Knitting Tutorial: Gardener Dachshund in Floral Overalls – Free Knitting Pattern

This cheerful knitted gardener dachshund is dressed in soft green floral overalls, a blue-and-white striped shirt, a red scarf, yellow sandals, and a green pointed hat with a red brim and pom-pom. The set also includes charming garden accessories: a straw sun hat, a tiny potted cactus, a cream watering can, and a small crossbody garden bag with a carrot detail.

 

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 free knitting pattern is written to create a soft amigurumi-style dachshund doll with the same rounded head, long floppy ears, gentle muzzle, short body, and cozy gardener outfit shown in the image. The finished doll is designed to stand about 11 inches tall when made with DK-weight yarn and 2.75 mm needles.

The body is worked in separate stuffed pieces, then sewn together with careful shaping. The clothing is knitted directly where possible and added as fitted pieces where needed. Decorative embroidery is used for the tiny flowers, white heart-shaped stitches, facial details, and garden accessories.

Skill Level

• Level: Confident beginner to intermediate.
• Main techniques: Knit, purl, increase, decrease, short shaping, mattress stitch, seaming, embroidery, picking up stitches, and working small pieces flat.
• Construction style: Mostly knitted flat and seamed, with optional double-pointed needles for small tubes.
• Finished size: About 11 inches tall, excluding hat pom-pom.

Materials

• DK-weight yarn in chocolate brown: Head, ears, paws, legs, and hands.
• DK-weight yarn in warm tan: Muzzle patches and eyebrow markings.
• DK-weight yarn in black: Nose embroidery or knitted nose patch.
• DK-weight yarn in pale sage green: Overalls and hat body.
• DK-weight yarn in sky blue: Shirt stripes, cuffs, sandal trim, bow, and watering can stripe.
• DK-weight yarn in white or cream: Shirt stripes, flowers, watering can, bag, and hat highlights.
• DK-weight yarn in red: Scarf, hat brim, and pom-pom.
• DK-weight yarn in yellow: Straw hat, sandal straps, and watering can flower.
• Small amounts of green, pink, red, blue, lilac, orange, and yellow embroidery yarn: Flowers, carrot, cactus, and tiny details.
• 2.75 mm straight needles: Main knitting.
• 2.5 mm needles: Small trims and firmer details.
• Tapestry needle: Sewing and embroidery.
• Polyester fiberfill: Stuffing.
• Two 6 mm black safety eyes or embroidered eyes: Face.
• Two tiny yellow buttons: Overall bib straps.
• Stitch markers and pins: Placement.
• Optional pipe cleaner: Watering can spout or cactus stability.

Gauge

Gauge is important because this doll needs a firm fabric that holds stuffing without gaps. Using DK yarn and 2.75 mm needles, aim for about 28 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. If your stitches are loose, go down a needle size.

• Main doll gauge: 7 stitches per inch.
• Clothing gauge: 6.5 to 7 stitches per inch.
• Accessory gauge: Firm and tight, with no visible stuffing gaps.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on.
• BO: Bind off.
• K: Knit.
• P: Purl.
• St/sts: Stitch/stitches.
• RS: Right side.
• WS: Wrong side.
• K2tog: Knit 2 stitches together.
• P2tog: Purl 2 stitches together.
• Kfb: Knit into the front and back of the same stitch.
• St st: Stockinette stitch, knit RS rows and purl WS rows.
• G st: Garter stitch, knit every row.
• Sl1: Slip 1 stitch purlwise.
• Rep: Repeat.

Finished Proportions

• Head: Large oval dachshund head, about 3.5 inches tall and 3 inches wide.
• Muzzle: Rounded tan double cheek area with black oval nose at the center.
• Ears: Long floppy ears reaching slightly below the scarf line.
• Body: Short rounded body hidden under fitted green overalls.
• Arms: Short brown paws emerging from striped sleeves.
• Legs: Stubby brown legs with yellow sandals and flower details.
• Accessories: Green hat, red scarf, crossbody bag, straw hat, potted cactus, and watering can.

