Knitting Tutorial: Bluebell Garden Puppy Doll – Free Knitting Pattern.

This sweet knitted puppy doll is designed with a large rounded head, soft gray floppy ears, a creamy white face stripe, big embroidered blue eyes, rosy cheeks, and a gentle garden outfit. The doll wears a blue floral dress with a white lace-look hem, matching sandals, pink hair bows, a tiny blue shoulder bag, and a small butterfly on her head. The scene also includes a straw-style sun hat, watering can, and flower pot accessories.

 

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

• Main puppy doll: about 10.5 inches tall when seated, or about 13 inches from head to toe if measured flat.
• Head width: about 4.5 inches across after stuffing.
• Dress width: about 6.25 inches across the skirt hem.
• Shoulder bag: about 1.75 inches wide.
• Sun hat: about 3.25 inches across the brim.
• Watering can: about 2.25 inches wide including spout and handle.
• Flower pot: about 2 inches tall with knitted flowers.

Yarn and Materials

• Light worsted or DK yarn: cream white for face, muzzle, feet, paws, and lower legs.
• Light worsted or DK yarn: warm gray for head sides, ears, arms, and upper legs.
• Light worsted or DK yarn: medium blue for dress, sandals, bag, hat ribbon, and watering can stripe.
• Small amounts: pale pink for inner ears, bows, cheeks, and flower accents.
• Small amounts: black for nose, mouth, eyelashes, and toe lines.
• Small amounts: white for dress motifs, sleeve trim, bag motif, and eye highlights.
• Small amounts: tan or straw beige for sandals soles, sun hat, flower pot, and bag strap.
• Small amounts: brown, yellow, lavender, mint, peach, and sky blue for flowers and butterfly.
• Needles: US 2.5 or US 3 double-pointed needles, or a long circular needle for magic loop.
• Extra needle: one spare needle for holding stitches.
• Notions: tapestry needle, stitch markers, embroidery needle, removable markers, scissors, polyester fiberfill, and pins.
• Eyes: 18 mm blue safety eyes, or embroidered eyes if the doll is intended for a young child.
• Optional structure: a short piece of pipe cleaner inside each arm and sandal strap, fully enclosed and never exposed.

Gauge

Use a tight toy gauge so the stuffing does not show through. In stockinette stitch, aim for about 7 stitches and 10 rounds per inch. If your fabric feels loose, change to a smaller needle. If your fabric is stiff and difficult to shape, change to a slightly larger needle.

• Main fabric: stockinette in the round, knitting every round.
• Flat pieces: knit right-side rows and purl wrong-side rows unless otherwise stated.
• Stuffing rule: stuff firmly in small layers, but do not stretch the stitches open.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• st or sts: stitch or stitches.
• rnd: round.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• 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, knit slipped stitches together through the back loops.
• M1L: make 1 left-leaning stitch.
• M1R: make 1 right-leaning stitch.
• sl1: slip 1 stitch.
• yo: yarn over.
• rep: repeat.

Construction Notes

The puppy is worked as a soft sculpted toy with separate pieces sewn together. The head is large and round, the body is smaller, and the legs are long enough to sit over the edge of a bench. The dress is knitted separately and pulled over the body before final arm placement.

The gray and cream head uses simple color placement rather than complicated shaping. The center face stripe is cream, while the sides are gray. The muzzle is knitted as a separate oval and sewn over the lower face. The cheeks are added with pink yarn or gentle fabric-safe blush.

• Recommended order: knit legs, body, head, muzzle, ears, arms, dress, sandals, bows, bag, butterfly, hat, watering can, and flower pot.
• Seaming style: use mattress stitch for visible seams and whipstitch for hidden underside seams.
• Face placement: place the eyes before closing the head if using safety eyes.

Main Puppy Head

The head is rounded and slightly larger than the body. It has gray side panels and a cream center stripe that runs from the forehead down to the muzzle. Work in the round. Carry the unused color gently behind the work, keeping floats loose.

