Knitting Tutorial: Basset Hound Dog in Striped Sweater – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet knitted basset hound is worked as a soft toy with a round cream head, long floppy ears, black patch details, blue daisy overalls, matching sandals, a small crossbody bag, a golden summer hat, and a tiny ice cream cone accessory. The finished doll is cheerful, detailed, and designed as a display plush with many small knitted embellishments.

 

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

Using DK yarn and 2.75 mm needles, the finished dog measures about 11 inches tall from the bottom of the sandals to the top of the head, not including the tilted hat. The body is rounded and seated-looking, with short legs, soft arms, a large head, long ears, and a removable-looking outfit sewn in place for safety.

• Height: about 11 inches.
• Head width: about 4.5 inches after stuffing.
• Body width: about 4 inches at the widest part of the overalls.
• Skill level: confident beginner to intermediate.
• Construction: pieces are knitted flat, seamed, stuffed, and assembled.

Materials

• DK weight yarn in cream or warm white for the dog.
• DK weight yarn in black for patches, nose, ear tips, and embroidery.
• DK weight yarn in sky blue for the overalls, sandals, and bag.
• DK weight yarn in golden yellow for the straw hat, flower centers, and buttons.
• DK weight yarn in white for daisies.
• DK weight yarn in light tan for the ice cream cone.
• Small amounts of pale pink and mint or white for the ice cream scoop.
• 2.75 mm straight knitting needles.
• 2.25 mm needles for small flowers and straps.
• Polyester toy stuffing.
• Two 9 mm black safety eyes or black yarn eyes.
• Tapestry needle for seaming and embroidery.
• Stitch markers or safety pins.
• Small amount of black embroidery floss for mouth and brows.

Gauge

Gauge is important because the toy should be firm enough that stuffing does not show between stitches. In stockinette stitch using 2.75 mm needles, aim for 26 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches. A slightly tighter gauge is better than a loose gauge for this doll.

If your fabric looks loose, go down one needle size. If your pieces are very stiff and difficult to shape, go up one needle size. The exact finished size can vary, but all pieces should be knitted with the same tension so the proportions stay balanced.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• K: knit.
• P: purl.
• Sts: 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 on RS and purl on WS.
• G st: garter stitch, knit every row.
• Rep: repeat.

Pattern Notes

The dog is knitted mostly in flat stockinette pieces. Seam each piece with mattress stitch where possible. Stuff firmly but not so tightly that the stitches stretch. The head should be round, the muzzle should protrude gently, and the body should look rounded under the blue overalls.

The photographed toy has a cream basset hound face with black markings, long pale ears with black tips, shiny dark eyes, a black triangular nose, and a simple vertical mouth line. The overalls are blue with rounded legs, shoulder straps, yellow flower buttons, and scattered white daisies with yellow centers.

The hat is made in golden yellow to resemble a summer straw hat. It is shaped with a shallow rounded crown and a wide brim, then decorated with a small white daisy. The matching blue shoulder bag hangs diagonally across the chest. The sandals are blue with cream toe openings and tiny daisy decorations.

Head

Knit the head in cream. This piece is shaped as a rounded oval with the widest point around the cheeks. Work smoothly and stuff firmly to create the soft plush face shown in the image.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb, rep to end. 24 sts.
6. Row 5: P all sts.
7. Row 6: K2, kfb, rep to end. 32 sts.
8. Row 7: P all sts.
9. Row 8: K3, kfb, rep to end. 40 sts.
10. Row 9: P all sts.
11. Row 10: K4, kfb, rep to end. 48 sts.
12. Rows 11 to 28: Work in st st for 18 rows.
13. Row 29: P all sts.
14. Row 30: K4, k2tog, rep to end. 40 sts.
15. Row 31: P all sts.
16. Row 32: K3, k2tog, rep to end. 32 sts.
17. Row 33: P all sts.
18. Row 34: K2, k2tog, rep to end. 24 sts.
19. Row 35: P all sts.
20. Row 36: K1, k2tog, rep to end. 16 sts.
21. Row 37: P all sts.
22. Row 38: K2tog across. 8 sts.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches and pull gently. Sew the back seam, leaving a small opening. Stuff the head firmly, shaping the cheeks and forehead with your hands. Close the opening neatly.

Muzzle

The muzzle is a separate cream oval sewn low on the face. It should sit below the eyes and give the basset hound a soft puppy expression. Do not overstuff it; the shape should be rounded, not sharp.