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General Knitting Notes

Work all pieces firmly. Leave long yarn tails on each piece for sewing. Stuff the head and body gradually, adding small amounts of fiberfill at a time so the shape remains smooth and rounded.

Most pieces are knitted flat and seamed along the back or underside. Use mattress stitch wherever the seam will be visible. For tiny parts, use whipstitch with matching yarn.

Dachshund Head

The head is worked in chocolate brown and shaped into a tall rounded oval. The face should look soft and slightly elongated, with the muzzle placed low on the front.

1. With chocolate brown yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st across. 20 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb, rep across to last 0 sts. 30 sts.
6. Row 5: Purl all sts.
7. Row 6: K2, kfb, rep across. 40 sts.
8. Row 7: Purl all sts.
9. Row 8: K3, kfb, rep across. 50 sts.
10. Rows 9 to 22: Work in st st for 14 rows, beginning with a WS purl row.
11. Row 23: P10, place marker, p30, place marker, p10.
12. Row 24: K all sts.
13. Rows 25 to 30: Continue in st st without shaping.
14. Row 31: P all sts.
15. Row 32: K3, k2tog, rep across. 40 sts.
16. Row 33: P all sts.
17. Row 34: K2, k2tog, rep across. 30 sts.
18. Row 35: P all sts.
19. Row 36: K1, k2tog, rep across. 20 sts.
20. Row 37: P all sts.
21. Row 38: K2tog across. 10 sts.
22. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull firmly, and secure.

Sew the back seam from crown to lower head, leaving a 1.5 inch opening for stuffing. Stuff firmly, shaping the head into a smooth oval. Close the opening neatly.

Tan Muzzle Cheeks

The muzzle is made from two rounded tan cheek patches joined slightly at the center. They sit on the lower front of the face and create the classic dachshund snout shape.

Left Cheek

1. With warm tan yarn, CO 8 sts.
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 to 10: Work in st st.
7. Row 11: P2tog, P8, p2tog. 10 sts.
8. Row 12: K2tog, K6, k2tog. 8 sts.
9. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.

Right Cheek

1. Repeat the left cheek instructions exactly.
2. Place both cheeks side by side so they touch at the center lower face.
3. Sew the inner edges together for 5 stitches only, leaving the outer edges rounded.
4. Lightly stuff under each cheek before sewing fully to the head.

Position the joined muzzle patch on the lower front of the head, starting about 15 rows below the crown. Sew around the outer edge, adding a tiny amount of stuffing to create raised cheeks.

Black Nose

The nose is a rounded black triangular oval placed at the top center of the tan muzzle. It should sit slightly proud of the face.

1. With black yarn and 2.5 mm needles, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K4, kfb. 8 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K6, kfb. 10 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 7: Work in st st.
7. Row 8: K2tog, K6, k2tog. 8 sts.
8. Row 9: P2tog, P4, p2tog. 6 sts.
9. BO all sts.

Sew the nose to the center top of the tan muzzle. Use black yarn to embroider one vertical line down from the nose for 6 rows, then add two small curved mouth lines over the lower cheeks.

Eyes and Brow Marks

• Place two black eyes 9 stitches apart, about 7 rows above the top of the muzzle.
• If using safety eyes, insert them before the head is fully closed.
• For embroidered eyes, make 5 small satin stitches per eye with black yarn.
• With tan yarn, embroider short curved brow marks above each eye using 4 diagonal stitches.
• Add one tiny white highlight stitch on the upper outer side of each eye.

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Long Floppy Ears

The dachshund ears are long, soft, and dark brown. They hang from each side of the head, beginning near the hat brim and ending beside the scarf.