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Head Color Setup

• Color A: cream white.
• Color B: warm gray.
• Round layout after increases: center 16 stitches in Color A, remaining side stitches in Color B.
• Marker placement: marker at center back.

Head Rounds

1. With Color A, CO 8 sts. Divide over needles and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in every st. You now have 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: rep k1, kfb around. You now have 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: rep k2, kfb around. You now have 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: k all sts.
9. Rnd 8: rep k3, kfb around. You now have 40 sts.
10. Rnd 9: k all sts.
11. Rnd 10: rep k4, kfb around. You now have 48 sts.
12. Rnd 11: k all sts.
13. Rnd 12: rep k5, kfb around. You now have 56 sts.
14. Rnd 13: k all sts.
15. Rnd 14: rep k6, kfb around. You now have 64 sts.
16. Rnd 15: k all sts.
17. Rnd 16: begin face colors. K24 in Color B, k16 in Color A, k24 in Color B.
18. Rnds 17-30: repeat the same color layout, keeping the cream panel centered.
19. Rnd 31: k23 Color B, k18 Color A, k23 Color B.
20. Rnd 32: repeat Rnd 31.
21. Rnd 33: k22 Color B, k20 Color A, k22 Color B.
22. Rnd 34: repeat Rnd 33.
23. Rnd 35: k21 Color B, k22 Color A, k21 Color B.
24. Rnd 36: repeat Rnd 35.
25. Rnd 37: k20 Color B, k24 Color A, k20 Color B.
26. Rnd 38: repeat Rnd 37.
27. Rnd 39: rep k6, k2tog around, continuing the color placement as established. You now have 56 sts.
28. Rnd 40: k all sts in established colors.
29. Rnd 41: rep k5, k2tog around. You now have 48 sts.
30. Rnd 42: k all sts.
31. Rnd 43: rep k4, k2tog around. You now have 40 sts.
32. Place safety eyes between Rnds 31 and 32, about 10 sts apart, centered on the cream face area. The blue eye rims should be added later with embroidery.
33. Rnd 44: k all sts.
34. Rnd 45: rep k3, k2tog around. You now have 32 sts.
35. Begin stuffing the head firmly. Shape the forehead round and keep the lower face slightly fuller.
36. Rnd 46: rep k2, k2tog around. You now have 24 sts.
37. Rnd 47: rep k1, k2tog around. You now have 16 sts.
38. Rnd 48: k2tog around. You now have 8 sts.
39. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave in the end.

Muzzle and Nose Area

The muzzle is a small cream oval sewn to the lower front of the face. It should sit just below the eyes and slightly overlap the bottom of the cream stripe. The nose is embroidered in black at the top center of the muzzle.

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1: p all sts.
3. Row 2: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1. You now have 10 sts.
4. Row 3: p all sts.
5. Row 4: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1. You now have 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-9: work stockinette, beginning with a purl row.
7. Row 10: k1, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1. You now have 10 sts.
8. Row 11: p all sts.
9. Row 12: k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1. You now have 8 sts.
10. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Lightly stuff the muzzle before sewing it to the face. Sew around the edge with small stitches, keeping the oval smooth. Embroider a rounded triangle nose over the upper center using black yarn. Work the nose across 5 horizontal stitches and 4 rows. Add one vertical line down from the nose for 3 rows, then add two tiny curved mouth stitches.

Eye Embroidery and Expression

The puppy has large glossy-looking blue eyes with black pupils, pale blue rims, white highlights, and long black lashes. If using safety eyes, embroider around them after the head is stuffed. If embroidering the full eyes, use satin stitch carefully over a small felt or knitted base.

• With sky blue yarn, work a ring of chain-like embroidery around each eye.
• With white yarn, add two tiny highlight stitches at the upper outer edge of each eye.
• With black yarn, embroider 4 lashes on the outer side of each eye, each lash about 3 stitches long.
• For the soft closed brow lines above the eyes, make one curved black stitch above each eye, angled gently downward toward the center.
• With pale pink yarn, make 6 soft duplicate stitches on each cheek, forming a round blush patch.

