Knitting Tutorial: Beagle Dog in Sunflower Dress and Beanie – Free Knitting Pattern

This cheerful knitted beagle doll wears a soft sage-green slouchy beanie, a blue-and-cream striped sunflower dress, rust leggings, little button sandals, a narrow patterned scarf, and a small mushroom backpack. The design is worked as a stuffed toy with separate knitted pieces sewn together for the rounded head, floppy brown ears, short arms, seated legs, embroidered dress flowers, and cozy accessories.

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 designed for a firm, plush toy fabric. Most body pieces are knitted in the round, stuffed as you work, and shaped with increases and decreases. The clothing pieces use slightly looser tension so they can sit naturally over the body.

The finished doll is designed to sit upright on a bench or shelf, with the legs hanging down just like the beagle in the image. The head is large and expressive, the body is smaller and dress-shaped, and the accessories add the storybook garden style.

• Finished height: About 10.5 in from top of hat to bottom of sandals.
• Sitting body height without hat: About 8.75 in.
• Head width: About 4.25 in after stuffing.
• Dress width at hem: About 4.75 in across the front.
• Skill level: Confident beginner to intermediate.
• Main method: Knitting in the round, short shaping, seaming, embroidery, and small-piece assembly.

Yarn Colors

Use smooth DK weight yarn for the doll and clothing. A wool or wool-blend yarn gives a soft handmade look, while cotton-blend yarn makes the stitch definition crisp. Keep the toy fabric tight enough that stuffing does not show through.

• Cream: Face center, muzzle, paws, chest, toes.
• Warm brown: Ears, eye patches, sandal straps.
• Light tan: Backpack body and optional paw shading.
• Sage green: Beanie, backpack flap, sleeve cuffs, scarf accents.
• Dusty blue: Dress stripes and main dress bands.
• Ivory: Dress contrast stripes and hat face edge if desired.
• Rust orange: Leggings and scarf accent.
• Golden yellow: Sunflower petals.
• Dark brown: Sunflower centers, nose outline, mouth.
• Leaf green: Flower stems and leaves.
• Red: Mushroom caps on backpack.
• White: Mushroom spots and tiny highlights.
• Black: Nose and eye embroidery if safety eyes are not used.

Materials

• DK weight yarn in the colors listed above.
• US 2 needles, 2.75 mm, for body pieces knitted firmly.
• US 3 needles, 3.25 mm, for clothing pieces.
• Set of double-pointed needles or circular needle for magic loop.
• Two 10 mm safety eyes, or black yarn for embroidered eyes.
• Small black safety nose, about 16 mm wide, or black yarn for embroidered nose.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Tapestry needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Scrap yarn for holding stitches.
• Four tiny beige buttons, about 6 mm, for sandals and backpack flap.
• Optional blush or textile pencil for soft cheek shading.

Gauge

Gauge is important because the head, body, clothes, and backpack are all sized to fit together. Knit a firm swatch before starting the toy. If your stitches are loose, move down a needle size.

• Body gauge: 7 stitches and 10 rounds per 1 in in stockinette in the round using US 2 needles.
• Clothing gauge: 6 stitches and 8 rows per 1 in in stockinette using US 3 needles.
• Stuffing note: Stuff firmly but not so tightly that the stitches stretch open.

Abbreviations

• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• st: stitch.
• sts: stitches.
• rnd: round.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch, increasing 1 stitch.
• m1: make 1 stitch by lifting the bar between stitches and knitting through the back loop.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• ssk: slip, slip, knit the slipped stitches together through the back loops.
• p2tog: purl 2 stitches together.
• sl1: slip 1 stitch purlwise.
• BO: bind off.
• CO: cast on.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Construction Notes

The beagle is made from separate knitted pieces. The head is round and slightly oval, with a cream center face panel and brown side patches. The muzzle is a separate stuffed oval sewn onto the lower face. The ears are long, soft, and floppy, hanging from under the beanie.

The body is a compact seated shape. The dress is knitted separately and slipped over the body before the arms are attached. The leggings and feet are worked as two separate legs. Sandal straps are sewn over the cream toes to match the image.

