Knitting Tutorial: Little Dog in Striped Sweater – Free Knitting Pattern

This charming knitted dog is designed as a heirloom-style stuffed animal with a cozy woodland look, making it perfect for a handmade gift, nursery decor, collectible soft toy, or artisan knit doll. The finished piece features a gentle floppy-eared puppy, a green striped cardigan, a mustard scarf, a tiny floral shoulder bag, mismatched leggings, slippers, and sweet seasonal accessories. Every section below is written to help you recreate the same look shown in the image while keeping the steps readable for confident beginners and experienced knitters alike.

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 seated knitted dog with removable clothing and accessories. The dog has a rounded head, short muzzle shaping, one deep red ear, one mustard ear, a sage-green striped cardigan with buttons, a mustard scarf, a small orange crossbody bag with embroidered daisies, mismatched legs, green slippers, a blue pom-pom hat, and two acorns.

The construction is intentionally broken into clear parts. You will knit the head, muzzle shaping, ears, body, arms, legs, cardigan, scarf, slippers, bag, hat, and acorns separately, then assemble carefully so the final posture matches the image.

Materials

• Main dog yarn: light warm gray DK wool or wool blend
• Ear colors: deep red DK and mustard DK
• Cardigan base: sage green DK
• Cardigan stripes: muted denim blue DK and rust orange DK
• Scarf: mustard DK
• Bag: warm orange DK plus white and yellow scraps for daisy embroidery
• Leggings: pale pink DK and light gray DK
• Slippers: leaf green DK, small tan scrap, tiny pink scrap
• Hat: medium blue DK
• Acorns: tan, brown, and cream DK scraps
• Needles: 2.75 mm and 3.0 mm double-pointed needles or circulars for small circumference knitting
• Optional straight needles: 3.0 mm if you prefer to knit flat pieces
• Toy stuffing
• 8 mm safety eyes, or black beads if preferred
• Black embroidery floss for nose and mouth
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Four small beige buttons for cardigan front

Gauge and Finished Size

Gauge: 28 stitches and 36 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette on 3.0 mm needles with DK yarn.

Finished seated height: about 11.5 to 12.5 inches from feet to top of head, not including hat pom-pom.

The image shows a relatively firm fabric with no visible stuffing through the stitches. Keep your knitting dense. If your stitches look open, go down a needle size.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• rnd = round
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• m1L = make 1 left
• m1R = make 1 right
• C4F = slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k2, k2 from cable needle
• C4B = slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k2, k2 from cable needle

Construction Notes

• The dog is worked mostly in the round for a smooth finish.
• The cardigan is knit flat in rows for an authentic button-front look.
• The head is larger than the body, which is important to match the proportions in the image.
• The legs are long and soft, with one pink legging and one light gray legging.
• The ears are attached asymmetrically so the head tilt looks natural.
• The muzzle is shaped mostly through stuffing and embroidery rather than a separate protruding snout piece.

Head

Use warm gray yarn and 3.0 mm needles. Knit firmly. Stuff as you go once the shaping begins to close.

1. CO 12 sts. Divide evenly over needles. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Knit.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in each st around. 24 sts.
4. Rnd 3: Knit.
5. Rnd 4: (k1, kfb) around. 36 sts.
6. Rnd 5: Knit.
7. Rnd 6: (k2, kfb) around. 48 sts.
8. Rnd 7: Knit.
9. Rnd 8: (k3, kfb) around. 60 sts.
10. Rnds 9-22: Knit 14 rounds even.

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The face in the image is smooth and rounded, not sharply pointed. The muzzle is subtly suggested. To achieve this, keep the front center stitches slightly fuller when stuffing later.

1. Rnd 23: (k8, k2tog) around. 54 sts.
2. Rnd 24: Knit.
3. Rnd 25: (k7, k2tog) around. 48 sts.
4. Rnd 26: Knit.
5. Place safety eyes between rnds 14 and 15, spacing them about 11 sts apart. The eyes should sit wide and gentle, slightly to the sides, as in the photo.
6. Begin stuffing the head firmly, keeping the lower face slightly fuller than the crown.
7. Rnd 27: (k6, k2tog) around. 42 sts.
8. Rnd 28: (k5, k2tog) around. 36 sts.
9. Rnd 29: (k4, k2tog) around. 30 sts.
10. Rnd 30: (k3, k2tog) around. 24 sts.
11. Rnd 31: (k2, k2tog) around. 18 sts.
12. Rnd 32: (k1, k2tog) around. 12 sts.
13. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and close.

Subtle Muzzle Shaping

The dog in the image does not have a large separate muzzle. Instead, it has a softly defined nose area with a small stitched mouth. Use matching gray yarn for shaping and black floss for the features.