1. Make 2. With chocolate brown yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K8, kfb. 12 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K10, kfb. 14 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 22: Work in st st.
7. Row 23: Purl all sts.
8. Row 24: K1, k2tog, K8, k2tog, K1. 12 sts.
9. Row 25: Purl all sts.
10. Row 26: K1, k2tog, K6, k2tog, K1. 10 sts.
11. Row 27: Purl all sts.
12. Row 28: K1, k2tog, K4, k2tog, K1. 8 sts.
13. Row 29: Purl all sts.
14. Row 30: K2tog, K4, k2tog. 6 sts.
15. BO all sts.

Fold each ear lightly lengthwise and sew only the top 4 rows to create a natural crease. Attach one ear to each side of the head, with the top edge angled slightly backward. Do not stuff the ears.

Body Base

The body is worked in chocolate brown but mostly covered by the green overalls and striped shirt. Keep the body round, short, and firm so the doll stands steadily.

1. With chocolate brown yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb across. 28 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb, rep across. 42 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 18: Work in st st.
7. Row 19: Purl all sts.
8. Row 20: K5, k2tog, rep across. 36 sts.
9. Row 21: Purl all sts.
10. Rows 22 to 27: Work in st st.
11. Row 28: K4, k2tog, rep across. 30 sts.
12. Row 29: Purl all sts.
13. Row 30: K3, k2tog, rep across. 24 sts.
14. Row 31: Purl all sts.
15. Row 32: K2, k2tog, rep across. 18 sts.
16. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.

Sew the back seam. Stuff the body firmly, keeping the base broad and rounded. Sew the top opening closed flat so the head can sit securely.

Legs and Feet

The dachshund has two short brown legs with rounded feet showing through yellow sandals. Make both legs the same size and stuff them firmly.

Brown Leg and Foot

1. Make 2. With chocolate brown yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb across. 24 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 10: Work in st st.
5. Row 11: Purl all sts.
6. Row 12: K8, kfb in next 8 sts, K8. 32 sts.
7. Rows 13 to 18: Work in st st.
8. Row 19: P10, p2tog six times, P10. 26 sts.
9. Row 20: K7, k2tog six times, K7. 20 sts.
10. Row 21: Purl all sts.
11. Row 22: K2tog across. 10 sts.
12. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and pull closed.

Sew the seam along the back of the leg and under the foot. Stuff the foot more firmly than the ankle so it forms the rounded toe shape visible in the sandals.

Toe Embroidery

• With dark brown yarn, embroider 4 vertical lines on the front of each foot.
• Each line should be about 5 rows tall.
• Place the lines evenly across the toe area.

Arms and Paws

The arms show blue-and-white striped sleeves ending in brown mitten-like paws. They hang slightly outward from the sides of the body.

Brown Paw

1. Make 2. With chocolate brown yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb across. 16 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 8: Work in st st.
5. Row 9: Purl all sts.
6. Row 10: K2tog across. 8 sts.
7. Cut yarn, thread through sts, pull closed, and seam.

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Striped Sleeve

1. Join sky blue yarn to the open paw edge and pick up 16 sts around the top.
2. Rows 1 to 2: Work in st st with sky blue.
3. Rows 3 to 4: Work in st st with white.
4. Rows 5 to 6: Work in st st with sky blue.
5. Rows 7 to 8: Work in st st with white.
6. Rows 9 to 10: Work in st st with sky blue.
7. Rows 11 to 12: Work in st st with white.
8. Rows 13 to 14: Work in st st with sky blue.
9. BO all sts.

Stuff the paw lightly and the sleeve very lightly. Sew the sleeve seam. Repeat for the second arm, making sure both stripe patterns match.

Blue-and-White Striped Shirt

The shirt sits under the overalls and is visible on the arms, chest, and upper body. The main shirt panel is added around the upper torso before the overall bib is sewn on.

1. With white yarn, CO 44 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 2: Work in st st.
3. Join sky blue yarn.
4. Rows 3 to 4: Work in st st with sky blue.
5. Rows 5 to 6: Work in st st with white.
6. Rows 7 to 8: Work in st st with sky blue.
7. Rows 9 to 10: Work in st st with white.
8. Rows 11 to 12: Work in st st with sky blue.
9. Rows 13 to 14: Work in st st with white.
10. Rows 15 to 16: Work in st st with sky blue.
11. BO all sts.

