Knitting Tutorial: Fawn in Mushroom Dress – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet knitted fawn wears a red mushroom-inspired dress with white spots, a leafy green hem, a white ruffled underskirt, green leaf shoes, and a tiny acorn crossbody bag. The doll has a cream face, warm chestnut head markings, large black eyes, pointed ears, brown arms, long cream legs, and a small flower tucked near one ear.

 

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 seated woodland fawn doll with the same soft handmade look shown in the image. The body is worked as a stuffed doll, with separate ears, arms, legs, dress layers, shoes, flower, acorn bag, and small surface decorations added afterward.

The finished fawn is designed with a rounded head, narrow neck, small shoulders, full skirt, and dangling legs. The dress is the central feature, so the skirt is made wide and slightly flared, with red mushroom-cap shaping, white duplicate-stitch spots, a white band, green grass-like border, and scalloped white ruffle.

• Finished height: about 11 inches from ear tip to shoe sole.
• Finished seated height: about 8 inches.
• Skill level: adventurous beginner to intermediate.
• Construction: small pieces worked flat and seamed, with some optional round knitting.
• Main techniques: knit, purl, increase, decrease, color change, seaming, stuffing, embroidery, and applied details.

Materials

• DK or light worsted yarn in cream for face, muzzle, inner ears, legs, and lower body.
• DK or light worsted yarn in chestnut brown for head patch, ears, arms, shoe soles, and fawn markings.
• DK yarn in dark brown for hoof tips, acorn cap, nose embroidery, and small details.
• DK yarn in deep red for mushroom dress and mushroom caps.
• DK yarn in soft green for collar, cuffs, hem band, leaves, vines, and shoes.
• DK yarn in white for underskirt ruffle, dress band, mushroom spots, and shoe toe highlights.
• Small amounts of pale pink, cream, yellow, and light green yarn for the flower.
• Pair of US size 3 needles, or size needed to make a firm fabric.
• Pair of US size 2 needles for small decorative pieces, optional.
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing.
• Two black safety eyes, 9 mm to 10 mm, or black yarn for embroidered eyes.
• Small wooden-look buttons for shoe straps, about 8 mm.
• Tapestry needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Black embroidery thread or black yarn for the nose and mouth.
• Light tan yarn or cord for the acorn bag strap.

Gauge

Gauge is important for a firm doll fabric. Work at about 6 stitches and 8 rows per inch in stockinette stitch. The fabric should be tight enough that stuffing does not show through. If your stitches are loose, use smaller needles.

• Stockinette stitch worked flat: knit right-side rows and purl wrong-side rows.
• Garter stitch: knit every row.
• Seed stitch: alternate knit 1, purl 1 across the row, then reverse the pattern on the next row.
• Make 1 increase: lift the strand between stitches and knit through the back loop.
• Kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch.
• K2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• Ssk: slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 1 stitch knitwise, then knit them together through the back loops.

Important Color and Shape Notes

The fawn’s head has a cream face with a chestnut-brown cap that comes down in a soft diagonal point over the forehead. To keep the pattern beginner-friendly, the head is knitted mostly in chestnut and cream sections, then the exact sloping patch line is sharpened with duplicate stitch after stuffing.

The ears are tall, oval-triangular, and slightly cupped. Each ear has a chestnut outer edge and cream inner panel. They are sewn to the top sides of the head at a slight outward angle so the fawn has the alert woodland look seen in the image.

The dress is a short red mushroom dress. It has a fitted red bodice, green collar, green sleeve cuffs, a gathered red skirt, white mushroom dots, a white lower band, green leafy grass band, and a white scalloped ruffle peeking out underneath.

Abbreviations

• BO: bind off
• CO: cast on
• dec: decrease
• inc: increase
• k: knit
• p: purl
• rem: remaining
• rep: repeat
• RS: right side
• st/sts: stitch/stitches
• WS: wrong side

Head

The head is a large rounded oval with a wider upper area and soft cheeks. It is worked flat, seamed at the back, and stuffed firmly. Use cream for the lower face and chestnut for the upper head patch.

