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# Wildlife Blue Leopard Amigurumi
**An Advanced Crochet Pattern (UK terminology)**

A striking wildlife-inspired leopard worked in vivid blue with dark blue rosettes, nose and tail tip. Designed in a relaxed seated pose, approximately **18 cm (7 in)** tall.

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## Materials

- **Yarn**: Worsted weight (Aran) 100% acrylic or cotton blend
  - **MC** – Mid Blue: approx. 100 g
  - **CC** – Dark Navy Blue: approx. 40 g
  - Small amount of **cream/off-white** for muzzle and belly
- **Hook**: 3.5 mm (UK 9 / US E-4) — sized down for tight tension
- **Safety eyes**: 9 mm amber or black (1 pair)
- **Fibrefill** polyester stuffing
- **Yarn needle** (tapestry needle)
- **Stitch markers** (at least 2)
- **Scissors**, pins, optional cheek blush

## Tension (Gauge)

**18 dc × 20 rounds = 10 cm (4 in)** worked in continuous spiral.
Fabric must be dense — no stuffing visible through stitches.

## Abbreviations (UK terms)

- **ch** – chain
- **dc** – double crochet (= US sc)
- **htr** – half treble (= US hdc)
- **tr** – treble (= US dc)
- **sl st** – slip stitch
- **MR** – magic ring
- **inc** – 2 dc in same stitch
- **dec** – invisible decrease (insert hook in front loop of next 2 sts, yo, pull through 2, yo, pull through all 3)
- **BLO/FLO** – back/front loop only
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **[ ]** – total stitch count at end of round
- **( ) x n** – repeat sequence n times

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## Construction Notes

Work in continuous spirals unless told to join. Mark beginning of each round. Pieces: **Head, Body, 4 Legs, Tail, 2 Ears, Muzzle**. Rosettes are embroidered after assembly.

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## HEAD (in MC)

- **Rnd 1**: 6 dc in MR — **[6]**
- **Rnd 2**: inc × 6 — **[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 7–14**: dc in each st (8 rounds) — **[36]**

*Insert safety eyes between Rnds 12 and 13, approx. 7 sts apart. Begin stuffing firmly.*

- **Rnd 15**: (4 dc, dec) × 6 — **[30]**
- **Rnd 16**: (3 dc, dec) × 6 — **[24]**
- **Rnd 17**: (2 dc, dec) × 6 — **[18]**
- **Rnd 18**: (dc, dec) × 6 — **[12]**

Top up stuffing.

- **Rnd 19**: dec × 6 — **[6]**

Fasten off, leaving a 30 cm tail. Weave through remaining FLs and pull closed.

*Math check: 6→12→18→24→30→36 increases (+6 per rnd ✓); reverse for closure ✓*

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## MUZZLE (in cream)

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

Sl st, fasten off leaving a 40 cm tail for sewing. Do not stuff (will be pressed flat onto face).

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## EARS (make 2, in MC)

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

Sl st, fasten off leaving 25 cm tail. Fold flat; do not stuff. Pinch base when sewing for a rounded ear cup.

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## BODY (in MC, with cream belly)

- **Rnd 1**: 6 dc in MR — **[6]**
- **Rnd 2**: inc × 6 — **[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 8–18**: dc in each st (11 rounds) — **[42]**

*Optional belly:* From Rnd 10 onward, change to cream for the front 14 sts of each round, MC for back 28 sts, using intarsia/colour blocks. Carry yarn loosely inside.

- **Rnd 19**: (5 dc, dec) × 6 — **[36]**
- **Rnd 20**: (4 dc, dec) × 6 — **[30]**
- **Rnd 21**: dc in each st — **[30]**
- **Rnd 22**: (3 dc, dec) × 6 — **[24]**
- **Rnd 23**: (2 dc, dec) × 6 — **[18]**

Stuff very firmly.

- **Rnd 24**: (dc, dec) × 6 — **[12]**
- **Rnd 25**: dec × 6 — **[6]**

Fasten off, leaving 40 cm tail. Close opening — this will attach to head.

