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Knitting Toys: Dog to Doghouse

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Because the love of dogs is universal, this knit toy will bring a smile every time. Make it for the dog lover of any age in your life — or for the person you constantly have to “send” to the doghouse!
Because the love of dogs is universal, this knit toy will bring a smile every time. Make it for the dog lover of any age in your life — or for the person you constantly have to “send” to the doghouse!
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Feel free to change the colors of the doghouse, the dog, or both to best represent the dog in your house...And, instead of appliquéing dog on the front of the house, you can personalize your doghouse with your favorite canine’s name.
Feel free to change the colors of the doghouse, the dog, or both to best represent the dog in your house...And, instead of appliquéing dog on the front of the house, you can personalize your doghouse with your favorite canine’s name.
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Among the dozen enchanting knit projects in "Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys" are a dog in a doghouse, a chrysalis with a fluttery surprise inside, a tiny hidden fairy, and pigs in a blanket with photographic sequences and line drawings to show how each finished reversible can be turned inside out to reveal its companion toy.

From the amazingly imaginative mind of author and knitter Susan B. Anderson, comes a knitting book solely focused on creating “Reversibles” — knitted projects that are two toys in one. Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys (Artisan Books, 2013) contains step-by-step instructions for knitting a collection of toys that, in one easy flip, become brand new characters for child’s play. The following excerpt will show you the basics of knitting toys, featuring the Dog in the Doghouse.

You can purchase this book from the Capper’s Farmer store: Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys

Knitting Toys: Dog in the Doghouse

I love that saying about someone being in the doghouse. Whether your dog in the doghouse is a person or an actual dog, you’ll enjoy making this quick-knit project. Feel free to change the colors of the doghouse, the dog, or both to best represent the dog in your house. Any worsted-weight yarn will work just fine to make this knit toy.

And, instead of appliquéing dog on the front of the house, you can personalize your doghouse with your favorite canine’s name.

Because the love of dogs is universal, this toy will bring a smile every time. Make it for the dog lover of any age in your life — or for the person you constantly have to “send” to the doghouse!

Abbreviation Key:

k — knit
k2tog — knit two stitches together
kfb — knit in the front and back of the same stitch
m1 — make 1 stitch by placing the bar in between the stitches on the left needle and knitting through the back loop
p — purl
rem — remain(s)
rnd(s) — round(s)
ssk — slip two stitches one at a time as if to knit, and knit these two stitches together through the back loops
st(s) — stitches

Finished Measurement

Doghouse: 3 inches tall
Dog: 3 inches tall

Yarn

Quince & Co. Lark (100% American wool; 50 grams/134 yards/123 meters), worsted weight, 1 skein each in Egret #101 (Color A),Winesap #133 (Color B), Bark #121 (Color C), and Chanterelle #118 (Color D)

Needles

U.S. size 5 (3.75 mm) double-pointed needles, set of five, or size to obtain gauge

Gauge

5 1/2 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

Notions

Detachable stitch markers
Ruler or tape measure
Scissors
Yarn needle
Fiberfill
Black embroidery floss

Doghouse

House

Starting at the bottom of the doghouse, with Color A, cast on 48 stitches, placing
12 stitches on each of four double-pointed needles. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Place a stitch marker on the first stitch.

Rnd 1: Purl.
Rnd 2: (p1, knit to the last stitch on the needle, p1), repeat on each needle.
Repeat Round 2 until the Doghouse measures 2 1/2 inches above the purl round.

Roof points

Knit across Needle 1. Turn. Purl back. Working back and forth on this needle only, continue as follows:

Row 1: Ssk, knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog.
Row 2: Purl.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 2 stitches remain. End with a Row 1.

Pass the second stitch over and off the needle (1 st remains).

Cut the yarn and pull the end through the remaining stitch.

Reattach the yarn to work on Needle 2. Bind off the stitches on Needle 2. Continue on to Needle 3.

Needle 3: Repeat Needle 1 to make the second roof point.

Reattach the yarn to work on Needle 4. Bind off the stitches on Needle 4.

Cut the yarn and pull the end through the remaining stitch.

Turn the Doghouse inside out so the purl side is facing out.

Roof

With Color B and two double-pointed needles used to work back and forth in
rows, cast on 14 stitches. Work in garter stitch (knit every row) until the roof measures 5 inches from the cast-on edge.

