Knitting Tutorial: Strawberry Puppy Girl in Blue Dress with Apple Tote and Picnic Basket – Free Knitting Pattern.

This sweet knitted puppy girl is designed with a round beige head, long textured floppy ears, glossy black eyes, a tiny black nose, and a soft embroidered mouth. She wears a light blue strawberry dress with short sleeves, a cream scalloped collar, tan sandals with blue flower details, a blue hair bow, a cream apple tote, and matching picnic accessories including a woven basket, folded blanket, straw hat, and red apple.

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

The finished puppy measures about 13 inches tall from the bottom of the sandals to the top of the head when made with DK weight yarn and 2.75 mm needles. The doll is knitted mostly in the round for a smooth amigurumi-style finish. Small accessories are knitted flat, seamed, and shaped with light stuffing where needed.

• Main body style: soft seated or standing puppy girl with slim legs, rounded paws, narrow torso, and oversized head.
• Dress style: light blue A-line skirt with red strawberry duplicate-stitch motifs and a fitted bodice.
• Ear style: long beige floppy ears with textured loop-like surface to match the curly knitted look in the image.
• Accessories: blue bow, cream crossbody apple tote, tan sandals, blue flower trims, straw hat, picnic basket, blanket roll, and red apple.

Materials

• DK weight yarn in warm beige for puppy skin, head, arms, legs, muzzle, and paws.
• DK weight yarn in slightly darker beige or honey tan for the textured ears and sandal straps.
• DK weight yarn in light blue for the dress, sleeves, bow, hat band, blanket stripes, and flower details.
• DK weight yarn in cream for collar, tote bag, crossbody strap, blanket base, and eye highlights.
• Small amounts of red yarn for strawberries and apple.
• Small amounts of green yarn for strawberry tops, apple leaf, and bag embroidery.
• Small amount of black yarn for nose and mouth embroidery.
• 2 safety eyes, 12 mm, or black yarn for embroidered eyes.
• 2.75 mm double-pointed needles or circular needles for magic loop.
• 2.75 mm straight needles for flat pieces.
• Tapestry needle, stitch markers, fiberfill, pins, scissors, and optional removable row marker.

Gauge

Gauge is important for a firm toy fabric. Work at about 7 stitches and 10 rounds per inch in stockinette stitch using DK yarn and 2.75 mm needles. Your stitches should be tight enough that stuffing does not show through. If your fabric is loose, use smaller needles.

Abbreviations

• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• st/sts: stitch/stitches.
• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• kfb: knit into front and back of the same stitch to increase 1 stitch.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together to decrease 1 stitch.
• ssk: slip, slip, knit to decrease 1 stitch.
• St st: stockinette stitch, knit every round when working in the round, or knit right-side rows and purl wrong-side rows when working flat.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• rep: repeat.
• PU: pick up stitches.

Main Puppy Head

The head is large, round, and slightly wider at the cheeks. Work in warm beige. Stuff firmly as you knit so the face keeps the soft rounded shape shown in the photo.

1. CO 8 sts. Join to work in the round, placing a marker at the beginning of the round.
2. Round 1: kfb in every st around. 16 sts.
3. Round 2: knit all sts.
4. Round 3: rep k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Round 4: knit all sts.
6. Round 5: rep k2, kfb around. 32 sts.
7. Round 6: knit all sts.
8. Round 7: rep k3, kfb around. 40 sts.
9. Round 8: knit all sts.
10. Round 9: rep k4, kfb around. 48 sts.
11. Round 10: knit all sts.
12. Round 11: rep k5, kfb around. 56 sts.
13. Rounds 12-24: knit all sts for 13 rounds. This forms the broad forehead and round upper head.
14. Round 25: k10, kfb, k6, kfb, k20, kfb, k6, kfb, k10. 60 sts. These increases create the soft cheek width.
15. Rounds 26-30: knit all sts.
16. Round 31: rep k8, k2tog around. 54 sts.
17. Round 32: knit all sts.
18. Round 33: rep k7, k2tog around. 48 sts.
19. Round 34: knit all sts.
20. Round 35: rep k6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
21. Round 36: rep k5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
22. Round 37: rep k4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
23. Pause and insert the eyes between Rounds 23 and 24, spacing them 12 sts apart. The eyes should sit low and wide, giving the puppy a gentle expression.
24. Round 38: rep k3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
25. Stuff the head firmly, especially through the cheeks and forehead.
26. Round 39: rep k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
27. Round 40: rep k1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
28. Round 41: k2tog around. 6 sts. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and secure.