Floppy Gray Ears

The ears are long, rounded, and soft. They hang from the sides of the head and reach just below the cheek line. The outer ear is gray, and the inner lower edge has a pale pink lining visible near the inside.

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Make Two Outer Ears

1. With gray yarn, CO 10 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1: p all sts.
3. Row 2: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1. You now have 12 sts.
4. Row 3: p all sts.
5. Row 4: k1, kfb, k8, kfb, k1. You now have 14 sts.
6. Row 5: p all sts.
7. Row 6: k1, kfb, k10, kfb, k1. You now have 16 sts.
8. Rows 7-28: work stockinette stitch, beginning with a purl row.
9. Row 29: p all sts.
10. Row 30: k1, k2tog, k10, ssk, k1. You now have 14 sts.
11. Row 31: p all sts.
12. Row 32: k1, k2tog, k8, ssk, k1. You now have 12 sts.
13. Row 33: p all sts.
14. Row 34: k1, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1. You now have 10 sts.
15. Row 35: p all sts.
16. Row 36: k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1. You now have 8 sts.
17. BO all sts, leaving a long sewing tail.

Make Two Inner Pink Ear Patches

1. With pale pink yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: work stockinette.
3. Row 3: k1, kfb, k2, kfb, k1. You now have 8 sts.
4. Rows 4-15: work stockinette.
5. Row 16: k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1. You now have 6 sts.
6. BO all sts.

Sew one pink patch to the lower inside of each gray ear. Do not stuff the ears. Fold each ear slightly at the top edge and sew it to the head between Rnds 24 and 30, about 16 stitches apart across the front. Angle the ears downward so they frame the cheeks.

Body

The body is smaller than the head and has a soft oval shape hidden under the blue dress. Work it in cream at the neck and gray at the lower body, or use gray throughout if you prefer the dress to cover most of it.

1. With cream yarn, CO 12 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: rep k1, kfb around. You now have 18 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: rep k2, kfb around. You now have 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: rep k3, kfb around. You now have 30 sts.
8. Rnd 7: k all sts.
9. Rnd 8: rep k4, kfb around. You now have 36 sts.
10. Rnds 9-13: k all sts in cream.
11. Change to gray yarn.
12. Rnds 14-27: k all sts.
13. Rnd 28: rep k4, k2tog around. You now have 30 sts.
14. Rnd 29: k all sts.
15. Rnd 30: rep k3, k2tog around. You now have 24 sts.
16. Begin stuffing. Keep the neck firm so it supports the large head.
17. Rnd 31: rep k2, k2tog around. You now have 18 sts.
18. Rnd 32: rep k1, k2tog around. You now have 12 sts.
19. Rnd 33: k2tog around. You now have 6 sts.
20. Cut yarn, draw through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave in.

Sew the head to the body with the cream face centered over the front. Use a double strand of yarn and sew around the neck twice. The head should tilt slightly forward, like the puppy is looking sweetly at the viewer.

Legs

The legs are cream at the feet and lower legs, gray near the top, and shaped so the doll can sit with her feet pointing forward. Make two legs.

1. With cream yarn, CO 10 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in every st. You now have 20 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: k7, kfb, k4, kfb, k7. You now have 22 sts.
6. Rnds 5-10: k all sts.
7. Rnd 11: k5, k2tog, k8, ssk, k5. You now have 20 sts.
8. Rnd 12: k all sts.
9. Rnd 13: k4, k2tog, k8, ssk, k4. You now have 18 sts.
10. Rnd 14: k all sts.
11. Rnd 15: k3, k2tog, k8, ssk, k3. You now have 16 sts.
12. Rnds 16-28: k all sts in cream for the long sock-like lower leg.
13. Change to gray yarn.
14. Rnds 29-39: k all sts.
15. Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly.
16. Rnd 40: rep k2, k2tog around. You now have 12 sts.
17. Rnd 41: rep k1, k2tog around. You now have 8 sts.
18. Cut yarn, draw through remaining sts, and close.

Flatten the top of each leg slightly. Sew the legs to the lower front of the body, leaving a small gap between them. The doll should sit with the legs hanging down and the feet visible below the dress.

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Arms

The arms are gray with cream paws. They hang along the sides of the dress and have rounded mitten-like hands.

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in every st. You now have 16 sts.
4. Rnds 3-8: k all sts.
5. Rnd 9: rep k2, k2tog around. You now have 12 sts.
6. Change to gray yarn.
7. Rnds 10-29: k all sts.
8. Stuff the paw firmly and the arm lightly.
9. Rnd 30: rep k1, k2tog around. You now have 8 sts.
10. Cut yarn, draw through remaining sts, and close.

Embroider two short black lines on each cream paw to suggest soft puppy fingers. Sew arms to the sides of the body after the dress is on, placing them just under the sleeve line.

Blue Garden Dress

The dress is the main clothing feature in the image. It has a fitted blue bodice, small white sleeve trim, a flared skirt, scattered white flower motifs, and a white scalloped lace-look hem. Work the dress from the top down in the round.

Bodice

1. With medium blue yarn, CO 40 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: p all sts to create a neat neckline ridge.
4. Rnds 3-6: k all sts.
5. Rnd 7: k7, BO 6 sts for first armhole, k14, BO 6 sts for second armhole, k7. You have 28 live sts.
6. Rnd 8: k7, CO 6 sts over first armhole gap, k14, CO 6 sts over second armhole gap, k7. You are back to 40 sts.
7. Rnds 9-13: k all sts.
8. Rnd 14: rep k4, kfb around. You now have 48 sts.
9. Rnd 15: with white yarn, rep k1 white, k7 blue around to make small bodice flecks.
10. Rnd 16: k all sts in blue.
11. Rnd 17: rep k5, kfb around. You now have 56 sts.
12. Rnd 18: k all sts.

Skirt Increases

1. Rnd 19: rep k6, kfb around. You now have 64 sts.
2. Rnd 20: k all sts.
3. Rnd 21: rep k7, kfb around. You now have 72 sts.
4. Rnd 22: k all sts.
5. Rnd 23: rep k8, kfb around. You now have 80 sts.
6. Rnds 24-28: k all sts.
7. Rnd 29: with white yarn, rep k3 blue, k1 white, k4 blue around.
8. Rnd 30: k all sts in blue.
9. Rnd 31: with white yarn, rep k1 white, k7 blue around, offsetting the white sts from Rnd 29.
10. Rnds 32-38: k all sts in blue.
11. Rnd 39: rep k9, kfb around. You now have 88 sts.
12. Rnds 40-48: k all sts.

White Floral Motifs on the Skirt

The dress in the image has small white flowers and leafy shapes scattered around the lower skirt. Use duplicate stitch after knitting so the motifs stay neat and beginner-friendly.

• Flower A: place 1 white duplicate stitch center, then 4 white duplicate stitches around it like petals.
• Flower B: place 3 white stitches in a vertical line, then 1 white stitch to each side of the middle stitch.
• Leaf sprig: place 2 angled white stitches leaning left and 2 angled white stitches leaning right.
• Spacing: add one motif every 8 to 10 stitches around Rnds 33-46.
• Front focus: place the largest cluster at the center front of the skirt, just like the visible flower pattern in the photo.

Scalloped Lace-Look Hem

1. Change to white yarn.
2. Rnd 49: k all sts.
3. Rnd 50: rep k2tog, yo around.
4. Rnd 51: k all sts.
5. Rnd 52: rep k4, yo, k2tog, k3 around as evenly as possible.
6. Rnd 53: p all sts to create a ruffled edge.
7. Rnd 54: rep k1, yo, k2tog around.
8. BO loosely. Pull the hem gently outward to create a soft scalloped lace shape.

Sleeve Trim

1. Pick up 12 sts around one armhole with white yarn.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: p all sts.
4. BO loosely.
5. Repeat for the second armhole.

