People have always had a special friendship with dogs, especially the Eskimo or Inuit people in snowy regions. Husky dogs, with their thick coats and incredible stamina, are ideal companions in countries where the temperature is often below freezing point. This little husky dog isn’t much more than a puppy, so may not be able to pull very much on his own. But with his bright eyes and smiling face, his enthusiasm will make up for what he lacks in strength.

The pattern is from the book Kath Dalmeny’s World of Knitted Toys, and the full list of over 50 projects is shown below. The book also contains a pattern for the Eskimo girl doll, instructions for making a husky harness, and a template for a cardboard sledge for him to pull.

The husky dog pattern calls for 25g DK in light grey mohair, 25g DK in white mohair, scraps of DK in black for features. The pattern also suggests that with colour variations in brown and black, the toy could be worked as an Alsatian dog.

The pattern also suggests using 10mm (3/8 inch) toy safety eyes, but black yarn stitches would also be appropriate.

KATH DALMENY’S WORLD OF KNITTED TOYS patterns list

The book contains over 50 patterns for making adorable knitted toys – people and animals from all over the world. Each chapter covers a different habitat, the animals that make their homes there, and one of the people who live there, with accessories to represent their lives or work. The knitting patterns are listed under three categories – Easy; Straightforward; and Challenging, to help knitters choose the project that is right for you. The projects are as follows:

BASIC PERSON PATTERN
(which is then adapted for the people patterns below)

IN THE JUNGLE

• South American Indian
• Spider monkey – mother and baby
• Snake
• Tiger cub
• Gorilla
• Orang utan
• Parrot
• Banana

AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK

• Australian sheep farmer (complete with corks hanging from his hat!)
• Merino sheep
• Koala bear
• Duck-billed platypus
• Wombat
• Kangaroo and Joey

DOWN ON THE FARM

• Farmer
• Highland bull
• Pigs and piglets
• Cat
• Mallard duck
• Chicken, cockerel and chicks

THE DEEP BLUE SEA

• Pearl fisherman
• Dolphin
• Shark
• Killer whale
• Turtle
• Octopus
• Clownfish

FOREST FRIENDS

• Canadian Mountie
• Horse
• Grizzly bear
• Beaver
• Raccoon
• Chipmunk
• Moose

ON SAFARI

• African Park Ranger
• Zebra
• Lion family – lion, lioness and lion cub
• Rhinoceros
• Elephant
• Warthog

THE SNOWY REGIONS

• Eskimo
• Husky dog
• Fish
• Penguins – Emperor penguins and Adelie penguins – parents and chicks
• Seal
• Walrus
• Polar bear

PATTERN VARIATIONS

• Sea lion
• Panda bear