Bind off. Cut the yarn, leaving a 12-inch end. Pull the end through the remaining stitch.

Place the end on a yarn needle. Whipstitch the roof to the top of the Doghouse, leaving a couple of garter ridges as overhang for the edges of the roof. Tack the overhang edges down to the sides of the house. Pull the ends to the inside, weave in, and trim.

Door

With Color C and two double-pointed needles used to work back and forth in rows, cast on 8 stitches. Work in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) until the door measures 1 1/4 inches from the cast-on edge. End with a purl row.

Decrease for the Top of the Door

Row 1: Ssk, knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog (6 sts rem).
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Repeat Row 1.

Bind off in purl. Cut the yarn and pull the end through the remaining stitch. Place the end on a yarn needle, weave it into the purl side, and trim.

Place the end from the cast-on stitches on a yarn needle and whipstitch the door to the front of the Doghouse. Pull the end between the layers and trim.

Finishing

With a length of black embroidery floss placed on a yarn needle, take straight stitches to form the letters to spell dog.

Dog

Body

With Color D, pick up 48 stitches around the cast-on edge of the Doghouse, placing 16 stitches on each of three double-pointed needles. Place a stitch marker on the first stitch.

Purl 1 round.

Knit every round until the body measures 3 1/4 inches above the purl round.

Decrease Rounds

Rnd 1: (k6, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round (14 sts per needle, 42 sts total rem).
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: (k5, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round (12 sts per needle, 36 sts total rem).
Rnd 4: (k4, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round (10 sts per needle, 30 sts total rem).
Rnd 5: Knit.
Rnd 6: (k3, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round (8 sts per needle, 24 sts total rem).
Rnd 7: (k2, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round (6 sts per needle, 18 sts total rem).
Rnd 8: (k1, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round (4 sts per needle, 12 sts total rem).
Rnd 9: (k1, k2tog, k1), repeat on each needle (3 sts per needle, 9 sts total rem).

Cut the yarn and place the end on a yarn needle. Pull the end through the remaining stitches and tighten to close the hole. Leave the end out to use later.

Head

Starting at the back of the head with Color D, cast on 9 stitches, placing 3 stitches on each of three double-pointed needles. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Place a stitch marker on the first stitch.

Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: Kfb in each stitch (6 sts per needle, 18 sts total).
Rnd 3: Knit.
Rnd 4: Kfb in each stitch (12 sts per needle, 36 sts total).
Rnd 5: Knit.

Place a stitch marker on Round 5 and leave it there. Knit every round until the head measures 1 inch above the stitch marker on Round 5.

Decrease Rounds

Needle 1 is the underside of the head.

Rnd 1: Needle 1: knit (12 sts); Needles 2 and 3: (k4, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round (10 sts per needle rem); 32 sts total rem.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: Needle 1: knit (12 sts); Needles 2 and 3: (k3, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round (8 sts per needle rem); 28 sts total rem.
Rnd 4: Needle 1: ssk, knit to the last 2 stitches, k2tog (10 sts rem); Needles 2 and 3: knit (8 sts per needle); 26 sts total rem.
Rnd 5: Needle 1: knit (10 sts); Needles 2 and 3: (k2, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round (6 sts per needle rem); 22 sts total rem.
Rnd 6: Needle 1: ssk, knit to the last 2 stitches, k2tog (8 sts rem); Needles 2 and 3: knit (6 sts per needle); 20 sts total rem.
Rnd 7: Repeat Round 6 (18 sts total rem).

At this point, place the end from the cast-on stitches on a yarn needle. Take some stitches to close the hole at the back of the head. Pull the end to the inside and trim. Stuff the head with fiberfill, and continue to stuff.

Rnds 8 and 9: Knit.
Rnd 10: (k1, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round (4 sts per needle, 12 sts total rem).
Rnd 11: Switch to Color C. Knit.

Finish any remaining stuffing. Cut the yarn and place the end on a yarn needle. Pull the end through the remaining stitches and tighten to close the hole. Pull the end to the inside and trim.

Place the end from the top of the body on a yarn needle. Using the photo as a guide, whipstitch the head to the top of the body, making sure the Dog’s face is pointing in the opposite direction of the door on the Doghouse. The head should be placed slightly toward the front of the body. You should be able to see the gathered hole at the top of the body after the head is attached. Pull the end to the inside and trim.

