Frenchie the French Bulldog

Beginner Amigurumi Toy

A compact sitting French bulldog worked from simple shapes: a round head, stocky body, short cylinder legs, bat ears, and a wide flat muzzle. Only single crochet, increases, and decreases are used.

Skill level: Beginner
Finished size: About 5" (13 cm) tall sitting × 4½" (11 cm) from chest to rear, with given yarn and hook.

Materials

• Worsted weight (4) yarn
  • Color A (body): fawn, tan, cream, or gray — 55 yd (50 m)
  • Color B (muzzle/mask): black or dark brown — 15 yd (14 m)
  • Color C (optional chest patch): white — 8 yd (7 m)
• US E-4 / 3.5 mm hook (or size needed for a tight fabric with no stuffing gaps; typically 1–2 sizes smaller than the yarn label)
• 10 mm safety eyes (or black yarn to embroider eyes)
• Polyester fiberfill
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
• Pins for assembly
• Scissors

Color notes: Classic fawn Frenchie uses tan (A) and black (B). For a blue Frenchie, use gray (A) and black (B). For pied, use white as A and add black patches with B.

Gauge

5 sc and 5 rnds = 1" (2.5 cm) in single crochet, worked tightly in the round.

Gauge is not critical for this toy, but a dense fabric keeps stuffing inside and helps the ears stand. If stitches look loose or stuffing shows, go down a hook size.

Abbreviations (US terms)

• ch — chain
• sc — single crochet
• inc — increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec — decrease (invisible sc2tog: insert hook in front loops of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both, yarn over, pull through 2)
• sl st — slip stitch
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• rnd(s) — round(s)
• MR — magic ring
• FO — fasten off
• [ ] — stitch count at end of round
• ( ) × n — repeat the instructions in parentheses n times

Pattern notes

• Work in a continuous spiral unless told otherwise. Do not join rounds or chain at the start of a round.
• Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go.
• Work tightly for a firm amigurumi fabric.
• Use the invisible decrease for a smooth surface.
• Stuff as you go; it is hard to fill the pieces after they are nearly closed. Stuff the body firmly so the dog sits.
• Safety eyes must be inserted before the head is closed. They are a choking hazard for children under 3 years — embroider eyes instead if the toy is for a young child.
• Leave long tails on pieces that will be sewn (legs, ears, muzzle, tail).

Head

With A.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Rnd 2: inc in each st around. [12] (6 inc → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓)
Rnd 3: (sc, inc) × 6. [18] (6 inc → 12 + 6 = 18 ✓)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24] (6 inc → 18 + 6 = 24 ✓)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30] (6 inc → 24 + 6 = 30 ✓)
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36] (6 inc → 30 + 6 = 36 ✓)
Rnds 7–12: sc in each st around. [36] (6 rounds)

Place safety eyes between Rnds 9 and 10, 7 sts apart, on the front of the head. Do not snap the washers yet if you want to check placement after the muzzle is pinned; snap them on before Rnd 16.

Rnd 13: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30] (6 dec → 36 − 6 = 30 ✓)
Rnd 14: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24] (6 dec → 30 − 6 = 24 ✓)
Rnd 15: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18] (6 dec → 24 − 6 = 18 ✓)
Stuff the head firmly, rounding it into a ball. Add extra stuffing in the cheeks.
Rnd 16: (sc, dec) × 6. [12] (6 dec → 18 − 6 = 12 ✓)
Rnd 17: dec × 6. [6] (6 dec → 12 − 6 = 6 ✓)
FO, leaving a short tail. Thread the tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 sts, pull closed, and weave in.

The closed decrease end is the neck (it will be sewn to the body). The magic ring is the crown.

Body

With A. Start at the sitting base (bottom) and work toward the neck.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Rnd 2: inc in each st around. [12] (6 inc → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓)
Rnd 3: (sc, inc) × 6. [18] (6 inc → 12 + 6 = 18 ✓)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24] (6 inc → 18 + 6 = 24 ✓)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30] (6 inc → 24 + 6 = 30 ✓)
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36] (6 inc → 30 + 6 = 36 ✓)
Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) × 6. [42] (6 inc → 36 + 6 = 42 ✓)
Rnds 8–12: sc in each st around. [42] (5 rounds)
Rnd 13: (5 sc, dec) × 6. [36] (6 dec → 42 − 6 = 36 ✓)
Rnd 14: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30] (6 dec → 36 − 6 = 30 ✓)
Rnd 15: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24] (6 dec → 30 − 6 = 24 ✓)
Stuff the body firmly, keeping the base flat enough to sit.
Rnd 16: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18] (6 dec → 24 − 6 = 18 ✓)
Rnd 17: (sc, dec) × 6. [12] (6 dec → 18 − 6 = 12 ✓)
Rnd 18: dec × 6. [6] (6 dec → 12 − 6 = 6 ✓)
FO, close the hole as for the head, and weave in. The closed decrease end is the top (neck area).

Legs (make 4)

With A. All four legs are the same; placement creates the sitting pose.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Rnd 2: inc in each st around. [12] (6 inc → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓)
Rnds 3–6: sc in each st around. [12] (4 rounds)
FO, leaving a 10" (25 cm) tail for sewing. Stuff each leg lightly to firmly, filling the paw (Rnd 1–2) well but leaving the open edge easy to flatten against the body.

Ears (make 2)

With A (or B for darker ears). Do not stuff. Work from the tip down.

Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. [4]
Rnd 2: (sc, inc) × 2. [6] (2 inc → 4 + 2 = 6 ✓)
Rnd 3: (2 sc, inc) × 2. [8] (2 inc → 6 + 2 = 8 ✓)
Rnd 4: (3 sc, inc) × 2. [10] (2 inc → 8 + 2 = 10 ✓)
Rnd 5: (4 sc, inc) × 2. [12] (2 inc → 10 + 2 = 12 ✓)
Rnd 6: (5 sc, inc) × 2. [14] (2 inc → 12 + 2 = 14 ✓)
Rnd 7: sc in each st around. [14]
FO, leaving a 10" (25 cm) tail. Flatten the ear so the 14-st opening becomes two 7-st edges. The wide open edge is the base; the magic ring is the rounded tip.

Muzzle

With B. Worked as a short oval so the face stays flat, like a Frenchie.

Ch 5.
Rnd 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, 3 sc in last ch; rotate to work along the opposite side of the chain, sc in next 2 ch, 1 sc in the same ch as the beginning 2 sc. [10] (2 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10 ✓)
Rnd 2: inc in next 3 sts, sc in next 2 sts, inc in next 3 sts, sc in next 2 sts. [16] (3 inc + 2 sc + 3 inc + 2 sc → 6 + 2 + 6 + 2 = 16 ✓)
Rnds 3–4: sc in each st around. [16] (2 rounds)
FO, leaving a 12" (30 cm) tail. Stuff the muzzle lightly so it stays wide and flat, not ball-shaped.

Tail

With A. French bulldogs have a short, stubby tail.

Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. [4]
Rnd 2: (sc, inc) × 2. [6] (2 inc → 4 + 2 = 6 ✓)
Rnd 3: sc in each st around. [6]
FO, leaving an 8" (20 cm) tail for sewing. Stuff very lightly, or not at all.

Chest patch (optional)

With C.

Ch 6.
Rnd 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 3 ch, 3 sc in last ch; rotate, sc in next 3 ch, 1 sc in the same ch as the beginning 2 sc. [12] (2 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 1 = 12 ✓)
Rnd 2: inc in next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts, inc in next 3 sts, sc in next 3 sts, inc in last st. [18] (2 inc + 3 sc + 3 inc + 3 sc + 1 inc → 4 + 3 + 6 + 3 + 2 = 18 ✓)
FO, leaving a 10" (25 cm) tail. Do not stuff. Sew flat to the front of the body.

Assembly

Pin every piece before sewing. Use the yarn tails and a yarn needle. Whip stitch through both loops unless noted.

1. Muzzle. Pin the muzzle to the lower front of the head, covering Rnds 11–15, centered between and just below the eyes. The long axis of the oval runs side to side (wide, short snout). Sew around, adding a pinch more stuffing before closing if needed.

2. Nose and mouth. With B (or a scrap of dark gray if the muzzle is already black), satin-stitch a rounded triangle nose at the top center of the muzzle. Under the nose, embroider a short vertical stitch, then a shallow inverted V or wide Y for a slightly underbitten Frenchie smile. Add two tiny straight stitches at the sides for jowls if you like.

3. Eyes. If you have not already, snap the safety-eye washers on the inside of the head. For embroidered eyes, stitch small filled circles or sleeping-dash eyes with B, level with the top of the muzzle and about 7 sts apart.

4. Wrinkles. With A or a slightly darker scrap, embroider 2–3 short horizontal stitches on the forehead between and above the eyes — the classic Frenchie roll. Keep them loose enough that they sit on the surface.

5. Ears. Pin the flattened ears to the crown, starting about Rnd 3–4, angled slightly outward like bat ears (not on the sides of the head). Sew the 7-st base in a gentle curve (a shallow U), stitching the front and back edges of the base to the head. The curve cups the ear so it stands. The tips should point up and a little out. Tack the inner front edge down 1–2 sts if an ear flops.

6. Head to body. Pin the neck (closed end of the head) to the top-front of the body (closed end of the body), slightly forward so the dog looks ahead, not at the ceiling. The head is large; it should sit over the chest, not centered on the top. Sew securely all the way around, catching enough stitches that the head does not wobble.

7. Front legs. Pin two legs to the front of the body, just below the chest, about 4 sts apart, hanging downward with the paws at the sitting surface. Sew the open [12] edge of each leg to the body.

8. Hind legs. Pin the remaining two legs to the lower sides of the body, toward the back, angled slightly forward (sitting pose). The top of each hind leg sits near Rnds 8–12 of the body. Sew in place.

9. Tail. Sew the tail to the lower back, just above the sitting base, centered between the hind legs.

10. Chest patch. If using, sew the white oval flat to the upper front of the body, tucked under the chin.

Finishing

Weave in every remaining end, burying them inside the stuffing. Roll the toy firmly in your hands to round the head and body. Shape the muzzle flat with your thumbs. Adjust the ears so they stand.

If the toy leans, add a little extra stuffing through a small gap in the body seam, then close. A firmly stuffed base is what makes it sit.

Size check

At gauge, the head is about 2¼" (6 cm) across (36 sts ÷ 5 sc per inch ≈ 7.2" circumference). The body is about 2¾" (7 cm) across at the chest (42 sts ÷ 5 ≈ 8.4" circumference). Sitting height is about 5" (13 cm).

To make a larger Frenchie, add one increase round on head and body (head to 42, body to 48) and 2 extra even rounds on each. To make a smaller keychain size, stop the head at 24 sts and the body at 30 sts, and use DK yarn with a US D-3 / 3.25 mm hook.