purlJam

# Beginner Crochet Dog Plushie

A sweet and simple amigurumi dog perfect for beginners! This adorable puppy uses only basic crochet stitches and simple shapes to create a cuddly companion approximately 5-6 inches tall.

## Materials

**Yarn:**
- Worsted weight (4) yarn in main color (approx. 100-120 yards)
  - Suggested: Tan, brown, cream, or gray for realistic dog
  - Or any color for a fantasy puppy!
- Small amount of black or dark brown for nose embroidery
- Optional: Contrasting color for spots or patches

**Other Supplies:**
- US E-4 (3.5mm) crochet hook
- Fiberfill stuffing (polyester)
- Yarn needle for sewing and weaving
- Stitch marker
- 9mm safety eyes (2) OR black yarn for embroidered eyes
- Scissors
- Pins (for assembly)

## Gauge

20 sts x 22 rounds = 4 inches in single crochet (worked in the round)

*Gauge is not critical for this project, but will affect finished size. Working tightly is more important for a neat amigurumi appearance.*

## Finished Size

Approximately 5-6 inches tall when assembled (head to bottom of legs)

## Abbreviations

- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- dec = invisible decrease (insert hook in front loops of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- approx = approximately

## Special Techniques

**Magic Ring**: Wrap yarn around fingers to form a loop, insert hook and pull up a loop, ch 1, work stitches into ring, pull tail to close.

**Invisible Decrease**: Insert hook through front loop only of next 2 sts, yarn over and pull through (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops. This creates a smoother decrease than standard sc2tog.

**Working in Continuous Rounds**: Do not join rounds with slip stitch. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round, moving it up as you work.

## Notes

- Work in continuous spiral rounds unless otherwise stated
- Use stitch marker to track beginning of rounds
- Stuff pieces firmly as you go for best results
- If making for a small child under 3 years, embroider eyes instead of using safety eyes
- Stitch counts are shown in brackets [like this] at end of each round
- All pieces are worked separately, then sewn together

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### HEAD (make 1)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
*Math check: 6 inc = 12 sts ✓*

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around [18]
*Math check: 6 repeats × 3 = 18 sts ✓*

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around [24]
*Math check: 6 repeats × 4 = 24 sts ✓*

Rnds 5-8: sc in each st around [24]
*(4 rounds even)*

**If using safety eyes, insert them now between rounds 6 and 7, approximately 6-7 stitches apart.**

Rnd 9: (2 sc, dec) around [18]
*Math check: 6 repeats × 3 = 18 sts ✓*

**Begin stuffing head firmly now.**

Rnd 10: (sc, dec) around [12]
*Math check: 6 repeats × 2 = 12 sts ✓*

Rnd 11: dec around [6]
*Math check: 6 dec = 6 sts ✓*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Finish stuffing firmly. Use yarn needle to weave through remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close hole.

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### BODY (make 1)

The body is worked as an elongated oval.

Rnd 1: Ch 6, starting in 2nd ch from hook: 4 sc, 3 sc in last ch (working around to other side of chain), 3 sc, 2 sc in last ch [12]
*Math check: 4 + 3 + 3 + 2 = 12 sts ✓*

Rnd 2: inc, 3 sc, inc 3 times, 3 sc, inc 2 times [18]
*Math check: 12 + 6 inc = 18 sts ✓*

Rnd 3: inc, 5 sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, 5 sc, inc, sc, inc, sc [24]
*Math check: 18 + 6 inc = 24 sts ✓*

Rnd 4: (3 sc, inc) around [30]
*Math check: 6 repeats × 5 = 30 sts ✓*

Rnds 5-10: sc in each st around [30]
*(6 rounds even)*

Rnd 11: (3 sc, dec) around [24]
*Math check: 6 repeats × 4 = 24 sts ✓*

Rnd 12: (2 sc, dec) around [18]
*Math check: 6 repeats × 3 = 18 sts ✓*

**Begin stuffing body firmly now.**

Rnd 13: (sc, dec) around [12]
*Math check: 6 repeats × 2 = 12 sts ✓*

Rnd 14: dec around [6]
*Math check: 6 dec = 6 sts ✓*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Finish stuffing firmly. Use yarn needle to weave through remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close hole.

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### LEGS (make 4)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
*Math check: 6 inc = 12 sts ✓*

Rnds 3-8: sc in each st around [12]
*(6 rounds even)*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff legs firmly (but not overly full at the top, to make sewing easier).