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Head Base

1. With cream yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st across. You now have 24 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb; rep across. You now have 36 sts.
6. Row 5: Purl all sts.
7. Row 6: K2, kfb; rep across. You now have 48 sts.
8. Rows 7 to 12: Work in stockinette stitch, beginning with a purl row.
9. Row 13: Purl 14 cream, join chestnut and purl 20 chestnut, purl 14 cream.
10. Row 14: Knit 13 cream, knit 22 chestnut, knit 13 cream.
11. Row 15: Purl 12 cream, purl 24 chestnut, purl 12 cream.
12. Row 16: Knit 11 cream, knit 26 chestnut, knit 11 cream.
13. Row 17: Purl 10 cream, purl 28 chestnut, purl 10 cream.
14. Row 18: Knit 9 cream, knit 30 chestnut, knit 9 cream.
15. Rows 19 to 26: Continue in this color placement with 9 cream sts at each side and 30 chestnut sts centered.
16. Row 27: Purl 8 cream, purl 32 chestnut, purl 8 cream.
17. Row 28: Knit 8 cream, knit 32 chestnut, knit 8 cream.
18. Row 29: Purl 8 cream, purl 32 chestnut, purl 8 cream.
19. Row 30: K4, k2tog; rep across, keeping colors as established where possible. You now have 40 sts.
20. Row 31: Purl all sts in matching colors.
21. Row 32: K3, k2tog; rep across. You now have 32 sts.
22. Row 33: Purl all sts.
23. Row 34: K2, k2tog; rep across. You now have 24 sts.
24. Row 35: Purl all sts.
25. Row 36: K1, k2tog; rep across. You now have 16 sts.
26. Row 37: Purl all sts.
27. Row 38: K2tog across. You now have 8 sts.
28. Cut yarn, leaving a 14-inch tail. Thread through the remaining sts and pull snug.

Seam the back of the head neatly with mattress stitch. Stuff the head firmly, shaping the cheeks with your fingers as you fill. The lower cream face should remain smooth and rounded. The chestnut top should sit like a soft cap over the forehead.

Sharpening the Chestnut Forehead Patch

Using chestnut yarn and duplicate stitch, add a pointed center patch that slopes down between the eyes. Work a V-shaped patch over the cream area, about 9 stitches wide at the top and narrowing to 2 stitches near the muzzle area.

• Start 6 rows above the eye line.
• Duplicate stitch 9 chestnut sts across the top row.
• On the next row, duplicate stitch 7 centered sts.
• On the next row, duplicate stitch 5 centered sts.
• On the next row, duplicate stitch 3 centered sts.
• Finish with 2 centered sts to create the soft point.

Muzzle and Nose

The muzzle is subtle, not a large protruding snout. It is created with light stuffing and embroidery so the face keeps the smooth fawn shape from the image.

1. With cream yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, k8, kfb. You now have 12 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 7: Work in stockinette stitch.
5. Row 8: K2tog, k8, k2tog. You now have 10 sts.
6. Row 9: Purl all sts.
7. BO all sts, leaving a long sewing tail.

Sew the muzzle to the lower center of the face, placing the top edge about 4 rows below the eyes. Add only a tiny amount of stuffing underneath. The muzzle should look smooth and softly raised, not bulky.

With black yarn, embroider a small oval nose across the center of the muzzle. Make 6 to 8 horizontal satin stitches over 4 knitted stitches. Add one short vertical stitch downward from the nose, then split into a tiny Y-shaped mouth.

Eyes

The eyes are large, glossy, and placed wide apart. If using safety eyes, insert them before the head is completely closed. If the head is already closed, embroider the eyes instead.

• Place each eye about 6 rows above the muzzle.
• Leave about 12 stitches between the eyes.
• Set the eyes slightly toward the sides of the face, not close together.
• Add one tiny white stitch on the upper outer side of each eye for the highlight.

For embroidered eyes, make each eye as a filled oval over 5 stitches wide and 6 rows tall. Use black yarn and satin stitch. Keep the oval slightly vertical, matching the sweet fawn expression in the image.

