Knitting Tutorial: Garden Boston Terrier in Blue Turtleneck Overalls – Free Knitting Pattern.

This detailed knitting pattern makes a seated Boston Terrier plush with a half-black, half-white face, tall pointed ears, glossy safety eyes, a blue ribbed turtleneck sweater, striped garden overalls, navy-and-white shoes, a mustard shoulder bag with tiny flowers, a matching knit hat, plus miniature garden props including a watering can and basket.

 

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

The finished dog measures about 11 inches tall seated, from the bottom of the shoes to the top of the ears. The body is shaped to sit naturally, with short legs forward, arms resting at the sides, and a large rounded head like the toy shown in the photo.

• Height seated: 11 inches including ears.
• Head width: about 4 inches.
• Body width: about 3.5 inches at the belly.
• Leg length: about 3.25 inches from hip to shoe tip.
• Ear height: about 3 inches.
• Gauge: 7 stitches and 10 rounds = 1 inch in stockinette using toy yarn and small needles.

Yarn and Supplies

Use firm toy stuffing and a tight gauge so the knitted fabric holds a smooth plush shape. The photo shows a soft but structured fabric, so choose yarn that gives clear stockinette stitches and does not stretch too much after stuffing.

• Worsted or DK toy yarn: white, charcoal black, royal blue, light gray, cream, navy, mustard yellow, pale blue, pale pink, green, and a small amount of tan.
• Needles: US 3 or US 4 double-pointed needles, or size needed for tight gauge.
• Safety eyes: two black 12 mm eyes with white felt circles behind them.
• Safety nose: one black 10 mm oval nose, or embroider the nose.
• Buttons: two tiny tan buttons for the overall straps.
• Stuffing: polyester fiberfill.
• Other tools: yarn needle, stitch markers, scrap yarn, black embroidery thread, white embroidery thread, and sewing pins.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• K: knit.
• P: purl.
• Sts: stitches.
• Rnd: round.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• K2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• SSK: slip, slip, knit.
• M1L: make 1 left increase.
• M1R: make 1 right increase.
• St st: stockinette stitch.
• PM: place marker.
• SM: slip marker.
• Rep: repeat.

Important Construction Notes

This Boston Terrier is knitted in firm stockinette with shaping worked in the round for most plush pieces. The head uses separate black and white color sections to copy the strong split-face look in the image. The white muzzle is knitted separately and sewn on as a rounded padded oval.

The overalls are knitted as a removable-looking garment but sewn lightly to the body for stability. The blue turtleneck is worked directly as a fitted sweater tube around the body shape, giving the thick ribbed collar shown in the image.

• Stuff gradually: add small pieces of stuffing often instead of one large piece.
• Use tight seams: mattress stitch keeps the toy smooth.
• Keep the face centered: pin eyes, muzzle, nose, and ears before sewing.
• Use duplicate stitch: add overall stripes and flower details after knitting.

Main Body in White

The body is pear-shaped, narrow at the neck and wider at the seated belly. It is mostly hidden by the overalls and sweater, but the white paws and wrists remain visible like the photo.

1. With white yarn, CO 12 sts and join in the round. PM at beginning of round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K1, M1R, K2, M1L, K2, M1R, K2, M1L, K3. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K2, M1R, K3, M1L, K2, M1R, K3, M1L, K4. 20 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: K3, M1R, K4, M1L, K3, M1R, K4, M1L, K4. 24 sts.
8. Rnd 7: K all sts.
9. Rnd 8: K4, M1R, K5, M1L, K4, M1R, K5, M1L, K4. 28 sts.
10. Rnd 9: K all sts.
11. Rnd 10: K5, M1R, K6, M1L, K5, M1R, K6, M1L, K4. 32 sts.
12. Rnds 11-20: K all sts for 10 rounds.
13. Rnd 21: K6, K2tog, K8, SSK, K6, K2tog, K6, SSK. 28 sts.
14. Rnd 22: K all sts.
15. Rnd 23: K5, K2tog, K7, SSK, K5, K2tog, K5, SSK. 24 sts.
16. Rnd 24: K all sts.
17. Rnd 25: K4, K2tog, K6, SSK, K4, K2tog, K4, SSK. 20 sts.
18. Rnd 26: K all sts.
19. Rnd 27: K3, K2tog, K5, SSK, K3, K2tog, K3, SSK. 16 sts.
20. Rnds 28-30: K all sts for the neck. Stuff the body firmly but keep the lower belly rounded.
21. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for sewing to the head.

