Crochet Tutorial: Sylvester the Cat in Picnic Gingham Overalls – Free Crochet Pattern.

This free crochet pattern guides you through making a black-and-white cat doll inspired by the picture, dressed in red picnic gingham overalls with blue buttons, flower appliqués, blue sandals, a red sun hat, a brown picnic basket, a tiny sandwich, and a small orange drink bottle. The doll features big white cheeks, a rounded red nose, tall ears, whiskers, a flower-and-bee head detail, and a slim black tail.

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

Finished Size

Using sport weight cotton yarn and a 2.25 mm hook, the finished doll is about 13 inches tall from ears to feet. The hat is about 4.5 inches wide. The picnic basket is about 2.5 inches wide. Size may change depending on yarn, hook, tension, and stuffing firmness.

Skill Level

This pattern is written for confident beginners to intermediate crocheters. You should know how to crochet in the round, change colors, sew small parts, make simple embroidery, and work surface slip stitches. The gingham overalls are created with a red base and white surface lines.

Materials

• Sport weight cotton yarn in black, white, red, blue, brown, tan, yellow, orange, green, light blue, and a small amount of gray
• 2.25 mm crochet hook for the doll
• 2.0 mm crochet hook for tiny accessories and appliqués
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Two black safety eyes, 8 mm, or black felt eyes
• White felt or crocheted white eye ovals
• Black embroidery thread for whiskers, mouth, and toe lines
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers
• Pins for placement
• Scissors
• Optional wire or pipe cleaner for tail and hat brim shaping

US Crochet Abbreviations

• MR = magic ring
• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• inc = 2 sc in the same stitch
• dec = invisible single crochet decrease
• BLO = back loop only
• FLO = front loop only
• st = stitch
• Rnd = round
• FO = fasten off

Important Notes Before You Start

Work most pieces in continuous rounds unless the instruction says to join. Stuff the head, body, cheeks, feet, and hands firmly, but do not overstuff small flat pieces such as ears, straps, flowers, and accessories.

The doll in the image has a large head, narrow neck, slim black body, rounded white cheeks, oversized red nose, long arms, short legs, and large blue sandals. The overalls sit high on the chest and stop slightly above the feet.

For clean shaping, use a stitch marker at the first stitch of every round. When changing colors, complete the last yarn-over of the previous stitch with the new color. Hide tails inside the piece whenever possible.

Main Head in Black

The head is an oval sphere, wider through the cheeks and slightly taller than it is deep. The white cheeks and muzzle are sewn on top, so the black head should be smooth and firm.

1. Rnd 1: With black, make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts
4. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts
5. Rnd 5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts
6. Rnd 6: sc 4, inc, repeat around. 36 sts
7. Rnd 7: sc 5, inc, repeat around. 42 sts
8. Rnd 8: sc 6, inc, repeat around. 48 sts
9. Rnd 9: sc 7, inc, repeat around. 54 sts
10. Rnd 10: sc 8, inc, repeat around. 60 sts
11. Rnds 11-18: sc around. 60 sts
12. Rnd 19: sc 8, dec, repeat around. 54 sts
13. Rnd 20: sc 7, dec, repeat around. 48 sts
14. Rnd 21: sc 6, dec, repeat around. 42 sts
15. Rnd 22: sc 5, dec, repeat around. 36 sts
16. Rnd 23: sc 4, dec, repeat around. 30 sts
17. Rnd 24: sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts
18. Stuff firmly. Rnd 25: sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts
19. Rnd 26: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts
20. FO, leaving a long tail. Close the remaining hole.

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White Muzzle and Cheeks

The face has two large rounded white cheek pads that sit on the lower half of the head. They touch under the red nose and extend widely toward both sides.

Left Cheek

1. Rnd 1: With white, make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts
4. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts
5. Rnd 5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts
6. Rnds 6-8: sc around. 30 sts
7. Rnd 9: sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts
8. FO, leaving a long sewing tail. Stuff lightly.

Right Cheek

Repeat the left cheek. Sew both cheeks side by side across Rnds 14-22 of the head. The inner edges should touch at the center. Flatten the back of each cheek slightly as you sew so the face stays wide and soft.

White Chin and Neck Front

This white front patch begins below the nose and continues down the narrow neck, matching the white vertical area visible between the black shoulders.

1. Row 1: With white, ch 7, sc in second ch from hook and across. 6 sts
2. Rows 2-5: ch 1, turn, sc across. 6 sts
3. Row 6: ch 1, turn, inc, sc 4, inc. 8 sts
4. Rows 7-10: ch 1, turn, sc across. 8 sts
5. Row 11: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 4, dec. 6 sts
6. FO, leaving a long tail.

