Knitting the Adorable Puppy from Toys from the Toybox Part II by Pat Ashforth: A Complete Guide

If you have ever browsed the world of knitted toys and novelty patterns, chances are you have come across the charming and imaginative work of Pat Ashforth. A beloved figure in the knitting community, Pat Ashforth — often working in collaboration with Steve Plummer — has created some of the most whimsical, tactile, and technically interesting knitted toy designs available anywhere. One of the most delightful projects in her Toys from the Toybox Part II collection is the knitted puppy, a project that captures the soft, floppy, irresistible quality of a real puppy in yarn form. Whether you are an experienced knitter looking for a satisfying new challenge or an intermediate crafter ready to stretch your skills, this pattern has something special to offer.

In this post, we are going to walk through everything you need to know about knitting the Puppy from Toys from the Toybox Part II — from understanding what makes this pattern unique, to yarn choices, construction techniques, finishing tips, and how to make the finished toy truly your own.

Who Is Pat Ashforth?

Before diving into the pattern itself, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate the designer behind it. Pat Ashforth is a British knitting designer who spent decades developing innovative patterns that combine mathematical thinking with a genuine love of texture, color, and play. Together with her longtime collaborator Steve Plummer, Pat has published numerous books and pattern collections that have earned devoted followings around the world.

Toys from the Toybox is one of her signature series, and Part II expands on the first collection with a fresh lineup of charming stuffed animals and toy figures. The puppy is a standout project from this collection, beloved by knitters who have made it and gifted it and by children and adults who have received it. The pattern reflects Pat’s characteristic approach: clear construction logic, satisfying shaping, and an end result that looks far more complex than the individual steps suggest.

What Makes This Puppy Pattern Special?

Knitted toy animals are nothing new, but the Puppy from Toys from the Toybox Part II stands out for several reasons.

First, there is the construction method. Pat Ashforth’s toy patterns often use an integrated approach to shaping that avoids the piecemeal look some knitted animals can have. Rather than knitting a dozen flat pieces and seaming them all together with fingers crossed, the construction of this puppy is thoughtfully sequenced so the finished toy has a cohesive, three-dimensional quality. The body, limbs, and head all work together in proportion.

Second, there is the texture and personality. A good knitted toy has character, and this puppy absolutely delivers. The floppy ears, the slightly rounded belly, the soft paws — every element of the design contributes to the impression of a real, sleepy, cuddly puppy. When stuffed and finished properly, it has the kind of heft and softness that makes it irresistible to pick up and squeeze.

Third, there is the versatility. The pattern lends itself beautifully to customization. Change the yarn color and you can make a golden Labrador, a chocolate brown spaniel, a white and black dalmatian-inspired pup, or really any dog breed your imagination suggests. Add embroidered details or use safety eyes of different sizes, and each puppy you make will have its own distinct expression and personality.

Yarn and Materials

Choosing the right yarn for this project makes a significant difference in the finished result. Because this is a stuffed toy, you want a yarn that has some body to it — something that will hold its shape once stuffed and not become limp or saggy over time.

A double knitting weight (DK) or worsted weight yarn in a smooth, consistent fiber works beautifully for this project. Many knitters reach for a soft acrylic or an acrylic blend, which has the advantage of being washable — a major practical consideration if the finished toy will end up in the hands of a child. Wool or wool blends are also lovely and give the toy a particularly warm, natural texture, but make sure the recipient can handle the washing requirements.

Some knitters prefer to work this pattern in a yarn with a slight halo or fuzz, which gives the finished puppy an almost furry appearance. A mohair blend held alongside a smooth DK, or a brushed acrylic yarn, can produce wonderfully convincing fur texture. If you go this route, keep in mind that fuzzy yarn can make it harder to see your stitches clearly as you work, so it is best attempted once you are comfortable with the pattern rather than on a first try.

For stuffing, a good quality polyester toy stuffing is the standard choice. It is lightweight, washable, and keeps its shape well over time. Fill the puppy firmly but not to the point of distorting the fabric — you want the toy to feel solid and plush, not taut and stretched.

You will also need a pair of safety eyes in an appropriate size, embroidery thread or yarn for the nose and mouth details, and a tapestry needle for seaming and finishing. If the toy is intended for very young children, consider embroidering the eyes rather than using plastic safety eyes, as an extra precaution.

Needle Size and Gauge

Working at a tighter gauge than you might use for a garment is generally recommended for knitted toys. A tighter fabric means the stuffing cannot poke through the gaps between stitches, which keeps the toy looking polished and professional.

Pat Ashforth’s patterns typically include guidance on gauge, and it is worth taking the time to knit a gauge swatch before you begin. Even if you are an experienced knitter who rarely swatches for garments, doing so for a toy is good practice because the size of the finished object matters when you are aiming for the right proportions. A puppy that ends up significantly larger or smaller than intended will still be adorable, but its body parts may not relate to each other in quite the way the designer envisioned.

Use the needle size recommended on the pattern and your yarn label as a starting point, and then adjust as needed. Going down half a needle size is a common approach to achieving that desirable, tighter fabric for toy knitting.

Understanding the Construction

Without giving away the specific proprietary details of the pattern itself, we can talk generally about how Pat Ashforth structures her toy constructions, which follows a logic common to her Toys from the Toybox projects.

The puppy is typically worked in sections — the body being the central piece from which the overall shape is built, with the head, legs, and ears worked either separately or as continuations of existing pieces depending on the specific instructions. The shaping relies on increases and decreases to create curves and dimension rather than just flat panels.

One of the joys of working through a Pat Ashforth toy pattern is that the shaping instructions, once you understand the logic of what they are trying to achieve, feel almost intuitive. Each section of increases builds outward toward the fullest part of a body curve, and then decreases bring it back in again. As you work through the rows, the fabric starts to curve and cup and three-dimensionalize in a way that is genuinely satisfying to watch happening on your needles.

Pay close attention to the row-by-row instructions and keep a stitch marker or row counter handy. This is not a pattern you want to try to memorize or work from memory — following along carefully ensures that your shaping happens exactly where it should.

Assembling the Puppy

For many knitters, assembly is the part of toy-making that feels most daunting, and it is true that the seaming and finishing of a stuffed toy requires a slightly different approach than seaming garment pieces. But take it one step at a time and you will find it is entirely manageable and, eventually, very rewarding.

Before you begin seaming, lay all your finished pieces out and orient them correctly. Check that ears are matched in size and shape, that legs are paired correctly, and that you have a clear sense of where everything attaches to the body.

Use mattress stitch for seaming visible joins, as it produces a nearly invisible seam that keeps the surface of the toy looking smooth and professional. For joining limbs and ears, you want the attachment to be secure — work back and forth several times through the attachment point and weave in your end thoroughly.

Stuff the body and head firmly as you close the final seams. It can be helpful to stuff in stages if your construction method allows it, rather than leaving all the stuffing to the very end. Reaching into a nearly-closed piece to stuff it adequately is awkward and often results in uneven filling.

Once the main seaming is done, attach the safety eyes at the marked positions — or, if you are embroidering the eyes, do this step last when you can see the whole assembled face and make small adjustments for expression. The position of the eyes makes a tremendous difference to the personality of the finished toy, so take your time with placement and use pins to try out different positions before committing.

Adding Embroidered Details

The nose and mouth of a knitted animal toy are small details that have an outsized impact on the finished character. A few well-placed stitches in the right color can give your puppy a worried look, a happy look, a sleepy look, or a mischievous look.

For a realistic dog nose, work a satin stitch in a roughly triangular or oval shape using black or dark brown embroidery thread or a thin strand of yarn. Then add the smile lines beneath in a simple inverted Y shape, keeping the stitches loose enough to sit softly on the fabric rather than pulling or puckering.

If you want to add extra character, a tiny highlight stitch in white thread on the nose gives it a wet, shiny appearance that reads convincingly as a dog’s nose from any distance. It is a small touch that makes a big difference.