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Head Base with Boston Terrier Color Split

The head is oversized compared with the body. The left side from the viewer’s perspective is charcoal black, and the right side is white. Work the head with two colors using intarsia in the round by turning at the color boundary, or knit flat and seam at the back. The instructions below use flat rows for easier color placement.

1. With charcoal black, CO 18 sts. With white, CO 18 sts on the same needle. 36 sts total.
2. Row 1 RS: With black K18, twist yarns at color change, with white K18.
3. Row 2 WS: With white P18, twist yarns, with black P18.
4. Row 3: Black K3, M1L, K12, M1R, K3; white K3, M1L, K12, M1R, K3. 40 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts, keeping colors correct.
6. Row 5: Black K4, M1L, K12, M1R, K4; white K4, M1L, K12, M1R, K4. 44 sts.
7. Row 6: P all sts.
8. Row 7: Black K5, M1L, K12, M1R, K5; white K5, M1L, K12, M1R, K5. 48 sts.
9. Rows 8-19: Work 12 rows in stockinette, keeping the first 24 sts black and the last 24 sts white.
10. Row 20 WS: P all sts.
11. Row 21: Black K5, K2tog, K10, SSK, K5; white K5, K2tog, K10, SSK, K5. 44 sts.
12. Row 22: P all sts.
13. Row 23: Black K4, K2tog, K10, SSK, K4; white K4, K2tog, K10, SSK, K4. 40 sts.
14. Row 24: P all sts.
15. Row 25: Black K4, K2tog, K8, SSK, K4; white K4, K2tog, K8, SSK, K4. 36 sts.
16. Row 26: P all sts.
17. Row 27: Black K3, K2tog, K8, SSK, K3; white K3, K2tog, K8, SSK, K3. 32 sts.
18. Row 28: P all sts.
19. Row 29: Black K2, K2tog, K8, SSK, K2; white K2, K2tog, K8, SSK, K2. 28 sts.
20. Row 30: P all sts.
21. BO with a long tail. Sew the back seam from top to lower head, leaving the bottom open for stuffing.
22. Stuff firmly into a round shape, smoothing the black and white halves so the front color line runs vertically down the face.

White Muzzle Pad

The muzzle is the rounded white padded piece on the lower front of the face. It sits across both colors but appears mainly white, forming the soft snout and cheeks. Sew it below the eyes, slightly puffed outward.

1. With white yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1 RS: K all sts.
3. Row 2 WS: P all sts.
4. Row 3: K1, M1L, K6, M1R, K1. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts.
6. Row 5: K1, M1L, K8, M1R, K1. 12 sts.
7. Row 6: P all sts.
8. Rows 7-12: Work in stockinette.
9. Row 13: K1, K2tog, K6, SSK, K1. 10 sts.
10. Row 14: P all sts.
11. Row 15: K1, K2tog, K4, SSK, K1. 8 sts.
12. Row 16: P all sts.
13. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.
14. Run a gathering thread around the edge, add a small amount of stuffing, and sew to the lower face as an oval pad.

Nose, Mouth, and Eyes

The eyes in the image are large and glossy. For the same look, place each safety eye through a small white felt circle before attaching. The black side eye stands out because of the white backing, while the white side eye keeps the same shiny toy style.

• Place the eyes on Row 16 of the head, about 8 sts apart across the front.
• Attach one eye on the black face side and one on the white face side.
• Place the nose at the top center of the muzzle pad.
• Use black embroidery thread to sew a short vertical line from the nose down 4 rows.
• Add two tiny curved mouth lines, each about 3 stitches long, slanting softly outward.

Pointed Ears

The Boston Terrier ears are tall, triangular, and upright. The left ear is black, while the right ear is white with a pale pink inner blush. Knit two outer ears and two inner panels, then seam them together for stiffness.

Outer Ear: Make One Black and One White

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: Work in stockinette.
3. Row 5 RS: K1, SSK, K12, K2tog, K1. 16 sts.
4. Row 6 WS: P all sts.
5. Row 7: K1, SSK, K10, K2tog, K1. 14 sts.
6. Row 8: P all sts.
7. Row 9: K1, SSK, K8, K2tog, K1. 12 sts.
8. Row 10: P all sts.
9. Row 11: K1, SSK, K6, K2tog, K1. 10 sts.
10. Row 12: P all sts.
11. Row 13: K1, SSK, K4, K2tog, K1. 8 sts.
12. Row 14: P all sts.
13. Row 15: K1, SSK, K2, K2tog, K1. 6 sts.
14. Row 16: P all sts.
15. Row 17: K1, SSK, K2tog, K1. 4 sts.
16. Row 18: P all sts.
17. Row 19: K2tog twice. 2 sts.
18. Row 20: P2tog. 1 st.
19. Fasten off.

