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# Barney the Puppy — Crochet Amigurumi Pattern

A sweet sitting puppy with floppy ears and a cheeky muzzle. Worked in continuous spirals using UK crochet terminology.

**Finished Size:** Approximately 18 cm (7") tall when sitting
**Skill Level:** Intermediate

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran) yarn, approximately:
  - 100 g in main colour (MC) — suggested warm tan or soft grey
  - Small amount in contrast colour (CC) — cream or white for muzzle
  - Scrap of black for nose embroidery
- **Hook:** 3.5 mm (UK 9 / US E-4) — one size smaller than yarn label recommends, for tight tension
- **Safety eyes:** 2 × 9 mm black
- **Stuffing:** Polyester toy fibre-fill
- **Notions:** Stitch marker, yarn needle, scissors, pins

## Tension (Gauge)

20 dc × 22 rounds = 10 cm (4") square in continuous dc rounds.
Exact tension is not critical, but it must be tight enough that stuffing does not show through.

## Abbreviations (UK terms)

- **ch** — chain
- **dc** — double crochet (= US single crochet)
- **MR** — magic ring
- **inc** — 2 dc in same stitch
- **dec** — invisible decrease (insert hook in front loop only of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through remaining 2 loops)
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **rnd** — round
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **FO** — fasten off
- **[ ]** — stitch count at end of round
- **( ) × n** — repeat sequence n times

## Notes

- Work in a continuous spiral — **do not** join rounds unless specified.
- Use a stitch marker in the first st of each rnd, moving it up as you go.
- Stuff firmly as you go, especially before final decrease rounds.

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## HEAD (Make 1 in MC)

- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around **[12]**
- **Rnd 3:** (dc, inc) × 6 **[18]**
- **Rnd 4:** (2 dc, inc) × 6 **[24]**
- **Rnd 5:** (3 dc, inc) × 6 **[30]**
- **Rnd 6:** (4 dc, inc) × 6 **[36]**
- **Rnds 7–13:** dc in each st around (7 rnds) **[36]**

*Insert safety eyes between rnds 11 and 12, approximately 7 sts apart.*

- **Rnd 14:** (4 dc, dec) × 6 **[30]**
- **Rnd 15:** (3 dc, dec) × 6 **[24]**

*Begin stuffing firmly.*

- **Rnd 16:** (2 dc, dec) × 6 **[18]**
- **Rnd 17:** (dc, dec) × 6 **[12]**

*Top up stuffing.*

- **Rnd 18:** dec × 6 **[6]**

FO leaving a 30 cm tail for sewing. Weave tail through remaining 6 sts, pull closed.

*Math check: 6+6=12 ✓, 12+6=18 ✓, 18+6=24 ✓, 24+6=30 ✓, 30+6=36 ✓. Decreases mirror increases exactly.*

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## MUZZLE (Make 1 in CC)

- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around **[12]**
- **Rnd 3:** (dc, inc) × 6 **[18]**
- **Rnds 4–5:** dc in each st around **[18]**

FO leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff (stuff lightly when attaching).

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## EARS (Make 2 in MC) — floppy style

- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** (dc, inc) × 3 **[9]**
- **Rnds 3–4:** dc in each st around **[9]**
- **Rnd 5:** (2 dc, inc) × 3 **[12]**
- **Rnds 6–9:** dc in each st around (4 rnds) **[12]**
- **Rnd 10:** (2 dc, dec) × 3 **[9]**
- **Rnd 11:** dc in each st around **[9]**

Flatten the ear. Work 4 dc through both layers to close. FO leaving a long tail for sewing.
*Do not stuff — ears should flop naturally.*

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## BODY (Make 1 in MC)

- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around **[12]**
- **Rnd 3:** (dc, inc) × 6 **[18]**
- **Rnd 4:** (2 dc, inc) × 6 **[24]**
- **Rnd 5:** (3 dc, inc) × 6 **[30]**
- **Rnd 6:** (4 dc, inc) × 6 **[36]**
- **Rnd 7:** (5 dc, inc) × 6 **[42]**
- **Rnds 8–15:** dc in each st around (8 rnds) **[42]**
- **Rnd 16:** (5 dc, dec) × 6 **[36]**
- **Rnd 17:** dc in each st around **[36]**
- **Rnd 18:** (4 dc, dec) × 6 **[30]**
- **Rnd 19:** dc in each st around **[30]**
- **Rnd 20:** (3 dc, dec) × 6 **[24]**

*Stuff firmly.*

- **Rnd 21:** (2 dc, dec) × 6 **[18]**

FO leaving a long tail (approx. 60 cm) for sewing head to body. Do not close — the opening will attach to the head.

*Math check: increases total 42 sts; decreases leave 18 sts opening which aligns well with head base diameter.*

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## FRONT LEGS (Make 2 in MC)

- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around **[12]**
- **Rnd 3:** dc in each st around **[12]**
- **Rnd 4:** 3 dc, dec, 3 dc, dec, dc **[10]** *(shapes toe)*
- **Rnds 5–10:** dc in each st around (6 rnds) **[10]**

Stuff lightly. Flatten top opening and work 5 dc through both layers to close. FO leaving a long tail for sewing.

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## BACK LEGS (Make 2 in MC) — sitting pose, wider

- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around **[12]**
- **Rnd 3:** (dc, inc) × 6 **[18]**
- **Rnds 4–5:** dc in each st around **[18]**
- **Rnd 6:** 6 dc, (dec) × 3, 6 dc **[15]** *(shapes top of thigh)*
- **Rnds 7–8:** dc in each st around **[15]**

Stuff lightly to moderately. Flatten opening and work 7 dc through both layers to close. FO leaving a long tail for sewing.

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## TAIL (Make 1 in MC)

- **Rnd 1:** 5 dc in MR **[5]**
- **Rnds 2–6:** dc in each st around (5 rnds) **[5]**
- **Rnd 7:** inc, 4 dc **[6]**
- **Rnds 8–9:** dc in each st around **[6]**

FO leaving a long tail. Stuff very lightly.

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## ASSEMBLY

Work on a flat surface and pin each piece before sewing. Use whip stitch or ladder stitch with matching yarn throughout.

1. **Muzzle:** Pin to front of head, centred just below the safety eyes. Stuff lightly with small pinches of fibre-fill as you sew around. Secure tail end.
2. **Nose:** Using black yarn, embroider a small triangular nose (approx. 5 × 4 stitches of satin stitch) at the top of the muzzle. Add 2–3 straight stitches below for a mouth.
3. **Ears:** Pin to the top sides of the head, curving slightly forward. Sew along the flattened edge so they flop naturally.
4. **Head to body:** Position the head on top of the body (opening side down). Pin firmly. Whip stitch all the way around, adding extra stuffing through the neck before closing completely.
5. **Back legs:** Pin to the lower sides of the body in a sitting position, with the flattened edge facing inward and the rounded foot pointing forward. Sew securely.
6. **Front legs:** Pin to the front of the body, angled slightly outward so the puppy "sits up". Sew along the flattened top.
7. **Tail:** Sew to the back of the body, between the back legs. Angle upward for a cheerful wag.

## Finishing

- Weave in all ends and trim.
- Give Barney a gentle squish to distribute stuffing evenly.
- Optional: Add small embroidered eyebrows above the eyes in CC for extra expression, or a tiny tongue in pink yarn beneath the mouth.

## Safety Notes

- For children under 3 years, replace safety eyes with embroidered French knots in black yarn.
- Ensure all limbs are firmly attached with no loose pieces.

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Enjoy your new crochet companion! 🐾