Body

The body is mostly hidden by the dress, but it still needs a firm pear-like structure to hold the head and skirt. Work it in cream for the neck and upper torso. The lower body may be cream or red because it will be covered.

1. With cream yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st across. You now have 36 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 8: Work in stockinette stitch.
5. Row 9: Purl all sts.
6. Row 10: K5, kfb; rep across. You now have 42 sts.
7. Rows 11 to 20: Work in stockinette stitch.
8. Row 21: Purl all sts.
9. Row 22: K5, k2tog; rep across. You now have 36 sts.
10. Row 23: Purl all sts.
11. Row 24: K4, k2tog; rep across. You now have 30 sts.
12. Row 25: Purl all sts.
13. Row 26: K3, k2tog; rep across. You now have 24 sts.
14. Rows 27 to 30: Work even in stockinette stitch for the neck.
15. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for sewing.

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Seam the back of the body. Stuff the lower belly firmly and the neck very firmly so the head does not wobble. The body should be about 4 inches tall before the head is attached.

Legs

The fawn has two long cream legs visible beneath the dress. They are narrow, straight, and lightly ribbed by the knitted stitches. The feet are rounded cream toes with chestnut soles and green leafy shoes added later.

Make Two Legs

1. With cream yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in 1×1 rib, k1, p1 across each row.
3. Rows 5 to 30: Work in stockinette stitch.
4. Row 31: Kfb, k12, kfb. You now have 16 sts.
5. Row 32: Purl all sts.
6. Row 33: Kfb, k14, kfb. You now have 18 sts.
7. Rows 34 to 38: Work in stockinette stitch for the rounded foot.
8. Row 39: K1, k2tog; rep across. You now have 12 sts.
9. Row 40: Purl all sts.
10. Row 41: K2tog across. You now have 6 sts.
11. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and pull closed.

Seam each leg from foot to thigh. Stuff the foot firmly and the leg moderately. Keep the legs straight and smooth. Sew both legs to the lower front of the body about 5 stitches apart so they hang down naturally under the skirt.

Arms

The arms are slim and chestnut brown, with darker hoof-like tips. They hang at the sides under the short red sleeves. Shape them lightly so they point downward just like the fawn in the image.

Make Two Arms

1. With dark brown yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in stockinette stitch.
3. Change to chestnut brown.
4. Rows 5 to 24: Work in stockinette stitch.
5. Row 25: K2, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k2. You now have 8 sts.
6. Rows 26 to 28: Work in stockinette stitch.
7. BO all sts, leaving a long sewing tail.

Seam each arm into a narrow tube. Add a small amount of stuffing only at the hoof and lower arm. Leave the upper arm flatter so it can sit neatly under the sleeve. Sew arms to the body at shoulder level, angled slightly forward.

Ears

The ears are one of the most important fawn details. They are tall, pointed, and rounded at the base. Each ear has a chestnut outer section and a cream inner panel.

Outer Ear, Make Two

1. With chestnut yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in stockinette stitch.
3. Row 5: K1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1. You now have 16 sts.
4. Row 6: Purl all sts.
5. Row 7: K1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1. You now have 14 sts.
6. Row 8: Purl all sts.
7. Row 9: K1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. You now have 12 sts.
8. Row 10: Purl all sts.
9. Row 11: K1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. You now have 10 sts.
10. Row 12: Purl all sts.
11. Row 13: K1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. You now have 8 sts.
12. Row 14: Purl all sts.
13. Row 15: K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. You now have 6 sts.
14. Row 16: Purl all sts.
15. Row 17: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. You now have 4 sts.
16. Row 18: Purl all sts.
17. Row 19: K2tog twice. You now have 2 sts.
18. BO remaining sts.

Inner Ear, Make Two

1. With cream yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in stockinette stitch.
3. Row 5: K1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. You now have 10 sts.
4. Row 6: Purl all sts.
5. Row 7: K1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. You now have 8 sts.
6. Row 8: Purl all sts.
7. Row 9: K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. You now have 6 sts.
8. Row 10: Purl all sts.
9. Row 11: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. You now have 4 sts.
10. Row 12: Purl all sts.
11. Row 13: K2tog twice. You now have 2 sts.
12. BO remaining sts.

