Shep the Border Collie in Deramores Studio DK Acrylic - Downloadable PDF

Shep the Border Collie Knitted Toy

What Is Being Made

Shep the Border Collie is an advanced knitting pattern for a stuffed toy dog designed by Amanda Berry. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished toy standing approximately 21cm tall, featuring the distinctive markings and characteristics of a Border Collie breed. The toy is constructed from multiple knitted pieces that are sewn together and filled with toy stuffing to create a three-dimensional plush companion.

Techniques Used

This advanced knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques to shape and construct the Border Collie toy. The pattern utilizes stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, creating a smooth, classic knitted surface. Shaping is achieved through strategic increases and decreases worked into the knitted fabric. Kfb (knit into the front and back of the stitch) creates increases to expand sections of the toy, while K2tog (knit two stitches together) decreases are used to reduce stitches and form tapered sections. The toy is constructed using the knit and purl combination method, allowing the designer to create visual texture and color blocking that defines the Border Collie's characteristic black and white markings. Assembly involves mattress stitch seaming or similar techniques to join the various knitted pieces invisibly, creating a seamless finished toy.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The foundation stitch used throughout most of the toy, creating the smooth fabric base
• Kfb (Knit Front and Back): An increase technique for shaping the toy's body, head, and limbs
• K2tog (Knit Two Together): A decrease technique for tapering and shaping sections
• Garter Stitch or Reverse Stockinette: Potentially used for textural details or specific design elements

Materials and Specifications

This pattern calls for Deramores Studio DK yarn, a double knitting weight (light worsted) acrylic yarn. You will need 1 x 100g ball in Frost (Yarn A) for the primary color, 1 x 100g ball in Ebony (Yarn B) for the contrasting color, and less than 1gm of Deramores Studio DK in Raspberry (Yarn C) for the collar accent. The yarn weight is DK (double knitting), a versatile medium weight suitable for toys and accessories.

Needles required are 3.75mm straight knitting needles (US size 5). The recommended tension is approximately 22 stitches and 28 rows per 10cm x 10cm square in stockinette stitch on 3.75mm needles, though the pattern notes that tension is not critical for toy construction.

Additional materials include toy filling for stuffing the completed pieces, two 12mm toy safety eyes for facial features, and a 10mm diameter red button for the collar. A darning or tapestry needle is essential for seaming the knitted pieces together and weaving in ends. The finished toy is not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts including the safety eyes and button.

Design and Construction Notes

As an advanced pattern, Shep the Border Collie requires solid foundational knitting skills and experience with toy construction. The use of two contrasting colors (Frost and Ebony) allows for the creation of the Border Collie's signature black and white coat pattern. The pattern employs strategic color changes and shaping techniques to achieve the dog's recognizable form. The addition of safety eyes and a decorative collar button adds personality and finishing detail to the completed toy.