Inner Ear Panels

1. For the black ear, use charcoal black for the inner panel to match the photo.
2. For the white ear, use white yarn and later add a small pink duplicate-stitch blush in the center.
3. CO 14 sts.
4. Rows 1-4: Work in stockinette.
5. Row 5: K1, SSK, K8, K2tog, K1. 12 sts.
6. Row 6: P all sts.
7. Row 7: K1, SSK, K6, K2tog, K1. 10 sts.
8. Row 8: P all sts.
9. Row 9: K1, SSK, K4, K2tog, K1. 8 sts.
10. Row 10: P all sts.
11. Row 11: K1, SSK, K2, K2tog, K1. 6 sts.
12. Row 12: P all sts.
13. Row 13: K1, SSK, K2tog, K1. 4 sts.
14. Row 14: P all sts.
15. BO all sts.
16. Sew each inner panel to an outer ear, wrong sides together. Lightly stuff only the base, not the tip.

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Blue Turtleneck Sweater

The sweater is bright blue with a thick ribbed collar, fitted sleeves, and a textured body. Knit it before attaching the arms if you prefer easier placement. The collar should sit high under the head, just like the photo.

1. With blue yarn, CO 32 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-8: K2, P2 rib around to form the tall turtleneck collar.
3. Rnd 9: K all sts.
4. Rnd 10: K4, M1L, K8, M1R, K8, M1L, K8, M1R, K4. 36 sts.
5. Rnds 11-18: K all sts.
6. Rnd 19: K6, place next 6 sts on scrap yarn for first sleeve opening, CO 6 sts, K12, place next 6 sts on scrap yarn for second sleeve opening, CO 6 sts, K6. 36 sts.
7. Rnds 20-30: K all sts.
8. Rnd 31: K2, P2 rib around.
9. Rnd 32: K2, P2 rib around.
10. BO loosely in rib.
11. Slide sweater onto body from the neck downward before sewing the head on.

Sweater Sleeves

1. Pick up 6 held sts and 8 sts around one armhole. 14 sts.
2. Rnds 1-10: K all sts with blue yarn.
3. Rnds 11-12: K1, P1 rib around.
4. BO loosely.
5. Repeat for the second sleeve.

Arms and White Paws

The arms are short and rounded, with white paws peeking from the blue sleeves. They hang naturally at the sides, slightly forward, as shown in the image.

1. With white yarn, CO 10 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: K all sts.
3. Change to blue yarn.
4. Rnds 5-16: K all sts.
5. Rnd 17: K3, K2tog, K3, K2tog. 8 sts.
6. Rnd 18: K all sts.
7. Stuff lightly, keeping the paw round and the upper arm soft.
8. Rnd 19: K2tog around. 4 sts.
9. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed.
10. Make a second arm the same way.
11. Sew the arms into the sleeve openings, with white paws visible below the cuffs.

Legs and White Feet

The dog sits with both legs pointing forward. The legs are mostly hidden by striped overalls, while the white feet and navy shoes are clearly visible at the front.

1. With white yarn, CO 12 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-5: K all sts.
3. Rnd 6: K3, M1L, K6, M1R, K3. 14 sts.
4. Rnds 7-10: K all sts to form the rounded foot base.
5. Change to light gray yarn for the lower leg under the overalls.
6. Rnds 11-20: K all sts.
7. Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly.
8. Rnd 21: K2tog around. 7 sts.
9. Cut yarn, thread through sts, pull closed.
10. Make a second leg.
11. Sew legs to the lower front of the body so the feet point forward and the toy sits securely.

Navy and White Shoes

The shoes in the image have cream soles, navy sides, white toe edges, and white laces. Knit them as fitted covers over the white feet or sew them on as decorative shoe shells.

Shoe Sole: Make Two

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: K1, M1L, K6, M1R, K1. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts.
6. Rows 5-10: Work in stockinette.
7. Row 11: K1, K2tog, K4, SSK, K1. 8 sts.
8. Row 12: P all sts.
9. BO all sts.

Shoe Upper: Make Two

1. With navy yarn, CO 20 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: Work in stockinette.
3. Change to white yarn.
4. Rows 5-6: K all sts for a white rim.
5. BO all sts.
6. Sew upper around the cream sole and onto the foot, leaving the front toe cream visible.
7. Use white yarn to embroider three crisscross laces across each shoe.
8. Use black thread to add one thin line above the sole, matching the dark trim in the photo.

