Deramores Dera Dogs Toy Knitting Pattern

Deramores Dera Dogs Knitting Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Deramores Dera Dogs pattern creates a knitted toy dog, specifically featuring Ruby the Rottweiler as the primary design. This is a three-dimensional stuffed toy dog that stands approximately 20cm tall when completed. The pattern includes instructions for creating the dog's head, body, and collar, with the finished piece suitable as a decorative toy or handmade gift.

Craft and Techniques

This is an intermediate-level knitting project that involves fundamental knitting techniques combined with assembly and finishing work. The pattern requires knitters to understand basic shaping methods and toy construction principles. Key techniques include:

• Casting on and binding off stitches
• Working in stockinette stitch as the primary fabric structure
• Increasing stitches using the kfb (knit into front and back) method to shape the toy pieces
• Decreasing stitches using k2tog (knit two together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) techniques for shaping and finishing edges
• Seaming knitted pieces together using a darning or tapestry needle
• Attaching safety features including toy eyes and buttons

Stitches Used

The pattern employs essential knitting stitches to construct the toy:

• Stockinette stitch (st st) - The primary fabric, created by knitting right-side rows and purling wrong-side rows, providing a smooth, classic knit appearance
• Knit stitch (K) - The fundamental stitch worked on right-side rows
• Purl stitch (P) - Worked on wrong-side rows to create stockinette stitch
• Kfb (knit into front and back) - An increase stitch that creates two stitches from one, used to expand the fabric for shaping the dog's head and body
• K2tog (knit two together) - A decrease stitch that combines two stitches into one
• Ssk (slip, slip, knit) - An alternative decrease stitch worked by slipping two stitches knitwise, then knitting them together through the front loops

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern uses Deramores Studio DK Yarn or compatible DK (Double Knitting) weight yarn, also known as light worsted weight. For the Rottweiler design shown, the yarn colors include:

• Yarn A: Oatmeal or Soft Fudge (1 x 100g)
• Yarn B: Ebony or Pure Black (1 x 100g)
• Yarn C: Mist or Misty Grey for the collar (1 x 100g), with Paintbox Yarns Simply DK listed as an alternative option

Needles: The pattern requires 3.75mm (US 5) straight knitting needles.

Additional Materials:

• Toy filling for stuffing the knitted pieces
• Two 9mm toy safety eyes
• One 10mm diameter button for the collar
• A darning or tapestry needle for seaming pieces together
• Sewing needle and thread for attaching eyes and button

Tension and Sizing

The pattern specifies a tension of approximately 22 stitches x 28 rows over a 10cm x 10cm square in stockinette stitch on 3.75mm needles. However, the pattern notes that tension is not critical for this toy project, allowing for some flexibility in individual knitting styles. The finished toy measures 20cm in height.

Important Notes

This pattern is designed for personal use and gift-giving only. The finished toy is not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts including safety eyes and buttons, making it more appropriate as a decorative item or gift for older children and adults.