1. CO 6 sts in cream.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 12 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb, rep to end. 18 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 10: Work in st st.
7. Row 11: P all sts.
8. Row 12: K1, k2tog, rep to end. 12 sts.
9. Row 13: P all sts.
10. Row 14: K2tog across. 6 sts.

Cut yarn and draw through the remaining stitches. Sew the side seam to form a small padded oval. Add a little stuffing. Pin the muzzle centered on the lower front of the head, with its top edge about 2 rows below the eyes. Sew around the edge with small stitches.

Body

The body is knitted in cream, then mostly covered by the blue overalls. It is pear-shaped, narrower at the neck and wider at the lower belly. The bottom should be rounded so the overalls look full and soft like the picture.

1. CO 10 sts in cream.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 20 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb, rep to end. 30 sts.
6. Row 5: P all sts.
7. Row 6: K2, kfb, rep to end. 40 sts.
8. Rows 7 to 22: Work in st st.
9. Row 23: P all sts.
10. Row 24: K8, k2tog, rep to end. 36 sts.
11. Rows 25 to 30: Work in st st.
12. Row 31: P all sts.
13. Row 32: K4, k2tog, rep to end. 30 sts.
14. Row 33: P all sts.
15. Row 34: K3, k2tog, rep to end. 24 sts.
16. Rows 35 to 38: Work in st st.
17. Row 39: P all sts.
18. Row 40: K2, k2tog, rep to end. 18 sts.
19. Row 41: P all sts.
20. BO all sts.

Sew the back seam from bottom to neck, leaving an opening in the lower back. Stuff firmly, keeping the neck narrower than the belly. Close the opening. The neck edge should be flat enough to support the head without wobbling.

Arms

Make two arms in cream. The arms are short and rounded, with soft paw tips. They angle slightly downward from the shoulders and rest beside the overalls.

1. CO 8 sts in cream.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 8: Work in st st.
5. Row 9: P all sts.
6. Row 10: K2, k2tog, rep to end. 12 sts.
7. Rows 11 to 22: Work in st st.
8. Row 23: P all sts.
9. Row 24: K2tog across. 6 sts.

Cut yarn and draw through the remaining stitches. Sew the side seam. Stuff the paw end firmly and the upper arm lightly. Flatten the top edge. Make the second arm the same. Sew the arms to the sides of the upper body after the overalls are in place so the sleeve edge looks clean.

Legs

Make two cream legs. These legs are short, straight, and visible between the bottom of the overalls and the sandals. The feet are rounded so the sandal toe opening can show cream yarn at the front.

1. CO 8 sts in cream.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 12: Work in st st.
5. Row 13: P all sts.
6. Row 14: K4, kfb, rep to end. 20 sts.
7. Rows 15 to 20: Work in st st.
8. Row 21: P all sts.
9. Row 22: K2, k2tog, rep to end. 15 sts.
10. Row 23: P all sts.
11. Row 24: K1, k2tog, rep to end. 10 sts.
12. Row 25: P all sts.
13. Row 26: K2tog across. 5 sts.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Cut yarn and draw through the remaining stitches. Sew the seam and stuff. Shape the wider end into a rounded foot. Sew the top of each leg to the lower body, leaving a small gap between the legs so the blue overall shorts can sit naturally.

Ears

The ears are long, floppy, and slightly narrow near the top. They hang down beside the face and are one of the most important basset hound details. Make two cream ears with black tips.

1. CO 9 sts in black.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in st st.
3. Change to cream.
4. Row 5: P all sts.
5. Row 6: Kfb, K7, kfb. 11 sts.
6. Rows 7 to 14: Work in st st.
7. Row 15: P all sts.
8. Row 16: Kfb, K9, kfb. 13 sts.
9. Rows 17 to 34: Work in st st.
10. Row 35: P all sts.
11. Row 36: K1, k2tog, K7, k2tog, K1. 11 sts.
12. Rows 37 to 40: Work in st st.
13. Row 41: P all sts.
14. Row 42: K1, k2tog, K5, k2tog, K1. 9 sts.
15. Rows 43 to 46: Work in st st.
16. BO all sts.

Make a second ear the same. Fold each ear lengthwise with the wrong sides touching and sew only the side seam lightly so the ear remains flat and soft. Sew the ears to the sides of the head, beginning near eye level and ending slightly below the cheek line.