• Thread a length of gray yarn through the head from the base opening and bring it out at the left side of the muzzle area.
• Take a small horizontal stitch across the front lower face and reinsert on the opposite side.
• Pull gently to create a shallow indentation under the nose line.
• Repeat once if needed, but do not over-tighten. The face should remain plump.

Embroider a small triangular rounded nose in black satin stitches centered about 3 rounds below the eyes. Add a short vertical line and a shallow curved smile, slightly lifted at the ends.

Ears

The ears are floppy, medium length, and attached to the sides of the head with a slight downward angle. Make one in deep red and one in mustard.

Make 2 Ears

1. CO 10 sts in chosen ear color.
2. Row 1: Purl.
3. Row 2: k1, m1L, k to last st, m1R, k1. 12 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl.
5. Row 4: k1, m1L, k to last st, m1R, k1. 14 sts.
6. Row 5: Purl.
7. Row 6: k1, m1L, k to last st, m1R, k1. 16 sts.
8. Rows 7-17: Work in stockinette, ending with a WS row.
9. Row 18: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
10. Row 19: Purl.
11. Row 20: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
12. Row 21: Purl.
13. Row 22: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
14. Row 23: Purl.
15. Row 24: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
16. Row 25: Purl.
17. Row 26: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
18. Row 27: Purl.
19. Row 28: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1. 4 sts.
20. BO knitwise.

Lightly steam or finger shape. Fold the straight cast-on edge slightly inward before sewing to create the soft hanging ear base seen in the image.

Body

The body is smaller than the head and slightly pear-shaped. Because the cardigan covers most of it, keep the body simple, smooth, and firm.

1. Using gray yarn, CO 12 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Knit.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in each st around. 24 sts.
4. Rnd 3: Knit.
5. Rnd 4: (k2, kfb) around. 32 sts.
6. Rnd 5: Knit.
7. Rnd 6: (k3, kfb) around. 40 sts.
8. Rnds 7-18: Knit even.
9. Rnd 19: (k8, k2tog) around. 36 sts.
10. Rnd 20: Knit.
11. Rnd 21: (k7, k2tog) around. 32 sts.
12. Rnds 22-24: Knit.
13. Stuff firmly.
14. Rnd 25: (k6, k2tog) around. 28 sts.
15. Rnd 26: Knit.
16. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for attaching the head, or keep live stitches if you prefer mattress grafting.

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Arms

The arms are narrow, softly stuffed, and partly hidden by the cardigan sleeves. They hang low and relaxed.

Make 2

1. Using gray yarn, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Knit.
3. Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) around. 12 sts.
4. Rnds 3-18: Knit.
5. Lightly stuff only the lower two-thirds.
6. Flatten opening and BO using 3-needle bind off or bind off flat.

Legs

The legs are long tubes with gentle stuffing. One leg is pale pink and the other is light gray, matching the exact mismatched look in the image. The dog’s feet point forward and sit wide apart.

Left Leg in Pale Pink

1. Using gray yarn for the upper foot/ankle area, CO 10 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: Knit in gray.
3. Change to pale pink.
4. Rnds 5-28: Knit.
5. Stuff lightly, keeping the tube soft.
6. Flatten top edge and BO.

Right Leg in Light Gray

1. Using gray yarn for the upper foot/ankle area, CO 10 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: Knit in gray.
3. Change to light gray.
4. Rnds 5-28: Knit.
5. Stuff lightly, keeping the leg flexible.
6. Flatten top edge and BO.

Cardigan

This cardigan is one of the most important visual details. It is sage green with narrow blue and rust stripes across the upper chest and sleeves, a button front, ribbed edges, and subtle vertical cable texture on the body fronts. Work it flat from the lower edge upward in pieces, then seam the shoulders and set in sleeves.

Back

1. Using 2.75 mm needles and green yarn, CO 34 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: k1, p1 rib across all rows, beginning Row 1 with k1.
3. Switch to 3.0 mm needles.
4. Row 7 RS: Knit.
5. Row 8 WS: Purl.
6. Rows 9-12: Repeat Rows 7-8 twice more.
7. Rows 13-14: Work 2 rows in blue stockinette stripe.
8. Rows 15-16: Work 2 rows in rust stockinette stripe.
9. Rows 17-18: Work 2 rows in blue stockinette stripe.
10. Rows 19-30: Work 12 rows in green stockinette.
11. Rows 31-32: Work 2 rows in blue stockinette stripe.
12. Rows 33-34: Work 2 rows in rust stockinette stripe.
13. Rows 35-36: Work 2 rows in blue stockinette stripe.
14. Rows 37-48: Work 12 rows in green stockinette.
15. Shape armholes. Row 49 RS: BO 3 sts, knit to end.
16. Row 50 WS: BO 3 sts, purl to end. 28 sts.
17. Rows 51-62: Work even in green stockinette.
18. Shape shoulders. Row 63 RS: BO 5 sts, knit to end.
19. Row 64 WS: BO 5 sts, purl to end.
20. BO remaining 18 sts.