• Use mattress stitch for neat side seams.
• Use duplicate stitch or embroidery for small decoration.
• Use long yarn tails for sewing pieces together.
• Pin all parts in place before final sewing.
• Check the sitting balance before securing the backpack.

Head

The head is worked in the round from the lower neck upward. Use cream for the center face and warm brown for the side patches. To keep this beginner-friendly, knit the head mainly in cream, then add knitted brown eye patches separately. This gives a clean beagle expression and avoids complicated colorwork shaping.

Main Head in Cream

1. With cream yarn and US 2 needles, CO 12 sts. Join to work in the round, placing a marker at the beginning of the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in every st around. 24 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: repeat k1, kfb around. 36 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: repeat k2, kfb around. 48 sts.
8. Rnd 7: k all sts.
9. Rnd 8: repeat k3, kfb around. 60 sts.
10. Rnds 9 to 18: k all sts for 10 rounds.
11. Rnd 19: repeat k8, k2tog around. 54 sts.
12. Rnd 20: k all sts.
13. Rnd 21: repeat k7, k2tog around. 48 sts.
14. Rnd 22: k all sts.
15. Rnd 23: repeat k6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
16. Rnd 24: k all sts.
17. Rnd 25: repeat k5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
18. Pause and stuff the head firmly. Shape the cheeks round and the top slightly domed.
19. Rnd 26: repeat k4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
20. Rnd 27: repeat k3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
21. Rnd 28: repeat k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
22. Rnd 29: repeat k1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
23. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave in securely.

Brown Eye Patches

The beagle in the image has large brown patches framing both glossy eyes. Make two patches. They should be tall ovals, slightly wider near the lower eye area.

1. With warm brown yarn and US 2 needles, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1, RS: k all sts.
3. Row 2, WS: p all sts.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb, k2, kfb, k1. 8 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Row 5: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1. 10 sts.
7. Row 6: p all sts.
8. Rows 7 to 12: work in stockinette, knitting RS rows and purling WS rows.
9. Row 13: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
10. Row 14: p all sts.
11. Row 15: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
12. Row 16: p all sts.
13. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Place one patch on each side of the cream center face. The inside edges should sit about 0.75 in apart at the top and curve around the eyes. Sew with tiny stitches, leaving the edges smooth.

Muzzle

The muzzle is a raised cream oval with a soft downward shape. It sits below the eyes and carries the black nose and simple mouth line.

1. With cream yarn and US 2 needles, CO 8 sts. Work back and forth.
2. Row 1, RS: k all sts.
3. Row 2, WS: p all sts.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Row 5: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1. 12 sts.
7. Rows 6 to 10: work stockinette.
8. Row 11: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
9. Row 12: p all sts.
10. Row 13: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
11. BO all sts, leaving a long sewing tail.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Sew the muzzle to the lower front of the head. Add a small amount of stuffing before closing the final edge. The top of the muzzle should sit just below the eyes, and the lower edge should create a gentle puppy pout.

Nose and Mouth

1. Place the black safety nose at the center top of the muzzle, about 0.25 in down from the upper muzzle edge.
2. If embroidering, satin stitch a rounded triangle about 0.65 in wide and 0.45 in tall.
3. With dark brown or black yarn, embroider one straight vertical line from the bottom of the nose down 0.35 in.
4. From the bottom of that line, stitch two tiny angled lines to form a soft upside-down Y mouth.
5. Keep the mouth subtle so the expression remains gentle and slightly wistful like the image.

Eyes

The eyes are large, shiny, and placed low enough to create a sweet beagle face. If this toy is for a young child, embroider the eyes instead of using safety eyes.

1. Place each eye on top of a brown patch, about 1.2 in above the top of the muzzle.
2. Keep about 1.15 in between the inner edges of the eyes.
3. Secure safety eyes before the head is fully closed, or sew embroidered eyes after stuffing.
4. For embroidered eyes, make a black satin stitch oval about 0.45 in tall.
5. Add one small white stitch on each eye for a bright highlight.

