Knitting Tutorial: Fair Isle Pig and Piglet in Blue Dotted Dress – Free Knitting Pattern

Knitting Tutorial: Fair Isle Pig and Piglet in Blue Dotted Dress – Free Knitting Pattern

This charming pig and piglet knitting design is made to capture the sweet, collectible look of a handmade heirloom toy with a soft pastel wardrobe and tiny matching accessories. The finished set is perfect for a nursery gift, spring décor, a handmade toy display, or a boutique-style knitted animal for shoppers searching for knitted pig doll, handmade soft toy, fair isle dress toy, and collectible knitted animal patterns.

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 makes one standing pig doll, one tiny piglet, one striped dress, one shoulder bag, one pair of shoes, one head bow, one straw-style hat, one miniature watering can, and one strawberry.

The overall look is soft, round, and gentle. The head is oversized compared with the body, the limbs are narrow and lightly stuffed, and the dress is the main visual feature with pale blue, cream, and mustard stripes plus a simple fair isle flower band.

The piglet sits partially inside the little bag, so it should be made small enough to fit securely without stretching the bag opening. The shoes are open at the toe, and the hat is flat and wide like a summer garden hat.

Materials

  • Sport weight yarn in pale pink
  • Sport weight yarn in cream
  • Sport weight yarn in pale blue
  • Sport weight yarn in soft mustard
  • Sport weight yarn in beige or sand
  • Small amount of green yarn
  • Small amount of red yarn
  • Small amount of floral pink yarn for tiny flower accents
  • Small amount of gray yarn for watering can
  • Two 3 mm black beads for eyes on big pig
  • Two very tiny black beads or black French knots for piglet eyes
  • Toy stuffing
  • Tapestry needle
  • Stitch markers
  • Double-pointed needles or magic loop needles in US 2 to US 3
  • Optional 2.25 mm needles for tighter accessories

Gauge and Size

Gauge is not critically important if you keep the fabric firm and consistent. The knitted fabric in the image is smooth, close, and lightly structured, so use needles small enough that stuffing does not show through.

Approximate finished size of the pig doll is 9 to 10 inches tall from top of head to sole of foot. The piglet should be about 2 to 2.5 inches tall. The hat should fit loosely beside the doll rather than on the head.

Abbreviations

  • CO = cast on
  • BO = bind off
  • K = knit
  • P = purl
  • Kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
  • K2tog = knit 2 stitches together
  • Ssk = slip, slip, knit
  • St st = stockinette stitch
  • Garter = knit every row
  • Rnd = round
  • Rep = repeat
  • PM = place marker
  • SM = slip marker

Color Notes

The pig body is pale pink throughout. The dress uses cream as the main base, with sky blue and soft mustard stripes. The fair isle band is pale blue with tiny cream details.

The shoes are cream with pale blue striping and a tiny pink flower on each side. The bag is beige with a cream and pink daisy. The hat is sand colored with a floral band effect added in embroidery.

Main Pig Doll

Legs Make 2

Each leg is long, narrow, and gently tapered. The feet are simple and not strongly shaped because the shoes cover the lower front edge. Work both legs the same.

  1. Using pale pink, CO 10 sts. Divide for working in the round. Join carefully. Rnd 1: K all.
  2. Rnd 2: Kfb in each st. 20 sts.
  3. Rnd 3 to 6: K all.
  4. Rnd 7: K3, K2tog, K10, ssk, K3. 18 sts.
  5. Rnd 8 to 22: K all.
  6. Rnd 23: K2, K2tog, K10, ssk, K2. 16 sts.
  7. Rnd 24 to 34: K all.
  8. Stuff foot and lower leg firmly, then upper leg lightly.
  9. Flatten top opening and place sts on holder.

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Make the second leg the same. Keep the shaping subtle. These legs should look slim and straight, with only a soft foot base.

Body

The body is hidden under the dress, so keep it neat and well proportioned rather than heavily shaped. It should support the dress and allow the arms to sit low and relaxed.

  1. Place both leg tops onto needles. K across first leg, CO 4 sts for crotch bridge, K across second leg, CO 4 sts. 40 sts.
  2. Rnd 1: K all.
  3. Rnd 2: K all.
  4. Rnd 3: Kfb, K18, Kfb, Kfb, K18, Kfb. 44 sts.
  5. Rnd 4 to 10: K all.
  6. Rnd 11: K all.
  7. Rnd 12: K2, K2tog, K16, ssk, K2, K2, K2tog, K16, ssk, K2. 40 sts.
  8. Rnd 13 to 18: K all.
  9. Rnd 19: K3, K2tog, K12, ssk, K4, K2tog, K12, ssk, K3. 36 sts.
  10. Rnd 20 to 26: K all.
  11. Rnd 27: K all.
  12. Rnd 28: K2tog evenly 6 times across round. 30 sts.
  13. Rnd 29 to 32: K all.
  14. Stuff body firmly at base and moderately at chest.

The neck in the image is almost invisible because the large head sits close to the dress neckline. Keep only a short upper body section before attaching the head.

Head

The head is the key feature. It is large, nearly spherical, and slightly wider than tall. The snout is integrated later as a separate circular piece. The face is simple with tiny bead eyes and a stitched nose.

  1. From body top, continue in pale pink. Rnd 1: Kfb in every 5th st around. 36 sts.
  2. Rnd 2: K all.
  3. Rnd 3: Kfb in every 4th st around. 45 sts.
  4. Rnd 4: K all.
  5. Rnd 5: Kfb in every 5th st around. 54 sts.
  6. Rnd 6: K all.
  7. Rnd 7: Kfb in every 6th st around. 63 sts.
  8. Rnd 8 to 19: K all.
  9. Rnd 20: K7, K2tog around. 56 sts.
  10. Rnd 21: K all.
  11. Rnd 22: K6, K2tog around. 49 sts.
  12. Rnd 23: K all.
  13. Rnd 24: K5, K2tog around. 42 sts.
  14. Insert stuffing gradually. Pack the lower face well to support the snout.
  15. Rnd 25: K4, K2tog around. 35 sts.
  16. Rnd 26: K all.
  17. Rnd 27: K3, K2tog around. 28 sts.
  18. Rnd 28: K2, K2tog around. 21 sts.
  19. Rnd 29: K1, K2tog around. 14 sts.
  20. Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and close.

Shape the head with your hands while stuffing so it keeps a rounded crown and full cheeks. The face in the image is smooth, not pointed.

Snout

The snout is a separate circular cup, lightly stuffed, then sewn low and centered. It is not very long. It sits flat against the face with a soft rounded front.

  1. Using pale pink, CO 6 sts and join.
  2. Rnd 1: Kfb in each st. 12 sts.
  3. Rnd 2: K all.
  4. Rnd 3: Kfb in every st. 24 sts.
  5. Rnd 4 to 6: K all.
  6. Rnd 7: P all for turning ridge.
  7. Rnd 8 to 9: K all.
  8. BO loosely, leaving a long tail.

Lightly stuff the snout. Stitch two vertical nostril marks in pink embroidery yarn, then add a small horizontal curve between them if desired.

Ears Make 2

The ears are triangular-oval and slightly floppy. The inner ear is blush pink, while the outer edge matches the body. A soft fold at the lower base gives the right angle.

  1. Using pale pink, CO 3 sts.
  2. Row 1: K.
  3. Row 2: Kfb, K1, Kfb. 5 sts.
  4. Row 3: P.
  5. Row 4: Kfb, K3, Kfb. 7 sts.
  6. Row 5: P.
  7. Row 6: K1, Kfb, K3, Kfb, K1. 9 sts.
  8. Row 7: P.
  9. Row 8: K.
  10. Row 9: P.
  11. Row 10: Ssk, K5, K2tog. 7 sts.
  12. Row 11: P.
  13. Row 12: Ssk, K3, K2tog. 5 sts.
  14. Row 13: P.
  15. Row 14: Ssk, K1, K2tog. 3 sts.
  16. Row 15: P3tog. Fasten off.

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Make a second inner ear piece in a slightly deeper pink if desired, one stitch smaller around all sides, and sew onto the first piece. Fold the lower edge inward before attaching to the head.

Arms Make 2

The arms are narrow tubes with gentle tapering and rounded ends. They hang downward rather than outward. They should reach just below the dress waistline.

  1. Using pale pink, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
  2. Rnd 1: Kfb in each st. 16 sts.
  3. Rnd 2 to 4: K all.
  4. Rnd 5: K2tog twice, K8, ssk twice. 12 sts.
  5. Rnd 6 to 24: K all.
  6. Stuff the lower third only. Leave upper arm soft so it lies naturally.
  7. Flatten opening and sew closed.

Dress

The dress is one of the most important pieces in the whole design. It is sleeveless, slightly A-line, and worked from the lower edge upward. The skirt is wider than the chest, and the neckline is round and modest.