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Muzzle and Nose Area

The muzzle is an oval beige pad sewn to the lower center of the face. It should sit just below the eyes and slightly protrude. Keep the stuffing light so the muzzle looks soft, not bulky.

1. With warm beige, CO 8 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1: purl all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: purl all sts.
5. Row 4: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-9: work in St st, beginning with a purl row.
7. Row 10: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
8. Row 11: purl all sts.
9. Row 12: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
10. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for sewing.
11. Sew the muzzle to the head from Round 25 to Round 33, centered between the eyes. Add a thin layer of stuffing before closing the final edge.

For the black nose, use black yarn and satin stitch an oval shape across the top center of the muzzle. Make the nose about 5 sts wide and 4 rows tall. Embroider a straight vertical line down 5 rows from the nose, then make two short angled stitches for the mouth.

Floppy Textured Ears

The ears are long, rounded, and textured, hanging from each side of the head. They start narrow near the top, become full through the middle, and taper softly at the lower end.

1. Make 2. With darker beige or honey tan, CO 10 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Row 5: kfb, k10, kfb. 14 sts.
7. Row 6: p all sts.
8. Row 7: kfb, k12, kfb. 16 sts.
9. Rows 8-30: work texture pattern: Row A, k1, rep k1, p1 to last st, k1. Row B, p1, rep p1, k1 to last st, p1.
10. Rows 31-34: work in St st.
11. Row 35: ssk, k12, k2tog. 14 sts.
12. Row 36: p all sts.
13. Row 37: ssk, k10, k2tog. 12 sts.
14. Row 38: p all sts.
15. Row 39: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
16. Row 40: p all sts.
17. BO all sts loosely.

To make the surface look plush like the image, use the same yarn tail to add small raised loops over the textured section. Make loose vertical loops about 1 row tall, spacing them every 2 sts. Do not cover the upper 6 rows, so the ears can lie flat where they attach.

Body and Neck

The body is slim because the blue dress covers most of the torso. Work the upper body in beige first, then add the dress bodice over it.

1. With beige, CO 12 sts. Join in the round.
2. Round 1: kfb in every st around. 24 sts.
3. Round 2: knit all sts.
4. Round 3: rep k3, kfb around. 30 sts.
5. Rounds 4-10: knit all sts.
6. Round 11: rep k4, kfb around. 36 sts.
7. Rounds 12-18: knit all sts.
8. Round 19: rep k4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
9. Round 20: knit all sts.
10. Round 21: rep k3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
11. Rounds 22-24: knit all sts.
12. Round 25: rep k2, k2tog around. 18 sts. This creates the neck.
13. Rounds 26-28: knit all sts.
14. BO, leaving a long sewing tail. Stuff the body firmly and keep the neck narrow.

Legs and Feet

The legs are long, slim, and ribbed-looking. The feet are rounded with small toe lines visible inside the tan sandals.

1. Make 2. With beige, CO 12 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rounds 1-24: rep k2, p1 around to create a subtle ribbed leg texture.
3. Round 25: k all sts.
4. Round 26: kfb in first st, k4, kfb, k6. 14 sts.
5. Round 27: knit all sts.
6. Round 28: kfb, k6, kfb, k6. 16 sts.
7. Rounds 29-32: knit all sts.
8. Round 33: k2tog, k12, k2tog. 14 sts.
9. Round 34: k2tog, k10, k2tog. 12 sts.
10. Stuff the leg lightly and the foot firmly.
11. Round 35: k2tog around. 6 sts. Cut yarn, pull through remaining sts, and close.

Use beige yarn to embroider 3 toe lines on the front of each foot. Each line should run from the sandal opening toward the toe edge over 3 rounds.