Ears

The ears are long, warm brown, and hang down on both sides of the face. They are narrow at the top, rounded at the bottom, and lightly stuffed only at the upper fold if needed.

1. Make 2 ears with warm brown yarn and US 2 needles.
2. CO 10 sts and work back and forth.
3. Row 1, RS: k all sts.
4. Row 2, WS: p all sts.
5. Row 3: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1. 12 sts.
6. Row 4: p all sts.
7. Rows 5 to 28: work stockinette.
8. Row 29: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
9. Row 30: p all sts.
10. Row 31: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
11. Row 32: p all sts.
12. Row 33: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
13. Row 34: p all sts.
14. BO all sts.

Fold each ear lengthwise with wrong sides together and lightly seam the side edges for the lower 2 in, leaving the top flat. This creates the soft padded look. Sew each ear to the side of the head, beginning level with the top of the eye patch and letting it fall beside the muzzle.

Body

The body is shorter than the head and is shaped so the dress can sit over it smoothly. The lower body is slightly wider than the neck, giving the doll a seated plush shape.

1. With cream yarn and US 2 needles, CO 18 sts. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Rnd 2: repeat k2, kfb around. 24 sts.
4. Rnd 3: k all sts.
5. Rnd 4: repeat k3, kfb around. 30 sts.
6. Rnd 5: k all sts.
7. Rnd 6: repeat k4, kfb around. 36 sts.
8. Rnds 7 to 18: k all sts.
9. Rnd 19: repeat k4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
10. Rnd 20: k all sts.
11. Rnd 21: repeat k3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
12. Rnd 22: k all sts.
13. Stuff the body firmly, keeping the base rounded but flat enough for sitting.
14. Rnd 23: repeat k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
15. Rnd 24: repeat k1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
16. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and secure.

Do not attach the head yet. The dress is easier to place over the body before the head and arms are sewn on.

Legs and Feet

The legs are rust orange leggings with cream toes. Each leg is knitted from the foot upward. Make two identical legs.

Cream Foot

1. With cream yarn and US 2 needles, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1, RS: k all sts.
3. Row 2, WS: p all sts.
4. Row 3: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Rows 5 to 10: work stockinette.
7. Row 11: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
8. Row 12: p all sts.
9. Do not bind off. Change to rust orange.

Rust Legging

1. With rust orange yarn, knit across 8 sts.
2. Pick up and knit 8 sts around the foot edge to work in the round. 16 sts total.
3. Rnds 1 to 16: k all sts.
4. Rnd 17: repeat k2, k2tog around. 12 sts.
5. Rnd 18: k all sts.
6. Stuff the foot and leg lightly.
7. Rnd 19: repeat k1, k2tog around. 8 sts.
8. Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts. Pull closed.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Shape the cream foot forward and the rust leg upward. The legs should hang from under the dress with the toes pointing slightly outward.

Sandal Straps

The sandals are brown with a cream toe opening and a small button on each side. Make two sole straps and two ankle straps.

1. For each sole strap, with warm brown yarn and US 2 needles, CO 4 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 14: k every row for garter stitch.
3. BO all sts, leaving a sewing tail.
4. Wrap the strap around the front of the cream foot, leaving the cream toe visible.
5. Sew the ends under the foot.
6. For each ankle strap, CO 3 sts.
7. Rows 1 to 12: k every row.
8. BO and sew around the lower rust leg just above the foot.
9. Sew one small beige button to the outside edge of each sandal.

Arms

The arms are short cream paws with striped sleeves. The sleeve colors match the dress, with blue and ivory stripes and a small green cuff detail.

