Knitting Tutorial: Sweet Spaniel Puppy in Blue Floral Dress – Free Knitting Pattern.

This sweet knit spaniel puppy is designed with a rounded black-and-white face, long floppy black ears, soft white paws with tiny black spots, and a cream dress decorated with blue flowers and green stems. The finished look includes blue shoulder straps, small button details, a tan bow headband, a matching crossbody purse, flower-trimmed sandals, and a separate straw-style garden hat.

 

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written in US English knitting terms and is made mostly flat, then seamed and stuffed. The puppy has a soft seated shape, a slightly oversized head, a tapered muzzle, rounded limbs, and a flared floral dress. The stitch counts are included row by row so the finished toy keeps the same proportions as the image.

• Finished size: about 11.5 in tall when seated, including ears and bow.
• Skill level: confident beginner to intermediate.
• Construction: flat knitting, seamed pieces, light embroidery, and simple gathered shaping.
• Main texture: stockinette stitch with garter stitch edges on accessories.
• Recommended gauge: 7 sts and 10 rows = 1 in in stockinette on smaller needles.

Materials

• Yarn weight: DK or light worsted yarn.
• Main puppy color: warm white or cream, about 80 yd.
• Black: about 45 yd for ears, eye patches, spots, and paw details.
• Blue: about 45 yd for dress trim, straps, flower motifs, and sandal straps.
• Light blue: about 8 yd for flower centers or highlight stitches.
• Green: about 10 yd for flower stems and leaves.
• Tan: about 35 yd for bow, purse, hat, sandals, and cord straps.
• White embroidery yarn: small amount for daisies and eye highlights.
• Yellow embroidery yarn: small amount for flower centers.
• Needles: US 3, 3.25 mm straight needles.
• Optional smaller needles: US 2, 2.75 mm for straps and tiny flowers.
• Stuffing: polyester fiberfill.
• Safety eyes: two black 8 mm eyes, or embroider eyes if making for a young child.
• Nose: one black oval safety nose, about 14 mm wide, or black yarn for embroidery.
• Buttons: two tiny tan buttons for dress straps.
• Other tools: tapestry needle, stitch markers, pins, scissors, row counter.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• st or sts: stitch or stitches.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch, increasing 1 stitch.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together, decreasing 1 stitch.
• ssk: slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 knitwise, knit slipped stitches together through back loops.
• st st: stockinette stitch, knit RS rows and purl WS rows.
• garter st: knit every row.
• sl1: slip 1 stitch purlwise.

Important Notes Before Starting

For the closest result, keep your knitting firm so stuffing does not show through. The body and head should be stuffed smoothly but not too tightly. The ears should remain soft and slightly flat, so use only a very thin layer of stuffing at the top edge, or leave them unstuffed.

The puppy in the image has a large rounded head, a smaller seated body, long black ears, and a cream dress that flares outward. The dress should sit high under the neck and cover most of the body, with the blue hem curving around the lower edge.

• Use mattress stitch for neat seams.
• Leave long yarn tails on small pieces for sewing.
• Place the black face patch before stuffing the head fully.
• Pin all outfit pieces in place before sewing so the straps stay even.
• For a softer toy, embroider eyes and buttons instead of using hard pieces.

Main Puppy Body

Seated Torso

Knit the torso in warm white. This piece forms a pear-shaped seated body that is narrower at the neck and wider at the base. The dress will cover most of it, but the white chest and lower legs should still show.

1. CO 18 sts in warm white.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb across to last st, k1. 34 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: k4, kfb, repeat from k4, kfb to last 4 sts, k4. 40 sts.
7. Rows 6-14: work in st st, beginning with a purl row.
8. Row 15: k8, kfb, k22, kfb, k8. 42 sts.
9. Rows 16-24: work in st st.
10. Row 25: k5, k2tog, k28, ssk, k5. 40 sts.
11. Row 26: purl.
12. Row 27: k4, k2tog, k28, ssk, k4. 38 sts.
13. Row 28: purl.
14. Row 29: k3, k2tog, k28, ssk, k3. 36 sts.
15. Rows 30-34: work in st st.
16. Row 35: k2, k2tog, k28, ssk, k2. 34 sts.
17. Row 36: purl.
18. Row 37: k2, k2tog, k26, ssk, k2. 32 sts.
19. Row 38: purl.
20. Row 39: k2, k2tog, k24, ssk, k2. 30 sts.
21. Row 40: purl.
22. Row 41: k1, k2tog across to last st, k1. 16 sts.
23. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull gently, and seam the back.