Black Head Patches

The image shows irregular black markings near the ears and sides of the face. These are made as small knitted patches and sewn on after the head is stuffed. Keep the shapes organic, not perfectly round.

Patch A

1. CO 5 sts in black.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K3, kfb. 7 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 8: Work in st st.
5. Row 9: P all sts.
6. Row 10: K2tog, K3, k2tog. 5 sts.
7. BO all sts.

Patch B

1. CO 4 sts in black.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K2, kfb. 6 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 7: Work in st st.
5. Row 8: K2tog, K2, k2tog. 4 sts.
6. BO all sts.

Sew one patch near the upper left side of the head, partly tucked under the hat area. Sew the second patch near the opposite side close to the ear. Add two or three tiny black duplicate-stitch markings on the ears and cheek to match the spotted look.

Nose and Face

The nose is black and triangular, placed at the center of the muzzle. The eyes are round, glossy, and set wide apart. The mouth is a simple vertical black line, giving the puppy a gentle handmade expression.

1. Place the eyes 8 rows above the top of the muzzle and about 10 stitches apart.
2. If using safety eyes, insert them before the head is fully closed.
3. For embroidered eyes, make satin stitches over 3 stitches, then add a tiny white highlight stitch.
4. Embroider the nose as a rounded triangle, 5 stitches wide and 4 rows tall.
5. Work several horizontal satin stitches until the nose is full and smooth.
6. Embroider one straight vertical line from the lower point of the nose down 5 rows.
7. Add two small curved eyebrow stitches above the eyes with black embroidery floss.

Blue Daisy Overalls

The blue outfit is the main clothing piece. It covers the body like loose short overalls, with a bib front, rounded lower legs, shoulder straps, yellow flower buttons, and daisy decorations. Work this piece in sky blue and sew it around the stuffed body.

Overall Pants Front

1. CO 34 sts in blue.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in G st for the lower cuff edge.
3. Row 5: K all sts.
4. Row 6: P all sts.
5. Rows 7 to 18: Work in st st.
6. Row 19: K14, BO 6 sts for center crotch gap, K14. You now have two sections.
7. Work left leg on 14 sts for 8 rows in st st.
8. BO left leg sts.
9. Rejoin yarn to right leg and work 8 rows in st st.
10. BO right leg sts.

Overall Pants Back

1. CO 34 sts in blue.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in G st.
3. Rows 5 to 18: Work in st st.
4. Row 19: K14, BO 6 sts, K14.
5. Work each leg separately for 8 rows in st st.
6. BO each leg.

Place the front and back overall pieces around the lower body. Sew side seams, leaving the top open. Sew the inner leg seams around the cream legs. The overalls should look puffy and rounded, not tight.

Bib Front

1. CO 18 sts in blue.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in G st.
3. Rows 5 to 16: Work in st st.
4. Row 17: K2, k2tog, K10, k2tog, K2. 16 sts.
5. Row 18: P all sts.
6. Rows 19 to 22: Work in G st.
7. BO all sts.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Sew the bib to the front top edge of the pants, centered on the body. The bib should come up to the base of the neck and cover the front belly, as shown in the picture.

Back Waist Panel

1. CO 18 sts in blue.
2. Rows 1 to 6: Work in G st.
3. Rows 7 to 14: Work in st st.
4. BO all sts.

Sew the back waist panel to the top back of the pants. This gives the straps a place to attach and helps the outfit sit evenly around the dog’s body.

Shoulder Straps

1. CO 5 sts in blue using 2.25 mm needles.
2. Work 30 rows in G st.
3. BO all sts.
4. Make a second strap the same.

Cross the straps lightly from the back waist to the front bib. Sew one end of each strap to the back panel and the other end to the top corners of the bib. The straps should sit over the shoulders, visible beside the head and arms.

Yellow Flower Buttons

The front bib has two small yellow flower buttons near the strap ends. These are decorative and should be sewn flat, especially if the toy is handled by children.

1. CO 5 sts in yellow.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in each st. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: K all sts.
5. BO all sts.
6. Roll the small strip into a flower button and stitch through the center.
7. Make two buttons.

Sew the buttons at the top corners of the bib where the straps meet. Add one tiny black or blue stitch in the center if you want the button to look more defined.

