Knitting Tutorial: Border Collie in Red Overalls – Free Knitting Pattern

This cheerful knit Border Collie is made with a rounded sitting body, a long white muzzle, black-and-tan facial markings, floppy ears, red overalls, a blue-and-white striped sweater, lace-up shoes, a flowered backpack, and tiny garden accessories. The finished toy has the same cozy handmade look as the image, with soft shaping, visible color patches, embroidered carrots, and small removable props.

 

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

• Finished height: about 11 inches from seated base to top of head, not counting the flower headband.
• Seated width: about 6 inches across the hips.
• Depth: about 6 inches from chest to tail area.
• Gauge: 7 stitches and 10 rounds = 1 inch in stockinette using worsted-weight yarn and small needles.
• Construction style: mostly worked in the round, stuffed firmly, then assembled with mattress stitch and duplicate-stitch color detailing.

Materials

• Worsted-weight yarn in black, white, tan, gray, red, sky blue, cream, beige, brown, orange, green, pale yellow, burgundy, and small amounts of flower colors.
• US size 3 double-pointed needles, or size needed to create firm fabric.
• US size 2 needles for ribbing and small accessories.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Two 10 mm brown or black safety eyes.
• One small tan button for the front of the overalls.
• Tapestry needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Black embroidery floss for nose and mouth.
• Brown embroidery floss for shoe laces.
• Optional pipe cleaner or soft armature wire for ears, tail, and watering-can handle.

Abbreviations

• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• st/sts: stitch/stitches.
• rnd/rnds: round/rounds.
• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• ssk: slip, slip, knit.
• m1: make 1 stitch.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• MC: main color.
• CC: contrast color.
• St st: stockinette stitch.

Important Color Placement Notes

The Border Collie in the image has a black head with a wide white blaze running from the forehead down the muzzle. The left side of the face is mostly black with small tan eyebrow and cheek patches, while the right side includes a broad white muzzle panel and black cheek edge.

Because knitted color placement can shift slightly depending on tension, the instructions below use a shaped base and then add some markings with duplicate stitch and embroidery. This gives beginners a cleaner result while still matching the photographed toy closely.

• Body dog color: mostly white chest and lower paws, black shoulders and side patches, tan details near cheeks and legs.
• Sweater: blue and white stripes, ribbed blue neck, ribbed blue cuffs.
• Overalls: deep red, rounded shorts section, front bib with one small button, carrot embroidery on bib.
• Accessories: beige backpack with floral embroidery, beige headband with red, blue, and cream bobble flowers, sandals, straw hat, gray watering can, small trowel, and knitted seed pods.

Knitting Method Overview

The head, body, legs, arms, ears, muzzle, sweater, overalls, and accessories are all knitted separately. This gives the toy a crisp layered look like the image, where the sweater sleeves sit under the red overall straps and the backpack straps cross naturally over the shoulders.

Use firm stuffing for the head and body so the Border Collie sits upright. Stuff the muzzle more softly so it keeps a gentle rounded shape. The ears should be slightly floppy, with only the upper edge sewn firmly to the head.

Head

Work in the round with black as the main color. Use white only for the center blaze section where noted. Carry colors loosely across the wrong side, or knit the head in black and duplicate-stitch the white blaze afterward for an easier finish.

1. With black yarn and US size 3 needles, CO 8 sts. Divide across 3 needles and 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: k1, kfb, repeat around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: k2, kfb, repeat around. 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: k all sts.
9. Rnd 8: k3, kfb, repeat around. 40 sts.
10. Rnd 9: k all sts.
11. Rnd 10: k4, kfb, repeat around. 48 sts.
12. Rnd 11: k all sts.
13. Rnd 12: k5, kfb, repeat around. 56 sts.
14. Rnds 13-18: k all sts in black.
15. Rnd 19: k22 black, k12 white, k22 black. This begins the forehead blaze.
16. Rnd 20: k21 black, k14 white, k21 black.
17. Rnd 21: k20 black, k16 white, k20 black.
18. Rnd 22: k19 black, k18 white, k19 black.
19. Rnd 23: k19 black, k18 white, k19 black.
20. Rnd 24: k18 black, k20 white, k18 black.
21. Rnd 25: k18 black, k20 white, k18 black.
22. Rnd 26: k19 black, k18 white, k19 black.
23. Rnd 27: k20 black, k16 white, k20 black.
24. Rnd 28: k21 black, k14 white, k21 black.
25. Rnd 29: k22 black, k12 white, k22 black.
26. Rnd 30: k6, k2tog, repeat around. 49 sts.
27. Rnd 31: k all sts.
28. Rnd 32: k5, k2tog, repeat around. 42 sts.
29. Rnd 33: k all sts.
30. Rnd 34: k4, k2tog, repeat around. 35 sts.
31. Pause to insert safety eyes between Rnds 22 and 23, placing them 11 sts apart. Position each eye slightly above the future muzzle.
32. Begin stuffing the head firmly, shaping the cheeks outward with your fingers.
33. Rnd 35: k3, k2tog, repeat around. 28 sts.
34. Rnd 36: k all sts.
35. Rnd 37: k2, k2tog, repeat around. 21 sts.
36. Rnd 38: k1, k2tog, repeat around. 14 sts.
37. Rnd 39: k2tog around. 7 sts.
38. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave in securely.

