purlJam

<pattern>

# CHOW CHOW DOG CROCHET PATTERN
**A Beginner-Friendly Amigurumi Pattern**

## FINISHED SIZE
Approximately 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) tall in sitting position

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:**
- Worsted weight (4) yarn in tan/cream (main color): approximately 100 yards
- Small amounts of black or dark brown for nose/eyes (optional)
- Small amount of pink or red for tongue (optional)

**Suggested Yarns:**
- Red Heart Super Saver
- Lion Brand Vanna's Choice
- Caron Simply Soft

**Hook & Notions:**
- US E-4 (3.5mm) crochet hook
- 9mm safety eyes (2) or black yarn for embroidering
- Yarn needle for sewing
- Stitch marker
- Fiberfill stuffing (polyester)
- Pins for assembly
- Small piece of black or dark blue felt for tongue (optional)
- Embroidery thread or thin yarn for facial details

## GAUGE
20 stitches x 22 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet

Gauge is not critical for this project, but your hook should create a tight fabric so stuffing doesn't show through. If you can see gaps between stitches, go down a hook size.

## 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)
- [ ] = total stitch count at end of round

## PATTERN NOTES
- Work in continuous spiral rounds unless otherwise noted. Use stitch marker to track beginning of round.
- Do not join or turn at end of rounds unless specified.
- Stuff pieces firmly as you go - it's difficult to add stuffing later.
- Use invisible decrease method for smoother appearance.
- For tighter tension, work through back loops only creates a subtle texture (optional).

---

## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### HEAD

**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 × 2 sts = 18 sts ✓*

**Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) around [24]
*Math check: 6 repeats × 3 sts = 24 sts ✓*

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

**Rnds 6-11:** sc in each st around [30]
*6 rounds of even stitching*

**Rnd 12:** (3 sc, dec) around [24]
*Math check: 6 repeats × 4 sts = 24 sts ✓*

**Insert safety eyes between rounds 9 and 10, approximately 6-7 stitches apart. Begin stuffing head firmly.**

**Rnd 13:** (2 sc, dec) around [18]
*Math check: 6 repeats × 3 sts = 18 sts ✓*

**Rnd 14:** (sc, dec) around [12]
*Math check: 6 repeats × 2 sts = 12 sts ✓*

**Continue stuffing head very firmly.**

**Rnd 15:** dec around [6]
*Math check: 6 dec = 6 sts ✓*

Fasten off, leaving long tail. Use yarn needle to weave through remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close hole. Weave in end.

---

### BODY

**Rnd 1:** Ch 6, starting in 2nd ch from hook: 4 sc, 3 sc in last ch (now working on opposite side of chain), 3 sc, inc in last st [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: 2 + 3 + 6 + 3 + 4 = 18 sts ✓*

**Rnd 3:** sc, inc, 3 sc, (sc, inc) 3 times, 3 sc, (sc, inc) 2 times [24]
*Math check: 2 + 2 + 3 + 6 + 3 + 4 = 24 sts ✓*

**Rnd 4:** 2 sc, inc, 3 sc, (2 sc, inc) 3 times, 3 sc, (2 sc, inc) 2 times [30]
*Math check: 3 + 3 + 9 + 3 + 6 = 30 sts ✓*

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

**Rnd 11:** 2 sc, dec, 3 sc, (2 sc, dec) 3 times, 3 sc, (2 sc, dec) 2 times [24]
*Math check: 3 + 3 + 9 + 3 + 6 = 24 sts ✓*

**Begin stuffing body firmly.**

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

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

**Stuff body completely and firmly.**

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

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. Use yarn needle to weave through remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close hole.

---

### 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 of even stitching*

**Stuff leg firmly - legs need to be very firm to support the body.**

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing to body. Do not close opening.

---

### EARS (Make 2)

**Rnd 1:** 4 sc in magic ring [4]

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

**Rnds 3-4:** sc in each st around [6]
*2 rounds of even stitching*

**Rnd 5:** (sc, dec) around [4]
*Math check: 2 repeats × 2 sts = 4 sts ✓*

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. Flatten ear slightly and do not stuff. The small size creates Chow Chow's characteristic small, rounded ears.