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Stuff the lower body firmly enough to sit, then shape the upper chest more softly. The seated base should be rounded and slightly flat underneath so the puppy can rest on a shelf or table.

Legs and Feet

Left Leg and Foot

The legs are short and rounded, with visible white toes peeking out below the dress. Add blue and green sandal straps later so the feet match the image.

1. CO 12 sts in warm white.
2. Rows 1-2: knit.
3. Row 3: kfb in each st across. 24 sts.
4. Rows 4-10: work in st st.
5. Row 11: k6, k2tog 6 times, k6. 18 sts.
6. Row 12: purl.
7. Row 13: k5, k2tog 4 times, k5. 14 sts.
8. Rows 14-22: work in st st.
9. Row 23: k2tog across. 7 sts.
10. Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts.

Right Leg and Foot

1. Repeat the left leg and foot exactly.
2. Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly.
3. Seam the back of each leg.
4. Sew both legs to the lower front of the torso, spaced about 1 in apart.

Toe Embroidery

• Using black yarn, make three vertical toe lines on each foot.
• Keep each toe stitch about 0.35 in long.
• Pull gently so the toes indent slightly.
• Add one tiny black spot on the outer side of each lower leg.

Arms

The arms are white with small black spots and rounded paws. They hang down from the sides and sit partly over the dress. Keep them slim so they do not hide the floral bodice.

1. CO 10 sts in warm white.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: kfb in each st across. 20 sts.
5. Rows 4-8: work in st st.
6. Row 9: k4, k2tog 6 times, k4. 14 sts.
7. Rows 10-26: work in st st.
8. Row 27: k2tog across. 7 sts.
9. Cut yarn and pull through remaining sts.
10. Make a second arm the same way.

• Stuff the paws lightly and leave the upper arms soft.
• Seam each arm from paw to shoulder.
• Embroider two tiny black spots on each arm.
• Sew arms to the sides of the body after the dress bodice is attached.

Head

The head is larger than the body and has a rounded spaniel shape. The front is mostly cream with a central white muzzle area, black side patches, and a black patch around one eye. Keep the head smooth so the facial embroidery looks gentle.

Head Base

1. CO 18 sts in warm white.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb across to last st, k1. 34 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: k3, kfb, repeat across to last 2 sts, k2. 42 sts.
7. Row 6: purl.
8. Row 7: k6, kfb, repeat across. 48 sts.
9. Rows 8-24: work in st st.
10. Row 25: k10, kfb, k26, kfb, k10. 50 sts.
11. Rows 26-34: work in st st.
12. Row 35: k5, k2tog, repeat across to last st, k1. 43 sts.
13. Row 36: purl.
14. Row 37: k4, k2tog, repeat across to last st, k1. 36 sts.
15. Row 38: purl.
16. Row 39: k3, k2tog, repeat across to last st, k1. 29 sts.
17. Row 40: purl.
18. Row 41: k2, k2tog, repeat across to last st, k1. 22 sts.
19. Row 42: purl.
20. Row 43: k2tog across. 11 sts.
21. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and pull closed.

Seam the back of the head, leaving a 1.5 in opening. Stuff firmly, shaping the cheeks wider than the top of the head. The lower front should curve outward so the muzzle can sit naturally in the center.

White Muzzle

1. CO 10 sts in warm white.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1. 12 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: k1, kfb, k8, kfb, k1. 14 sts.
7. Rows 6-14: work in st st.
8. Row 15: k1, k2tog, k8, ssk, k1. 12 sts.
9. Row 16: purl.
10. Row 17: k1, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1. 10 sts.
11. Row 18: purl.
12. BO all sts.

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Place the muzzle on the lower center of the head. Add a little stuffing behind it before sewing. The top edge should sit just below the eyes, and the lower edge should curve toward the chin.

