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I just finished knitting this adorable puppy toy inspired by our pet, Monco, a lovable cockapoo. I created this little doggie as a special gift for my husband after our beloved pet passed away recently. If you enjoy knitting different projects, I highly recommend trying it.
To craft this puppy toy, you'll require double-pointed needles for knitting and proficiency in circular knitting techniques.
Skill Level
Intermediate
Finished Size
13 cm / 5 in
Needles
set of 4 double-pointed needles 6” (15 cm)
Needle Size
US 1 (2.5 mm)
Yarn
(Sport) 100% Wool (50 g/ 235 m/ 256 yds)
(Lace) 75% Mohair, 25% Silk (25 g/ 210 m/ 230 yds)
* This bear is knitted with two strands of yarn. However, you can knit with one strand of yarn. Adjust yarn or needle size to obtain the correct gauge if necessary.
Yarn Amounts
Wool: approx. 12g
Mohair: approx. 5g
Gauge
27 sts and 32 rnds = 4 x 4 in / 10 x 10 cm
Instructions
This puppy is mostly knitted in the round, except for the ears. Begin by knitting from the nose, continue to the neck and the body, finishing with a gather bind-off. After that, knit the arms, legs, and tail, sewn onto the body. The ear is knitted flat and then folded before sewn onto the head. Lastly, complete the embroidery for the face.
German Short Row (Double stitch):
The 'German short rows' technique is used here to shape the arms and legs. This is a common method for crafting sock heels or shaping needs. Here, the process involves knitting the angle of the arms and legs.
Abbreviations
CO cast on
rnd(s) round(s)
st(s) stitch(es)
RS right side
WS wrong side
k knit
p purl
M1L make 1 stitch left
M1R make 1 stitch right
k2tog knit 2 stitches together
p2tog purl 2 stitches together
ssk slip, slip, knit
ssp slip, slip, purl
kfb knit front and back (increase 1 stitch)
DS double stitch
Body
Circular cast on 6 sts on 3 needles (always use a working needle to knit)
Rnd 1: knit 1 rnd
Rnd 2: kfb, repeat (12 sts)
Rnd 3-4: knit 2 rnds
Rnd 5: k2, M1L (18 sts)
Rnd 6-10: knit 5 rnds
Rnd 11: k2, M1L, k1, M1L, k12, M1R, k1, M1R, k2 (22 sts)
Rnd 12: knit 1 rnd
Rnd 13: k3, M1L, k2, M1L, k12, M1R, k2, M1R, k3 (26 sts)
Rnd 14: knit 1 rnd
Rnd 15: k2, M1L, k22, M1R, k2 (28 sts)
Rnd 16-20: knit 5 rnds
Rnd 21: k2, ssk, k20, k2tog, k2 (26 sts)
Rnd 22: knit 1 rnd
Rnd 23: k2, ssk, k1, ssk, k4, M1R, k4, M1L, k4, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2 (24 sts)
Rnd 24: Knit 1 rnd
Rnd 25: k2, ssk, k1, ssk, k1, M1R, k2, M1R, k4, M1L, k2, M1L, k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2 (24 sts)
Rnd 26: Knit 1 rnd
Rnd 27: k7, M1R, k3, M1R, k4, M1L, k3, M1L, k7 (28 sts)
Rnd 28: Knit 1 rnd
Rnd 29: k8, M1R, k4, M1R, k4, M1L, k4, M1L, k8 (32 sts)
Rnd 30: Knit 1 rnd
Rnd 31: k9, M1R, k5, M1R, k4, M1L, k5, M1L, k9 (36 sts)
Rnd 30-39: Knit 10 rnds
Rnd 40: k10, k2tog, k12, ssk, k10 (34 sts)
Rnd 41-43: knit 3 rnds
Rnd 44: k10, k2tog, k10, ssk, k10 (32 sts)
Rnd 45-47: knit 3 rnds
Rnd 48: k10, k2tog, k8, ssk, k10 (30 sts)
Rnd 49-53: knit 5 rnds
Rnd 54: k2, ssk, k3, ssk, k2, ssk, k4, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k2 (24 sts)
Rnd 55: knit 1 rnd
Stuff the body.
Rnd 56: k2, ssk, k2, ssk, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k2 (18 sts)
Rnd 57: knit 1 rnd
Rnd 58: k1, ssk, k1, ssk, k1, ssk, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1 (12 sts)
Rnd 59: knit 1 rnd
Add more stuffing, and then do the gather bind-off.