*Math check: 6→42 increases (+6 × 6 = 36, plus initial 6 = 42 ✓); closure mirrors ✓*

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## FRONT LEGS (make 2, in MC)

- **Rnd 1**: 6 dc in MR — **[6]**
- **Rnd 2**: inc × 6 — **[12]**
- **Rnd 3**: dc in BLO of each st — **[12]** *(creates paw lip)*
- **Rnds 4–12**: dc in each st (9 rounds) — **[12]**
- **Rnd 13**: (2 dc, dec) × 3 — **[9]**

Stuff lower paw firmly, upper leg lightly. Sl st, fasten off leaving 30 cm tail. Flatten top for sewing.

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## BACK LEGS (make 2, in MC) — slightly larger/haunched

- **Rnd 1**: 6 dc in MR — **[6]**
- **Rnd 2**: inc × 6 — **[12]**
- **Rnd 3**: (dc, inc) × 6 — **[18]**
- **Rnd 4**: dc in BLO of each st — **[18]**
- **Rnds 5–8**: dc in each st (4 rounds) — **[18]**
- **Rnd 9**: (4 dc, dec) × 3 — **[15]**
- **Rnd 10**: dc in each st — **[15]**
- **Rnd 11**: (3 dc, dec) × 3 — **[12]**
- **Rnds 12–14**: dc in each st — **[12]**

Stuff firmly through paw, lightly at thigh. Fasten off leaving 35 cm tail.

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## TAIL (in MC, switch to CC at tip)

- **Rnd 1**: 6 dc in MR — **[6]**
- **Rnd 2**: inc × 4, 2 dc — **[10]**

Wait — recount: inc × 4 gives 8 sts + 2 sts = **[10]** ✓ Use this for a tapered base.

- **Rnds 3–6**: dc in each st in CC — **[10]** *(dark blue tip)*

Change to MC.

- **Rnds 7–22**: dc in each st (16 rounds) — **[10]**
- **Rnd 23**: (3 dc, dec) × 2 — **[8]**

Lightly stuff (insert a pipe cleaner for poseability, optional). Fasten off leaving 30 cm tail.

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## ASSEMBLY

1. **Muzzle** to lower head, centred below eyes spanning Rnds 9–13. Stuff lightly as you sew.
2. **Ears** to top of head between Rnds 4–7, approx. 6 sts apart, pinched at base.
3. **Head to body**: Position head on top of body. Pin so head tilts slightly upward. Whip stitch around using head's closing tail, adding extra stuffing into neck join before closing.
4. **Back legs**: Sew to lower body sides at Rnds 17–22, splayed forward as if sitting.
5. **Front legs**: Sew to upper body front at Rnds 8–12, hanging forward.
6. **Tail**: Sew base to rear at Rnd 18 centre back, curling to one side.

## EMBROIDERY DETAILS (CC – Dark Navy Blue)

### Nose & Mouth
- Using CC, satin stitch a small triangular **nose** at top of muzzle (approx. 5 × 4 mm).
- From nose centre, straight stitch down 5 mm, then split into a "Y" for the mouth.

### Whisker Dots
- Small French knots in CC, 3 on each side of muzzle.

### Rosettes (the signature leopard markings)
Using CC and a tapestry needle, embroider **open ring rosettes** (not solid spots) — true to wildlife leopards:

- **Method**: Stitch a small circle of 4–6 tiny straight stitches arranged in a broken ring approx. 6–8 mm across. Leave centre empty (or add a single tiny stitch in MC).
- **Placement (approximate counts)**:
  - **Head/cheeks**: 4 rosettes per side
  - **Back & body sides**: 14–18 rosettes scattered, denser along spine
  - **Legs**: 3 rosettes per leg, smaller (3–4 stitches each)
  - **Tail**: 5–6 rosettes evenly spaced along length above the solid CC tip
- Vary size slightly for organic wildlife realism. Avoid the cream belly.

### Optional Brow Markings
- A single dark navy curved stitch above each eye for a fierce expression.

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## FINISHING

- Weave in all ends inside body cavity.
- Lightly brush cheeks with blush if desired.
- Steam-block ears flat for a crisp silhouette.

**Finished measurements**: Approx. **18 cm tall × 14 cm long** seated.

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### Designer's Tip
For an even more authentic wildlife leopard, work the rosettes denser along the spine and sparser on the limbs — this mirrors true leopard pelt distribution. The dark navy on bright blue creates a vivid "mythical wildlife" effect, perfect for a statement amigurumi.

Enjoy your Wildlife Blue Leopard! 🐆💙