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Sew one cream inner ear to the center of each chestnut outer ear. Leave an even chestnut border visible around the inner panel. Lightly steam with your hand, not an iron, and curve each ear slightly inward.

Sew the ears to the head between rows 27 and 32 of the head shaping. Place them about 11 stitches apart across the crown. Angle each ear outward and slightly forward so the cream inner panels are visible from the front.

Green Neck Collar

The collar is small and leafy, sitting between the head and the red dress bodice. It is worked in green with a tiny scalloped edge.

1. With green yarn, CO 34 sts.
2. Row 1: Knit all sts.
3. Row 2: K1, p1 across.
4. Row 3: Knit all sts.
5. Row 4: K2tog, yarn over; rep across to create a small eyelet texture.
6. Row 5: Knit all sts.
7. BO all sts loosely.

Wrap the collar around the neck after the head is sewn to the body. Sew the short ends together at the back. Let the edge sit flat and visible above the red dress.

Red Bodice

The bodice fits around the upper body and sits just below the green collar. It is knitted flat in red and seamed at the back. Short sleeves are added separately.

1. With red yarn, CO 40 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 2: Knit all sts for a garter edge.
3. Rows 3 to 10: Work in stockinette stitch.
4. Row 11: K8, BO 6 sts for armhole, k12, BO 6 sts for armhole, k8.
5. Row 12: Purl across, casting on 6 sts over each bound-off armhole gap. You are back to 40 sts.
6. Rows 13 to 16: Work in stockinette stitch.
7. Row 17: Knit all sts.
8. BO all sts.

Wrap the bodice around the upper body with the armholes aligned to the arms. Seam at the center back. The lower edge should sit exactly at the waist where the gathered skirt will begin.

Short Red Sleeves with Green Cuffs

Make Two Sleeves

1. With green yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 3: Knit all sts.
3. Change to red yarn.
4. Rows 4 to 9: Work in stockinette stitch.
5. Row 10: K2, k2tog, k10, k2tog, k2. You now have 16 sts.
6. Row 11: Purl all sts.
7. BO all sts.

Seam each sleeve into a small tube. Slide it over the top of the arm and stitch it to the bodice armhole. The green cuff should sit at the lower sleeve edge, directly above the chestnut arm.

Mushroom Skirt

The skirt is wide, gathered, and red like a mushroom cap. It flares gently from the waist and has white mushroom spots scattered across the red section. The lower edge has a white band, green leafy band, and white ruffle.

Main Red Skirt

1. With red yarn, CO 72 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: K8, kfb; rep across. You now have 80 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 6: Work in stockinette stitch.
5. Row 7: Purl all sts.
6. Row 8: K9, kfb; rep across. You now have 88 sts.
7. Rows 9 to 14: Work in stockinette stitch.
8. Row 15: Purl all sts.
9. Row 16: K10, kfb; rep across. You now have 96 sts.
10. Rows 17 to 22: Work in stockinette stitch.
11. Row 23: Purl all sts.
12. Row 24: Knit all sts.
13. Change to white yarn.
14. Rows 25 to 30: Work in stockinette stitch for the white mushroom underside band.
15. Change to green yarn.
16. Rows 31 to 36: Knit every row to make a textured garter hem band.
17. BO all sts loosely.

Seam the back of the skirt. Run a gathering thread through the cast-on edge and pull it until the skirt fits around the lower bodice. Sew it securely around the waist, letting the red fabric puff outward slightly.

White Mushroom Spots

Add white spots after the skirt is attached. Use white yarn and small duplicate stitches or tiny French-knot style embroidery. Scatter the dots unevenly, just like the image, with more dots toward the lower red skirt.

• Make 6 large spots over 3 stitches and 3 rows.
• Make 10 medium spots over 2 stitches and 2 rows.
• Make 12 tiny spots as single white knots.
• Keep the front center decorated but leave room for the acorn bag strap.
• Do not place the spots in perfect rows; they should look natural and playful.

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White Scalloped Underskirt

The white ruffle peeks out below the green hem. It is short, soft, and scalloped. It should show as a wavy edge around the bottom of the dress.