---

### TAIL

**Rnd 1:** 6 sc in magic ring [6]

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

**Rnds 3-6:** sc in each st around [12]
*4 rounds of even stitching*

**Stuff tail lightly.**

**Rnd 7:** dec around [6]
*Math check: 6 dec = 6 sts ✓*

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. The tail will curl naturally; you can shape it into the characteristic Chow Chow curl during assembly.

---

### MUZZLE

**Rnd 1:** 6 sc in magic ring [6]

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

**Rnds 3-4:** sc in each st around [12]
*2 rounds of even stitching*

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. Stuff muzzle lightly - it should be slightly puffy but not overstuffed.

---

## ASSEMBLY

**Step 1: Attach Legs to Body**
- Position body so the rounder end is the bottom/back
- Pin two legs to front bottom of body, side by side but with 2-3 stitches between them
- Pin two legs to back bottom of body in same manner
- Sew each leg securely to body using whip stitch, sewing around entire opening of leg
- Make sure dog can sit stable on all four legs

**Step 2: Attach Head to Body**
- Pin head to top front of body
- Head should be positioned so it tilts slightly forward
- Sew head securely to body using whip stitch all the way around
- Add extra stitches at back of neck for security

**Step 3: Attach Ears**
- Position ears on top sides of head, between rounds 2-5 of head
- Ears should be small and sit close to head (characteristic of Chow Chows)
- Sew flat edge of each ear to head using whip stitch

**Step 4: Attach Tail**
- Position tail at back top of body
- Curve tail forward over back (Chow Chows have tails that curl over their backs)
- Sew securely to body, you may need to tack down the tip of the tail to the back to maintain curl

**Step 5: Attach Muzzle**
- Position muzzle centered on front of head, below eyes
- Sew around edge of muzzle opening to head using whip stitch
- Make sure muzzle is centered and level

**Step 6: Add Facial Features**
- Eyes: Already inserted (or embroider with black yarn if not using safety eyes)
- Nose: Embroider a small triangle nose on front of muzzle using black yarn and satin stitch
- Mouth: Use backstitch to create a small smile line below nose
- Tongue (optional): Cut a small tongue shape from pink or dark blue felt (Chow Chows have distinctive blue-black tongues!). Tack between muzzle and head or let it hang slightly out of mouth area

---

## FINISHING

- Weave in all remaining ends
- If desired, brush out yarn slightly with a pet brush or fine-toothed comb to create fluffy texture (works best with certain yarn types)
- For extra Chow Chow fluffiness around neck, you can add a "ruff" by surface crocheting or adding fringe around the neck area (optional, not beginner level)

---

## OPTIONAL VARIATIONS

**Color Variations:**
- **Red Chow Chow:** Use reddish-brown or rust-colored yarn
- **Black Chow Chow:** Use black yarn for entire body
- **Cream Chow Chow:** Use off-white or cream yarn (as in main pattern)
- **Blue Chow Chow:** Use gray-blue yarn

**Size Adjustments:**
- **Smaller (3" keychain size):** Use DK weight yarn and 3.0mm hook, stop head increases at round 4 (24 sts), stop body increases at round 3 (24 sts)
- **Larger (6-7" toy):** Use bulky weight yarn and 5.0mm hook, add one more increase round to head (36 sts) and body (36 sts), work 2-3 more even rounds before decreasing

**Embellishment Ideas:**
- Add a small collar using chain stitches or embroidery thread
- Embroider eyebrow-like marks above eyes with darker yarn
- Create fuller mane by adding loop stitches around neck (advanced technique)

---

## TROUBLESHOOTING

**Dog won't sit upright:** Legs may not be stuffed firmly enough. Unstuff and restuff very tightly, or adjust leg placement.

**Stuffing shows through stitches:** Hook size is too large. Try going down to 3.0mm hook for tighter fabric.

**Head is too heavy and tilts:** Make sure neck attachment is very secure with multiple passes of whipping. You can also add a few extra stitches connecting the underside of head to top of body.

**Muzzle looks lumpy:** Don't overstuff the muzzle - it should be soft and slightly puffy only.

**Parts are lopsided:** Count your stitches carefully each round and use a stitch marker to track