Left Front

1. Using 2.75 mm needles and green yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: Work rib as follows on every row: k1, p1 across 14 sts, then k1, p1, k1, p1 for front band. Keep front band in rib throughout.
3. Switch to 3.0 mm needles.
4. Row 7 RS: k2, p2, C4F, p2, k4, p2, k2.
5. Row 8 WS: p2, k2, p4, k2, p4, k2, p2.
6. Rows 9-12: Repeat Rows 7-8 twice.
7. Rows 13-18: Work stripe sequence to match back, keeping the 4-st front band in rib and the central cable panel in pattern.
8. Continue in green, repeating the cable cross every 8th RS row.
9. At the same height as back Row 31, work second stripe set.
10. Make 4 buttonholes evenly spaced on the front band. On RS rows for buttonholes: work band rib to the position, yo, k2tog.
11. Shape armhole at side edge to match back by BO 3 sts once.
12. Continue until same total height as back.
13. At neck edge, BO 5 sts once, then 2 sts once, then 1 st once on following RS rows.
14. When same shoulder height as back, BO 5 shoulder sts.

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Right Front

Work as left front, reversing shaping and using button placement only on the opposite band if you prefer functional overlap. If you are sewing buttons only for decoration, keep this side plain and sew buttons on later.

Sleeves

1. Using 2.75 mm needles and green yarn, CO 20 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: k1, p1 rib.
3. Switch to 3.0 mm needles.
4. Rows 7-10: Work in green stockinette.
5. Rows 11-12: Blue stripe.
6. Rows 13-14: Rust stripe.
7. Rows 15-16: Blue stripe.
8. Rows 17-26: Green stockinette, increasing 1 st each side on Rows 19 and 23. 24 sts.
9. BO all sts.

Cardigan Finishing

• Sew shoulder seams.
• Sew sleeves into armholes.
• Sew side and sleeve seams.
• Sew four beige buttons to the front, aligning with buttonholes.
• The cardigan should fit close to the body, ending just below the belly and above the tops of the slippers.

Scarf

The scarf is mustard and thick, wrapped once around the neck with short tails. It is not oversized. Keep it textured and soft.

1. Using mustard yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 6 sts.
2. Rows 1-42: k1, p1 rib across.
3. BO in pattern.

Wrap the scarf around the neck once. Position the knot or overlap slightly to the front right side, leaving one short tail hanging down, as shown in the image.

Crossbody Bag

The little orange shoulder bag is narrow and slightly rounded at the bottom. It hangs across the chest from the dog’s left shoulder to the right hip area. The daisies are small but bright and should sit neatly centered on the front.

Bag Body

1. Using orange yarn and 3.0 mm needles, CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1-16: Work stockinette.
3. Row 17 RS: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 18 WS: Purl.
5. Row 19 RS: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
6. Row 20 WS: Purl.
7. BO.

Make a second identical piece for the back. Sew sides and curved lower edge, leaving top open.

Bag Strap

1. CO 3 sts in orange.
2. Work i-cord for 30 to 34 inches, depending on how low you want the bag to sit.
3. BO and sew each end firmly to the upper corners of the bag.

Daisy Embroidery

• Using white yarn or embroidery floss, stitch 5 small straight stitches around a center point to make each petal set.
• Make 3 daisies on the bag front.
• Add a tiny yellow French knot or satin center to each flower.
• Keep the flowers clustered toward the lower half of the bag front, matching the image.

Slippers

The slippers are green, soft, and rounded, with a pale tan strap detail and a tiny flower on one slipper. They sit loosely over the feet and are slightly oversized in the cute doll style shown.

Make 2 Soles

1. Using green yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl.
3. Row 2: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl.
5. Row 4: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-9: Work stockinette.
7. BO.

Upper Foot Piece, Make 2

1. CO 10 sts in green.
2. Rows 1-8: Work stockinette.
3. Row 9: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
4. Row 10: Purl.
5. Row 11: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
6. BO.

• Sew upper piece to sole, leaving back open enough to slide onto the knitted foot.
• Add a narrow tan yarn stitch across the top front as the sandal-like trim seen in the image.
• On one slipper only, add a tiny pink flower using 5 small petal stitches and a center knot.

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Blue Pom-Pom Hat

This accessory appears beside the dog in the image. It is a small ribbed beanie with a folded brim and a full pom-pom.

1. Using blue yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 28 sts. Join in round.
2. Rnds 1-12: k1, p1 rib.
3. Fold brim upward later after finishing.
4. Rnds 13-20: Knit.
5. Rnd 21: (k5, k2tog) around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 22: Knit.
7. Rnd 23: (k4, k2tog) around. 20 sts.
8. Rnd 24: Knit.
9. Rnd 25: (k3, k2tog) around. 16 sts.
10. Rnd 26: (k2, k2tog) around. 12 sts.
11. Rnd 27: (k1, k2tog) around. 8 sts.
12. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull tight.

