Herbie the Basset Hound in Deramores Studio DK - Downloadable PDF

Herbie the Basset Hound – Knitted Toy Pattern by Amanda Berry in Deramores Studio DK

Herbie the Basset Hound is a charming knitted stuffed toy designed by Amanda Berry, a toy maker known for creating soft, huggable knitted characters stuffed with fluff and fuzz. This downloadable PDF pattern from Deramores guides knitters through constructing a detailed and characterful Basset Hound toy using Deramores Studio DK yarn. The finished toy is worked in multiple pieces that are seamed together, resulting in a three-dimensional stuffed figure with classic Basset Hound markings and personality.

Please note: The finished toy is not suitable for children under 3 years of age due to small parts, including toy safety eyes.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single finished design: Herbie the Basset Hound, a knitted stuffed toy animal. The Basset Hound is a beloved breed recognised for its long, drooping ears, soulful eyes, and low-slung body, and this pattern captures those endearing features in knitted form. The toy is constructed from multiple separately knitted pieces that are sewn together and stuffed to create a soft, three-dimensional figure.

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round and flat: Pieces are worked flat on straight needles and then seamed together using a darning or tapestry needle.
• Shaping: The pattern makes extensive use of increasing and decreasing techniques to sculpt the body, head, ears, legs, and tail of the toy into realistic proportions.
• Seaming and assembly: Individual knitted sections are sewn together to construct the finished toy, a technique central to knitted toy making.
• Stuffing: Toy stuffing is inserted during assembly to give Herbie his three-dimensional, huggable form.
• Embellishment: Two 12mm toy safety eyes are attached to bring Herbie's face to life.
• Colourwork: Multiple yarn colours are used across different sections of the toy to replicate the Basset Hound's characteristic coat markings, worked by changing colours between pieces rather than complex stranded colourwork.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K): The foundational stitch used throughout the pattern.
• Purl (P): Used in combination with knit stitches to create stockinette stitch fabric.
• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch pattern used across the toy's body sections, producing a smooth, even fabric ideal for toy making.
• kfb (Knit into the front and back): An increase stitch used to add stitches and shape the toy's curved sections.
• k2tog (Knit two together): A right-leaning decrease stitch used to reduce stitches and shape the toy.
• General decreasing (dec): Used throughout to taper and sculpt the individual pieces of the toy.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Deramores Studio DK in four colourways:
  • Gingerbread (Yarn A) – 1 x 100g ball
  • Chocolate (Yarn B) – 1 x 100g ball
  • Ebony (Yarn C) – 1 x 100g ball
  • Frost (Yarn D) – 1 x 100g ball
• Needles: A pair of 3.75mm straight knitting needles (US size 5).
• Tension: Approximately 22 stitches x 28 rows over a 10cm x 10cm square in stockinette stitch on 3.75mm needles.
• Extras: Toy stuffing, a darning or tapestry needle for seaming, and two 12mm toy safety eyes.