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Slip the dress over the doll from the feet upward before sewing the arms in place. The neckline should sit just below the head, and the skirt should flare over the tops of the legs. Tack the dress at the back neckline and under each arm to keep it from twisting.

Blue Sandals

The sandals have tan soles, blue straps, tiny floral embroidery, and small side buttons. They sit over the cream puppy feet and match the blue dress.

Make Two Tan Soles

1. With tan yarn, CO 8 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1: p all sts.
3. Row 2: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1. You now have 10 sts.
4. Row 3: p all sts.
5. Row 4: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1. You now have 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-13: work stockinette.
7. Row 14: k1, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1. You now have 10 sts.
8. Row 15: p all sts.
9. Row 16: k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1. You now have 8 sts.
10. BO all sts.

Blue Foot Straps

1. With blue yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1-3: k all sts for garter stitch.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one strap across the top of each foot, attaching the ends to the tan sole.

Ankle Straps

1. With blue yarn, CO 22 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: k all sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew around the ankle area, leaving the front visible.

• Embroider one small pink flower with yellow center on each front strap.
• Add two green lazy-daisy leaves beside each flower.
• Sew a tiny tan or cream button-like circle on the outer side of each sandal.
• Use black yarn to make three short toe lines on each cream foot.

Pink Hair Bows

The puppy has two soft pink bows near the upper sides of the head, close to the base of the ears. Each bow has two loops and short dangling tails.

Make Two Bow Centers

1. With pink yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: k all sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Wrap yarn tightly around the center 5 times to pinch the rectangle into a bow shape.

Bow Tails

1. With pink yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Make two tails for each bow.
5. Sew the tails under the center wrap so they hang slightly downward.

Sew one bow on each side of the head above the ears. Angle the bows outward so they appear soft and playful. Hide all knots inside the ear seam area.

Small Butterfly on Head

The butterfly sits near the top left of the puppy’s head. It has blue upper wings, peach lower wings, and a slim brown body with antennae.

Butterfly Wings

1. For one blue upper wing, CO 4 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb, k2, kfb. You now have 6 sts.
4. Rows 3-4: k all sts.
5. Row 5: k2tog, k2, ssk. You now have 4 sts.
6. BO all sts.
7. Make a second blue upper wing.
8. For one peach lower wing, CO 3 sts.
9. Rows 1-3: k all sts.
10. BO all sts.
11. Make a second peach lower wing.

Butterfly Body

1. With brown yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. BO all sts.
3. Sew the wing pieces to the brown body.
4. Embroider two tiny brown antennae using single straight stitches.

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Sew the butterfly to the upper gray section of the head, slightly off center. Use only two or three small stitches so the wings keep a raised, delicate look.

Blue Shoulder Bag

The tiny shoulder bag hangs across the dress with a tan strap. It is blue with a small cream flower on the flap, matching the garden theme.

Bag Body

1. With blue yarn, CO 16 sts and work flat.
2. Rows 1-12: work stockinette, beginning with a knit row.
3. Row 13: p all sts.
4. Rows 14-18: work stockinette for the flap.
5. Row 19: k1, k2tog, k10, ssk, k1. You now have 14 sts.
6. Row 20: p all sts.
7. Row 21: k1, k2tog, k8, ssk, k1. You now have 12 sts.
8. BO all sts.

Fold the first 12 rows upward to form the pocket. Sew the side seams. Fold the shaped flap down over the front. Do not overstuff; the bag should stay flat and soft.

Bag Strap

1. With tan yarn, CO 70 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. BO all sts.

Sew one strap end to each upper side of the bag. Place the strap from the puppy’s right shoulder to the left hip, as shown in the image. Tack the strap behind the neck and under the arm so it stays in place.

Bag Flower

• With cream yarn, embroider five small petal stitches on the front flap.
• With pale yellow yarn, make one center stitch.
• With blue yarn, outline the flap edge using small running stitches if desired.

Straw Garden Hat

The hat sits beside the puppy in the scene. It is knitted in tan yarn with a rounded crown, flat brim, blue ribbon, and a small bow.

Hat Crown

1. With tan yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in every st. You now have 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: rep k1, kfb around. You now have 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: rep k2, kfb around. You now have 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: k all sts.
9. Rnd 8: rep k3, kfb around. You now have 40 sts.
10. Rnds 9-15: k all sts.
11. Rnd 16: p all sts for a brim fold line.

Hat Brim

1. Rnd 17: rep k4, kfb around. You now have 48 sts.
2. Rnd 18: k all sts.
3. Rnd 19: rep k5, kfb around. You now have 56 sts.
4. Rnd 20: k all sts.
5. Rnd 21: rep k6, kfb around. You now have 64 sts.
6. Rnd 22: p all sts.
7. Rnd 23: k all sts.
8. BO loosely.

Blue Hat Ribbon and Bow

1. With blue yarn, CO 48 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew the ribbon around the base of the crown.
5. For the bow, CO 12 sts, knit 4 rows, then BO. Wrap the center tightly and sew it to the front side of the ribbon.
6. Add two short blue tails by casting on 7 sts for each tail, knitting 1 row, and binding off.

Mini Watering Can

The watering can is a small gray accessory with a blue stripe, short spout, and rounded handle. It is lightly stuffed so it keeps its shape.

Can Body

1. With light gray yarn, CO 20 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: rep k4, kfb around. You now have 24 sts.
4. Rnds 3-7: k all sts in gray.
5. Rnd 8: change to blue and k all sts.
6. Rnd 9: change to gray and k all sts.
7. Rnds 10-14: k all sts.
8. Rnd 15: rep k4, k2tog around. You now have 20 sts.
9. Rnd 16: rep k3, k2tog around. You now have 16 sts.
10. Stuff lightly.
11. Rnd 17: k2tog around. You now have 8 sts.
12. Cut yarn, draw through remaining sts, and close.

Can Spout

1. With gray yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-8: k all sts.
3. Rnd 9: rep k2, k2tog twice. You now have 6 sts.
4. Cut yarn, draw through sts, and close.
5. Sew the spout to one side of the can, angled upward.

Can Handle

1. With gray yarn, CO 24 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: k all sts.
3. BO all sts.
4. Curve the strip into a handle and sew both ends to the opposite side of the can.

Flower Pot

The flower pot is tan with a dark soil top and small colorful knitted flowers. It sits beside the puppy and adds the garden feeling seen in the image.

Pot

1. With tan yarn, CO 24 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-3: k all sts.
3. Rnd 4: p all sts for the lower ridge.
4. Rnds 5-14: k all sts.
5. Rnd 15: rep k5, kfb around. You now have 28 sts.
6. Rnd 16: p all sts for the upper rim.
7. Rnd 17: k all sts.
8. BO loosely.

Soil Insert

1. With dark brown yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in every st. You now have 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: rep k1, kfb around. You now have 24 sts.
4. Rnd 3: rep k2, kfb around. You now have 32 sts.
5. BO all sts.
6. Stuff the pot lightly and sew the soil circle inside the rim.

Small Flowers

1. For each flower, CO 15 sts in a petal color.
2. Row 1: rep k1, yo, k1, pass first stitch over second and third stitch across as evenly as possible to create small bumps.
3. BO remaining sts and roll the strip into a tiny blossom.
4. Sew the base tightly so the flower holds its shape.
5. Make 6 flowers in lavender, pink, yellow, and blue.

• For stems, embroider straight green lines from the soil to each flower.
• Place taller flowers in the back and shorter flowers in the front.
• Add two tiny green leaves beside each front flower using duplicate stitch.

Optional White Neck Ruffle

A tiny white ruffle under the chin helps match the soft trim visible around the neckline. Work it separately and sew it in place after the head is attached.