Black Eye Patch

The visible black eye patch covers one side of the face and curves from the forehead down around the eye. Knit one patch and sew it flat before attaching the safety eye.

1. CO 8 sts in black.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
7. Rows 6-12: work in st st.
8. Row 13: k2tog, k8, ssk. 10 sts.
9. Row 14: purl.
10. Row 15: k2tog, k6, ssk. 8 sts.
11. BO all sts.

• Sew the patch to the puppy’s left side from the viewer’s perspective.
• Curve the inner edge near the muzzle so it looks rounded.
• Add the eye through the patch after sewing, about halfway down the face.

Small Black Side Patch

1. CO 7 sts in black.
2. Rows 1-6: work in st st.
3. Row 7: k2tog, k3, ssk. 5 sts.
4. Row 8: purl.
5. Row 9: k2tog, k1, ssk. 3 sts.
6. BO all sts.

Sew this patch to the opposite side of the head near the back cheek, partly hidden under the ear. This creates the black-and-white spaniel marking seen in the image.

Eyes, Nose, and Mouth

• Place safety eyes about 0.75 in above the top of the muzzle and 1.25 in apart.
• Place the black oval nose at the top center of the muzzle.
• Use black yarn to embroider one straight line down from the nose, about 0.5 in long.
• Add a tiny curved mouth line below the vertical stitch.
• Add one white highlight stitch on each eye for a glossy look.

Long Floppy Ears

The ears are long, black, rounded, and soft. They start high on the sides of the head and fall below the chin. Use black yarn and avoid overstuffing so they drape naturally.

First Ear

1. CO 12 sts in black.
2. Rows 1-2: knit.
3. Row 3: k1, kfb, k8, kfb, k1. 14 sts.
4. Row 4: purl.
5. Row 5: k1, kfb, k10, kfb, k1. 16 sts.
6. Rows 6-34: work in st st.
7. Row 35: k1, k2tog, k10, ssk, k1. 14 sts.
8. Row 36: purl.
9. Row 37: k1, k2tog, k8, ssk, k1. 12 sts.
10. Row 38: purl.
11. Row 39: k1, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1. 10 sts.
12. Row 40: purl.
13. Row 41: k2tog, k6, ssk. 8 sts.
14. BO all sts.

Second Ear

1. Repeat the first ear.
2. Fold each ear lengthwise with RS together.
3. Seam around the side and bottom, leaving the top open.
4. Turn right side out.
5. Add a whisper of stuffing only at the top if needed.

Sew each ear to the side of the head, starting slightly above eye level. Angle the top edge downward toward the cheek so the ears frame the face like the image.

Cream and Blue Floral Dress

The dress is the main clothing piece. It has a cream bodice, blue shoulder straps, small tan buttons, a flared skirt, blue lower trim, and repeated blue floral motifs with green stems. Knit the dress separately and sew it around the puppy’s body.

Dress Skirt

1. CO 72 sts in blue.
2. Rows 1-4: knit for a garter hem.
3. Change to cream.
4. Row 5: knit.
5. Row 6: purl.
6. Row 7: k6 cream, k1 blue, k2 cream, k1 blue, repeat across for small flower spacing.
7. Row 8: purl all cream, carrying blue loosely behind flower sts.
8. Row 9: k6 cream, k3 blue, repeat across.
9. Row 10: purl cream.
10. Row 11: k5 cream, k1 green, k1 cream, k1 green, k2 cream, repeat across.
11. Row 12: purl cream.
12. Rows 13-16: work in cream st st.
13. Row 17: knit all sts in blue.
14. Row 18: purl all sts in blue.
15. Change to cream.
16. Rows 19-24: work in st st.
17. Row 25: k4, k2tog across. 60 sts.
18. Row 26: purl.
19. Rows 27-32: work in st st.
20. Row 33: k3, k2tog across. 48 sts.
21. Row 34: purl.
22. Rows 35-38: work in st st.
23. Row 39: k2, k2tog across. 36 sts.
24. Row 40: purl.
25. Do not bind off. Leave sts on a holder for bodice joining.

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Dress Bodice

1. With cream yarn, knit across the 36 skirt sts from holder.
2. Rows 1-2: work in st st.
3. Row 3: k6, k2tog, k20, ssk, k6. 34 sts.
4. Row 4: purl.
5. Row 5: k5, k2tog, k20, ssk, k5. 32 sts.
6. Rows 6-10: work in st st.
7. Row 11: k4 blue, k24 cream, k4 blue.
8. Row 12: p4 blue, p24 cream, p4 blue.
9. Rows 13-16: repeat Rows 11-12.
10. Rows 17-18: knit all sts in blue for the neckline trim.
11. BO all sts loosely.

Seam the back of the dress from hem to bodice, leaving enough opening to slide it over the puppy. Put the dress on the body, overlap the back edges slightly, and sew closed invisibly.

Blue Shoulder Straps

1. CO 5 sts in blue.
2. Knit every row for 22 rows.
3. BO all sts.
4. Make a second strap the same way.

• Sew straps from the front bodice over the shoulders to the back bodice.
• Keep the straps vertical and close to the neck.
• Sew one tan button at the base of each front strap.

Embroidered Blue Flowers on Dress

The floral motifs make the dress match the image. Use duplicate stitch or simple embroidery after the dress is sewn on the body. Keep the flowers evenly spaced around the skirt and add one larger flower on the center bodice.

• For each blue flower, make five short blue petal stitches around a center point.
• Use light blue or cream for the flower center if desired.
• Add one green vertical stem below each flower.
• Add two tiny green leaf stitches beside each stem.
• Place about eight flowers around the lower skirt and three flowers across the front upper skirt.
• Add one larger blue flower to the center chest of the bodice.

Sandals with Flower Details

The sandals are tan at the base with blue and green straps and small white daisies. They sit around the white feet and should look like soft garden sandals.

Sandal Soles

1. CO 9 sts in tan.
2. Rows 1-2: knit.
3. Row 3: kfb, k7, kfb. 11 sts.
4. Rows 4-8: knit.
5. Row 9: kfb, k9, kfb. 13 sts.
6. Rows 10-16: knit.
7. Row 17: k2tog, k9, ssk. 11 sts.
8. Rows 18-20: knit.
9. Row 21: k2tog, k7, ssk. 9 sts.
10. BO all sts.
11. Make a second sole.

Sandal Straps

1. CO 4 sts in blue.
2. Knit 16 rows.
3. BO all sts.
4. Make a second blue strap.
5. CO 4 sts in green.
6. Knit 14 rows.
7. BO all sts.
8. Make a second green strap.

• Sew each tan sole under one foot.
• Wrap one blue strap across the ankle area and sew at both sides.
• Wrap one green strap across the front toes and sew at both sides.
• Embroider a tiny white daisy on each front strap with a yellow center.

Tan Bow Headband

The puppy wears a tan headband with a small bow and a tiny flower near one ear. The band should sit diagonally across the top of the head, partly over the black ear area.

Headband Cord

1. CO 3 sts in tan.
2. Knit 42 rows to make a narrow strip.
3. BO all sts.

Place the strip across the forehead and around the back of the head. Sew the ends together at the back, hidden under one ear.

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Bow Loops

1. CO 8 sts in tan.
2. Rows 1-10: knit every row.
3. BO all sts.
4. Make a second rectangle the same way.

• Pinch each rectangle in the center to form a loop.
• Wrap tan yarn around the center several times.
• Sew the two loops together side by side.
• Attach the bow to the top of the headband.

Small Headband Flower

• With white yarn, make five lazy daisy petals near one side of the bow.
• Add one yellow stitch in the center.
• With green yarn, add two tiny leaves beside the flower.

Crossbody Purse

The small tan purse hangs from a cord strap across the chest. It sits on the puppy’s lower side and has a white daisy on the flap. Keep it small and rounded.

Purse Body

1. CO 14 sts in tan.
2. Rows 1-2: knit.
3. Rows 3-12: work in st st.
4. Row 13: k2tog, k10, ssk. 12 sts.
5. Row 14: purl.
6. Row 15: k2tog, k8, ssk. 10 sts.
7. Row 16: purl.
8. BO all sts.