The image shows thin horizontal stripes in cream, pale blue, and mustard. The center band includes a fair isle motif of blue flowers or diamonds spaced evenly around the skirt.

Dress Body

  1. Using pale blue, CO 96 sts. Join in the round, making sure not to twist.
  2. Rnd 1 to 4: Knit in garter round style by alternating one knit round and one purl round, ending with a knit round. This creates the firm lower edge visible in the dress hem.
  3. Rnd 5 to 8: Work St st in cream.
  4. Rnd 9 to 10: Work St st in pale blue.
  5. Rnd 11 to 12: Work St st in mustard.
  6. Rnd 13 to 16: Work St st in cream.
  7. Rnd 17 to 26: Work fair isle band using cream as background and pale blue motif.

For the fair isle band, repeat a 12-stitch pattern 8 times around:

  • Rnd A: 4 cream, 4 blue, 4 cream
  • Rnd B: 3 cream, 1 blue, 2 cream, 1 blue, 2 cream, 1 blue, 2 cream
  • Rnd C: 2 cream, 2 blue, 2 cream, 2 blue, 2 cream, 2 blue
  • Rnd D: 3 cream, 1 blue, 2 cream, 1 blue, 2 cream, 1 blue, 2 cream
  • Rnd E: 4 cream, 4 blue, 4 cream
  • Rnd F: all cream
  • Rnd G: 5 cream, 2 blue, 5 cream
  • Rnd H: all cream
  • Rnd I: repeat Rnd A
  • Rnd J: all cream

This charted-style sequence creates a soft floral-diamond look similar to the photographed dress. Keep floats loose but tidy so the skirt hangs smoothly.

  1. Rnd 27 to 30: Work St st in cream.
  2. Rnd 31 to 32: Work St st in mustard.
  3. Rnd 33 to 36: Work St st in pale blue.
  4. Rnd 37: *K14, K2tog; rep from around. 90 sts.
  5. Rnd 38 to 40: Work in cream.
  6. Rnd 41: *K13, K2tog; rep from around. 84 sts.
  7. Rnd 42 to 44: Work in pale blue.
  8. Rnd 45: *K12, K2tog; rep from around. 78 sts.
  9. Rnd 46 to 48: Work in cream.
  10. Rnd 49: *K11, K2tog; rep from around. 72 sts.
  11. Rnd 50 to 52: Work in mustard.
  12. Rnd 53 to 56: Work in pale blue.

At this point the skirt should begin to narrow toward the upper body while still keeping the gentle swing shape seen in the photo.

Divide for Armholes

  1. Rnd 57: K18, BO 4, K32, BO 4, K18. Front 32 sts, back 32 sts, with 18-stitch side sections blending into shaping.
  2. Work front and back separately in rows.

Front Bodice

  1. Row 1 RS: Join at front. K32.
  2. Row 2 WS: P32.
  3. Row 3: K2tog, K28, ssk. 30 sts.
  4. Row 4: P30.
  5. Row 5: K30.
  6. Row 6: P30.
  7. Row 7: K2tog, K26, ssk. 28 sts.
  8. Row 8: P28.
  9. Row 9: K8, BO 12, K8.

Work each strap separately:

  1. Left strap Row 10: P8.
  2. Row 11: K2tog, K4, ssk. 6 sts.
  3. Row 12: P6.
  4. Row 13: K6.
  5. Row 14: P6.
  6. BO.

Repeat for right strap.

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Back Bodice

  1. Row 1 RS: K32.
  2. Row 2 WS: P32.
  3. Row 3: K2tog, K28, ssk. 30 sts.
  4. Row 4: P30.
  5. Row 5: K30.
  6. Row 6: P30.
  7. Row 7: K2tog, K26, ssk. 28 sts.
  8. Row 8: P28.
  9. Row 9: K10, BO 8, K10.

Work each back strap:

  1. Row 10: P10.
  2. Row 11: K2tog, K6, ssk. 8 sts.
  3. Row 12: P8.
  4. Row 13: K8.
  5. Row 14: P8.
  6. BO.

Sew shoulder seams. Pick up around armholes and neck using pale blue. Knit 1 round or 1 row border, then BO neatly. Add three tiny front buttons down the upper chest as shown in the image.

Shoes Make 2

The shoes are sandal-style slippers with open toes and a strap across the foot. The sole is beige-cream and the upper strap has pale blue stripes plus a flower on the outside edge.

