.
6. Sew the second strap from the inner right side to the outer left side.
7. Add a tiny flower on the outer side of each sandal using pale purple and cream yarn.

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Arms

The arms are simple lavender tapered tubes. They curve softly downward at the sides of the dress. Do not overstuff them, because they should look plush and gentle rather than stiff.

1. CO 10 sts in lavender. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in every st around. 20 sts.
4. Rnds 3-10: k all sts.
5. Rnd 11: repeat k3, k2tog around. 16 sts.
6. Rnds 12-32: k all sts.
7. Stuff the hand end firmly and the upper arm lightly.
8. Rnd 33: repeat k2, k2tog around. 12 sts.
9. BO all sts. Leave a long tail for sewing.
10. Make the second arm the same way.

Cream Cable Dress

The dress is the main clothing feature. It is sleeveless, cream colored, and shaped like a soft A-line jumper. The front has vertical cable details that run from the hem toward the neckline. Dusty rose edging outlines the hem, neckline, and armholes.

Work the dress flat from the bottom up. Seam it at the back. Use US size 3 needles for a slightly looser garment fabric. The dress should slide over the body before the arms are sewn on.

Dress Cable Panel Setup

• Edge stitch: Knit on RS, purl on WS.
• Reverse stockinette background: Purl on RS, knit on WS.
• Small cable panel: 4 knit stitches crossed every 6th RS row.
• Center textured column: k1, p1, k1 on RS; p1, k1, p1 on WS.

Dress Body

1. With dusty rose yarn, CO 72 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: k all sts to create a garter hem.
3. Change to cream yarn.
4. Row 5, RS: k3, p4, k4, p4, k3, p4, k4, p4, k3, p4, k4, p4, k3, p4, k4, p4, k3.
5. Row 6, WS: p3, k4, p4, k4, p3, k4, p4, k4, p3, k4, p4, k4, p3, k4, p4, k4, p3.
6. Rows 7-10: repeat Rows 5-6 twice.
7. Row 11, RS cable row: k3, p4, C4F, p4, k3, p4, C4B, p4, k3, p4, C4F, p4, k3, p4, C4B, p4, k3.
8. Row 12, WS: work stitches as they appear, purling knit columns and knitting purl background.
9. Rows 13-18: repeat Rows 5-6 three times.
10. Row 19: repeat cable row as Row 11.
11. Rows 20-26: continue in established pattern.
12. Row 27 decrease row, RS: k3, p3, k2tog, k2, p4, k3, p3, k2tog, k2, p4, k3, p3, k2tog, k2, p4, k3, p3, k2tog, k2, p4, k3. 68 sts.
13. Row 28: work stitches as they appear.
14. Rows 29-34: continue in pattern, crossing cables on Row 31.
15. Row 35 decrease row: decrease 4 sts evenly in the purl background areas. 64 sts.
16. Rows 36-42: continue in cable pattern.
17. Row 43 decrease row: decrease 6 sts evenly, avoiding cable columns. 58 sts.
18. Rows 44-50: continue in pattern.
19. Row 51 decrease row: decrease 6 sts evenly. 52 sts.
20. Rows 52-56: continue in pattern.

Shape Armholes and Bib Top

1. Row 57, RS: BO 4 sts, work 44 sts in pattern, BO final 4 sts. 44 center sts remain.
2. Row 58, WS: p2, work pattern across, p2.
3. Row 59: k2, ssk, work pattern to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 42 sts.
4. Row 60: work stitches as they appear.
5. Row 61: k2, ssk, work pattern to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 40 sts.
6. Rows 62-68: continue in pattern.
7. Row 69 neckline row: work 12 sts, BO 16 center sts, work final 12 sts.
8. Work left shoulder on 12 sts for 4 rows in stockinette. BO.
9. Rejoin yarn to right shoulder and work 4 rows in stockinette. BO.
10. Sew the back seam from hem to neckline, leaving the upper 1 inch open for dressing the body if needed.

Dusty Rose Dress Edging

1. With dusty rose yarn, pick up and knit 48 sts around the neckline.
2. Rnd 1: p all sts.
3. Rnd 2: k all sts.
4. BO loosely.
5. Pick up and knit 26 sts around each armhole.
6. Work 2 rounds in garter edging by purling one round and knitting one round.
7. BO loosely.
8. At the lower hem, use the starting dusty rose garter edge as the visible trim. If you want a thicker pink edge, sew one extra dusty rose garter strip around the hem.

Mint Turtle Shell Backpack

The shell is visible behind the dress and head. It is mint green, softly oval, and has shallow curved ridge lines. It should sit high on the back, with the top of the shell just below the neck and the lower edge behind the dress waist.