Daisy Decorations for Overalls

The overalls are covered with small white daisies with yellow centers. Make several sizes so the flowers look scattered naturally. Sew them across the bib, belly, legs, and sides, leaving a little space between each one.

Small Daisy

1. Using white yarn and 2.25 mm needles, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: K2tog, K1. 2 sts.
5. Row 4: P2tog. 1 st.
6. Cut yarn and pull through.
7. Make 6 petals for each daisy.

Arrange 6 petals in a circle and stitch them together at the center. With yellow yarn, make 3 small satin stitches in the middle. Make 10 to 12 daisies for the overalls.

Tiny Embroidered Daisy

1. Bring white yarn up through the blue fabric.
2. Make 5 straight petal stitches, each about 2 stitches long.
3. Use yellow yarn to make one French-knot-style center or three tiny straight stitches.
4. Add these tiny daisies where a full knitted flower would be too bulky.

Blue Shoulder Bag

The bag is a small blue pouch worn across the body. It sits on one side of the overalls, with a narrow strap running diagonally from shoulder to opposite hip. The bag should be slightly rounded and lightly stuffed.

Bag Body

1. CO 14 sts in blue.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in G st.
3. Rows 5 to 16: Work in st st.
4. Row 17: K2, k2tog, K6, k2tog, K2. 12 sts.
5. Row 18: P all sts.
6. Rows 19 to 22: Work in G st.
7. BO all sts.

Fold the lower edge up to make a pouch. Sew the side seams. Add a very small amount of stuffing if you want the bag to puff out like the image. Sew the flap down with two tiny stitches.

Bag Strap

1. CO 4 sts in blue.
2. Work 70 rows in G st.
3. BO all sts.

Sew one end of the strap to the upper corner of the bag. Place the strap diagonally across the dog from one shoulder to the opposite hip. Sew the strap in place at the shoulder and side so it does not slide. Attach the other end to the bag.

Blue Sandals

The sandals are blue with open cream toes. Each sandal wraps around the foot and has a front strap decorated with a small daisy. They should look rounded and soft, matching the overalls.

Sandal Sole

1. CO 8 sts in blue.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 12: Work in G st.
5. Row 13: K2tog, K6, k2tog. 8 sts.
6. Rows 14 to 16: Work in G st.
7. BO all sts.
8. Make two soles.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Toe Strap

1. CO 6 sts in blue.
2. Work 18 rows in G st.
3. BO all sts.
4. Make two straps.

Sew each sole to the underside of a foot. Wrap the toe strap over the front of the foot, leaving the cream toe visible. Sew both strap ends to the sides of the sole. Add a tiny daisy to the outside of each sandal strap.

Golden Summer Hat

The hat is golden yellow, shaped like a soft straw sunhat. It has a rounded crown, a visible brim, and a white daisy on one side. The hat sits tilted on the dog’s head, partly over one ear.

Hat Crown

1. CO 8 sts in golden yellow.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 16 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb, rep to end. 24 sts.
6. Row 5: P all sts.
7. Row 6: K2, kfb, rep to end. 32 sts.
8. Rows 7 to 20: Work in st st.
9. Row 21: P all sts.
10. Row 22: K2, k2tog, rep to end. 24 sts.
11. Row 23: P all sts.
12. BO all sts.

Sew the crown seam and stuff it only very lightly, just enough to hold a rounded shape. The crown should be shallow, not tall.

Hat Brim

1. CO 54 sts in golden yellow.
2. Rows 1 to 6: Work in G st.
3. Row 7: K all sts.
4. Row 8: P all sts.
5. Rows 9 to 12: Work in G st.
6. BO all sts loosely.

Join the brim into a circle and sew the crown into the center opening. If the brim curls too much, lightly steam it without touching the iron to the yarn. Sew a line of running stitches around the crown base to imitate the raised hat band seen in the image.

Hat Daisy

1. Make 7 small white petals using the small daisy petal instructions.
2. Arrange petals in a circle.
3. Sew through the center with yellow yarn.
4. Attach the daisy to one side of the brim.

Place the finished hat at a slight angle on the head. Tack it with a few hidden stitches behind the brim and near the ear so it stays tilted just like the photographed toy.

Ice Cream Cone Accessory

The small ice cream cone is held or displayed beside the dog. It has a tan cone and a rounded scoop in pale pastel colors. Because it is tiny, work tightly and sew carefully.