Make a fluffy pom-pom about 2 inches wide and tie securely to the crown. Fold up the brim deeply.

Acorns

The two acorns are decorative props that help complete the exact woodland scene shown in the image. One is tan with a brown cap, and one is cream with a brown cap.

Acorn Bottom, Make 2

1. Using tan for one and cream for one, CO 6 sts. Join in round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Knit.
4. Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) around. 18 sts.
5. Rnds 4-7: Knit.
6. Rnd 8: (k1, k2tog) around. 12 sts.
7. Stuff lightly.
8. Rnd 9: k2tog around. 6 sts.
9. Close.

Acorn Caps, Make 2

1. Using brown yarn, CO 18 sts and join.
2. Rnds 1-3: Purl all rounds for a textured cap.
3. Rnd 4: (p1, p2tog) around. 12 sts.
4. BO loosely.

Sew a cap over each nut top. Add a short twisted stem or simple yarn stem.

Assembly Order

Assembly determines whether the finished toy truly resembles the dog in the image. Take your time here. Positioning matters more than rushing through the seams.

1. Sew the head securely to the top of the stuffed body. The head should tilt slightly to the dog’s right for the same sweet pose.
2. Attach the red ear on the dog’s left side and the mustard ear on the dog’s right side.
3. Sew each ear along the straight edge, placing the top attachment slightly low so the ears flop downward naturally.
4. Attach the arms just below the neck line and angle them slightly downward.
5. Sew the legs to the lower front body with a wide spacing so the dog sits open-legged as shown.
6. Dress the body in the cardigan before fully closing any tiny openings if needed.
7. Wrap on the scarf.
8. Slide on the slippers.
9. Position the bag strap diagonally across the chest and stitch lightly in place at the shoulder and side if you want it fixed.

Facial Expression Placement Guide

The expression is gentle and slightly wistful. This comes from wide-set eyes, a small nose, and a slight smile rather than a large grin.

• Eyes should sit level but not too close together.
• The nose should be compact and centered.
• The mouth should be stitched low and soft, not long or dramatic.
• The head should be stuffed firmly enough to remain round but soft enough to look cuddly.

How to Match the Exact Proportions in the Image

The image shows a dog with a large head, narrow shoulders, a compact torso, and long soft legs. Avoid making the body too large. The head should visually dominate the toy.

The ears should not stand up. They need a relaxed drape, with the red ear slightly broader in visual impact simply because of its dark color. The mustard ear should hang similarly but appear a little softer.

The cardigan should fit snugly. Do not make it oversized. The sweater in the image hugs the dog’s body and arms neatly, while the scarf and bag add the cozy layered styling.

The slippers should be rounded and cute, not sharply shaped. The bag should hang low near the right side of the belly and upper leg. The scarf should appear plush and compact rather than long and trailing.

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Suggested Knitting Sequence

• Knit head
• Knit ears
• Knit body
• Knit arms and legs
• Embroider face
• Knit cardigan pieces and assemble cardigan
• Knit scarf
• Knit slippers
• Knit bag and embroider daisies
• Knit hat and acorns
• Assemble everything in the final pose

Helpful Beginner Tips

If you are newer to toy knitting, focus on even tension. This dog is small enough that loose stitches will show quickly. Use markers and count often, especially on the cardigan and the tiny accessories.

When sewing parts together, pin them first. Sit the dog on a table and test the angle of the head, arms, and legs before making permanent stitches. Small changes in angle can make a very big difference in the final look.

For the cardigan stripes, carry yarn neatly at the side edges or cut and rejoin if you prefer a cleaner inside finish. Because the sweater is removable, keep the inside tidy enough that it slips on without snagging.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Attach the head with a slight tilt, then add the ears so they frame the face softly. Embroider the nose first, then the short center line, then the smile. Add tiny shaping stitches only if needed. The finished face should look calm, sweet, and hand-crafted rather than overly cartoonish.

Care Notes

Store the finished dog away from direct sunlight and heavy moisture. If the toy will be displayed, support it in a seated position so the legs and head keep their intended shape. Remove the hat and bag before any cleaning.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head larger than body
• One red ear and one mustard ear
• Wide-set eyes and small black nose
• Green striped cardigan with four buttons
• Mustard scarf wrapped once
• Orange daisy crossbody bag
• One pink leg and one gray leg
• Green slippers with tiny trim detail
• Optional blue pom-pom hat and two acorns

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only with cool water and a mild wool-safe soap. Press gently with a towel and reshape while damp. Do not twist, soak for long periods, or machine wash. Let all pieces air dry flat. For long-term preservation, wrap in acid-free tissue and keep in a breathable storage box.