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Striped Garden Overalls

The overalls are light gray with narrow vertical white stripes. They cover the belly and legs, with a bib at the front and two straps crossing over the shoulders. Tiny tan buttons sit at the top of the bib.

Overall Pants

1. With light gray yarn, CO 36 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: K all sts.
3. Rnd 5: K18, PM, K18. This marks the front and back.
4. Rnds 6-16: K all sts.
5. Rnd 17: K16, BO 4 sts for crotch gap, K16, BO 4 sts. You now have two leg openings.
6. Place first 16 sts on needles for Leg A. Place remaining 16 sts on scrap yarn.
7. Leg A Rnds 1-16: K all sts in light gray.
8. Leg A Rnd 17: K2, P2 rib around for cuff.
9. Leg A Rnd 18: K2, P2 rib around.
10. BO in rib.
11. Return held sts to needles and work Leg B the same way.
12. Sew crotch gap neatly closed after dressing the body.

White Pinstripes

• Thread white yarn on a tapestry needle.
• Work vertical duplicate-stitch lines every 3 stitches around the overalls.
• Begin each stripe at the waist and continue down each pant leg.
• Keep the lines straight and narrow to copy the neat striped fabric in the photo.

Front Bib

1. With light gray yarn, pick up 14 sts at the center front waist.
2. Row 1 RS: K all sts.
3. Row 2 WS: P all sts.
4. Rows 3-12: Continue in stockinette.
5. Row 13: K1, SSK, K8, K2tog, K1. 12 sts.
6. Row 14: P all sts.
7. BO all sts.
8. Add two white vertical duplicate-stitch stripes on the bib.

Overall Straps

1. With light gray yarn, CO 4 sts.
2. Work an I-cord for 5.5 inches for the first strap.
3. BO all sts.
4. Make a second strap the same way.
5. Sew straps from the back waist over the shoulders to the top corners of the bib.
6. Sew one tiny tan button at each front strap end.

Mustard Yellow Shoulder Bag

The small mustard bag hangs across the chest with a diagonal strap. The bag front has tiny pastel flowers, matching the garden theme and the decorative style shown in the photo.

Bag Body

1. With mustard yarn, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1-18: Work in stockinette.
3. Row 19: K all sts to create a fold line.
4. Rows 20-30: Work in stockinette for the front flap.
5. BO all sts.
6. Fold bottom 18 rows upward to form a pocket. Sew side seams.
7. Fold top flap over the front and tack lightly at both sides.

Bag Strap

1. With mustard yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Work I-cord for 11 inches.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one end to each side of the bag.
5. Place strap diagonally from the dog’s left shoulder to the right hip, matching the photo.

Bag Flowers

• For each flower, use pale blue, pink, or white yarn.
• Make one lazy-daisy embroidery flower with 5 small petals.
• Add a tiny yellow center using one French knot or one small stitched dot.
• Place three flowers along the bag flap.
• Add two green straight stitches as tiny leaves.

Flower on the Black Ear

The dog wears a small pastel flower near the base of the black ear. It has a yellow center with blue and pink petals. Keep this flower small so it decorates the ear without covering the face.

1. With yellow yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Cut yarn, thread through sts, pull tight into a small circle.
4. With pale blue yarn, embroider three loop petals around one side.
5. With pale pink yarn, embroider two loop petals around the other side.
6. Add one small green straight stitch under the flower as a leaf.
7. Sew flower to the lower front edge of the black ear.

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Mustard Yellow Ribbed Hat

The hat sits beside the dog in the image. It is a separate round beanie with a thick ribbed brim and smooth dome. Make it slightly larger than the dog’s head so it looks like a cozy accessory placed on the table.

1. With mustard yarn, CO 48 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-8: K2, P2 rib around for the folded brim.
3. Rnds 9-22: K all sts.
4. Rnd 23: K6, K2tog around. 42 sts.
5. Rnd 24: K all sts.
6. Rnd 25: K5, K2tog around. 36 sts.
7. Rnd 26: K all sts.
8. Rnd 27: K4, K2tog around. 30 sts.
9. Rnd 28: K all sts.
10. Rnd 29: K3, K2tog around. 24 sts.
11. Rnd 30: K all sts.
12. Rnd 31: K2, K2tog around. 18 sts.
13. Rnd 32: K1, K2tog around. 12 sts.
14. Rnd 33: K2tog around. 6 sts.
15. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave in ends.
16. Fold brim upward to match the chunky ribbed edge in the photo.

