Stanley the Dachshund - Toy Dog Knitting Pattern in Deramores Studio DK Acrylic

Stanley the Dachshund – Toy Dog Knitting Pattern by Amanda Berry

Stanley the Dachshund is a charming knitted toy dog pattern designed by Amanda Berry, available as a downloadable PDF. This pattern guides knitters through the creation of a detailed, three-dimensional stuffed dachshund toy, complete with the breed's iconic long body, short legs, and expressive face. The finished toy is intended for decorative purposes or as a gift for adults and older children, as it is not suitable for children under 3 years of age due to small parts.

What Is Being Made

The project produces a stuffed toy dachshund worked in multiple pieces that are seamed together and filled with toy stuffing. The design captures the distinctive silhouette of the dachshund breed, with a long torso, short limbs, floppy ears, and a tapered snout. Colour detailing is used to recreate the classic dachshund coat markings, making the finished toy immediately recognisable as the beloved breed.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is written primarily for Deramores Studio DK yarn, with an alternative option of Paintbox Yarns Simply DK. Both are DK (double knitting) weight yarns, giving the finished toy a firm, well-defined fabric when worked at the recommended tension. The following colours and quantities are required:

• Yarn A – Gingerbread (Deramores Studio DK) or Soft Fudge (Paintbox Yarns Simply DK) – 1 x 100g ball
• Yarn B – Chocolate (Deramores Studio DK) or Coffee Bean (Paintbox Yarns Simply DK) – 1 x 100g ball
• Yarn C – Ebony (Deramores Studio DK) or Pure Black (Paintbox Yarns Simply DK) – 1 x 100g ball
• Yarn D – Green Tea (Deramores Studio DK) or Lime Green (Paintbox Yarns Simply DK) – 1 x 100g ball

The use of four distinct colours allows for realistic coat shading and the addition of a colourful accessory detail, bringing personality and visual interest to the finished toy.

Needles and Additional Supplies

• 3.75mm straight knitting needles (US size 5)
• A darning or tapestry needle for seaming the knitted pieces together
• Toy stuffing to fill the body and limbs
• Two 12mm toy safety eyes to complete the face

Tension

The recommended tension is 22 stitches x 28 rows over a 10cm x 10cm square worked in stockinette stitch on 3.75mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is particularly important in toy knitting, as it ensures the fabric is tight enough to contain the stuffing and that the finished toy reaches the intended proportions and shape.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This pattern is rated intermediate to advanced in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with shaping and working in multiple colours. The construction method involves knitting the toy in separate flat pieces that are subsequently seamed and stuffed, a classic approach to toy making that allows for precise shaping of each body part.

Key Stitches

• Knit (K) – the foundational stitch used throughout the pattern
• Purl (P) – used in combination with knit stitches to create stockinette stitch, which forms the smooth, even fabric of the toy's body
• Stockinette stitch – the primary stitch pattern, worked by alternating knit rows and purl rows on straight needles

Shaping Techniques

• k2tog (knit