Face

Eyes

With a length of embroidery floss or Color C on a yarn needle, take 1 small horizontal straight stitch for each eye.

Mouth

With a cut length of black embroidery floss placed on a yarn needle, take a straight stitch coming down from the center of the nose. Take 2 straight stitches at the bottom of the center line, and on both sides, to form a smile.

Ears (make 2)

With two double-pointed needles, pick up 6 stitches on the side of the head with
3 stitches on each of the two needles (see page 12). Begin working in the round with Color C. Place a stitch marker on the first stitch.

Rnds 1 and 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: (k1, m1, k1, m1, k1), repeat on each needle (5 sts per needle, 10 sts total).
Rnds 4–8: Knit.
Rnd 9: (k1, m1, k3, m1, k1), repeat on each needle (7 sts per needle, 14 sts total).
Rnds 10 and 11: Knit.

Cut the yarn and place the end on a yarn needle. Use the Kitchener stitch to graft the tip of the ear together. Pull the end to the inside and come out again on the underside of the ear. Tack down the ear by taking a couple of stitches. Pull the end to the inside of the head and trim.

Paws (make 2)

With two double-pointed needles, pick up 8 stitches above the purl round at the front of the body, placing 4 stitches on each of the two needles. Begin to work in the round with Color C. Place a stitch marker on the first stitch.

Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb), repeat to the end of the round (6 sts per needle, 12 sts total rem).
Rnds 3–5: Knit.
Rnd 6: (ssk, k2, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round (4 sts per needle, 8 sts total rem).

Stuff lightly with fiberfill. Cut the yarn and place the end on a yarn needle. Use the Kitchener stitch to graft the edges of the paw together. Pull the end to the inside and trim.

Tail

With Color C and two double-pointed needles, pick up 6 stitches at the lower and center back of the body, placing 3 stitches on each of the two needles. Begin working in the round, placing a stitch marker on the first stitch.

Rnds 1–5: Knit.
Rnd 6: Ssk, k2, k2tog (4 sts rem).
Rnd 7: Ssk, k2tog (2 sts rem).

Place both stitches on one needle and k2tog (1 st rem).

Cut the yarn and pull the end through the remaining stitch. Place the end on a yarn needle, pull it to the inside, and trim.

Spot

With Color C and two double-pointed needles used to work back and forth, cast on 3 stitches.

Row 1: K1, m1, k1, m1, k1 (5 sts).
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K1, m1, k3, m1, k1 (7 sts).
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K1, m1, k5, m1, k1 (9 sts).
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: Knit.
Row 8: Purl.
Row 9: K1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1 (7 sts rem).
Row 10: Purl.
Row 11: K1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1 (5 sts rem).
Row 12: Purl.
Row 13: Ssk, k1, k2tog (3 sts rem).

Bind off in purl. Cut the yarn and pull the end through the remaining stitch. Place the end on a yarn needle, weave it into the purl side, and trim.

Place the end from the cast-on stitches on a yarn needle and whipstitch the spot to the back of the Dog, to the right of the tail and up about an inch, using the photo as a guide.

Tuck the Dog inside the Doghouse.


How to Stitch on an Appliqué by Hand

Appliqué is often used when knitting toys to add something interesting or unique to the top of the knitted fabric. In this case, the Doghouse is knit up in one color and the door is knit as an appliqué to add on later. A simple whipstitch is used to sew the appliqué to the front of the house.

1. Using the end from the cast-on edge placed on a yarn needle and aligning the door with the center and lower front of the Doghouse, you are ready to begin. This appliqué is small, so holding it in place with your thumb works well. If you have a bigger appliqué, it is helpful to pin it in place while sewing it onto the toy.

2. Insert the needle through one strand of a stitch on the house and one strand on the edge of the door. Pull the yarn through to create the first stitch.

3. Move up to the next stitch above, insert the needle through one strand of a stitch on the house, and…

4 …through one strand on the door; then pull the yarn through. Repeat until the entire door is attached to the house. Pull the end between the layers of fabric and trim.

Read more: Create another “Reversible” in Knitting Toys: Egg to Penguin.


Excerpted from Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys by Susan B. Anderson (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2013. Photographs by Liz Banfield. Buy this book from our store:Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys