Shih Tzu in James C. Brett Faux Fur - Downloadable PDF

Shih Tzu Knitted Toy Pattern in James C. Brett Faux Fur Chunky by Amanda Berry

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern by designer Amanda Berry guides knitters through creating an adorable Shih Tzu toy dog, measuring approximately 10cm tall and 19cm long. Published by Deramores, this intermediate-level pattern is a wonderful project for knitters who enjoy making stuffed animal toys with a luxuriously fluffy, realistic finish. Please note that the finished toy is not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts.

Amanda Berry is a specialist in knitted toys, having graduated from the London College of Fashion with First Class Honours in 2014. Her designs are known for their charming character and tactile appeal, achieved by stuffing each creation with soft toy filling to bring the finished pieces to life.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a single knitted Shih Tzu dog toy, complete with a sculpted body, facial features, and decorative details including a tongue. The finished toy captures the distinctive fluffy coat of the Shih Tzu breed, made possible by the use of specialist faux fur yarn. The design is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques and working with novelty yarns.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is specifically designed for James C. Brett Faux Fur Chunky, a nylon yarn that mimics the texture of real fur and gives the finished toy its characteristic fluffy appearance. Two colourways are used:

• Yarn A: 1 x 100g ball in White
• Yarn B: 1 x 100g ball in Black & White

The combination of these two colourways replicates the classic black and white colouring typical of the Shih Tzu breed. As a chunky weight yarn, James C. Brett Faux Fur works up quickly and produces a satisfyingly dense, plush fabric ideal for toy making.

Needles and Tension

The pattern calls for 3.5mm straight knitting needles. The stated tension is 19 stitches x 25 rows = 10cm x 10cm, measured over stockinette stitch using 3.5mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is particularly important in toy making, as it ensures the finished dimensions are accurate and that the fabric is tight enough to hold the toy filling securely without gaps showing through.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This pattern uses a range of fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The primary fabric is worked in stockinette stitch (alternating knit and purl rows), which creates a smooth base fabric that is then transformed by the faux fur yarn into a fluffy, textured surface. Key stitches and techniques referenced in the pattern include:

• K (Knit): The foundational knit stitch used throughout the pattern
• P (Purl): Used on wrong-side rows to create stockinette fabric
• Kfb (Knit into front and back of same stitch): An increase technique used to add stitches and shape the toy's body parts
• K2tog (Knit 2 stitches together): A decrease technique used to reduce stitch counts and create smooth, rounded shaping
• Rep (Repeat): Sections of the pattern are repeated to create symmetrical or uniform sections
• Seaming and assembly: Using a tapestry or yarn needle to join knitted sections together and stuff the finished toy

Additional Materials and Notions

Beyond yarn and needles, several extra materials are required to complete the finished Shih Tzu toy:

• Toy filling: 150g of toy stuffing to give the dog its three-dimensional shape
• Two 9mm toy safety eyes for the face
• One 15mm toy safety nose
• White felt fabric to back the washers of the safety eyes and nose, as noted in the pattern instructions
• 30cm black