Sew the upper part between the cheeks and the lower part down the front of the neck and chest after the head and body are joined.

Red Round Nose

The nose is large, round, bright red, and centered on top of the cheeks. It should project forward more than the cheeks.

1. Rnd 1: With red, make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts
4. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts
5. Rnds 5-7: sc around. 24 sts
6. Rnd 8: sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts
7. Stuff firmly. Rnd 9: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts
8. FO, leaving a long tail. Sew the nose to the center of the face, slightly overlapping both cheeks.

Eyes

The eyes are tall white ovals with small black centers. They sit close together above the nose on the black face.

White Eye Ovals, Make 2

1. Rnd 1: With white, ch 7. Sc in second ch from hook, sc 4, 3 sc in last ch. Work on the other side of the chain: sc 4, inc in last st. 14 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc, sc 4, inc 3 times, sc 4, inc 2 times. 20 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc around. 20 sts
4. FO, leaving a long tail.

Sew the eyes vertically on the front of the head, between Rnds 9-16. Place them about 1 stitch apart. Add 8 mm black safety eyes or embroider black vertical ovals in the lower center of each white eye.

Ears

The ears are tall, black, rounded triangles with white inner patches. They lean slightly outward from the top of the head.

Outer Ear, Make 2

1. Rnd 1: With black, make 5 sc in MR. 5 sts
2. Rnd 2: sc around. 5 sts
3. Rnd 3: inc around. 10 sts
4. Rnd 4: sc around. 10 sts
5. Rnd 5: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 15 sts
6. Rnd 6: sc around. 15 sts
7. Rnd 7: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 20 sts
8. Rnds 8-10: sc around. 20 sts
9. Flatten the ear. Sc through both layers across the bottom with 10 sc.
10. FO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Inner Ear Patch, Make 2

1. Row 1: With white, ch 5, sc in second ch from hook and across. 4 sts
2. Row 2: ch 1, turn, inc, sc 2, inc. 6 sts
3. Rows 3-4: ch 1, turn, sc across. 6 sts
4. Row 5: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 2, dec. 4 sts
5. Row 6: ch 1, turn, dec twice. 2 sts
6. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

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Sew one white patch to the center of each black ear. Sew ears to the head between Rnds 4-9, angled outward. The lower inner corners should sit near the top eye line.

Head Tufts

The image shows three thin black hair tufts between the ears. These are simple embroidered or chained strands.

• Cut three 5 inch pieces of black yarn.
• Thread each piece through the top center of the head between the ears.
• Tie securely at the base and trim to about 1.25 inches.
• Add a tiny knot at the end of each strand if desired.

Body in Black and White

The body is slim, black at the sides and back, with a white front panel visible above the overalls. The overalls cover most of the lower body, so the black base only needs to shape the torso cleanly.

1. Rnd 1: With black, make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts
4. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts
5. Rnd 5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts
6. Rnds 6-10: sc around. 30 sts
7. Rnd 11: sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts
8. Rnds 12-16: sc around. 24 sts
9. Rnd 17: sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts
10. Rnds 18-20: sc around. 18 sts
11. Stuff firmly, especially at the lower body.
12. Rnd 21: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts
13. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing to the head.

Sew the body under the head so the white chin patch runs down the center front. Keep the head large and upright. The doll should have a playful, standing pose with the head slightly larger than the torso.

Legs

The visible legs are black and short, mostly hidden by the gingham overall shorts and oversized sandals.

Leg, Make 2

1. Rnd 1: With black, make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 9 sts
3. Rnds 3-8: sc around. 9 sts
4. Stuff lightly.
5. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew the legs to the bottom of the body, about 4 stitches apart. Angle them slightly outward so the sandals sit flat and wide like the photo.

Arms

The arms are black from shoulder to wrist with white mitten-style hands. They hang down beside the overalls and curve slightly inward.

Hand and Arm, Make 2

1. Rnd 1: With white, make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts
4. Rnds 4-6: sc around. 18 sts
5. Rnd 7: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts
6. Rnd 8: sc around. 12 sts
7. Change to black.
8. Rnds 9-23: sc around. 12 sts
9. Stuff the hand firmly and the arm lightly.
10. Flatten the top and sc through both layers across with 6 sc.
11. FO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Thumb, Make 2

1. Rnd 1: With white, make 5 sc in MR. 5 sts
2. Rnds 2-4: sc around. 5 sts
3. FO, leaving a tail. Sew one thumb to the outer side of each hand.

Sew the arms to the shoulders at Rnds 18-20 of the body. Position them so the white hands rest near the lower edge of the overalls.

Tail

The tail is black with a white tip. It curves out from behind the left side and points upward slightly at the end.

1. Rnd 1: With white, make 5 sc in MR. 5 sts
2. Rnd 2: sc around. 5 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat twice, sc 1. 7 sts
4. Rnds 4-6: sc around. 7 sts
5. Change to black.
6. Rnds 7-24: sc around. 7 sts
7. Stuff very lightly, or insert a pipe cleaner wrapped with yarn.
8. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew the black end to the back lower body. Shape the tail so the white tip is visible on the left side when the doll faces forward.

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Picnic Gingham Overalls

The overalls are the most detailed clothing piece. They are red shorts with a chest bib, shoulder straps, blue buttons, white gingham grid lines, and a blue flower on the bib. The base is crocheted in red, then white surface lines are added afterward.

Overall Shorts, First Leg

1. Rnd 1: With red, ch 24, join with sl st to form a ring. Be careful not to twist.
2. Rnd 2: ch 1, sc around. 24 sts
3. Rnds 3-8: sc around. 24 sts
4. FO the first leg and set aside.

Overall Shorts, Second Leg and Body

1. Rnd 1: With red, ch 24, join with sl st to form a ring.
2. Rnd 2: ch 1, sc around. 24 sts
3. Rnds 3-8: sc around. 24 sts
4. Do not fasten off. Ch 4, join to the first leg with sc in any stitch.
5. Sc around the first leg 24 sts, sc in each of the 4 chains, sc around the second leg 24 sts, sc in the other side of the 4 chains. 56 sts
6. Rnds 10-17: sc around. 56 sts
7. Rnd 18: sc 12, dec, repeat around. 52 sts
8. Rnd 19: sc around. 52 sts
9. Rnd 20: sc 11, dec, repeat around. 48 sts
10. Rnd 21: sc around. 48 sts
11. FO, leaving a long tail. Place the shorts over the body and legs before sewing accessories.

Chest Bib

1. Row 1: With red, ch 17, sc in second ch from hook and across. 16 sts
2. Rows 2-10: ch 1, turn, sc across. 16 sts
3. Row 11: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 12, dec. 14 sts
4. Row 12: ch 1, turn, sc across. 14 sts
5. FO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Sew the bib to the front top edge of the shorts. The bib should cover the white chest panel but leave a small white neck area visible above it.

Shoulder Straps, Make 2

1. Row 1: With red, ch 25, sc in second ch from hook and across. 24 sts
2. Rows 2-3: ch 1, turn, sc across. 24 sts
3. FO, leaving tails for sewing.

Sew one end of each strap to the top corners of the bib. Cross the straps over the shoulders or run them straight over the shoulders depending on your doll size. Sew the back ends to the back waist of the shorts.

White Gingham Grid

The pictured overalls have a dense red-and-white gingham look. The easiest way to match it is to crochet the overalls in red, then add white surface slip stitches and embroidered lines.

• Use white yarn and a 2.0 mm hook.
• Work vertical surface slip stitch lines from the bib top to the shorts hem every 3 stitches.
• Work horizontal surface slip stitch lines every 3 rounds on the shorts.
• On the bib, work horizontal lines every 2 rows.
• On the straps, embroider small white cross marks every 3 stitches.
• Keep the white lines snug but not tight, so the overalls stay smooth.

Blue Buttons, Make 2

1. Rnd 1: With blue, make 6 sc in MR. Join with sl st. 6 sts
2. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew one blue button at each upper bib corner where the straps meet. Add a tiny red or dark blue stitch in the center of each button.

Bib Flower Appliqué

1. Center: With yellow, make 6 sc in MR, join, FO.
2. Petals: Join light blue in any stitch. Ch 3, sl st in same stitch, sl st in next stitch, repeat around to make 6 petals.
3. FO, leaving a tail. Sew the flower to the middle of the bib.

Blue Sandals and White Feet

The feet are large white oval paws with blue sandal straps. The front of each foot has black toe lines. A small white flower sits on the blue strap.

White Foot, Make 2

1. Rnd 1: With white, ch 9. Sc in second ch from hook, sc 6, 3 sc in last ch. Work on the other side: sc 6, inc in last st. 18 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc, sc 6, inc 3 times, sc 6, inc 2 times. 24 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, sc 6, repeat sc 1, inc three times, sc 6, repeat sc 1, inc twice. 30 sts
4. Rnds 4-6: sc around. 30 sts
5. Rnd 7: sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts
6. Stuff firmly.
7. Rnd 8: sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts
8. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

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Blue Sandal Sole Edge, Make 2

1. With blue, ch 28.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 27 sts
3. FO, leaving a long tail.

Wrap the blue strip around the front and sides of each white foot, just above the bottom edge. Sew neatly in place.

