Deramores Stanley the Dachshund Toy Knitting Pattern

Deramores Stanley the Dachshund Knitted Toy

What is Being Made

Stanley the Dachshund is a knitted stuffed toy designed by Amanda Berry. This finished toy stands at approximately 27cm long, making it a medium-sized decorative or play piece. The pattern creates a three-dimensional dachshund figure suitable for display or gifting. Please note that this toy is not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts including safety eyes.

Knitting Techniques Used

This advanced-level knitting project employs several essential techniques to construct the three-dimensional toy form. The pattern uses increases and decreases to shape the body, head, and limbs of the dachshund. Key shaping techniques include knit-front-and-back (kfb) increases to add stitches where the toy needs to expand, and multiple decrease methods to taper sections. The pattern incorporates stockinette stitch as the primary fabric structure, which creates a smooth, finished appearance ideal for toys. Pieces are knitted flat on straight needles and then seamed together using a darning needle. The toy is stuffed with toy filling before final seaming to create a three-dimensional form.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and stitches:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches form the foundation of stockinette stitch
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease that involves slipping stitches knitwise and purlwise before knitting through the front
• Knit front and back (kfb) – an increase worked by knitting into both the front and back of a single stitch
• Stockinette stitch (St st) – knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows to create a smooth, uniform fabric

Materials and Tools

The pattern is worked in DK weight yarn (Double Knitting), which is a medium weight ideal for creating defined details in toys. The recommended yarn is Deramores Studio DK Yarn in four coordinating colors: Gingerbread (Yarn A), Chocolate (Yarn B), Ebony (Yarn C), and Green Tea (Yarn D), with 1 x 100g of each color. Alternatively, Paintbox Yarns Simply DK can be substituted using Soft Fudge (Yarn A), Coffee Bean (Yarn B), Pure Black (Yarn C), and Lime Green (Yarn D).

Essential tools and notions include:

• 3.75mm (US 5) straight knitting needles for working the pattern
• Darning or tapestry needle for seaming the knitted pieces together and weaving in yarn ends
• Toy stuffing to fill the completed pieces and create dimension
• Two 12mm toy safety eyes for facial features

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of approximately 22 stitches by 28 rows over a 10cm x 10cm square when working stockinette stitch on 3.75mm needles. Achieving correct gauge is important for the toy to reach its intended finished size of approximately 27cm in length. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure their personal tension matches the pattern requirements.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as advanced difficulty, requiring solid foundational knitting skills including comfort with increases, decreases, shaping, and seaming. The complexity comes from constructing multiple pieces that must be assembled into a recognizable three-dimensional form, as well as managing color changes across different yarn colors to create the dachshund's distinctive markings and features.