Arms and Paws

The arms hang forward over the dress and meet near the crossbody strap. They are narrow at the shoulder and rounded at the paw.

1. Make 2. With beige, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rounds 1-18: knit all sts.
3. Round 19: rep k1, kfb around. 12 sts.
4. Rounds 20-24: knit all sts for the rounded paw.
5. Round 25: rep k1, k2tog around. 8 sts.
6. Stuff the paw firmly and the arm lightly.
7. Round 26: k2tog around. 4 sts. Cut yarn, pull through remaining sts, and secure.

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Blue Dress Bodice

The dress is the key feature. It has a fitted blue bodice, short sleeves, cream collar, and a flared skirt covered with red strawberries. Work the bodice separately and seam it neatly around the body.

1. With light blue, CO 36 sts and work flat.
2. Rows 1-4: work in k1, p1 rib.
3. Row 5: knit all sts.
4. Row 6: purl all sts.
5. Rows 7-16: continue in St st.
6. Row 17: k6, BO 4 sts, k16, BO 4 sts, k6. This opens the armholes.
7. Row 18: p6, CO 4 sts over gap, p16, CO 4 sts over gap, p6. 36 sts.
8. Rows 19-22: work in St st.
9. Rows 23-24: work in k1, p1 rib.
10. BO all sts. Wrap the bodice around the body with the seam at center back and sew closed.

Short Blue Sleeves

1. Make 2. With light blue, CO 16 sts and work flat.
2. Rows 1-2: k all sts for a garter edge.
3. Rows 3-8: work in St st.
4. Row 9: k2tog across. 8 sts.
5. BO, leaving a tail.
6. Fold each sleeve into a shallow tube and sew it around the armhole opening. Let the beige arms pass through the sleeves.

Cream Scalloped Collar

The collar sits above the blue dress and frames the puppy’s face. It has small rounded scallops like the cream collar shown in the image.

1. With cream, CO 30 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1: knit all sts.
3. Row 2: purl all sts.
4. Row 3: k2, rep k2tog, yo, k3 to last 3 sts, k3.
5. Row 4: purl all sts.
6. Row 5: rep k1, kfb across to last st, k1. 44 sts.
7. Row 6: purl all sts.
8. Row 7: rep BO 4 sts, k1 across, binding off in small scallop sections until all sts are secured.

Sew the straight edge around the neckline, placing the center front scallop under the chin. The collar should overlap slightly at the back.

Flared Blue Skirt

The skirt is wide at the hem and shaped like an A-line dress. The lower edge should sit above the knees and curve gently around the body.

1. With light blue, CO 72 sts. Join in the round carefully without twisting.
2. Rounds 1-4: purl all sts for a rolled lower edge like the thick hem in the photo.
3. Rounds 5-8: knit all sts.
4. Round 9: rep k10, k2tog around. 66 sts.
5. Rounds 10-14: knit all sts.
6. Round 15: rep k9, k2tog around. 60 sts.
7. Rounds 16-20: knit all sts.
8. Round 21: rep k8, k2tog around. 54 sts.
9. Rounds 22-26: knit all sts.
10. Round 27: rep k7, k2tog around. 48 sts.
11. Rounds 28-30: knit all sts.
12. BO loosely. Sew the top of the skirt to the lower edge of the bodice, keeping the gathers even.

Strawberry Motifs on the Dress

Use duplicate stitch after the skirt is sewn on. Make 14 small strawberries across the skirt, with more near the hem and fewer near the waist. Each strawberry is 4 sts wide and 5 rows tall.

• Red section: duplicate stitch Row 1 with 2 red sts, Row 2 with 4 red sts, Row 3 with 4 red sts, Row 4 with 3 red sts, and Row 5 with 1 red st at the bottom point.
• Green top: add 3 small green stitches above the red shape, one center stitch and two angled side stitches.
• Placement: put 8 strawberries around the lower skirt, 4 around the middle, and 2 near the bodice line.

Blue Hair Bow

The bow sits on the puppy’s upper right side, just above the ear. It is small, soft, and slightly folded in the middle.