Mini Watering Can

The little watering can is a background prop near the dog. It is gray with soft blue stripes and a curved handle. Knit it small and firm so it stands upright beside the figure.

Can Body

1. With light gray yarn, CO 24 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-3: K all sts.
3. Change to pale blue yarn.
4. Rnd 4: K all sts.
5. Change to gray yarn.
6. Rnds 5-7: K all sts.
7. Change to pale blue yarn.
8. Rnd 8: K all sts.
9. Change to gray yarn.
10. Rnds 9-12: K all sts.
11. Rnd 13: K2, K2tog around. 18 sts.
12. Rnd 14: K all sts.
13. Rnd 15: K1, K2tog around. 12 sts.
14. Stuff lightly.
15. Rnd 16: K2tog around. 6 sts.
16. Pull closed.

Spout and Handle

• For the spout, CO 6 sts with gray yarn and knit 8 rows in stockinette. Roll into a tube and sew to the side.
• For the top handle, CO 3 sts and work a 3-inch I-cord. Curve it over the can and sew both ends down.
• For the side handle, CO 3 sts and work a 2.5-inch I-cord. Sew it in a soft C shape on the opposite side.

Mini Basket

The small basket in the image is tan and rounded with a simple handle. It is optional but completes the garden-table setting.

1. With tan yarn, CO 20 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: K1, P1 rib around for a woven texture.
3. Rnds 5-10: K all sts.
4. Rnd 11: K2, K2tog around. 15 sts.
5. Rnd 12: K1, K2tog around. 10 sts.
6. Stuff very lightly or leave hollow.
7. Rnd 13: K2tog around. 5 sts.
8. Pull closed.
9. For handle, CO 3 sts and work a 3-inch I-cord.
10. Sew handle to opposite sides of the basket rim.

Head-to-Body Assembly

Before sewing, pin every major piece in place. The toy should sit with the large head balanced above the blue collar, the ears upright, and the legs forward. Adjust stuffing before making permanent seams.

1. Place the blue sweater on the body.
2. Sew the body neck to the bottom of the head using firm whipstitch or mattress stitch.
3. Keep the black half of the face on the viewer’s left and the white half on the viewer’s right.
4. Sew the black ear to the black side of the head, leaning slightly outward.
5. Sew the white ear to the white side of the head, also leaning outward.
6. Sew arms to the side body under the head, with paws pointing downward.
7. Sew legs to the lower front body so the toy sits without tipping.
8. Dress the overalls over the legs and belly, then tack them invisibly at the back waist and under the bib.
9. Add the bag strap across the chest after the overalls are secured.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Use small adjustments to bring the character to life. Add a little extra stuffing under the muzzle if the face looks flat. The muzzle should project forward, and the nose should sit centered above the embroidered mouth.

• Sew the muzzle pad across the lower face, about 2 rows below the eyes.
• Attach the nose at the upper center of the muzzle.
• Embroider the vertical mouth line and two tiny curves with black thread.
• Add white felt circles behind the safety eyes if you want the same glossy cartoon look.
• Add pale pink duplicate stitch inside the white ear, using 5 to 7 small stitches.
• Sew the small pastel flower to the base of the black ear.

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Care Notes

• Spot clean gently with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if safety eyes, buttons, or felt eye circles are used.
• Let the toy air dry flat on a towel.
• Reshape the ears, muzzle, shoes, and bag while damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The face is split vertically with charcoal black on one side and white on the other.
• The ears are tall, triangular, and upright.
• The blue turtleneck collar is thick and snug under the head.
• The overalls have clear white vertical pinstripes.
• The yellow bag crosses the chest diagonally and has tiny flowers.
• The shoes have cream soles, navy sides, white rims, and white laces.
• The mustard hat, watering can, and basket are finished as separate props.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Keep the knitted Boston Terrier away from direct sunlight for long periods, especially because the white and blue yarns can fade unevenly. Store it in a dry place with enough space around the ears so they do not bend permanently.

For dust, use a soft brush and work gently in the direction of the knitted stitches. If the toy needs deeper cleaning, dab the fabric instead of rubbing. Avoid soaking, twisting, or wringing because these actions can distort the stuffed shape.

If the bag strap, overall straps, or flower decorations loosen over time, secure them again with matching yarn and small hidden stitches. Check buttons and safety eyes regularly if the toy is displayed where children can reach it.