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Head Marking Embroidery

• Using tan yarn, duplicate-stitch one small eyebrow above each eye. Make each eyebrow 4 sts wide and 2 rows tall.
• On the black cheek side, duplicate-stitch a tan cheek patch measuring 7 sts wide and 5 rows tall, tapering at the bottom.
• On the white side of the muzzle area, add 4 scattered tan duplicate stitches to create the speckled Border Collie look.
• Using black yarn, add a curved cheek line beneath the right eye with 5 diagonal duplicate stitches.

Muzzle

The muzzle is knitted separately in white with tan speckles and a black nose. It should be long and softly oval, projecting forward from the face like the image.

1. With white yarn, CO 8 sts and 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: k1, kfb, repeat around. 24 sts.
6. Rnds 5-8: k all sts.
7. Rnd 9: k2, kfb, repeat around. 32 sts.
8. Rnds 10-15: k all sts.
9. Rnd 16: k6, k2tog, repeat around. 28 sts.
10. Rnd 17: k all sts.
11. Rnd 18: k5, k2tog, repeat around. 24 sts.
12. Rnd 19: k all sts.
13. Rnd 20: k4, k2tog, repeat around. 20 sts.
14. BO all sts, leaving a 20-inch tail for sewing.

Stuff the muzzle lightly. Place it across the lower front of the head, centered beneath the white blaze. The top edge should sit just below the eyes, and the bottom edge should curve slightly under the chin.

Nose and Mouth

• With black yarn, embroider a satin-stitch oval nose over the front 8 sts of the muzzle.
• Make the nose 4 rows tall, slightly wider at the lower edge.
• Embroider a short vertical line from the nose down 3 rows.
• Add a soft curved smile line to each side, using 4 small backstitches per side.
• Add tiny tan speckles on the white muzzle with 1-stitch duplicate stitches.

Body

The dog sits upright with a rounded lower body hidden under red overalls. Knit the base body in black and white, then cover most of it with the sweater and overalls. The chest must remain white and fluffy-looking above the bib.

1. With white yarn, CO 10 sts and 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: k1, kfb, repeat around. 30 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: k2, kfb, repeat around. 40 sts.
8. Rnd 7: k all sts.
9. Rnd 8: k3, kfb, repeat around. 50 sts.
10. Rnd 9: k all sts.
11. Rnd 10: k4, kfb, repeat around. 60 sts.
12. Rnds 11-18: k all sts in white.
13. Change to black for the back half and white for the front half. Work k30 white, k30 black for Rnds 19-28.
14. Rnd 29: k8 white, k2tog white, repeat 3 times; k8 black, k2tog black, repeat 3 times. 54 sts.
15. Rnd 30: k all sts.
16. Rnd 31: k7, k2tog, repeat around. 48 sts.
17. Rnd 32: k all sts.
18. Rnd 33: k6, k2tog, repeat around. 42 sts.
19. Rnd 34: k all sts.
20. Rnd 35: k5, k2tog, repeat around. 36 sts.
21. Rnd 36: k all sts.
22. Rnd 37: k4, k2tog, repeat around. 30 sts.
23. Stuff the body firmly, keeping the base wide and flat enough for sitting.
24. Rnd 38: k3, k2tog, repeat around. 24 sts.
25. Rnd 39: k2, k2tog, repeat around. 18 sts.
26. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for attaching the head.

White Chest Fluff Panel

The image shows a soft white chest puff visible above the red overalls and below the blue ribbed sweater collar. This panel is sewn on top of the body before the clothes are added.