Cone

1. CO 4 sts in tan.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K2, kfb. 6 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: Kfb, K4, kfb. 8 sts.
6. Row 5: P all sts.
7. Row 6: Kfb, K6, kfb. 10 sts.
8. Rows 7 to 12: Work in st st.
9. BO all sts.

Sew the side seam into a cone shape. Add a very small amount of stuffing. Embroider diagonal tan lines if desired, using slightly darker yarn.

Ice Cream Scoop

1. CO 6 sts in pale pink or cream.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 12 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 8: Work in st st.
5. Row 9: P all sts.
6. Row 10: K2tog across. 6 sts.

Cut yarn and draw through the remaining stitches. Seam and lightly stuff the scoop. Add a small mint or white stripe with duplicate stitch if you want the pastel swirl look. Sew the scoop to the top of the cone.

Mini Extra Hat Prop

The photo also includes a small matching golden hat lying nearby. This extra prop is optional, but it makes the finished set look complete and playful.

1. CO 6 sts in golden yellow.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 12 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb, rep to end. 18 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 10: Work in st st.
7. BO all sts.
8. For the brim, CO 34 sts and work 6 rows in G st.
9. BO loosely, join into a circle, and sew around the tiny crown.
10. Add one tiny white daisy to the brim.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Assembly Order

Assembling in the correct order makes the toy cleaner and easier to shape. Pin every piece before sewing. Look at the front view often so both sides stay balanced.

1. Sew and stuff the head, muzzle, body, arms, legs, ears, and feet.
2. Attach the muzzle to the lower front of the head.
3. Add the eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrows, and facial patches.
4. Sew ears to the sides of the head, letting them hang down softly.
5. Sew the legs to the bottom of the body.
6. Fit the blue overall pants around the body and legs, then sew in place.
7. Sew on the bib, back panel, and shoulder straps.
8. Attach the head securely to the neck.
9. Sew the arms to the sides of the upper body, slightly over the overall edge.
10. Add daisies across the overalls, sandals, bag, and hat.
11. Attach sandals to the feet.
12. Place the shoulder bag diagonally and secure it.
13. Sew the hat tilted on the head.
14. Finish the ice cream cone and mini hat prop.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Use long pins to test the expression before sewing permanent details. The eyes should sit evenly and slightly above the muzzle. The ears should frame the face, and the hat should tilt toward one side without covering both eyes.

• Shape the muzzle with small hidden stitches if it looks too flat.
• Add a little blush with pale pink yarn at the lower cheeks if desired.
• Keep the nose centered and filled smoothly with black stitches.
• Use short black stitches for the eyebrows to create a gentle, curious expression.
• Sew all flowers securely, especially on the sandals and hat brim.

Care Notes

This knitted dog is best used as a decorative handmade plush. Because it includes small flowers, a bag, a hat, and possible safety eyes, it should be handled gently and kept away from rough play unless all parts are embroidered and firmly sewn.

• Spot clean with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if safety eyes, stiffened brim, or delicate flowers are used.
• Press water out with a towel instead of twisting.
• Let the toy air dry flat.
• Reshape the ears, hat brim, and overalls while damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is round and larger than the body.
• The muzzle is centered and softly raised.
• The black patches are irregular and balanced.
• The ears hang long beside the face with black tips at the bottom.
• The blue overalls are rounded, loose, and decorated with daisies.
• The straps meet the bib under two yellow flower buttons.
• The bag crosses the chest diagonally and sits at one side.
• The sandals show cream toes through the front opening.
• The golden hat is tilted and decorated with one white daisy.
• The ice cream cone and mini hat prop are finished neatly.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished basset hound in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Strong sunlight may fade the blue overalls, yellow hat, and white daisies over time. If displaying on a shelf, gently dust with a soft brush.

For long-term storage, wrap the toy loosely in acid-free tissue or clean cotton fabric. Do not compress the hat brim, ears, or bag strap. Add a small lavender sachet nearby if desired, but do not let oils touch the yarn.

If the doll becomes flattened, gently reshape it by hand. Add a little steam from a distance to relax the knitted fabric, then let it cool completely before moving. Never place a hot iron directly on the toy.

Your knitted basset hound is now complete, with its cream puppy face, floppy ears, blue daisy overalls, summer hat, matching sandals, tiny shoulder bag, and sweet ice cream accessory ready for display.