My new book is here! Short Dog, Long Dog is a picture book all about dogs doing opposites. Because dogs come in all shapes, sizes, barks, and personalities—from huge and tiny to itchy on the head and scratchy on the hiney—they’re the perfect subjects on the topic of antonyms!
I absolutely loved putting this book together and I hope you’ll love reading it and sharing it. It’s for kids, dog lovers, word nerds, and knitters alike! Find it at Amazon and other major booksellers, and hopefully also at your local bookstore and yarn shop too. (If not, ask them to get it!)
This free pattern is a quick, simple project that will make a short dog or a long dog—your choice! Either or both will make a fun gift to go with Short Dog, Long Dog. Enjoy!
Pattern Details
Yarn
Worsted-weight yarn in a main color (10-50 yards, depending on how short or long your dog will be) and black or other contrasting colors for eyes, nose, and mouth
Sample yarn: Gnome Depot Fiber Porcini Worsted, Cascade 220
Needles
Set of size 5 US (3.75mm) double-pointed needles
Other supplies
• Stuffing
• Tapestry needle
Techniques
Knitting in the round on double-pointed needles, I-cord
Finished Size
A short dog is about 2” (5cm) long; a long dog can be as long as you like!
Notes
• Gauge isn’t important—just make stitches tight enough so that stuffing won’t show through.
• Scrap yarn works great for this project, in any weight—just use a needle size that will give you a tight gauge.
Abbreviations
DPN(s) = double-pointed needle(s)
K = knit
K2tog = knit two stitches together
Kfb = knit through the front and then the back of one stitch
St(s) = stitch(es)
Rnd(s) = round(s)
YO = yarnover
Body (worked back to front)
Work rear end and back leg holes
With the main color, cast on 6 stitches and distribute them onto 3 DPNs to work in a round.
Tip: If working 6 stitches on 3 DPNs is difficult for you, try working Round 1 like an I-cord before distributing the stitches.
Rnd 1: [Kfb] 6 times (12 sts).
Rnd 2: [Kfb, k1] 6 times (18 sts).
Rnd 3: Knit.
Rnd 4: K2, YO, k2tog, k to end.
Rnd 5: Knit.
Rnd 6: K14, k2tog, YO, k2.
Work middle
For a short dog: Knit 2 rounds.
For a long dog: Knit 50 rounds (pictured), or however many you like for as long of a dog as you like!
Work front leg holes and head
Rnd 1: K2, YO, k2tog, k to end.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: K14, k2tog, YO, k2.
Rnd 4: Knit.
Rnd 5: [K2tog, k1] 6 times (12 sts).
Stuff the piece, filling out the shape fully without over-stuffing.
Rnd 6: [K2tog] 6 times (6 sts).
Break the yarn and draw it tightly through the stitches with a tapestry needle.
Legs (make 2)
With the main color, cast 3 stitches onto one DPN.
Knit 9 rows of I-cord, then break the yarn and draw it tightly through the stitches with a tapestry needle.
With the tail still on the tapestry needle, draw the I-cord through two yarnover holes on the body to form two front legs or two back legs.
Weave the loose ends back through the I-cords and the body.
Face embroidery
With eye-color yarn, embroider the eyes with two small vertical stitches for each, placed on one side of the body, close to the closed-up stitches at the front.
With nose-color yarn, embroider a nose with another two small vertical stitches, between and just below the eyes.
Embroider a mouth with one small vertical stitch directly beneath the nose, and two diagonal stitches pointing up from either side of the vertical stitch.
Ears (make 2)
With the main color, cast 4 stitches onto one DPN, leaving a tail for attaching.
You will work these stitches as an I-cord, but without pulling the yarn tightly when working the first stitch of each row.
Rows 1 and 2: Knit.
Row 3: [K2tog] twice (2 sts).
Break the yarn and draw it tightly through the stitches with a tapestry needle.
With the purl side facing forward, stitch the cast-on edge of each ear to the body, a few stitches back from an eye. As you weave in the ends, you can stitch the ears down against the head, point them upright, or leave them free and floppy.
Tail
With the main color, cast 2 stitches onto one DPN.
Knit 6 rows of I-cord.
Break the yarn and draw it tightly through the stitches with a tapestry needle.
With the tail still on the tapestry needle, insert the end of the I-cord into the body, just above the cast-on area. Pull the I-cord partially into the body—pull it farther in for a short, stubby tail.
Weave in the loose ends.
Enjoy your short or long dog!
© 2025 Mochimochi Land, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Please do not copy or distribute any part of this pattern without permission.
Please do not sell items made from this pattern without permission.