Wrap the shirt panel around the upper body, with the stripes running horizontally. Sew the back seam neatly. The lower edge should sit under the overalls, and the upper edge should peek out below the scarf.

Green Floral Overalls

The pale sage green overalls are the main outfit feature. They have a rounded belly, two short legs, rolled cuffs, a bib front, shoulder straps with yellow buttons, and embroidered flowers across the chest and lower body.

Overall Pants Front

1. With pale sage green yarn, CO 42 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Knit every row for a garter hem.
3. Row 5: K all sts.
4. Row 6: P all sts.
5. Rows 7 to 20: Work in st st.
6. Row 21: K18, BO 6 sts, K18. This creates the center split.
7. Work the left leg first on 18 sts.
8. Rows 22 to 29: Work in st st.
9. Rows 30 to 33: Knit every row for cuff.
10. BO 18 sts.
11. Rejoin yarn to the right leg and repeat Rows 22 to 33.

Overall Pants Back

1. Make the back the same as the front, but work Rows 7 to 24 before splitting for legs.
2. This gives slightly more back height for the seated rounded body.
3. After both back legs are complete, block lightly with fingers only.

Sew the front and back pieces together at the side seams. Sew the inner leg seams, leaving enough space for the brown legs to sit naturally through the openings. Pull the pants onto the body before attaching the legs permanently.

Rolled Green Cuffs

• At the bottom of each overall leg, roll the garter hem upward by 2 rows.
• Secure the roll with 4 small stitches at the side and inner leg.
• The cuff should look rounded and slightly thick, matching the image.

Overall Bib

1. With pale sage green yarn, CO 22 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 2: Knit every row.
3. Rows 3 to 14: Work in st st.
4. Row 15: K2tog, K18, k2tog. 20 sts.
5. Row 16: P all sts.
6. Row 17: K2tog, K16, k2tog. 18 sts.
7. Rows 18 to 20: Work in st st.
8. Rows 21 to 22: Knit every row.
9. BO all sts.

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Sew the bib to the front of the pants so it rises over the striped shirt. The bottom edge overlaps the pants by 3 rows. Keep the top edge slightly curved by easing the stitches as you sew.

Overall Straps

1. Make 2 straps. With pale sage green yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Knit every row until the strap measures 3.75 inches.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one end of each strap to the back waist of the overalls.
5. Bring each strap diagonally over the shoulder to the front bib.
6. Sew a tiny yellow button at each front strap end.

Floral Embroidery on Overalls

The overalls have a small cluster of flowers on the bib and scattered tiny white heart-like stitches over the legs. Use short embroidery stitches so the decorations stay delicate.

Bib Flower Cluster

• Red flower: Make 5 lazy-daisy petals with red yarn and one yellow center stitch.
• Blue flower: Make 5 small straight stitches with blue yarn and one white center stitch.
• Pink flower: Make 5 pink petals and one yellow French knot.
• Green stems: Work 5 short vertical stitches below the flowers.
• Leaves: Add two diagonal green stitches beside each stem.

Lower Overall Details

• Embroider 10 small white V-shaped stitches across the pants.
• Each V uses two diagonal stitches, each about 2 rows tall.
• Place 4 on the left leg, 4 on the right leg, and 2 near the belly.
• Add 3 tiny pale blue dots using single duplicate stitches.

Yellow Sandals

The yellow sandals wrap around the brown feet with a thick sole, open toe, and a front strap decorated with a small white daisy.

Sandal Sole

1. Make 2. With yellow yarn and 2.5 mm needles, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: Knit all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: Knit all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K8, kfb. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 18: Knit every row.
7. Row 19: K2tog, K8, k2tog. 10 sts.
8. Row 20: Knit all sts.
9. Row 21: K2tog, K6, k2tog. 8 sts.
10. BO all sts.