1. With blue, CO 12 sts and work flat.
2. Rows 1-8: work in St st.
3. BO all sts. Weave in the short end.
4. Pinch the rectangle at the center and wrap blue yarn around the middle 8 times.
5. Make the bow center by CO 4 sts, knitting 4 rows, and binding off. Wrap this strip around the pinched center and sew closed.
6. Sew the bow at a 35-degree angle on the head, just above the puppy’s right ear.

Cream Apple Tote Bag

The tote bag hangs across the body on a cream strap. It sits at the puppy’s left hip and has a red apple embroidered on the front.

1. With cream, CO 16 sts and work flat.
2. Rows 1-18: work in St st.
3. Rows 19-20: knit all sts for the bag lip.
4. BO all sts.
5. Fold the piece in half with RS facing out. Sew the side seams, leaving the top open.
6. For the flap, PU 12 sts along the back top edge. Work 5 rows in St st, then BO.
7. For the strap, CO 4 sts. Knit every row until the strap measures 13 inches. BO.
8. Sew strap ends to the upper side corners of the bag. Place the strap from the right shoulder across to the left hip.

Embroider the apple on the bag front using red duplicate stitch over 5 sts wide and 6 rows tall. Add a tiny brown or green stem and one green leaf at the upper right.

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Tan Sandals

The sandals have oval soles, crossed straps over the feet, and small blue flowers on the outer sides.

1. Make 2 soles. With tan, CO 8 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1: knit all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Rows 3-8: knit all sts.
5. Row 9: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
6. Rows 10-18: knit all sts.
7. Row 19: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
8. Row 20: knit all sts.
9. Row 21: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
10. BO all sts.
11. For each front strap, CO 4 sts and knit 18 rows. BO. Make 4 straps total.
12. Cross 2 straps over each foot in an X shape and sew ends under the sole edge.
13. For the ankle strap, CO 4 sts and knit 20 rows. BO. Sew around the back of the foot.

Blue Flower for Sandals

1. Make 2. With blue, CO 5 sts.
2. Row 1: kfb in each st. 10 sts.
3. BO tightly, curling the edge into a tiny flower.
4. Use cream yarn to stitch a small center knot.
5. Sew one flower to the outside of each sandal strap.

Small Straw Hat

The straw hat rests beside the puppy in the image. It has a rounded beige crown, flat brim, blue band, and tiny flower.

1. With beige, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Round 1: kfb around. 16 sts.
3. Round 2: knit all sts.
4. Round 3: rep k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Round 4: knit all sts.
6. Round 5: rep k2, kfb around. 32 sts.
7. Rounds 6-15: knit all sts for the rounded crown.
8. Round 16: purl all sts to make the brim fold line.
9. Round 17: rep k3, kfb around. 40 sts.
10. Round 18: knit all sts.
11. Round 19: rep k4, kfb around. 48 sts.
12. Rounds 20-23: knit all sts.
13. BO loosely. Flatten the brim gently.

For the blue band, CO 5 sts and knit every row until the strip fits around the hat crown. Sew it around Round 16. Add a small blue flower using the same flower method as the sandals.

Picnic Basket

The basket is rectangular, warm brown, and textured to look woven. It has a handle and holds a folded cream and blue picnic blanket with red accent stitches.

1. With basket brown, CO 22 sts and work flat.
2. Rows 1-6: knit all sts for the base.
3. Row 7: knit all sts.
4. Row 8: purl all sts.
5. Rows 9-24: basket texture pattern: Row A, rep k2, p2 across to last 2 sts, k2. Row B, rep p2, k2 across to last 2 sts, p2.
6. Rows 25-30: knit all sts for the opposite base side.
7. BO all sts.
8. Fold the knitted rectangle into a shallow box. Sew side seams to make a basket about 3 inches wide, 2 inches tall, and 1.5 inches deep.
9. For the handle, CO 5 sts and knit every row for 34 rows. BO. Sew one end to each side of the basket, arching the handle upward.

Folded Picnic Blanket

1. With cream, CO 18 sts and work flat.
2. Rows 1-4: knit all sts.
3. Rows 5-6: switch to blue and knit all sts.
4. Rows 7-10: switch to cream and knit all sts.
5. Rows 11-12: switch to blue and knit all sts.
6. Rows 13-16: switch to cream and knit all sts.
7. BO all sts.
8. Use red yarn to add 4 short diagonal accent stitches on the visible folded edge.
9. Fold the blanket twice and place it inside the picnic basket, letting the striped edge show over the top.