---

### EARS (make 2)

Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring [4]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [8]
*Math check: 4 inc = 8 sts ✓*

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around [12]
*Math check: 4 repeats × 3 = 12 sts ✓*

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around [16]
*Math check: 4 repeats × 4 = 16 sts ✓*

Rnds 5-7: sc in each st around [16]
*(3 rounds even)*

Rnd 8: (2 sc, dec) around [12]
*Math check: 4 repeats × 3 = 12 sts ✓*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. **Do not stuff ears.** Flatten ears gently and pinch the opening closed (you can add a stitch or two to hold closed if desired).

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### TAIL (make 1)

Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring [4]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [8]
*Math check: 4 inc = 8 sts ✓*

Rnds 3-5: sc in each st around [8]
*(3 rounds even)*

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff tail lightly. 

---

### MUZZLE/SNOUT (make 1 - optional but recommended)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
*Math check: 6 inc = 12 sts ✓*

Rnd 3: sc in each st around [12]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff very lightly (just enough to give slight shape).

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## ASSEMBLY

Use pins to position pieces before sewing to ensure proper placement.

**Step 1 - Attach Legs to Body:**
Position the four legs at the bottom of the body, evenly spaced. The body should sit naturally on top of the legs. Pin in place. Using the long tails and yarn needle, whip stitch or mattress stitch the legs securely to the body, adding a bit more stuffing if needed before closing completely.

**Step 2 - Attach Head to Body:**
Position the head at the narrower end of the body (the end you finished with decreases). The head should sit at a slight angle, with the face forward. Pin in place. Sew securely all around the neck join, adding more stuffing to neck area if needed for stability.

**Step 3 - Attach Ears:**
Position ears on sides of head, approximately at rounds 4-5 of the head, angled slightly back and to the sides for floppy dog ears. Pin in place. Sew the base of each ear securely to the head.

**Step 4 - Attach Tail:**
Position tail at the back top of the body (opposite from head). Sew securely in place.

**Step 5 - Attach Muzzle (if made):**
Position the muzzle on the front of the head, centered below and between the eyes. Pin in place. Sew around the edge, leaving the front slightly puffy.

**Step 6 - Add Face Details:**

*Eyes:* If you inserted safety eyes earlier, they're already in place. If embroidering eyes, use black yarn to create small circles or French knots between rounds 6 and 7, approximately 6-7 stitches apart.

*Nose:* Using black or dark brown yarn, embroider a small triangle or oval nose at the front/top of the muzzle (or centered on the lower face if you didn't make a separate muzzle). You can use satin stitch or multiple passes of straight stitch to fill in the shape.

*Mouth (optional):* Using the same dark yarn, embroider a small vertical line down from the nose, then two curved lines out to the sides for a simple smile.

**Step 7 - Finishing:**
Weave in all remaining yarn ends securely. Trim excess yarn close to work.

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## CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS

**Different Dog Breeds:**
- **Floppy ears (Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound):** Make ears longer by adding 2-3 more even rounds before decreasing
- **Pointy ears (German Shepherd, Corgi):** Make shorter ears and don't flatten them; sew pointing upward
- **Spots (Dalmatian):** Add small circles of contrasting color sewn or embroidered on body
- **Color patches (Beagle, Corgi):** Use two colors when making body pieces

**Size Variations:**
- **Smaller dog:** Use DK weight yarn with 3.0mm hook
- **Larger dog:** Use bulky weight yarn with 5.0mm hook, or add more increase rounds to each piece

**Embellishments:**
- Add a small collar with a felt or button tag
- Embroider eyebrows for more expression
- Add a tiny tongue (small red oval sewn at mouth)
- Make it a puppy with proportionally larger head (make head pattern through round 5: 6→12→18→24→30, work even rounds, then decrease)

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## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hand wash gently in cool water with mild detergent. Roll in towel to remove excess water. Reshape and lay flat to dry. Do not machine wash or dry, as this may damage safety eyes or cause felting.

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## TROUBLESHOOTING

**Problem:** My pieces have holes or gaps.
**Solution:** Work more tightly, or use a smaller hook. Make sure you're working into each stitch.

**Problem:** My increases/decreases don't line up smoothly.
**Solution:** Make sure you're counting carefully and placing your stitch marker correctly at the start of each round.

**Problem:** The dog won't sit or stand properly.
**Solution:** Check leg placement—all four should be evenly distributed around the bottom of the body. Add more stuffing to help with stability.

**Problem:** The head feels wobbly.
**Solution:** Sew the head more securely with multiple passes around the neck. You can also insert a small piece of cardboard or felt inside the neck area before closing for extra support.

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## SKILL LEVEL: BEGINNER

This pattern uses only basic amigurumi techniques and is perfect for crafters learning to make their first stuffed toy!

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*Pattern designed for simple shapes construction using worsted weight yarn. Finished item makes a wonderful gift or first amigurumi project.*