1. With white yarn, CO 96 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 3: Knit all sts.
3. Row 4: K2, yarn over, k2tog; rep across.
4. Row 5: Knit all sts.
5. Row 6: K1, kfb; rep across. You now have 144 sts.
6. Rows 7 to 8: Knit all sts.
7. BO loosely.

Sew the straight upper edge of the ruffle inside the green hem band. Let only the lower scalloped portion show. Adjust the ruffle by easing the fullness evenly around the skirt.

Green Leaf and Mushroom Appliqués on Dress

The lower front of the dress has small woodland details: a green leaf, a small orange leaf, and a tiny red mushroom. These are added with knitted appliqués and embroidery.

Small Green Leaf

1. With green yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: Knit all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, k1, kfb. You now have 5 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, k3, kfb. You now have 7 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 6: Work in stockinette stitch.
7. Row 7: Ssk, k3, k2tog. You now have 5 sts.
8. Row 8: Purl all sts.
9. Row 9: Ssk, k1, k2tog. You now have 3 sts.
10. Row 10: Purl all sts.
11. Row 11: Slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over. You now have 1 st.
12. Fasten off.

Small Orange Leaf

Repeat the green leaf using orange or golden-brown yarn. Sew both leaves near the green hem on the front right side of the skirt. Embroider a short center vein on each leaf with darker yarn.

Tiny Red Mushroom on Skirt

1. With white yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in stockinette stitch for the stem.
3. BO all sts.
4. With red yarn, CO 8 sts.
5. Row 1: Purl all sts.
6. Row 2: Kfb, k6, kfb. You now have 10 sts.
7. Row 3: Purl all sts.
8. Row 4: K2tog, k6, k2tog. You now have 8 sts.
9. BO all sts.

Sew the red cap above the white stem. Add one white dot on the red cap. Place this tiny mushroom on the lower left front of the skirt, partly over the white band and green hem.

Green Leaf Shoes

The shoes are soft green sandals with leaf-like tops, chestnut soles, cream toes, and tiny button accents at the outside ankles. They should look rounded and handmade, not stiff.

Chestnut Soles, Make Two

1. With chestnut yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: Knit all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, k8, kfb. You now have 12 sts.
4. Row 3: Knit all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, k10, kfb. You now have 14 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 12: Knit all sts.
7. Row 13: K2tog, k10, k2tog. You now have 12 sts.
8. Row 14: Knit all sts.
9. Row 15: K2tog, k8, k2tog. You now have 10 sts.
10. BO all sts.

Green Shoe Upper, Make Two

1. With green yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 3: Knit all sts.
3. Row 4: K3, k2tog, k8, ssk, k3. You now have 16 sts.
4. Row 5: Knit all sts.
5. Row 6: K2, k2tog, k8, ssk, k2. You now have 14 sts.
6. Rows 7 to 8: Knit all sts.
7. BO all sts.

Sew each green upper across the top of one foot, then attach the chestnut sole underneath. Leave the cream toe visible at the front. Embroider leaf veins on the green shoe upper with light green yarn.

Shoe Straps and Buttons

• With green yarn, CO 12 sts for each strap.
• Knit 2 rows.
• BO all sts.
• Sew one strap across each ankle.
• Add a small button to the outside of each shoe.

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Flower by the Ear

The flower sits near the top of the fawn’s head, close to one ear. It has pale petals, a yellow center, and a tiny green leaf behind it.

Petals

1. With pale pink or cream yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: Knit all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, k1, kfb. You now have 5 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 4: Work in stockinette stitch.
5. Row 5: K2tog, k1, k2tog. You now have 3 sts.
6. Row 6: Purl all sts.
7. Row 7: Slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over. You now have 1 st.
8. Fasten off.

Make six small petals. Arrange them in a circle and sew their bases together. With yellow yarn, make 5 tight stitches in the center to form a raised flower middle.

Tiny Green Leaf for Flower

1. With green yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: Knit all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, k1, kfb. You now have 5 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4: Ssk, k1, k2tog. You now have 3 sts.
6. Row 5: Purl all sts.
7. Row 6: Slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over. You now have 1 st.
8. Fasten off.