Red Apple Accessory

The apple sits near the basket and echoes the apple embroidery on the tote. Shape it round with a slight top dip.

1. With red, CO 6 sts. Join in the round.
2. Round 1: kfb around. 12 sts.
3. Round 2: rep k1, kfb around. 18 sts.
4. Round 3: rep k2, kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Rounds 4-9: knit all sts.
6. Round 10: rep k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
7. Round 11: rep k1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
8. Stuff firmly.
9. Round 12: k2tog around. 6 sts. Pull closed.
10. Thread yarn from top to bottom and back to top, pulling gently to form the apple dip.

For the leaf, CO 5 sts with green. Row 1: k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1. 7 sts. Row 2: purl. Row 3: ssk, k3, k2tog. 5 sts. Row 4: purl. Row 5: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts. BO. Sew to the top with a tiny brown or green stem.

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Facial Details and Eye Highlights

Use white yarn to add one small highlight stitch on the upper outer edge of each black eye. The highlight makes the eyes look glossy like the photo. Add a second smaller highlight at the lower inner edge if desired, but keep both eyes symmetrical.

With beige yarn, lightly pull the head inward at the inner corners of the eyes. Insert the needle behind one eye, pass across the inside of the head, and come out behind the other eye. Pull gently, knot securely, and hide the yarn tail. This creates the soft puppy expression.

Assembly Order

1. Sew the head to the narrow neck of the body. The face should point forward, with the muzzle centered over the body front.
2. Attach the ears to the sides of the head between Rounds 14 and 19. Angle each ear slightly forward so it frames the face. The lower ends should reach near the shoulder line.
3. Sew the blue bow above the puppy’s right ear, angled slightly upward.
4. Sew the legs to the lower body, spacing them about 6 sts apart. The feet should point forward and sit flat.
5. Dress the body with the blue bodice first, then sew the skirt to the bodice line.
6. Insert the arms through the sleeves and sew the upper arms to the body just below the collar. Angle them downward and slightly inward so the paws rest over the dress.
7. Add the cream collar around the neckline, making sure the scalloped points show clearly.
8. Place the cream tote strap from the right shoulder to the left hip. Sew the bag lightly to the dress so it stays in place.
9. Sew the sandals onto the feet, then attach the blue flower decorations on the outer sides.
10. Place the picnic basket, folded blanket, apple, and straw hat beside the doll for the full display scene.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the puppy from the front before securing every final knot. The eyes should be level, the nose centered, and the ears matched in length. The dress hem should curve evenly around the legs. Add final tiny green stitches to the strawberries if any fruit motifs look too plain.

• Brush the ears gently with your fingers only; do not over-fluff them.
• Hide all yarn tails inside the body, head, or accessories.
• Use pins first when placing the bow, collar, bag, and ears.
• Keep the mouth embroidery small and sweet so the face stays gentle.

Care Notes

Spot clean the finished puppy with cool water and mild soap. Do not soak the toy if you used safety eyes, glued details, or delicate embroidery. Press gently with a towel and let the piece air dry flat.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is round, firmly stuffed, and larger than the body.
• The ears are long, textured, and sewn forward at the sides.
• The blue dress has a fitted bodice, flared skirt, cream collar, and red strawberries.
• The tote crosses from shoulder to hip and shows a red apple.
• The sandals have crossed tan straps and blue flower accents.
• The basket, blanket, straw hat, and apple are completed for the picnic scene.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the puppy upright in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep the blue dress and red embroidery from rubbing against dark fabrics. For long-term display, place the doll on a clean shelf and keep the small accessories together in a shallow box or fabric pouch.

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If the toy becomes dusty, use a soft dry cloth or a clean makeup brush to remove surface dust. Avoid pulling the strawberry stitches or textured ear loops. After cleaning, reshape the ears, dress hem, hat brim, and tote strap with your fingers while the yarn is still slightly damp.