Type
Knitting
Difficulty
intermediate
Category
custom
AI Thinking Process
Planning
1. **Design Strategy**: The Basset Hound is defined by its long body, short legs, and iconic long, drooping ears. To keep this beginner-friendly, I will use basic geometric shapes (cylinders and spheres) and standard increases (kfb) and decreases (k2tog). The color palette will be a classic tricolor (white, tan/brown, and black), though it can be worked in a single color for an absolute beginner.
2. **Construction Plan**: The toy will be worked in separate pieces and seamed together. This approach is often easier for beginners than complex 3D shaping.
- **Head**: Worked nose-to-back.
- **Body**: A long cylinder with rounded ends.
- **Ears**: Worked flat as long, rounded rectangles.
- **Legs**: Four short cylinders.
- **Tail**: A small, tapered piece.
3. **Quality Assurance**: Common pitfalls in toy knitting include loose tension (stuffing showing through) and asymmetrical limb placement. I will specify a smaller needle size than typical for worsted weight to ensure a dense fabric and provide clear landmarks for assembly.
4. **Final Calculations**:
- Gauge: 22 sts and 30 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette.
- Finished size: Approximately 10 inches (25.5 cm) long.
- Math check: All increase/decrease rounds will be verified for consistent stitch counts (multiples of 6 or 8).
Verification
[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS]
1. **Completeness**: Includes Materials, Gauge, Abbreviations, and step-by-step instructions for Head, Body, Ears, Legs, and Tail.
2. **Consistency**: Stitch counts have been cross-checked. (e.g., [6 sts + 6 kfb = 12 sts]).
3. **Constraints**: US terminology, imperial measurements, and worsted weight specs are applied.
4. **Safety**: Needle size (US 5) is intentionally small for worsted yarn to prevent stuffing leakage, a vital safety/quality step for toys.
Pattern
# Barnaby the Basset Hound
A classic, floppy-eared friend designed for the beginner knitter.
### MATERIALS
* **Yarn**: Worsted weight yarn (approx. 150 yards total).
* Color A: White (Chest, feet, tip of tail)
* Color B: Tan/Brown (Head, ears, patches)
* Color C: Black (Back/Saddle, nose)
* **Needles**: US 5 (3.75 mm) straight needles or circulars.
* **Notions**: Poly-fill stuffing, tapestry needle, 9mm safety eyes (or black yarn for embroidery), scissors.
### SPECIFICATIONS
* **Gauge**: 22 sts and 30 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. (Note: Gauge is not critical, but fabric should be firm.)
* **Finished Size**: Approx. 10 inches (25.5 cm) from nose to tail.
### ABBREVIATIONS
* **CO**: Cast on
* **k**: Knit
* **p**: Purl
* **kfb**: Knit front and back (increase 1 stitch)
* **k2tog**: Knit 2 stitches together (decrease 1 stitch)
* **St st**: Stockinette stitch (Knit 1 row, Purl 1 row)
* **sts**: Stitches
* **[ ]**: Repeat instructions within brackets
---
### INSTRUCTIONS
#### HEAD
*Worked from nose to back of head using Color B (Tan).*
CO 6 sts.
**Row 1 (WS):** Purl.
**Row 2 (RS):** [kfb] in each st. (12 sts)
**Row 3:** Purl.
**Row 4:** [k1, kfb] 6 times. (18 sts)
**Row 5:** Purl.
**Row 6:** [k2, kfb] 6 times. (24 sts)
**Rows 7-15:** Work in St st, starting with a P row.
**Row 16:** [k2, k2tog] 6 times. (18 sts)
**Row 17:** Purl.
**Row 18:** [k1, k2tog] 6 times. (12 sts)
**Row 19:** Purl.
**Row 20:** [k2tog] 6 times. (6 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining sts, pull tight.
#### BODY
*Worked in Color A (White) and Color C (Black) for a "saddle" effect.*
With Color A, CO 12 sts.
**Row 1 (WS):** Purl.
**Row 2 (RS):** [kfb] in each st. (24 sts)
**Row 3:** Purl.
**Row 4:** [k3, kfb] 6 times. (30 sts)
**Rows 5-10:** Work in St st (Color A).
**Rows 11-26:** Switch to Color C. Work in St st for 16 rows.
**Rows 27-32:** Switch back to Color A. Work in St st for 6 rows.
**Row 33:** [k3, k2tog] 6 times. (24 sts)
**Row 34:** Purl.
**Row 35:** [k2tog] 12 times. (12 sts)
**Row 36:** Purl.
**Row 37:** [k2tog] 6 times. (6 sts)
Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight.
#### EARS (Make 2)
*Worked flat in Color B (Tan).*
CO 8 sts.
**Rows 1-20:** Work in St st.
**Row 21:** k1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1. (6 sts)
**Row 22:** Purl.
**Row 23:** k1, [k2tog] 2 times, k1. (4 sts)
Bind off all sts.
#### LEGS (Make 4)
*Worked in Color A (White).*
CO 10 sts.
**Rows 1-8:** Work in St st.
**Row 9:** [k2tog] 5 times. (5 sts)
Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight.
#### TAIL
*Worked in Color A (White).*
CO 6 sts.
**Rows 1-6:** Work in St st.
**Row 7:** k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog. (4 sts)
**Row 8:** Purl.
Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight.
---
### ASSEMBLY
1. **Head**: Sew the side seam of the head using mattress stitch, stuffing firmly before closing.
2. **Eyes & Nose**: Attach safety eyes between Rows 8 and 9, about 8 sts apart. Embroider a large upside-down triangle in Black yarn for the nose at the CO edge.
3. **Body**: Sew the side seam of the body, stuffing firmly. Ensure the Color C (Black) section is positioned on the top (the back of the dog).
4. **Ears**: Sew the cast-on edge of the ears to the sides of the head at Row 14. They should hang low.
5. **Legs**: Sew the side seam of each leg and stuff. Attach to the bottom of the body. Basset hounds have short legs, so space them evenly at the front and back of the white sections of the body.
6. **Tail**: Sew the side seam, stuff lightly, and attach to the back end of the body.
7. **Finish**: Secure all yarn ends and weave them into the body.
Disclaimer: This pattern was generated by AI and should be reviewed for accuracy before use. While we strive for quality, AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify measurements, stitch counts, and instructions before beginning your project. Generated by purlJam.uk
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