Sew one sole under each brown foot. The yellow edge should be visible around the foot, especially at the front and sides.

Sandal Strap

1. Make 2. With yellow yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Knit every row for 2.25 inches.
3. BO all sts.
4. Wrap the strap across the top front of the foot.
5. Sew both strap ends to the sides of the sole.

Daisy on Sandal

• With white yarn, embroider 5 small petals on the outer side of each sandal strap.
• Add a yellow center knot.
• Keep the flower about 0.35 inch wide.

Red Scarf

The red scarf is wrapped snugly around the neck and sits just under the head. It has a soft triangular front flap that points slightly to the left.

1. With red yarn, CO 9 sts.
2. Knit every row until the strip measures 8 inches.
3. BO all sts.
4. For the front triangle, CO 15 sts with red yarn.
5. Row 1: Knit all sts.
6. Row 2: K2tog, K11, k2tog. 13 sts.
7. Row 3: Knit all sts.
8. Row 4: K2tog, K9, k2tog. 11 sts.
9. Continue decreasing 1 stitch at each end every RS row until 3 sts remain.
10. K3tog, cut yarn, and fasten off.

Wrap the scarf strip around the neck and sew it closed at the back. Sew the triangular flap to the front, angled slightly toward the doll’s left side.

Green Pointed Gardener Hat

The pointed hat is pale green with a thick red brim and a red pom-pom on one side. It sits slightly tilted on the dachshund’s head, with the ears hanging from beneath it.

Hat Cone

1. With pale green yarn, CO 48 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in K2, P2 rib.
3. Rows 5 to 10: Work in st st.
4. Row 11: K6, k2tog, rep across. 42 sts.
5. Row 12: P all sts.
6. Row 13: K5, k2tog, rep across. 36 sts.
7. Row 14: P all sts.
8. Row 15: K4, k2tog, rep across. 30 sts.
9. Row 16: P all sts.
10. Row 17: K3, k2tog, rep across. 24 sts.
11. Row 18: P all sts.
12. Row 19: K2, k2tog, rep across. 18 sts.
13. Row 20: P all sts.
14. Row 21: K1, k2tog, rep across. 12 sts.
15. Row 22: P all sts.
16. Row 23: K2tog across. 6 sts.
17. Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts.

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Sew the back seam of the hat. Shape the point slightly to the doll’s right side before attaching the brim.

Red Hat Brim

1. With red yarn, CO 54 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 5: Knit every row.
3. BO all sts loosely.
4. Wrap the brim around the lower edge of the green hat.
5. Sew it in place so it forms a raised red roll.

Red Pom-Pom

• Wrap red yarn around two fingers 45 times.
• Tie tightly at the center.
• Cut loops and trim into a round pom-pom about 1 inch wide.
• Sew the pom-pom to the right side of the hat, just above the brim.

Crossbody Garden Bag

The small cream bag hangs diagonally across the chest from the doll’s left shoulder to the right hip. It has a narrow strap and a tiny orange carrot on the front.

Bag Body

1. With cream yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Knit every row.
3. Rows 5 to 16: Work in st st.
4. Rows 17 to 20: Knit every row.
5. BO all sts.
6. Fold the lower edge upward by 10 rows.
7. Sew both side seams to form a pocket.

Bag Flap

1. With cream yarn, CO 14 sts along the top back edge.
2. Rows 1 to 5: Work in st st.
3. Row 6: K2tog, K10, k2tog. 12 sts.
4. Row 7: P all sts.
5. Row 8: K2tog, K8, k2tog. 10 sts.
6. BO all sts.

Bag Strap

1. With light beige yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Knit every row until the strap measures 8.5 inches.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one end to each side of the bag.

Carrot Detail

• With orange yarn, embroider a small carrot shape on the lower right front of the bag.
• Use 5 satin stitches, wider at the top and narrow at the bottom.
• With green yarn, add 3 tiny leafy stitches at the carrot top.
• Add one tiny yellow stitch on the bag front to match the small floral dot.