Sole

  1. Using beige, CO 6 sts.
  2. Row 1: Kfb, K4, Kfb. 8 sts.
  3. Row 2: P.
  4. Row 3: Kfb, K6, Kfb. 10 sts.
  5. Row 4: P.
  6. Row 5: K.
  7. Row 6: P.
  8. Row 7: Kfb, K8, Kfb. 12 sts.
  9. Row 8: P.
  10. BO.

Upper Strap

  1. Using cream, CO 10 sts.
  2. Row 1: K.
  3. Row 2: P.
  4. Row 3: K in pale blue.
  5. Row 4: P in pale blue.
  6. Row 5: K in cream.
  7. BO.

Sew the sole under the foot. Attach the strap across the front upper foot, leaving the toe visible. Add a narrow ankle strap from 3 knitted stitches or twisted cord, and sew a tiny pink flower at the outer side of each shoe.

Head Bow

The little bow sits centered between the ears. It is tiny and soft, made in cream and pale blue.

  1. Using cream, CO 10 sts.
  2. Row 1 to 4: Work garter.
  3. BO.

Wrap the center with pale blue yarn several times and secure. Stitch between the ears.

Shoulder Bag

The bag is small, beige, and lightly textured. It hangs crossbody from the pig’s left shoulder to the right hip. The piglet peeks out from the bag opening, so do not make the opening too tight.

  1. Using beige, CO 18 sts.
  2. Row 1 to 12: Work garter stitch.
  3. Row 13: K5, BO 8, K5.
  4. Row 14: Knit the 5 sts, rejoin yarn, knit final 5 sts.
  5. Row 15 to 22: Work both sides separately in garter for 5 sts each.
  6. BO.

Fold the lower section upward to form a pocket. Sew sides. For the strap, make an i-cord or twisted cord about 14 inches long and attach to upper corners.

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Add a daisy to the front: one cream or pale pink French knot center, five cream petals, one green leaf, and a small mustard or pink accent if desired.

Piglet

The piglet is a simplified miniature version of the main pig. It should have a round head, tiny torso, little stub arms, and bead or stitched eyes. It sits in the bag at an angle.

Piglet Body and Head

  1. Using pale pink, CO 8 sts and join.
  2. Rnd 1: Kfb in each st. 16 sts.
  3. Rnd 2 to 4: K all.
  4. Rnd 5: K1, Kfb around. 24 sts.
  5. Rnd 6 to 10: K all.
  6. Rnd 11: K2tog around. 12 sts.
  7. Rnd 12: K all.
  8. Rnd 13: Kfb in each st. 24 sts.
  9. Rnd 14 to 18: K all.
  10. Rnd 19: K2, K2tog around. 18 sts.
  11. Rnd 20: K all.
  12. Rnd 21: K1, K2tog around. 12 sts.
  13. Stuff lightly but firmly.
  14. Rnd 22: K2tog around. 6 sts.
  15. Close tightly.

Piglet Snout

  1. CO 4 sts and join.
  2. Rnd 1: Kfb in each st. 8 sts.
  3. Rnd 2 to 3: K all.
  4. BO.

Sew to face and embroider nostrils.

Piglet Ears Make 2

  1. CO 2 sts.
  2. Row 1: K.
  3. Row 2: Kfb, Kfb. 4 sts.
  4. Row 3: P.
  5. Row 4: Ssk, K2tog. 2 sts.
  6. Fasten off.

Piglet Arms Make 2

  1. CO 4 sts.
  2. Work 4 rows St st.
  3. Fasten off and roll into tiny tubes.

Sew piglet arms near upper body. Position one arm slightly lifted to match the tucked, cuddly pose shown in the image.

Summer Hat

The hat in the image is a separate flat accessory with a shallow crown and broad brim. It resembles a straw sunhat with a floral ribbon band.

  1. Using sand yarn, CO 8 sts and join.
  2. Rnd 1: Kfb in each st. 16 sts.
  3. Rnd 2: K all.
  4. Rnd 3: K1, Kfb around. 24 sts.
  5. Rnd 4: K all.
  6. Rnd 5: K2, Kfb around. 32 sts.
  7. Rnd 6: K all.
  8. Rnd 7: K3, Kfb around. 40 sts.
  9. Rnd 8 to 10: K all.
  10. Rnd 11: K4, Kfb around. 48 sts.
  11. Rnd 12: P all for brim fold effect.
  12. Rnd 13: K5, Kfb around. 56 sts.
  13. Rnd 14: K all.
  14. Rnd 15: K6, Kfb around. 64 sts.
  15. Rnd 16: K all.
  16. BO loosely.