1. With white yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb, k14, kfb, k1. 20 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Rows 5-10: work in St st.
7. Row 11: k1, ssk, k14, k2tog, k1. 18 sts.
8. Row 12: p all sts.
9. Row 13: k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1. 16 sts.
10. Row 14: p all sts.
11. BO loosely.

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Brush the panel lightly with your fingers to make it look plush. Sew it to the upper front body so the lower edge will disappear under the bib.

Back Legs and Paws

The hind legs are rounded and sit forward under the red overalls. Each paw is white with black and tan patches, then tied with sandal straps.

Make 2 Hind Legs

1. With white yarn, CO 10 sts and 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: k1, kfb, repeat around. 30 sts.
6. Rnds 5-9: k all sts.
7. Rnd 10: k8 white, k6 tan, k16 white.
8. Rnd 11: k7 white, k8 tan, k15 white.
9. Rnd 12: k all sts, keeping colors established.
10. Rnd 13: k3, k2tog, repeat around. 24 sts.
11. Rnd 14: k all sts.
12. Change to black for the upper leg on the dog’s left leg and white for the upper leg on the dog’s right leg.
13. Rnds 15-22: k all sts.
14. Rnd 23: k2, k2tog, repeat around. 18 sts.
15. Stuff the paw firmly and the upper leg lightly.
16. Rnd 24: k1, k2tog, repeat around. 12 sts.
17. BO all sts, leaving a sewing tail.

Toe Shaping

• Thread white yarn from the underside of the paw to the top center.
• Wrap around the paw and pull gently to divide the front into 3 rounded toes.
• Repeat twice, placing the toe lines evenly across the front.
• Secure the yarn underneath the paw.

Front Legs and Paws

The front legs hang straight down from the sweater sleeves. The lower paws are white, with the dog’s left paw showing a black patch near the upper side.

Make 2 Front Legs

1. With white yarn, CO 8 sts and 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: k1, kfb, repeat around. 24 sts.
6. Rnds 5-8: k all sts.
7. Rnd 9: k2, k2tog, repeat around. 18 sts.
8. Rnds 10-16: k all sts in white.
9. For one front leg only, work Rnds 13-16 as k9 black, k9 white to create the black foreleg patch.
10. Rnd 17: k1, k2tog, repeat around. 12 sts.
11. Stuff the paw firmly and the leg lightly.
12. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.

Add toe shaping just like the hind paws. Sew the front legs beneath the shoulder area after the sweater sleeves are in place, so they appear to come out from inside the cuffs.

Floppy Ears

The ears are black, wide at the top, and floppy. In the image, one ear sits slightly lifted behind the flower headband, while the other hangs gently beside the face.

Make 2 Ears

1. With black yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb, k10, kfb, k1. 16 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Row 5: k1, kfb, k12, kfb, k1. 18 sts.
7. Rows 6-14: work in St st.
8. Row 15: k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1. 16 sts.
9. Row 16: p all sts.
10. Row 17: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
11. Row 18: p all sts.
12. Row 19: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
13. Row 20: p all sts.
14. Row 21: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
15. Row 22: p all sts.
16. Row 23: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
17. Row 24: p all sts.
18. BO all sts.

Fold the cast-on edge slightly inward and sew it closed for a thicker ear base. Attach each ear to the head between Rnds 14 and 18. Sew only the top 1 inch of the ear so the lower section hangs naturally.

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Tail

The tail is mostly black with a white tip and curves behind the red overalls. It should peek out softly from the back.

1. With white yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: k all sts.
3. Change to black.
4. Rnds 5-18: k all sts.
5. Rnd 19: k2tog around. 4 sts.
6. Cut yarn, pull through remaining sts, and close.

Stuff very lightly, or insert a soft pipe cleaner wrapped in stuffing if you want the tail to curve. Sew it to the back of the body before adding the overalls.

Blue-and-White Striped Sweater

The sweater has a blue ribbed collar, blue-and-white stripes across the chest and sleeves, and blue cuffs. It is made as a separate garment so it sits visibly under the red overalls.