Top Sandal Strap, Make 2

1. With blue, ch 15.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 14 sts
3. Rows 2-3: ch 1, turn, sc across. 14 sts
4. FO, leaving sewing tails.

Sew one strap across the top of each foot. Leave the front white toes visible.

Toe Lines

• Using black embroidery thread, sew two vertical lines on the front of each foot.
• Start near the top of the toe area and end near the sole edge.
• Pull gently so the lines indent the foot slightly.

Small Sandal Flowers, Make 2

1. Center: With yellow, make 5 sc in MR, join, FO.
2. Petals: Join white, ch 2, sl st in same stitch, sl st in next stitch, repeat around for 5 petals.
3. Sew one flower to the outer side of each sandal strap.

Sew each finished foot to the bottom of a black leg. The toes should point forward and slightly outward.

Red Sun Hat

The red hat in the image is separate from the doll. It has a shallow rounded crown and a wide soft brim that curves downward slightly.

Hat Crown

1. Rnd 1: With red, make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts
4. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts
5. Rnd 5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts
6. Rnd 6: sc 4, inc, repeat around. 36 sts
7. Rnd 7: sc 5, inc, repeat around. 42 sts
8. Rnd 8: sc 6, inc, repeat around. 48 sts
9. Rnds 9-16: sc around. 48 sts

Hat Brim

1. Rnd 17: FLO only, sc 3, inc, repeat around. 60 sts
2. Rnd 18: sc 4, inc, repeat around. 72 sts
3. Rnd 19: sc around. 72 sts
4. Rnd 20: sc 5, inc, repeat around. 84 sts
5. Rnd 21: sc around. 84 sts
6. Rnd 22: reverse sc around, or regular sc around for a softer edge. 84 sts
7. FO and weave in ends.

Shape the brim with your fingers so it turns down like a small picnic sun hat. Insert flexible wire into the final round only if you want a firmer brim.

Head Flower and Bee Decoration

The image shows a small blue-and-white flower and a yellow bee near one ear. These tiny details make the head look playful and picnic themed.

Blue Flower

1. Center: With yellow, make 6 sc in MR, join, FO.
2. Petals: Join light blue. Ch 3, sl st in same stitch, sl st in next stitch, repeat around for 6 petals.
3. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

White Accent Flower

1. Center: With yellow, make 5 sc in MR, join, FO.
2. Petals: Join white. Ch 2, sl st in same stitch, sl st in next stitch, repeat around for 5 petals.
3. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Tiny Bee

1. Rnd 1: With yellow, make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: sc around. 6 sts
3. Change to black. Rnd 3: sc around. 6 sts
4. Change to yellow. Rnd 4: sc around. 6 sts
5. Change to black. Rnd 5: sc around. 6 sts
6. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

For wings, ch 4 with white, sl st into the first chain, repeat once, then sew the wing pair to the top of the bee. Sew the bee beside the flowers near the right ear.

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Picnic Basket

The basket is small, brown, rectangular, and textured, with two handles and a folded gingham cloth peeking out. It sits beside the doll in the picture.

Basket Base and Sides

1. Rnd 1: With brown, ch 13. Sc in second ch from hook, sc 10, 3 sc in last ch. Work on the other side: sc 10, inc in last st. 26 sts
2. Rnd 2: BLO, sc around. 26 sts
3. Rnds 3-7: sc around. 26 sts
4. Rnd 8: sl st around for a neat rim. 26 sts
5. FO and weave in the end.

Basket Texture

• Using a darker brown strand, embroider vertical lines every 3 stitches around the basket.
• Add short horizontal stitches between the vertical lines to create a woven look.
• Keep the texture low and neat so the basket remains rectangular.

Basket Handles, Make 2

1. With brown, ch 28.
2. Row 1: sl st in second ch from hook and across. 27 sts
3. FO, leaving tails for sewing.

Sew one handle to the front inner rim and one handle to the back inner rim. Let them arch upward like the handles in the image.

Gingham Cloth

1. With white, ch 9.
2. Rows 1-5: sc across, changing between white and brown every 2 stitches to create a tiny check pattern if desired.
3. FO. Fold the cloth and tack it inside the basket so one corner shows.

Tiny Sandwich

The sandwich is made from two tan bread squares with green and red filling showing around the edges.