Customizing Your Puppy

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the Puppy from Toys from the Toybox Part II is how beautifully it lends itself to customization. Every yarn choice, every color decision, every finishing touch shapes a unique character.

Here are a few ideas for making each puppy your own. Working in a solid golden yellow or warm tan creates a classic golden retriever or Labrador puppy look. Adding patches of a second color in intarsia or by duplicate stitch after finishing can suggest a hound, a beagle, or a terrier mix. A very dark charcoal or black yarn with tan eyebrow spots produces a convincing Doberman or Rottweiler puppy. Working the ears in a slightly longer or floppier version can suggest a cocker spaniel or basset hound.

You can also play with scale. Working the pattern in a lighter weight yarn on smaller needles produces a pocket-sized mini puppy, perfect as a bag charm or a smaller gift. Working in a heavier, chunkier yarn produces a larger, more huggable version that toddlers especially tend to love.

Knitting the Puppy as a Gift

One of the most common reasons people search for and knit this particular pattern is that it makes an exceptional handmade gift. A hand-knitted puppy carries the warmth and care of all the hours that went into making it, and it becomes the kind of toy that is kept and treasured for years.

For baby or toddler gifts, use a soft, hypoallergenic yarn in gentle colors, embroider the eyes rather than using plastic safety eyes, and make sure all seams are very secure. For older children, the full range of colors and details opens up, and you can even collaborate with the child on the design if they are involved in the anticipation of the gift. For adult recipients — and do not underestimate the number of adults who treasure a beautifully made knitted animal — a more sophisticated color palette or a yarn with luxurious texture elevates the toy into something that sits as much in the category of fiber art as it does in the category of toy.

Tips for Success

A few practical suggestions from knitters who have worked this pattern will help your project go smoothly from cast-on to final finishing stitch.

Read through the entire pattern before you begin. This sounds obvious, but it is genuinely valuable with a construction that has multiple pieces and a specific assembly sequence. Understanding where you are headed before you start means you will not be surprised by a step mid-project.

Use stitch markers generously. Mark the beginning of rounds, mark key increase and decrease points, and use different colored markers to distinguish different types of markers if needed. The small investment in attention to markers pays off in accuracy throughout.

Do not rush the stuffing stage. The way a toy is stuffed determines how it looks and feels for the rest of its life. Stuff as you go when possible, ensure even distribution throughout the piece, and err on the side of slightly firmer rather than softer stuffing for a toy that will hold its shape through years of play.

Photograph your finished puppy in good natural light. These toys photograph beautifully, and sharing your finished object on Ravelry or Instagram is a lovely way to connect with other knitters who have loved this pattern.

Where to Find the Pattern

Toys from the Toybox Part II by Pat Ashforth is available through various knitting pattern retailers and platforms. Ravelry is an excellent place to search for the pattern by name and check for it in both digital and print formats. You may also find it through specialist knitting book retailers or through websites associated with Pat Ashforth and Steve Plummer’s design work directly.

When purchasing any pattern, buying from official sources ensures that the designer receives proper credit and compensation for their work — an important consideration when supporting independent knitting designers who contribute so much to the craft community.

Final Thoughts

The Puppy from Toys from the Toybox Part II by Pat Ashforth is one of those knitting projects that reminds you why you fell in love with the craft in the first place. It asks for your attention and your time, and in return it gives you something genuinely beautiful, useful, and full of personality. Whether you make it for a child you love, for a dog-loving friend, or simply for the pleasure of the making itself, this pattern delivers the deep satisfaction that comes from turning a skein of yarn into something that looks back at you with soft button eyes and a stitched-on smile.

If you have knitted this pattern, leave a comment and share your experience — what yarn did you use, what breed did your puppy most resemble, and who did you make it for? This community thrives on shared knowledge and shared enthusiasm, and nothing makes a knitting post come alive quite like hearing from people who have actually worked the stitches.

Happy knitting.