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Shell Oval

1. CO 12 sts in mint green.
2. Row 1: p all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb, k10, kfb. 14 sts.
4. Row 3: p all sts.
5. Row 4: kfb, k12, kfb. 16 sts.
6. Row 5: p all sts.
7. Row 6: kfb, k14, kfb. 18 sts.
8. Row 7: p all sts.
9. Row 8: kfb, k16, kfb. 20 sts.
10. Rows 9-24: work in stockinette, knitting RS rows and purling WS rows.
11. Row 25: ssk, k16, k2tog. 18 sts.
12. Row 26: p all sts.
13. Row 27: ssk, k14, k2tog. 16 sts.
14. Row 28: p all sts.
15. Row 29: ssk, k12, k2tog. 14 sts.
16. Row 30: p all sts.
17. Row 31: ssk, k10, k2tog. 12 sts.
18. BO all sts.
19. Make a second oval the same way for the shell back.
20. Place the two ovals wrong sides together. Seam around the edge, stuffing lightly before closing.

Shell Ridge Lines

1. Using a length of mint yarn one shade darker, embroider one vertical line down the center of the shell.
2. Embroider two curved side lines from the top center toward the lower side edges.
3. Keep the stitches shallow so the shell stays rounded and soft.
4. Sew the shell to the back of the body after the dress is in place.

Shell Shoulder Straps

1. CO 5 sts in mint green.
2. Rows 1-32: k every row.
3. BO all sts.
4. Make a second strap.
5. Place each strap from the top side of the shell, over the shoulder, and under the arm area.
6. Sew the straps securely before attaching the arms.

Pink Bow with Small Flower

The bow is large, soft pink, and sits on the upper left side of the head. It should tilt slightly outward. The center wrap pulls the rectangle into a gathered bow shape.

Bow Loops

1. CO 24 sts in dusty rose pink.
2. Rows 1-18: work in stockinette, knitting RS rows and purling WS rows.
3. Row 19: k all sts.
4. BO all sts.
5. Fold the piece so the cast-on and bind-off edges meet at the back.
6. Sew the back seam, then wrap yarn tightly around the center 8 times.
7. Secure the wrap at the back and shape the two bow loops.

Bow Tails

1. CO 8 sts in dusty rose pink.
2. Rows 1-10: k every row.
3. BO all sts.
4. Make a second tail.
5. Sew the two tails behind the bow center so they point downward slightly.

Tiny Flower on Bow

1. With pale purple yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.
3. Roll the tiny strip into a petal loop and stitch it closed.
4. Repeat to make 5 petals.
5. Sew the petals into a small flower on the lower right edge of the bow.
6. Add one cream stitch in the center.

Dusty Rose Shoulder Bag

The small bag hangs across the front of the dress with a diagonal strap. It sits on the lower right side of the doll’s front. The bag has a flap and a tiny flower detail, matching the image.

Bag Body

1. CO 18 sts in dusty rose pink.
2. Rows 1-4: k every row.
3. Rows 5-18: work in stockinette.
4. Row 19: k all sts.
5. Row 20: p all sts.
6. Rows 21-28: continue in stockinette for the flap.
7. Row 29: ssk, k14, k2tog. 16 sts.
8. Row 30: p all sts.
9. Row 31: ssk, k12, k2tog. 14 sts.
10. BO all sts.
11. Fold the lower body upward to form a pocket. Sew both side seams.
12. Fold the flap down over the pocket.

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Bag Strap

1. CO 4 sts in dusty rose pink.
2. Rows 1-70: k every row.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one end to the upper left back side of the bag and the other end to the upper right back side.
5. Place the strap diagonally from the doll’s left shoulder to the right hip.
6. Tack the strap lightly to the dress at the shoulder so it stays in place.

Bag Flower

1. Use five tiny straight stitches in pale purple or white for petals.
2. Add one mint stitch in the center.
3. Place the flower on the right side of the flap.

Cream Sun Hat

The sun hat is a separate accessory placed beside the doll. It has a soft cream crown, wide brim, and a pastel band with lavender and peach striping. The hat should fit loosely near the doll but does not need to sit tightly on the large bow.

Hat Crown

1. CO 8 sts in cream. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in every st around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: repeat k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: repeat k2, kfb around. 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: k all sts.
9. Rnd 8: repeat k3, kfb around. 40 sts.
10. Rnds 9-20: k all sts.
11. Rnd 21: p all sts to create a brim fold line.

Hat Brim

1. Rnd 22: repeat k1, kfb around. 60 sts.
2. Rnd 23: k all sts.
3. Rnd 24: repeat k5, kfb around. 70 sts.
4. Rnd 25: k all sts.
5. Rnd 26: repeat k6, kfb around. 80 sts.
6. Rnds 27-30: k all sts.
7. Rnd 31: p all sts.
8. BO loosely knitwise.
9. Steam lightly with caution or shape by hand only. Do not flatten the crown completely.

Pastel Hat Band

1. CO 5 sts in lavender.
2. Rows 1-42: k every row, changing color every 6 rows between lavender, peach, dusty rose, and cream.
3. BO all sts.
4. Wrap the band around the base of the crown and sew the ends together at the back.