Ears
CO 16 sts
Row 1 (WS): purl
Row 2 (RS): k1, M1R, k14, M1L, k1 (18 sts)
Row 3: purl
Row 4: k1, M1R, k6, ssk, k2tog, k6, M1L, k1 (18 sts)
Row 5: purl
Row 6: knit
Row 7: purl
Row 8: ssk, k14, k2tog (16 sts)
Row 9: purl
Row 10: ssk, k5, M1R, k2, M1L, k5, k2tog (16 sts)
Row 11: purl
Row 12: ssk, k12, k2tog (14 sts)
Row 13: purl
Row 14: ssk, k3, ssk, k2tog, k3, k2tog (10 sts)
Row 15: p3, p2tog, ssp, p3 (8 sts)
Row 16: k1, M1R, k1, ssk, k2tog, k1, M1L, k1 (8 sts)
Row 17: p2, p2tog, ssp, p2 (6 sts)
Fold it in half, then cut the yarn leaving a tail of about 15 cm. Proceed to bind off the stitches using the "Kitchener stitch" method. Afterward, continue sewing the edges together. Repeat this process to create another ear.
Front Arms
Cast on 6 sts
Row 1 (WS): purl
Row 2 (RS): k1, M1R, k4, M1L, k1 (8 sts)
Row 3: purl
Row 4: k1, M1R, k6, M1L, k1 (10 sts)
Row 5: purl
Row 6: knit, M8 (18 sts)
Row 6.
Rnd 7-10: join in a round. knit 4 rnds.
Rnd 11: k10, ssk, k4, k2tog (16 sts)
Rnd 12: k 1 rnd
Rnd 13: k10, ssk, k2, k2tog (14 sts)
Rnd 14-16: knit 3 rnds / For the right leg: knit 2 rnds, k9
Short row 1 (WS): DS, p12, flip
Short row 2 (RS): DS, k10, flip
Short row 3: DS, p8, flip
Short row 4: DS, k6, flip
Short row 5: DS, p4, flip
Short row 6: DS
Knit 5 rnds
k3, k2tog, k4, ssk, k3 (12 sts) / For the right leg: k3, ssk, k4, k2tog, k3 (12 sts)
knit 3 rnds
bind-off.
Back Legs
Cast on 8 sts
Row 1 (WS): purl
Row 2 (RS): k1, M1R, k6, M1L, k1 (10 sts)
Row 3: purl
Row 4: k1, M1R, k8, M1L, k1 (12 sts)
Row 5: purl
Row 6: knit, M10 (22 sts)
Rnd 7-10: join in a round. knit 4 rnds. / For the right leg: knit 3 rnds, k12
Rnd 11: k2, ssk, k14, k2tog, k2 (20 sts)
Rnd 12: knit 1 rnd
Rnd 13: k2, ssk, k12, k2tog, k2 (18 sts)
Rnd 14: knit 1 rnd
Rnd 15: k2, ssk, k10, k2tog, k2 (16 sts)
Rnd 16: knit 1 rnd
Rnd 17: k2, ssk, k8, k2tog, k2 (14 sts)
Rnd 18: knit 1 rnd
Rnd 19: k2, ssk, k6, k2tog, k2 (12 sts)
Short row 1 (WS): DS, p10, flip
Short row 2 (RS): DS, k8, flip
Short row 3: DS, p6, flip
Short row 4: DS, k4, flip
Short row 5: DS, p2, flip
Short row 6: DS
Knit 2 rnds
k4, ssk, k2tog, k4 (10 sts)
knit 3 rnds
bind-off.
Tail
CO 9 sts, join in a round.
knit 4 rnds
k1, k2tog (6 sts)
k 1 rnd
Gather bind-off.
Finishing
Sew the ears onto the head.
TIP:
Achieve the curved shape of the ears using the "blocking" method. First, saturate the ears with soapy water, ensuring thorough wetness. Then, carefully pin them into the desired shape. Allow them to air dry completely.
Stuff the arms and legs lightly to allow movement. Pin them on the position first before sewing to ensure a symmetric shape.
Don't forget the tail.
Additional Tips:
Extend the "blocking" method to the entire puppy once you've completed it. This technique allows you to manipulate the puppy into various poses as desired.
For a larger puppy, consider using a larger needle size and thicker yarn. This adjustment can scale up the size of your creation effectively.
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