Yellow Straw Hat Accessory

The separate straw hat sits beside the doll in the image. It is a flat yellow sun hat with a rounded crown, circular brim, blue ribbon band, and small blue bow.

Hat Crown

1. With yellow yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb across. 16 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb, rep across. 24 sts.
6. Row 5: Purl all sts.
7. Row 6: K2, kfb, rep across. 32 sts.
8. Rows 7 to 16: Work in st st.
9. Row 17: K2, k2tog, rep across. 24 sts.
10. Row 18: P all sts.
11. BO all sts.

Sew the crown seam and lightly stuff it so the top is rounded but not tall. Flatten the lower edge slightly.

Flat Brim

1. With yellow yarn, CO 72 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 8: Knit every row.
3. Row 9: K4, k2tog, rep across. 60 sts.
4. Row 10: Knit all sts.
5. BO all sts.

Sew the brim into a ring, then sew the crown to the center. Add circular running stitches in yellow around the brim to mimic straw texture.

Blue Ribbon and Bow

• With sky blue yarn, knit a 3-stitch garter strip long enough to wrap around the crown.
• Sew the strip around the base of the crown.
• For the bow, CO 12 sts and knit 4 rows. BO.
• Wrap blue yarn around the middle of the small rectangle to pinch it into a bow.
• Sew the bow to the front-left side of the hat ribbon.

Potted Cactus Accessory

The cactus is a tiny green ribbed cactus in a terracotta pot with a pink flower on top. It sits upright beside the doll.

Terracotta Pot

1. With terracotta yarn, CO 24 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in K1, P1 rib.
3. Rows 5 to 12: Work in st st.
4. Row 13: K2, k2tog, rep across. 18 sts.
5. Row 14: P all sts.
6. Row 15: K1, k2tog, rep across. 12 sts.
7. Cut yarn, thread through sts, and pull closed.

Sew the back seam of the pot and stuff it lightly. Fold the ribbed top outward by 2 rows to create the pot rim.

Main Cactus

1. With green yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 18: Work K1, P1 rib on every row.
3. Row 19: K2tog across. 7 sts.
4. Cut yarn, thread through sts, and pull closed.
5. Sew the side seam and stuff lightly.

Side Arms

1. Make 2. With green yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 10: Work K1, P1 rib.
3. Row 11: K2tog across. 4 sts.
4. Cut yarn, pull closed, and seam.
5. Sew one arm to each side of the cactus, angled upward.

Cactus Flower

• With pink yarn, make 5 tiny straight stitches on top of the cactus.
• Add one yellow knot in the center.
• Sew the cactus into the pot opening.

Cream Watering Can Accessory

The watering can is knitted in cream with a blue stripe and a small yellow flower on the front. It includes a side handle and a narrow spout angled upward.

Watering Can Body

1. With cream yarn, CO 28 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Knit every row.
3. Rows 5 to 8: Work in st st with cream.
4. Rows 9 to 12: Work in st st with sky blue.
5. Rows 13 to 20: Work in st st with cream.
6. Row 21: K2, k2tog, rep across. 21 sts.
7. Row 22: P all sts.
8. Row 23: K1, k2tog, rep across. 14 sts.
9. Cut yarn, thread through sts, and pull closed.

Sew the back seam and stuff lightly. Flatten the base so it can sit near the doll.

Watering Can Spout

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 14: Work in st st.
3. BO all sts.
4. Roll into a narrow tube and sew the long edge.
5. Attach to one side of the can, angled upward.

Handle

1. With cream yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Knit every row until the strip measures 3 inches.
3. BO all sts.
4. Curve into a C shape and sew both ends to the opposite side of the can.

Top Rim and Flower

• With cream yarn, CO 14 sts and knit 3 rows for the top rim.
• Sew the rim around the upper opening.
• With yellow yarn, embroider a small 5-petal flower on the front blue stripe.
• Add a tiny cream or orange center stitch.