Sweater Body

1. With blue yarn and US size 2 needles, CO 48 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-5: k1, p1 rib around.
3. Change to US size 3 needles.
4. Rnds 6-7: k all sts in white.
5. Rnds 8-9: k all sts in blue.
6. Rnds 10-11: k all sts in white.
7. Rnds 12-13: k all sts in blue.
8. Rnds 14-15: k all sts in white.
9. Rnds 16-17: k all sts in blue.
10. Rnd 18: k10, BO 6 sts for first armhole, k16, BO 6 sts for second armhole, k10.
11. Row 19: working flat, p all remaining sts.
12. Row 20: k all sts.
13. Row 21: p all sts.
14. Row 22: k all sts.
15. BO all sts loosely.

Place the sweater body over the dog’s body with the ribbed collar around the neck. The open lower edge will be hidden under the red overalls.

Sweater Sleeves

Make 2 striped sleeves. Each sleeve is short and slightly loose, ending just above the white paws.

1. With blue yarn and US size 2 needles, CO 18 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: k1, p1 rib around.
3. Change to US size 3 needles.
4. Rnds 5-6: k all sts in white.
5. Rnds 7-8: k all sts in blue.
6. Rnds 9-10: k all sts in white.
7. Rnds 11-12: k all sts in blue.
8. Rnds 13-14: k all sts in white.
9. Rnds 15-16: k all sts in blue.
10. Rnds 17-18: k all sts in white.
11. Rnds 19-20: k all sts in blue.
12. BO loosely.

Sew each sleeve into an armhole. Slide one front leg through each sleeve before sewing the leg to the body. The cuff should rest just above the paw.

Red Overalls

The overalls are bright red and cover the lower body like rounded shorts. They include a front bib, shoulder straps, and a small tan button centered near the top. The front bib has three embroidered carrots.

Overall Shorts

1. With red yarn and US size 3 needles, CO 60 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-3: k1, p1 rib around.
3. Rnds 4-14: k all sts.
4. Rnd 15: k28, BO 4 sts for center split, k28.
5. Work the first leg opening over 28 sts.
6. Rnds 16-20: k all sts on first leg opening.
7. Rnd 21: k1, p1 rib around.
8. Rnd 22: k1, p1 rib around.
9. BO loosely.
10. Rejoin yarn to the second 28 sts.
11. Repeat Rnds 16-22 for second leg opening.
12. Sew the center split closed between the legs, leaving openings large enough for the hind legs.

Pull the red shorts over the body from the bottom. The top ribbing should sit just below the white chest fluff. Sew the shorts invisibly to the body in several places so they do not twist.

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Front Bib

1. With red yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Rows 3-16: work in St st.
5. Row 17: k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1. 16 sts.
6. Row 18: p all sts.
7. Row 19: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
8. Row 20: p all sts.
9. BO all sts.

Sew the bib to the front of the overalls, centered over the white chest. The top of the bib should sit just below the blue ribbed sweater collar.

Overall Straps

1. With red yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Rows 1-34: k all sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Make a second strap the same way.

Sew each strap to the back waistband, bring it over the shoulder, and attach it to the top corners of the bib. Cross the straps very slightly at the back if needed for a snug fit.

Button and Carrot Embroidery

• Sew one small tan button at the top center of the bib.
• For each carrot, make a 5-row orange satin stitch shape that is 2 sts wide at the top and 1 st wide at the bottom.
• Make 3 carrots across the lower right side of the bib.
• Use green yarn to add two 2-stitch leaves above each carrot.

Sandals and Paw Wraps

The shoes in the image are beige sandals with brown soles and crisscross laces over the white paws. Make the sandals after all legs are attached.

Soles

1. With brown yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Rows 5-12: work in St st.
7. Row 13: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
8. Row 14: p all sts.
9. BO all sts.
10. Make 4 soles.

Upper Straps

• For each sandal, CO 3 sts with beige yarn.
• Knit 18 rows in garter stitch.
• BO and sew across the top of the paw diagonally.
• Make a second strap and cross it over the first strap.
• Use brown yarn to make a small bow at the center of each front paw.

Sew one sole under each paw. Keep the soles flat so the toy can sit evenly on a table.

Backpack

The backpack is beige with a rounded flap, red side detail, shoulder straps, and small flowers on the back. It sits high on the dog’s back, with straps visible over the striped sweater.

Backpack Body

1. With beige yarn, CO 24 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Rows 3-22: work in St st.
5. Row 23: k2tog, k20, ssk. 22 sts.
6. Row 24: p all sts.
7. Row 25: k2tog, k18, ssk. 20 sts.
8. Row 26: p all sts.
9. BO all sts.

