Dera Dogs in Deramores Studio DK Acrylic - Downloadable PDF

Dera Dogs in Deramores Studio DK Acrylic by Amanda Berry – Knitted Toy Dog Pattern Summary

Designed by Amanda Berry, Dera Dogs is a charming intermediate-level knitting pattern available as a downloadable PDF. The pattern guides knitters through creating an adorable knitted toy Rottweiler, complete with a wearable collar, making it a rewarding project for crafters who have moved beyond the basics and are ready to tackle a three-dimensional stuffed toy construction.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a knitted Rottweiler toy dog, standing approximately 20cm tall. The pattern includes instructions for the dog itself as well as a miniature collar as an accessory detail. Because the finished toy contains small parts, including toy safety eyes and a button, it is not suitable for children under 3 years of age. This makes it ideal as a decorative keepsake, a gift for older children, or a display piece for dog lovers and collectors.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is designed to be knitted in Deramores Studio DK yarn, a DK weight (double knitting / light worsted) acrylic yarn. Two colourway options are provided for the Rottweiler's body, reflecting the breed's classic markings:

• Option 1 (Deramores Studio DK): Oatmeal (Yarn A) and Ebony (Yarn B) for the dog's body, with Mist (Yarn C) for the collar
• Option 2 (Paintbox Yarns Simply DK): Soft Fudge (Yarn A) and Pure Black (Yarn B) for the dog's body, with Misty Grey (Yarn C) for the collar

Each colour requires 1 x 100g ball, meaning the full project uses up to three colours across the body and collar sections. Both yarn options are DK weight, ensuring consistent tension and a neat, firm fabric suitable for toy construction.

Additional Materials Required

• A pair of 3.75mm (US 5) straight knitting needles
• Toy filling for stuffing the finished dog
• Two 9mm toy safety eyes
• A 10mm diameter button for the collar, along with a sewing needle and thread
• A darning or tapestry needle for seaming the knitted pieces together

Tension and Sizing

The recommended tension is 22 stitches x 28 rows over a 10cm x 10cm square worked in stockinette stitch on 3.75mm needles. The pattern notes that tension is not critical for this project, as slight variations will simply affect the final size of the toy rather than the overall appearance or construction. The finished dog measures approximately 20cm in height.

Techniques and Stitches Used

As an intermediate knitting pattern, Dera Dogs draws on a range of knitting techniques that go beyond simple flat knitting. Knitters will work with multiple pieces that are later assembled to create the three-dimensional form of the dog. Key techniques and stitches referenced in the pattern include:

• Knit stitch (K) – the foundational stitch used throughout
• Stockinette stitch – alternating knit and purl rows to create a smooth, classic fabric surface used for the body sections
• K2tog (Knit two together) – a right-leaning decrease used to shape the body parts, limbs, and head of the toy
• Colour work – working with two yarn colours (Yarn A and Yarn B) to replicate the Rottweiler's distinctive tan and black markings
• Seaming and assembly – using a darning or tapestry needle to join knitted pieces, stuff the toy, and attach features such as the safety eyes and collar button