1. Make 2 arms. With cream yarn and US 2 needles, CO 12 sts. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnds 1 to 6: k all sts.
3. Rnd 7: repeat k2, k2tog around. 9 sts.
4. Change to ivory yarn.
5. Rnd 8: k all sts.
6. Change to dusty blue yarn.
7. Rnds 9 to 10: k all sts.
8. Change to ivory yarn.
9. Rnd 11: k all sts.
10. Change to dusty blue yarn.
11. Rnds 12 to 13: k all sts.
12. Change to sage green yarn.
13. Rnd 14: p all sts to create a cuff ridge.
14. Rnd 15: k all sts.
15. Stuff the paw lightly and leave the sleeve mostly unstuffed.
16. Rnd 16: repeat k1, k2tog around. 6 sts.
17. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and close.

Embroider tiny colored dots around the cuff using yellow, red, blue, and green yarn to copy the beaded look at the wrists in the image.

Striped Sunflower Dress

The dress is the main clothing piece. It has short sleeves, horizontal blue and ivory stripes, a slightly flared skirt, and a row of sunflower embroidery along the lower front. Knit the dress from the top down so it can be slipped over the body.

Dress Yoke and Bodice

1. With US 3 needles and dusty blue yarn, CO 36 sts. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnd 1: p all sts for a neat neckline ridge.
3. Rnd 2: k all sts.
4. Change to ivory yarn.
5. Rnd 3: k all sts.
6. Change to dusty blue yarn.
7. Rnd 4: repeat k5, kfb around. 42 sts.
8. Rnd 5: k all sts.
9. Change to ivory yarn.
10. Rnd 6: k all sts.
11. Change to dusty blue yarn.
12. Rnd 7: repeat k6, kfb around. 48 sts.
13. Rnd 8: k all sts.
14. Divide for sleeves and body: k10 for back, place 8 sts on holder for first sleeve, k16 for front, place 8 sts on holder for second sleeve, k6 for back. 32 body sts remain.

Dress Body

1. Join the body sts in the round with dusty blue yarn.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts. 32 sts.
3. Change to ivory yarn.
4. Rnd 2: k all sts.
5. Change to dusty blue yarn.
6. Rnd 3: repeat k3, kfb around. 40 sts.
7. Rnd 4: k all sts.
8. Change to ivory yarn.
9. Rnd 5: k all sts.
10. Change to dusty blue yarn.
11. Rnd 6: repeat k4, kfb around. 48 sts.
12. Rnd 7: k all sts.
13. Change to ivory yarn.
14. Rnd 8: k all sts.
15. Change to dusty blue yarn.
16. Rnds 9 to 10: k all sts.
17. Change to ivory yarn.
18. Rnd 11: k all sts.
19. Change to dusty blue yarn.
20. Rnd 12: repeat k5, kfb around. 56 sts.
21. Rnd 13: k all sts.
22. Change to ivory yarn.
23. Rnd 14: k all sts.
24. Change to dusty blue yarn.
25. Rnds 15 to 17: k all sts.
26. Rnd 18: p all sts to form the lower edge ridge.
27. Rnd 19: k all sts.
28. BO loosely knitwise.

📌Thank you for reading the article

The skirt should flare gently and reach just above the top of the rust leggings. Block the hem lightly with your fingers so it sits flat and even.

Dress Sleeves

1. Return 8 held sleeve sts to US 3 needles.
2. With dusty blue yarn, pick up 2 sts under the arm. 10 sts total.
3. Rnd 1: k all sts.
4. Change to ivory yarn.
5. Rnd 2: k all sts.
6. Change to dusty blue yarn.
7. Rnd 3: k all sts.
8. Change to sage green yarn.
9. Rnd 4: p all sts for cuff ridge.
10. Rnd 5: k all sts.
11. BO loosely.
12. Repeat for the second sleeve.

Sunflower Embroidery on Dress

The image shows cheerful sunflowers across the lower front of the dress. Embroider five flowers: one small flower near the left side, three taller flowers across the center, and one smaller flower near the right side.

• Flower centers: Use dark brown yarn and make 6 to 8 small straight stitches in a circle.
• Petals: Use golden yellow yarn and stitch 8 petals around each center.
• Stems: Use leaf green yarn and make one vertical stitch line from the hem upward.
• Leaves: Add two angled green stitches on each stem.
• Placement: Keep the flowers on the front lower blue band, beginning about 0.45 in above the hem.

