Debbie Bliss Argyle Bean Bag Dog Bed Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Argyle Bean Bag Dog Bed

Project Overview

The Debbie Bliss Argyle Bean Bag Dog Bed is an intermediate-level knitting project that creates a stylish pet bed measuring approximately 67 x 60cm (26½ x 23½ inches). This downloadable PDF pattern combines decorative colorwork with practical construction techniques to produce a functional and visually appealing dog bed featuring a classic argyle design.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a bean bag dog bed—a cushioned pet resting space filled with polystyrene beads. The bed features a knitted front panel with an argyle pattern and fabric backing components. The finished piece includes a lining bag structure and cushion backs, with a zip fastener for easy filling and maintenance. The bed is designed to provide comfort for dogs while adding a decorative element to home décor.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Intarsia: The argyle pattern is worked using the intarsia technique, which involves using separate small balls of yarn for each color area. Yarns are twisted at color changes to prevent holes from forming in the fabric.
• Swiss Darning/Duplicate Stitch: Additional detail lines in the argyle pattern are added after knitting is complete using Swiss darning (also called duplicate stitch), a surface embroidery technique that creates the appearance of knitted stitches.
• Worked Flat: The knitted pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, creating pieces that are later seamed together.
• Seaming: Finished knitted pieces are joined together using a large-eyed blunt-tipped sewing needle, and fabric components are sewn with 1.5cm seams.
• Zipper Installation: A 56cm zip fastener is incorporated into the construction, allowing for opening and closing of the bed for filling and maintenance.

Stitches Used

Stocking Stitch (Stockinette Stitch): The primary stitch throughout the project. Stocking stitch creates a smooth, flat fabric with a characteristic V-pattern on the right side and horizontal bumps on the wrong side. The pattern is worked in rows, with knit stitches on right-side rows and purl stitches on wrong-side rows.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: The project uses Debbie Bliss British Wool Aran yarn in five coordinating colors totaling 11 balls (550g/19¼oz):

• 4 balls in Midnight 12 (main color M)
• 2 balls in Forest 06 (color A)
• 2 balls in Twilight 13 (color B)
• 1 ball in Sunset 10 (color C)
• 1 ball in Corn 08 (color D)

Needles and Tools: A pair of 5mm (US 8) knitting needles and a large-eyed blunt-tipped sewing up needle are required for construction.

Additional Materials: The pattern requires two 70 x 63cm pieces of lining fabric, two 70 x 33cm pieces of fabric for cushion backs, polystyrene beads for filling, and a 56cm zip fastener.

Gauge: The pattern specifies 18 stitches and 24 rows to a 10cm square over stocking stitch using 5mm needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for the finished measurements.

Pattern Structure and Design Details

The argyle pattern is worked from a chart that indicates color placement for the intarsia technique. The chart shows areas for colors M (Midnight), A (Forest), and B (Twilight) to be worked during knitting. The raker lines of the argyle design—marked for colors C (Sunset) and D (Corn)—are added after knitting is complete using the Swiss darning technique, which allows for precise detail work without the complexity of managing multiple yarns throughout the entire knitting process.

The construction includes a foldline row worked on the wrong side using a knit stitch, which creates a defined edge. The pattern provides specific instructions for reading the chart, working color changes, and completing the make-up process, which involves assembling the knitted front, attaching the lining bag, and installing the zip fastener and cushion backing.