Deramores Old English Sheepdog Toy Knitting Pattern

Deramores Old English Sheepdog Knitted Toy

What is Being Made

This is a knitted Old English Sheepdog toy designed by Amanda Berry, a London College of Fashion graduate specializing in handmade knitted toys. The finished toy measures 24cm tall when sitting and is intended as an intermediate to advanced knitting project. The design captures the characteristic shaggy appearance of the Old English Sheepdog breed through specialized knitting techniques.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern uses Deramores Studio Baby Soft DK yarn in two colorways:

• Yarn A: 1 x 100g Snow (white)
• Yarn B: 1 x 100g Pebble (grey)

Additional materials include 200g of toy filling for stuffing, two 9mm toy safety eyes with white felt fabric backings, one 18mm toy safety nose with felt backing, a small semi-circle of pink felt fabric for the tongue, and fabric glue for assembly. A tapestry or yarn needle is required for seaming and finishing.

Knitting Needles and Tension

The pattern calls for 3mm straight knitting needles. The tension is measured at 6 stitches by 7 rows over 2.5cm x 2.5cm using the loop stitch technique with 3mm needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for the toy to reach the intended 24cm sitting height.

Stitches and Techniques Used

This advanced knitting project employs a range of fundamental and specialized stitches:

• Loop Stitch: The primary technique creating the shaggy texture characteristic of an Old English Sheepdog's coat. This special stitch forms loops in the knitted fabric that give the toy its distinctive fluffy appearance.
• Knit (K): Basic knit stitch used throughout the pattern.
• Purl (P): Basic purl stitch for creating texture variation.
• Knit Front and Back (Kfb): Increase technique that creates one additional stitch by knitting into both the front and back loops of the same stitch.
• Purl Front and Back (Pfb): Purl-based increase technique working the same principle as Kfb.
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog): Decrease technique that combines two stitches into one.
• Purl 2 Together (P2tog): Purl-based decrease technique.
• Slip, Slip, Knit (Ssk): Left-leaning decrease technique that slips two stitches individually and knits them together through the front loops.

Construction and Assembly Notes

The pattern uses cable cast-on unless otherwise specified. Seams are oversewn on the looped fabric to maintain the textured appearance. Safety eyes and nose are inserted with plastic or metal washers backed with white felt to prevent them from poking through the knitted fabric. The toy is stuffed with polyester fiberfill and assembled using a tapestry needle.

Important Safety Note: Due to the nature of the looped knit construction and the presence of small safety components, this toy is not suitable for babies or younger children and is intended for older children and collectors.

About the Designer

Amanda Berry graduated from London College of Fashion with First Class Honours in 2014 and has since built a full-time career designing knitted toys. Her work has been published in magazines and created for charitable organizations. Her toy designs, including this Old English Sheepdog pattern, are available through Deramores.