1. With white yarn, CO 34 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: rep k1, yo across, ending k1.
4. Row 3: k all sts.
5. BO loosely.
6. Sew the ruffle around the front neckline only, from one shoulder to the other.

Facial Shaping

To create the gentle puppy expression, use a long needle and matching cream yarn. Insert the needle from the back of the head to the inner corner of one eye. Take a tiny stitch and return to the back of the head. Repeat for the other eye. Pull gently to indent the eyes slightly.

Do not pull too tightly. The goal is a soft baby-doll face, not a deep sculpted face. Knot securely at the back of the head and hide the knot under one ear or under the back stitches.

• Add pink cheek color after eye shaping.
• Keep the nose centered and small.
• Place the mouth just below the nose, no longer than 5 stitches wide.
• Brush the ears downward with your fingers to make them hang smoothly.

Assembly Order

1. Knit and stuff the head, body, legs, and arms.
2. Sew the muzzle to the face and embroider the nose and mouth.
3. Add the eye embroidery, lashes, brows, and cheek details.
4. Sew the head firmly to the body.
5. Sew the ears to the sides of the head.
6. Sew the legs to the lower body so the doll sits naturally.
7. Place the dress onto the body and tack it at the neckline.
8. Sew the arms over the dress at the shoulders.
9. Add the sandals to the feet and embroider toe lines.
10. Sew pink bows near the ears.
11. Sew the butterfly to the top of the head.
12. Add the shoulder bag and secure the strap.
13. Finish the hat, watering can, and flower pot accessories.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the doll from the front before tying off every final thread. The cream stripe should run straight down the center of the face, the muzzle should sit evenly below the eyes, and the ears should hang at the same height. Adjust with small hidden stitches if needed.

Add the eyelashes last so they stay crisp. Use black yarn or embroidery floss and make each lash with one clean straight stitch. For the cheeks, use pale pink yarn, soft textile blush, or a very light duplicate stitch circle.

• Eye spacing: about 10 stitches apart.
• Nose width: about 5 stitches wide.
• Muzzle height: about 8 knitted rows.
• Ear position: top edge begins around the eye line and slopes downward.
• Bow position: just above each ear, slightly toward the front.

Care Notes

This doll is best used as a decorative handmade toy. If you used safety eyes, check that they are locked firmly before gifting. For a child-safe version, embroider the eyes completely and avoid buttons, wires, beads, and loose decorations.

• Spot clean with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if the doll has safety eyes, embroidery, or shaped accessories.
• Press out extra water with a towel instead of wringing.
• Reshape the ears, dress hem, sandals, and hat while damp.
• Let every piece dry fully before storing.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is round, firm, and securely attached.
• The gray ears are even and hang softly beside the face.
• The cream face stripe is centered from forehead to muzzle.
• The blue dress flares outward and shows white floral motifs.
• The white hem has a scalloped lace-like edge.
• The bag hangs diagonally across the front.
• The sandals show blue straps, tiny flowers, and toe lines.
• The pink bows and small butterfly are securely sewn.
• The hat, watering can, and flower pot are finished as matching garden accessories.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the puppy doll away from direct sunlight to protect the blue dress, pink bows, and embroidered details. Keep the doll in a dry place, and avoid compressing the ears or hat under heavier items. A breathable cotton bag is better than a sealed plastic bag for long-term storage.

To refresh the shape, gently steam from a distance without touching the iron to the yarn. Smooth the dress skirt with your fingers, lift the scalloped hem, and reshape the flower pot blossoms. Let everything cool and dry before handling again.

• Use a lint roller gently on the dress and ears.
• Trim loose fuzz with small scissors instead of pulling it.
• Keep embroidered eyes and lashes flat by smoothing them with a clean fingertip.
• Check the bag strap and sandal straps occasionally for loose stitches.
• Repair small seams immediately so stuffing does not escape.

Your Bluebell Garden Puppy Doll is now complete, with her soft gray ears, sweet cream face, floral blue dress, garden sandals, tiny shoulder bag, pink bows, butterfly accent, and charming handmade accessories ready for display.