Picnic Cloth and Strawberry Prop

The image includes a small folded picnic cloth with a knitted strawberry beside the sun hat. These accessories make the garden scene complete and help the finished display match the reference.

Small Gingham Picnic Cloth

1. CO 28 sts in cream.
2. Rows 1-4: k every row.
3. Rows 5-8: k4 cream, k4 dusty rose, k4 cream, k4 lavender, k4 cream, k4 dusty rose, k4 cream.
4. Rows 9-12: k4 dusty rose, k4 cream, k4 lavender, k4 cream, k4 dusty rose, k4 cream, k4 lavender.
5. Repeat Rows 5-12 two more times.
6. Rows 29-32: k every row in cream.
7. BO all sts.
8. Weave in ends. Fold one corner under so it looks softly placed on the bench.

Knitted Strawberry

1. CO 6 sts in red. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in every st around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: repeat k1, kfb around. 18 sts.
6. Rnds 5-8: k all sts.
7. Rnd 9: repeat k1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
8. Stuff lightly.
9. Rnd 10: k2tog around. 6 sts.
10. Cut yarn, pull through remaining sts, and close.
11. With green yarn, embroider 5 small leaf stitches at the top.
12. With white or pale yellow yarn, add 8 tiny seed stitches around the strawberry.

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Facial Embroidery

The face is soft and sleepy. The eyes are closed curved arcs with little lashes at the outer corners. The nose is a small pink heart, and the mouth is a gentle black smile. Place the features before attaching the bow permanently.

1. Mark the center front of the head.
2. Place the eyes between Rnds 27 and 31 of the head, about 16 sts apart.
3. Using black yarn, embroider the left eye as a curved line over 7 sts.
4. Add two short lash stitches at the outer edge of the left eye.
5. Repeat for the right eye, mirroring the shape.
6. For the heart nose, use dusty rose yarn between the eyes, centered around Rnds 31-33.
7. Make two diagonal satin stitches meeting at the bottom point of the heart.
8. Add 2 more small stitches over the top to round the heart shape.
9. Using black yarn, embroider a short curved smile under the nose.
10. Add two pink cheek circles by lightly stitching dusty rose yarn in small horizontal lines under each eye.
11. Embroider three tiny lavender whisker lines on each side of the face, using very light tension.

Assembly Order

Follow the assembly order carefully so the dress, straps, shell, and arms sit in the right layers. The doll should look seated, with the sandals pointing forward and the bag resting on the dress front.

1. Stuff and close the head, body, arms, legs, feet, shell, and strawberry.
2. Embroider the face on the head before sewing the head to the body.
3. Place the dress over the body. The back seam should sit at the center back.
4. Sew the head to the body using the neck stitches. The head should sit slightly forward, not tilted backward.
5. Sew the legs to the lower front of the body under the dress hem. Angle them forward about 35 degrees so the turtle sits naturally.
6. Sew the shell to the center back over the dress, with the top edge just below the neck.
7. Attach the mint shell straps over the shoulders and secure them under the arm area.
8. Sew the arms to the sides of the upper body, over the dress armholes and partly over the shell straps.
9. Attach the sandals over the feet. Make sure the crossed straps are visible from the front.
10. Sew the bow to the upper left side of the head at a slight angle.
11. Place the bag strap from the left shoulder across the chest to the right hip. Sew the bag to the lower right front of the dress.
12. Place the sun hat, picnic cloth, and strawberry beside the finished doll for display.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the head is round, the eyes are even, and the smile sits directly below the heart nose. The bow should be large enough to be a main feature, and the small flower should sit clearly near the bow center.

• Use small hidden stitches when joining visible pieces.
• Keep the dress centered so the cable panel faces forward.
• Brush the cheek area lightly if using cosmetic blush.
• Do not pull facial embroidery too tightly, or the head may dent.

Care Notes

This knitted turtle girl is best used as a decorative handmade toy. Because it includes small stitched flowers, a shoulder bag, and separate props, supervise young children and avoid rough play.

• Spot clean with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if the doll contains blush or delicate embroidery.
• Let the doll air dry flat on a towel.
• Reshape the bow, shell, dress hem, and hat brim while damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is larger than the body and smoothly stuffed.
• The lavender spots are sewn on the upper crown.
• The cream dress has visible vertical cable panels.
• The dusty rose trim frames the hem, neckline, and bag.
• The mint shell is attached to the back like a soft backpack.
• The legs sit forward and the sandals cross over the feet.
• The sun hat has a wide brim and pastel band.
• The picnic cloth and strawberry are finished as display props.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished turtle girl away from direct sunlight so the lavender, mint, cream, and dusty rose colors stay soft. Keep the doll in a dry place and avoid compressing the head, bow, shell, or sun hat under heavier items.

• For dust, use a soft dry cloth or a gentle lint roller.
• For small marks, dab gently with a damp cloth instead of rubbing.
• Allow every piece to dry completely before storage.
• Keep the sun hat brim flat or lightly shaped around tissue paper.
• Store the bag strap untwisted so it does not stretch over time.