For the center front flower, make the stem about 0.8 in tall. For side flowers, make the stems about 0.55 in tall. This variation helps the row of flowers look natural and close to the image.

Beanie Hat

The beanie is sage green, ribbed at the lower edge, slouchy at the back, and finished with a round pom-pom. It sits low across the forehead and partly covers the top of the ears.

1. With sage green yarn and US 3 needles, CO 54 sts. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnds 1 to 6: repeat k1, p1 around for ribbing.
3. Rnd 7: k all sts.
4. Rnd 8: repeat k8, kfb around. 60 sts.
5. Rnds 9 to 20: k all sts.
6. Rnd 21: repeat k8, k2tog around. 54 sts.
7. Rnd 22: k all sts.
8. Rnd 23: repeat k7, k2tog around. 48 sts.
9. Rnd 24: k all sts.
10. Rnd 25: repeat k6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
11. Rnd 26: k all sts.
12. Rnd 27: repeat k5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
13. Rnd 28: k all sts.
14. Rnd 29: repeat k4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
15. Rnd 30: repeat k3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
16. Rnd 31: repeat k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
17. Rnd 32: repeat k1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
18. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and secure.

To create the drooping shape, sew the closed top slightly toward one back side of the hat. Make a small pom-pom about 1 in wide and attach it to that pulled-down point.

Narrow Patterned Scarf

The scarf wraps close to the neck under the muzzle. It uses earthy colors like the image: rust, blue, green, tan, and brown. Knit it flat in garter stitch so it stays flexible.

1. With US 3 needles and rust yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: k every row.
3. Change to sage green and knit 2 rows.
4. Change to tan and knit 2 rows.
5. Change to dusty blue and knit 2 rows.
6. Change to brown and knit 2 rows.
7. Repeat this color sequence until the scarf measures about 7 in.
8. BO all sts.
9. Weave in ends or leave tiny trimmed ends as a rustic detail.

Wrap the scarf once around the neck after attaching the head. Cross the ends slightly at the front left side and tack them in place with invisible stitches.

Backpack

The backpack is small, tan, rounded, and sits beside the doll like a soft garden satchel. It has a sage flap, a tiny button, and red mushrooms embroidered on the front.

Backpack Body

1. With tan yarn and US 2 needles, CO 18 sts. Work back and forth.
2. Row 1, RS: k all sts.
3. Row 2, WS: p all sts.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb, k14, kfb, k1. 20 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Rows 5 to 20: work stockinette.
7. Row 21: k1, ssk, k14, k2tog, k1. 18 sts.
8. Row 22: p all sts.
9. BO all sts.

Fold the piece in half with right sides facing. Sew the side seams, leaving the top open. Turn right side out and stuff lightly so it looks soft but not round like a ball.

Backpack Flap

1. With sage green yarn and US 2 needles, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: k every row.
3. Row 5: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
4. Row 6: k all sts.
5. Row 7: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
6. Row 8: k all sts.
7. BO all sts.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Sew the straight edge of the flap to the upper back edge of the backpack. Fold it over the front. Sew a tiny beige button near the lower center of the flap.

Backpack Straps and Handle

1. For each strap, with tan yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Knit every row until the strap measures 4.25 in.
3. BO and sew both ends to the back of the backpack.
4. For the small handle, CO 3 sts and knit for 1.5 in.
5. BO and sew as a loop at the top.

Mushroom Embroidery

• Use red yarn to stitch one large mushroom cap on the lower right front of the backpack.
• Use red yarn to stitch one smaller cap beside it.
• Use white yarn for short stems beneath the caps.
• Add white French-knot style spots or tiny straight stitches on the red caps.
• Use green yarn for a few grass stitches at the base.

Optional Tail

The image shows a small curved brown detail near the backpack, suggesting a tiny tail. Add this tail if you want the dog shape to be visible from the side.

1. With warm brown yarn and US 2 needles, CO 6 sts. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnds 1 to 8: k all sts.
3. Change to cream yarn.
4. Rnds 9 to 11: k all sts.
5. Cut yarn, thread through sts, pull closed, and secure.
6. Insert a very small amount of stuffing.
7. Sew to the back lower body, curving slightly upward.