Embroider a floral ribbon around the base of the crown using pink and green stitches. Flatten gently with steam if needed.

Mini Watering Can

This tiny accessory adds the garden theme. It should be small, soft, and slightly rounded with a short spout and curved handle.

  1. Using gray, CO 12 sts and join.
  2. Rnd 1 to 4: K all.
  3. Rnd 5: Kfb every 3rd st. 16 sts.
  4. Rnd 6 to 8: K all.
  5. Rnd 9: K2tog evenly around. 8 sts.
  6. Stuff lightly.
  7. Close top.

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For spout, CO 3 sts and work 6 rows i-cord. Sew to side at an upward angle.

For handle, twist a short strand or knit an i-cord of 8 rows and sew from upper back to top side.

Strawberry

The strawberry is bright red, plump, and slightly heart shaped with a small green cap. Add a few tiny cream seed stitches if you want the same decorative finish.

  1. Using red, CO 6 sts and join.
  2. Rnd 1: Kfb each st. 12 sts.
  3. Rnd 2: K all.
  4. Rnd 3: K1, Kfb around. 18 sts.
  5. Rnd 4 to 6: K all.
  6. Rnd 7: K1, K2tog around. 12 sts.
  7. Stuff lightly.
  8. Rnd 8: K2tog around. 6 sts.
  9. Close top.

For leaf cap, pick up or sew on a small green star with 5 points. Add tiny cream seed stitches scattered across the red surface.

Facial Placement

Careful facial placement is essential for the gentle expression. The eyes are small and wide set. The snout sits low, leaving plenty of forehead space.

  • Place big pig eyes about 12 to 14 rows above the lower edge of the snout
  • Set eyes about 10 to 12 stitches apart
  • Sew snout centered between eyes and lower face
  • Add faint pink blush on cheeks if desired with soft yarn or blush-safe textile coloring
  • Keep mouth minimal or omit it for the same calm look as the image

Assembly Order

Following the right order will help the doll keep its neat proportions and make dressing easier.

  1. Sew head securely to body if not knitted continuously
  2. Attach snout and shape it gently
  3. Sew ears high on head, angled outward
  4. Add bead eyes
  5. Attach arms low on shoulder line so they hang softly
  6. Sew on shoes
  7. Dress the doll and secure dress at shoulders if needed
  8. Add tiny front buttons
  9. Sew bow between ears
  10. Prepare bag and insert piglet
  11. Place strap across body and tack at shoulder and hip
  12. Arrange hat, watering can, and strawberry as separate props

Styling Notes for Accuracy

To match the image closely, keep the body soft and slightly flat rather than overly round. The dress should flare but not puff. The arms should not stick outward. The piglet must remain clearly smaller than the bag opening.

The shoes should look delicate and decorative, not bulky. The hat should be broad and low. The watering can should remain tiny compared with the doll, roughly the width of one hand.

The color balance matters. Use pale pink for the pig, soft powder blue for the strongest dress stripes, cream for the base, and only a small amount of mustard. Bright colors will change the whole mood of the finished design.

Helpful Knitting Tips

  • Use tight tension for all stuffed parts
  • Stuff in tiny amounts and shape as you go
  • For the smoothest head, shift increases so they stack less visibly
  • Catch long fair isle floats every 3 to 4 stitches
  • Sew accessories with matching thread for a clean finish
  • Use a back stitch around the snout for secure attachment
  • Anchor the bag strap in three places so it stays posed correctly

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

After all pieces are sewn, spend a few minutes adjusting the head shape, ear angle, and arm position. The expression should feel soft and calm. Tighten the snout stitches slightly if needed so the nose sits rounded and centered. Add the tiniest cheek tint only if it stays delicate.

Care Notes

Display the finished pig and piglet away from direct moisture and strong sunlight. If the doll is intended for décor, handle accessories gently and avoid pulling on the bag strap, shoes, or bow. Store flat or upright with light support behind the body.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

  • Head is round and evenly stuffed
  • Snout is centered and lightly padded
  • Eyes are matched and level
  • Ears are angled outward evenly
  • Dress stripes are balanced
  • Buttons are centered on bodice
  • Piglet fits neatly inside bag
  • Shoes sit evenly on both feet
  • Bow is centered between ears

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with a lightly damp cloth and mild soap only when needed. Do not soak if bead eyes, stuffing, or embroidery details are delicate. Let all pieces air dry completely on a towel, reshaping the head, snout, dress, and accessories while damp. Store in a breathable container to keep the yarn fresh and dust free.

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