Sew the tiny leaf behind the flower. Attach the flower at the upper front edge of one ear, slightly off center. Stitch it firmly so it stays raised but does not flop forward.

Acorn Crossbody Bag

The acorn bag is a small hanging accessory with a tan acorn body, dark brown cap, and simple cord strap. It crosses the fawn’s chest diagonally and rests at the side of the dress.

Acorn Body

1. With tan yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st across. You now have 24 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 10: Work in stockinette stitch.
5. Row 11: Purl all sts.
6. Row 12: K4, k2tog; rep across. You now have 20 sts.
7. Row 13: Purl all sts.
8. Row 14: K3, k2tog; rep across. You now have 16 sts.
9. Row 15: Purl all sts.
10. Row 16: K2, k2tog; rep across. You now have 12 sts.
11. Row 17: Purl all sts.
12. Row 18: K2tog across. You now have 6 sts.
13. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and pull closed.

Seam the acorn body and stuff it lightly. Keep the base rounded and the top slightly narrower.

Acorn Cap

1. With dark brown yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 2: Work in seed stitch.
3. Row 3: K1, p1 across.
4. Row 4: P1, k1 across.
5. Row 5: K1, k2tog; rep across. You now have 12 sts.
6. Row 6: Work in seed stitch.
7. Row 7: K2tog across. You now have 6 sts.
8. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and pull closed.

Sew the cap over the top of the tan acorn body. Add a small dark brown stem by making a 4-stitch i-cord or by twisting yarn tightly and stitching it to the top.

Bag Strap

• Cut three 24-inch strands of tan yarn.
• Braid them tightly.
• Knot both ends.
• Sew one end to each side of the acorn cap.
• Place the strap diagonally from one shoulder to the opposite hip.
• Tack the strap to the shoulder and side waist with hidden stitches.

Optional Berry Basket

The image also includes a small basket of berries beside the fawn. This is optional, but it makes the finished display look closer to the scene. Work the basket in tan yarn with small colorful knitted berries.

Mini Basket

1. With tan yarn, CO 24 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in garter stitch.
3. Rows 5 to 12: Work in seed stitch for a woven texture.
4. Rows 13 to 16: Work in garter stitch.
5. BO all sts.

Seam the short sides to form a small cup. Gather the bottom edge tightly and flatten it so the basket can sit upright. For the handle, CO 24 sts, knit 2 rows, BO, and sew each end to opposite sides.

Small Berries

1. With berry-colored yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. You now have 12 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 5: Work in stockinette stitch.
5. Row 6: K2tog across. You now have 6 sts.
6. Cut yarn, thread through sts, stuff lightly, and pull closed.

Make several berries in navy, red, purple, and raspberry shades. Place them inside the basket and secure them with a few hidden stitches.

Optional Display Mushrooms

The red mushrooms beside the fawn are optional display pieces. Make one large mushroom and two small mushrooms for a complete woodland scene.

Large Mushroom Stem

1. With white yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 18: Work in stockinette stitch.
3. Row 19: K1, k2tog; rep across. You now have 12 sts.
4. Row 20: Purl all sts.
5. BO all sts.

Seam the stem, stuff firmly, and flatten the base slightly so it stands.

Large Mushroom Cap

1. With red yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. You now have 24 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb; rep across. You now have 36 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 12: Work in stockinette stitch.
7. Row 13: K4, k2tog; rep across. You now have 30 sts.
8. Row 14: Purl all sts.
9. BO all sts.

Gather the cast-on center of the cap slightly. Stuff lightly so the cap domes. Sew the cap to the top of the stem. Add white spots using duplicate stitch and small knots.

Small Mushrooms

For each small mushroom, use the same method but CO 10 sts for the stem and 8 sts for the cap. Work fewer rows so the smaller mushrooms sit lower than the large one.