Attaching the Dress and Body Pieces

Slip the finished dress over the cream body before attaching the head. The neckline should sit at the top of the body and the hem should cover the top of the leggings. Tack the dress to the body at the back neckline and under each arm opening.

1. Sew both legs to the lower front of the body, spaced about 0.75 in apart.
2. Angle the feet forward so the doll sits naturally.
3. Place the body on a flat surface and check that both legs hang evenly.
4. Position the head on top of the body with the muzzle facing forward.
5. Sew around the neck twice for strength.
6. Add extra stitches at the back of the neck so the large head does not tilt backward.
7. Sew the arms to the upper sides of the dress, just below the sleeve openings.
8. Let the paws rest at the sides of the skirt.

Facial Placement Guide

The final expression depends on careful placement. The face in the image is gentle, rounded, and slightly shy. Keep the eyes large and low, the muzzle full, and the ears close to the sides of the face.

• Eyes: About 1.2 in above the muzzle top.
• Eye spacing: About 1.15 in between inner eye edges.
• Nose: Centered on the upper half of the muzzle.
• Mouth: Very small, stitched below the nose.
• Ears: Sewn from beside the eye area downward, hanging past the neckline.
• Beanie: Lower front edge sits just above the eyes.

Adding the Beanie and Scarf

Place the beanie on the head after the ears are attached. The ribbed edge should sit across the forehead and over the upper ear seams. Pin the hat first so the slouch points slightly to one side.

1. Sew the beanie to the head using tiny stitches around the lower rib edge.
2. Leave the back slightly loose to preserve the slouchy shape.
3. Attach the pom-pom securely to the drooped end.
4. Wrap the scarf around the neck under the muzzle.
5. Tack the scarf at the back and at the crossed front ends.

Adding the Backpack

The backpack can be sewn to the doll’s side or left removable. In the image it rests beside the beagle, so a removable backpack gives the most accurate display style.

• For a removable backpack, do not sew it to the doll. Let it sit against one arm.
• For a secure toy, sew one backpack strap to the back of the dress.
• Keep the mushroom embroidery facing forward.
• Let the handle curve upward behind the flap.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the full doll from the front before weaving in the last ends. The head should be larger than the body, the ears should hang evenly, and the dress should flare softly over the rust leggings. Adjust stuffing through seams only if needed.

• Use cream yarn to add tiny paw lines on each hand if desired.
• Use white yarn to add eye highlights if embroidered eyes were used.
• Use brown yarn to add one or two short eyebrow stitches above each eye patch.
• Use leaf green yarn to brighten the sunflower stems after the dress is attached.
• Trim all yarn tails carefully and hide them inside the toy.

Care Notes

Spot clean the finished beagle with cool water and mild soap. Do not soak if safety eyes, buttons, or embroidered details are attached. Press gently with a towel and reshape the hat, ears, and dress while damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The muzzle is centered and softly stuffed.
• The eyes are even and securely attached.
• The ears hang below the hat edge.
• The dress stripes sit level around the body.
• The sunflower embroidery is visible on the lower front skirt.
• The leggings hang evenly under the hem.
• The sandals have one button detail on each foot.
• The backpack has a sage flap, button, handle, straps, and red mushrooms.
• The beanie slouches to one side and has a pom-pom.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the knitted beagle away from direct sunlight to protect the soft blue, green, and rust yarn colors. If the toy is displayed on a shelf, gently dust it with a clean dry cloth or a soft brush.

For long-term storage, wrap the doll in acid-free tissue or clean cotton fabric. Avoid plastic bags in humid rooms, because trapped moisture can affect the stuffing and yarn. Keep the beanie and ears shaped naturally so they do not crease.

If the dress hem curls over time, lightly mist the skirt with water, smooth it with your fingers, and let it dry flat. Do not iron the stuffed toy directly. Re-secure buttons and embroidered flowers whenever they loosen with use.