Attaching the Body Pieces

Before sewing permanently, pin every major piece in place. The head should sit directly above the scarf and body. The ears should hang freely over the shoulders. The arms should angle slightly downward. The legs should sit under the overalls with the sandals facing forward.

1. Sew the legs to the lower body first, spacing them about 0.75 inch apart.
2. Pull the green overalls over the body and legs, then secure the waist invisibly at the back.
3. Sew the shirt panel around the upper body.
4. Sew the arms to the sides at shoulder level, just below the head.
5. Sew the head to the body using a strong circular seam.
6. Wrap and secure the red scarf around the neck seam to hide the join.
7. Place the hat on the head at a slight angle and sew around the lower brim in several hidden spots.
8. Place the crossbody bag strap from the doll’s left shoulder to the right hip.
9. Sew the bag lightly to the overalls so it stays in position.

Facial Embroidery Details

The face depends on small, careful stitches. Take time here because the expression should be gentle, friendly, and handmade.

• Use black yarn to define the nose edge with tiny whipstitches.
• Use dark brown yarn to add two short curved mouth lines below the nose.
• Use tan yarn to add short eyebrow marks above each eye.
• Use one tiny white stitch for an eye highlight.
• Brush the muzzle lightly with your fingers to smooth the stitches.

Flower Placement Guide

The floral overalls should look sweet and scattered, not crowded. Keep the largest flowers on the bib and the smaller white accents on the pants.

• Place the red flower at the center of the bib.
• Place one blue flower to the left of the red flower.
• Place one pink flower to the right of the red flower.
• Add 5 green stems under the flower group.
• Add tiny white V stitches across both pant legs.
• Add pale blue dots sparingly near the left leg and lower belly.

Optional Firm Standing Support

If you want the dachshund to stand more firmly, place a small flat plastic circle inside each sandal sole before sewing the sole to the foot. You can also add a few plastic pellets inside the lower body, safely enclosed in a fabric pouch.

• Do not place loose pellets directly inside the doll.
• Keep all weighted pieces secure and sealed.
• For children’s toys, skip pellets and use fiberfill only.

Safety Notes

• Use embroidered eyes instead of safety eyes if the doll is for a child under 3 years old.
• Sew buttons very securely or embroider button circles instead.
• Check the pom-pom, bag strap, and small accessories for loose threads.
• Do not leave long yarn loops on the back of embroidery.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the doll from the front before tying off final yarn ends. The head should be centered, the nose should sit directly above the muzzle seam, and the scarf should hide the neck join. The hat should tilt gently, with the red pom-pom visible on one side.

Sew all accessories securely if the doll will be displayed upright. Leave the straw hat, cactus, and watering can separate if you want a flexible garden scene arrangement.

Care Notes

• Spot clean only with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if the doll includes buttons, pom-poms, or structured accessories.
• Press out extra moisture with a towel.
• Reshape the ears, scarf, hat, and sandals while damp.
• Air dry flat away from direct sunlight.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The ears hang evenly and reach the scarf line.
• The muzzle is lightly stuffed and centered.
• The overalls fit smoothly over the body and legs.
• The shirt stripes are visible on both sleeves and chest.
• The red scarf sits snugly around the neck.
• The yellow sandals show the brown toes clearly.
• The flower embroidery is balanced across the bib and pants.
• The crossbody bag rests at the right hip with the carrot facing forward.
• The cactus, straw hat, and watering can match the garden theme.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished dachshund in a dry place where the hat brim, ears, and accessories will not be crushed. If dust gathers on the surface, use a soft dry brush and move gently in the direction of the knitted stitches.

For long-term display, keep the doll away from strong sunlight to protect the soft green, red, yellow, and blue yarn colors. Wrap the accessories separately in tissue paper if storing the full set in a box.

After cleaning, always let every piece dry completely before storage. Moisture can flatten the stuffing and weaken embroidered details, especially around the muzzle, flowers, sandals, and small garden accessories.