Purse Flap

1. CO 12 sts in tan.
2. Rows 1-6: knit.
3. Row 7: k2tog, k8, ssk. 10 sts.
4. Row 8: knit.
5. Row 9: k2tog, k6, ssk. 8 sts.
6. BO all sts.

• Fold the purse body in half and seam the sides.
• Sew the flap to the top back edge.
• Embroider one white daisy with a yellow center on the flap.
• For the strap, CO 3 sts in tan and knit 78 rows, then BO.
• Sew strap ends to the purse sides and place it diagonally over the puppy’s shoulder.

Separate Garden Hat

The hat rests beside the puppy in the image. It has a tan straw look, a rounded crown, a flat brim, and a ring of white daisies. Knit it separately as a display accessory.

Hat Crown

1. CO 12 sts in tan.
2. Row 1: knit.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: kfb in each st across. 24 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: k3, kfb, repeat across. 30 sts.
7. Rows 6-18: work in st st.
8. Row 19: k3, k2tog, repeat across. 24 sts.
9. Row 20: purl.
10. Row 21: k2, k2tog, repeat across. 18 sts.
11. Row 22: purl.
12. Row 23: k1, k2tog, repeat across. 12 sts.
13. Cut yarn and pull through remaining sts.

Hat Brim

1. CO 54 sts in tan.
2. Rows 1-8: knit every row.
3. Row 9: k4, k2tog across. 45 sts.
4. Row 10: knit.
5. BO all sts loosely.

• Seam the brim into a circle.
• Sew the crown to the center opening of the brim.
• Use tan yarn to embroider a few horizontal lines around the crown for a woven straw look.
• Add white daisies around the brim with yellow centers and tiny green leaf stitches.

Black Spots on Body and Paws

The image shows small black markings on the arms, legs, and sides. These are best embroidered after assembly so they land naturally on visible areas.

• Add two small black duplicate-stitch spots on each arm.
• Add one black spot on each lower leg above the sandal.
• Add one tiny black mark near the side of the dress opening if visible.
• Keep spots uneven, rounded, and organic, not perfectly circular.

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Joining the Head to the Body

1. Place the head on the torso with the muzzle facing forward.
2. The chin should sit just above the dress neckline.
3. Pin the head in place from the front, back, and both sides.
4. Use warm white yarn to sew around the neck twice for strength.
5. Add a little extra stuffing inside the neck before closing the last gap.

Check the puppy from the front. The head should be centered over the floral dress, with the long ears falling evenly on both sides. The bow headband should sit slightly to one side, giving the same gentle garden look as the image.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

• Sew the arms to the sides, slightly angled forward.
• Put the dress on the body and secure the back seam neatly.
• Attach the straps and buttons after the dress is fitted.
• Sew the legs under the dress so the feet show clearly.
• Add sandals, then embroider toes and flower details.
• Attach the purse strap diagonally from one shoulder to the opposite hip.
• Place the bow headband above the eyes and sew lightly in hidden spots.
• Use black yarn to refine the mouth line and cream yarn to soften any visible seams.

Care Notes

Spot clean the finished puppy with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid soaking if safety eyes, buttons, or a safety nose are used. Let the toy air dry flat on a towel, reshaping the ears, dress hem, bow, and hat while damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is larger than the body and smoothly rounded.
• The muzzle is centered and slightly raised.
• The long black ears hang below the cheeks.
• The cream dress flares outward with a blue hem.
• Blue flowers and green stems are visible across the skirt.
• The sandals have small white daisies.
• The purse sits diagonally across the front.
• The separate tan hat has a daisy-trimmed brim.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the puppy away from direct sunlight to protect the cream, blue, green, and tan yarn colors. If displaying it on a shelf, support the seated base so the legs do not flatten over time. Keep the hat beside the puppy rather than pinned permanently, so both pieces keep their shape.

For long-term storage, wrap the toy loosely in acid-free tissue or a clean cotton cloth. Do not compress the ears or bow. Refresh the dress hem by gently steaming from a distance, then shaping it with your fingers while it cools.