Backpack Side Panel

1. With beige yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1-38: work in garter stitch.
3. BO all sts.

Sew the long side panel around the backpack body, leaving the top open. Add a small amount of stuffing so the backpack looks full but not bulky.

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Backpack Flap

1. With beige yarn, CO 20 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: k all sts.
3. Row 5: k1, ssk, k14, k2tog, k1. 18 sts.
4. Row 6: k all sts.
5. Row 7: k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1. 16 sts.
6. Row 8: k all sts.
7. Row 9: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
8. BO all sts.

Sew the flap to the top back edge of the backpack. Add a small burgundy loop or stitch near the center front to imitate the little closure detail.

Backpack Straps

1. With beige yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Knit 42 rows in garter stitch.
3. BO all sts.
4. Make a second strap.

Sew the straps from the top of the backpack to the lower corners. Place the backpack on the dog’s back and bring the straps over the shoulders. Stitch them lightly to the sweater so they stay in place.

Backpack Flowers

• For each flower center, make a French knot or small 1-stitch bobble.
• For each petal, embroider 3 short lazy-daisy stitches around the center.
• Make one burgundy flower, one pale yellow flower, and one small green leaf cluster.
• Place the flowers on the left side of the backpack, matching the image.

Flower Headband

The headband is beige and rests across the top of the head between the ears. Small round flowers in red, blue, cream, and green decorate the front.

Headband Strip

1. With beige yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Knit 48 rows in garter stitch.
3. BO all sts.

Wrap the strip gently around the top of the head. Sew the ends behind one ear so the seam is hidden.

Small Bobble Flowers

1. CO 1 st in flower color.
2. Kfb into the stitch 5 times. 6 sts.
3. Turn and p all sts.
4. Turn and k2tog across. 3 sts.
5. Cut yarn, pull through remaining sts, and tighten into a small bobble.

• Make 1 red bobble flower.
• Make 1 blue bobble flower.
• Make 1 cream bobble flower.
• Make 2 tiny green bobbles for leaves.
• Sew them clustered at the front-left side of the headband.

Straw Garden Hat

The hat is a separate prop in the photo. It sits on the table beside the dog and has a flat brim, rounded crown, and floral ribbon band.

Hat Crown

1. With straw-beige yarn, CO 8 sts and 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: k1, kfb, repeat around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: k2, kfb, repeat around. 32 sts.
8. Rnds 7-16: k all sts.
9. Rnd 17: k2, k2tog, repeat around. 24 sts.
10. BO loosely.

Hat Brim

1. With straw-beige yarn, CO 48 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-3: k all sts.
3. Rnd 4: k3, kfb, repeat around. 60 sts.
4. Rnds 5-7: k all sts.
5. Rnd 8: k4, kfb, repeat around. 72 sts.
6. Rnds 9-10: k all sts.
7. BO loosely.

Sew the crown to the center of the brim. Add a narrow floral band by embroidering tiny pink, green, and blue stitches around the crown base.

Gray Watering Can

The watering can is a small table accessory. It is gray with a short spout and curved handle.

Can Body

1. With gray yarn, CO 18 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-3: k1, p1 rib around.
3. Rnds 4-14: k all sts.
4. Rnd 15: k1, k2tog, repeat around. 12 sts.
5. Stuff lightly.
6. Rnd 16: k2tog around. 6 sts.
7. Cut yarn and pull closed.

Spout

1. With gray yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-8: k all sts.
3. Rnd 9: k1, kfb, repeat around. 9 sts.
4. Rnd 10: k all sts.
5. BO all sts.

Sew the spout to the side of the can at a slight upward angle. Keep the open end facing outward.

Handle

1. With gray yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Knit 24 rows in garter stitch.
3. BO all sts.

Curve the handle and sew one end near the top back of the can and the other end near the lower back. Add a tiny pale blue bobble on top to represent the lid knob.

Garden Trowel

The tiny trowel lies beside the watering can. It has a gray blade and a brown handle.

1. With gray yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: p all sts.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb, k2, kfb, k1. 8 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Rows 5-8: work in St st.
7. Row 9: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
8. Row 10: p all sts.
9. Row 11: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1. 4 sts.
10. BO all sts.
11. With brown yarn, CO 4 sts and knit 12 rows.
12. BO and sew the handle to the blade.

Small Seed Pods

Make two little brown seed pods to place near the watering can. These are simple knitted ovals that echo the garden theme.