Assembly Order

1. Finish the head, muzzle, eyes, nose, and ears first.
2. Finish the body and attach the legs to the lower front.
3. Sew the head to the neck with strong circular stitches.
4. Add the green collar around the neck.
5. Attach the arms at the shoulders.
6. Wrap and seam the red bodice around the body.
7. Add the red sleeves and green cuffs over the arms.
8. Gather and sew the mushroom skirt to the bodice waist.
9. Attach the white ruffle under the green hem.
10. Add dress spots, leaves, and tiny mushroom appliqué.
11. Make and attach the shoes with straps and buttons.
12. Add the flower near one ear.
13. Make the acorn bag and place the strap across the body.
14. Add optional basket and mushrooms for display.

Detailed Shaping Tips

For the most accurate fawn shape, stuff the head more firmly than the body. The cheeks should be round, while the neck should be narrow. Pinch the sides of the head gently while sewing the ears so the ears sit high and alert.

The dress should not hang flat. After attaching the skirt, gently pull the lower red section outward and arrange the gathers evenly. The white ruffle should be visible below the green band, especially at the front.

The arms should hang along the sides of the dress rather than sticking straight out. Sew the upper arms under the sleeves with several hidden stitches. Position the dark hoof tips close to the lower edge of the skirt.

The shoes should be attached after the legs are sewn to the body. This allows you to angle the feet slightly outward. The front cream toe section should show clearly between the green leaf upper and chestnut sole.

Facial Embroidery Details

• Eye highlights: add one short white stitch to each black eye.
• Nose: make a rounded black oval over the center of the muzzle.
• Mouth: add a tiny vertical stitch and a small split curve.
• Forehead patch: use duplicate stitch to smooth the chestnut point.
• Expression: keep all features low and rounded for a gentle fawn face.

Dress Decoration Placement

Place the largest white mushroom spots on the lower red skirt, not the bodice. Smaller dots can be added around the upper skirt and side folds. Keep the dots scattered and irregular so the dress looks like a natural mushroom cap.

• Place 3 medium spots on the left front skirt.
• Place 4 small spots on the right front skirt.
• Place 2 large spots near the lower red section.
• Add tiny white knots between larger spots.
• Keep the waistline mostly clear so the gathered shape remains visible.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the head is centered over the body before the final stitches are tightened. Sew through the neck and lower head several times with cream or matching yarn. The doll should sit upright without the head leaning forward.

Add the final facial details only after the head is secure. Smooth the muzzle with your fingers, adjust the ears, and trim any loose yarn tails. The flower should sit slightly forward of the ear, while the acorn bag strap should cross the chest clearly.

• Confirm both eyes are level.
• Confirm the nose is centered on the muzzle.
• Confirm both ears angle outward evenly.
• Confirm the skirt ruffle shows below the green hem.
• Confirm the shoes are even and the button details face outward.

Care Notes

Hand wash only if needed. Use cool water and a mild wool-safe soap. Do not rub the face, flower, or embroidered dress spots. Press gently in a towel and reshape the head, ears, skirt, and shoes while damp.

Let the fawn dry flat in a shaded area. Do not use a dryer. If the doll has safety eyes, buttons, or a decorative bag strap, check them regularly if the toy will be handled often.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is firmly stuffed and smoothly rounded.
• The chestnut forehead patch forms a soft point toward the muzzle.
• The ears have visible cream centers and chestnut borders.
• The red mushroom dress flares gently from the waist.
• The white spots are scattered naturally, not lined up.
• The green hem and white ruffle are visible around the skirt.
• The acorn bag rests on one side of the dress.
• The green shoes show leaf embroidery and small side buttons.
• The flower is securely attached near one ear.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the knitted fawn away from direct sunlight to protect the red dress, green shoes, and chestnut markings from fading. Keep it in a dry place with good airflow. Avoid plastic bags for long-term storage because trapped moisture can affect the yarn.

For dust removal, use a soft clean brush and work gently around the face, dress spots, flower, and acorn bag. If the skirt flattens during storage, lift the ruffle with your fingers and reshape the gathers by hand.

If gifting the fawn, include a small care note explaining that the doll is handmade and should be handled gently. The tiny button shoes, flower, and acorn strap are decorative details and should be checked occasionally for secure stitching.