Bread Slice, Make 2

1. Row 1: With tan, ch 8, sc in second ch from hook and across. 7 sts
2. Rows 2-6: ch 1, turn, sc across. 7 sts
3. Row 7: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 3, dec. 5 sts
4. Row 8: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 1, dec. 3 sts
5. Sc evenly around the slice. FO.

Filling

• With green, ch 20 and FO. Sew this chain around one bread slice as lettuce.
• With red, ch 16 and FO. Sew it slightly inside the green chain as tomato.
• Place the second bread slice on top and stitch around three sides.

Orange Drink Bottle

The drink bottle is small, yellow-orange, and rounded, with a green cap and orange circle label.

1. Rnd 1: With yellow, make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts
4. Rnds 4-8: sc around. 18 sts
5. Change to orange. Rnds 9-11: sc around. 18 sts
6. Change to yellow. Rnds 12-14: sc around. 18 sts
7. Rnd 15: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts
8. Stuff lightly.
9. Change to green. Rnds 16-18: sc around. 12 sts
10. Rnd 19: dec around. 6 sts
11. FO and close.

Bottle Label

1. With orange, make 6 sc in MR, join, FO.
2. Sew the circle to the front of the bottle.
3. Add a tiny green stitch on top of the orange circle if desired.

Facial Embroidery

The face depends on clean placement. Pin all pieces before sewing permanently. The cheeks should look wide, the nose should sit forward, and the eyes should appear close and tall.

• Sew the cheeks first, then sew the red nose over their center seam.
• Sew the eye ovals above the nose, close together.
• Embroider three whiskers on each cheek with black thread.
• Make each whisker a long, gentle line extending outward from the nose area.
• Add a small black mouth stitch below the nose if desired, but keep it subtle.

Clothing Placement

Slide the overalls onto the doll before attaching the feet if needed. The shorts should cover the top of the black legs, while the bib sits high on the white chest. Sew the waist edge lightly to the body so the outfit does not twist.

The shoulder straps should be visible over the black arms and shoulders. Add the blue buttons only after the straps are sewn down. The gingham lines should continue across the bib, shorts, and straps for the picnic fabric effect.

Assembly Order

1. Crochet and stuff the head.
2. Crochet cheeks, nose, eyes, ears, and head decorations.
3. Sew cheeks and nose to the head.
4. Sew eyes, ears, tufts, flowers, and bee to the head.
5. Crochet the body, arms, legs, feet, and tail.
6. Sew the body to the head.
7. Sew arms to shoulders and legs to the lower body.
8. Place and sew the overalls onto the body.
9. Add straps, buttons, gingham lines, and bib flower.
10. Sew feet to legs and add sandal flowers.
11. Sew the tail to the back lower body.
12. Make the hat, basket, sandwich, and bottle separately.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the doll from the front before making final knots. The head should be centered, the cheeks should be even, and the red nose should sit between the eyes and cheeks. Add extra stuffing through open seams if any area looks flat.

Use pins to test the whisker angles. The top whiskers should angle slightly upward, the middle whiskers should extend straight outward, and the lower whiskers should angle downward. Keep the stitches smooth and not too tight.

Place the red hat beside the doll or gently on the head. Position the picnic basket, sandwich, and bottle near the right side for the same picnic scene shown in the image.

Care Notes

• Spot clean with cold water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if wire, felt, or safety eyes are used.
• Press with a towel to remove extra moisture.
• Air dry flat in a shaded place.
• Reshape the hat brim, cheeks, sandals, and basket while damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Large black head with tall ears
• Two white oval eyes with black centers
• Wide white cheeks and oversized red nose
• Three black head tufts
• Red gingham overalls with white grid lines
• Blue buttons and blue flower on bib
• Black arms with white mitten hands
• Large white feet with blue sandals
• White sandal flowers and black toe lines
• Black tail with white tip
• Red sun hat, brown picnic basket, sandwich, and orange bottle
• Small head flowers and tiny bee decoration

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished doll away from direct sunlight to keep the red, blue, and black yarn from fading. If the overalls collect dust, use a soft brush and move gently along the surface slip stitch gingham lines.

Keep the basket, sandwich, bottle, and hat in a small fabric pouch when not displayed. This prevents tiny pieces from getting lost and helps the hat brim keep its rounded shape.

If the cheeks or nose become flattened, gently roll them between your fingers and push the stuffing back into place. Avoid pulling on the whiskers, flower appliqués, bee wings, and sandal straps because they are small decorative details.

For long-term display, lay the doll flat or support it under the arms. Do not hang it by the head, ears, straps, or tail. Proper support will preserve the proportions and keep the picnic outfit looking neat.