1. With brown yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in every st around. 12 sts.
4. Rnds 3-7: k all sts.
5. Rnd 8: k2tog around. 6 sts.
6. Stuff very lightly.
7. Cut yarn and pull closed.
8. Repeat for second pod.

Assembly Order

1. Sew the white chest fluff panel to the front upper body.
2. Attach the tail to the back lower body.
3. Pull the sweater body over the torso and stitch it in place at the back neck and lower edge.
4. Sew the sweater sleeves into the armholes.
5. Slide the front legs through the sleeves and sew the legs to the body.
6. Attach the hind legs to the lower front body in a seated position.
7. Pull the red overall shorts over the lower body and secure them invisibly.
8. Sew the bib to the front and add the red shoulder straps.
9. Attach the head to the body, tilting the muzzle slightly upward.
10. Sew the ears to the head so they flop naturally.
11. Add sandals, shoe bows, button, carrot embroidery, and backpack.
12. Finish with the flower headband and table accessories.

Detailed Facial Placement

The face is the most important part of this Border Collie. Place the eyes before closing the head, then sew the muzzle so it overlaps the lower edge of the white blaze. The nose should sit on the front tip of the muzzle, not on the flat face.

• Eyes: between head Rnds 22 and 23, 11 sts apart.
• Muzzle top: just below the eyes, centered on the white blaze.
• Nose: centered on the front of the muzzle, 8 sts wide and 4 rows tall.
• Smile: 4 backstitches to the left and 4 backstitches to the right.
• Tan markings: one eyebrow above each eye, one cheek patch, and tiny speckles near the nose.

Making the Toy Sit Correctly

To match the image, the dog should sit with the hind paws forward and the front paws hanging straight down. Do not sew the legs too far back. The lower body must be slightly flattened at the base so the toy rests steadily on a table.

Before sewing the legs permanently, pin all four legs in place. Set the dog on a flat surface. Adjust the hind legs until the toes point forward and the red overalls form a rounded seated shape.

Optional Texture for a Fuzzy Border Collie Look

The image has a soft, fuzzy knitted surface, especially around the ears, chest, and black facial patches. You can create this effect without making the toy messy by gently brushing only selected areas.

• Use a clean soft toothbrush or pet slicker brush.
• Brush the ears lightly from top to tip.
• Brush the white chest fluff upward with short strokes.
• Do not brush the sweater, overalls, face embroidery, eyes, or accessories.
• Stop as soon as the surface looks soft and haloed.

Beginner Tips

• Use stitch markers to mark the front center of the head and body.
• Stuff gradually instead of waiting until the piece is almost closed.
• When sewing clothing onto the dog, use matching yarn and tiny stitches.
• Keep the sweater stripes even by changing color at the back of the body or underside of the sleeve.
• Weave in every end securely because small accessories are handled often.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

After all knitted parts are sewn on, check the face from the front and side. The muzzle should project forward, the ears should frame the face, and the headband should sit behind the white blaze without covering the eyes.

• Tighten the neck join with extra stitches if the head wobbles.
• Add final tan speckles after the muzzle is sewn on.
• Secure the backpack straps where they cross the shoulders.
• Place the hat, watering can, trowel, and seed pods near the dog for the same garden scene effect.

Care Notes

This knitted Border Collie is best used as a decorative handmade toy. Because it includes a button, safety eyes, small accessories, and embroidered details, it is not recommended for very young children.

• Spot clean only with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash.
• Do not tumble dry.
• Reshape gently while damp.
• Keep away from strong sunlight to protect the red, blue, and black yarn colors.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The white blaze is centered from forehead to muzzle.
• The black ears are floppy and placed behind the headband.
• The blue-and-white sweater stripes are visible on the chest and sleeves.
• The red overalls have a bib, straps, button, and three carrot embroideries.
• The backpack has flowers and sits high on the back.
• All four paws have sandals and toe shaping.
• The garden accessories are complete: straw hat, watering can, trowel, and seed pods.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

To keep the toy looking close to the finished photo, store it upright in a dry place. Support the head and backpack so the neck and straps do not stretch over time.

• Dust with a soft brush once a month.
• Use a lint roller gently on the clothing only, not on embroidered details.
• Store the accessories in a small fabric pouch when not displayed.
• Avoid plastic bags for long storage because they can trap moisture.
• If the toy becomes flattened, fluff it gently by hand and reshape the ears, paws, and muzzle.