Making Barkley's Body

👉 Start with a Magic Ring

Begin by creating a Magic Ring. This is a loop of yarn that allows you to start crocheting in a tight, circular shape.

Row 1

Crochet 8 Single Crochet (Sc) stitches into the Magic Ring.

• Insert your hook into the ring, yarn over, and pull up a loop.
• Yarn over again and pull through both loops on the hook to complete one Single Crochet (Sc). Repeat this 8 times.
• Pull the loose end of the ring to close it tightly.

Row 2

Increase (Inc) in every stitch around.

• Work 2 Single Crochet (Sc) stitches into each of the 8 stitches from Row 1.
• At the end of this row, you’ll have 16 stitches.

Row 3

Alternate between Single Crochet (Sc) and an Increase (Inc) in each stitch.

• Single Crochet (Sc) in the first stitch, then Increase (Inc) in the next stitch. Repeat this pattern around.
• You’ll now have 24 stitches.

Row 4

Alternate between two Single Crochets (2 Sc) and an Increase (Inc).

• Single Crochet (Sc) in the first stitch, Single Crochet (Sc) in the second stitch, then Increase (Inc) in the third stitch. Repeat this pattern around.
• You’ll now have 32 stitches.

Rows 5-12

Single Crochet (Sc) around each row.

• Work one Single Crochet (Sc) into each stitch for a total of 32 stitches per row.
• This creates the main shape of Barkley's body. Use a stitch marker to keep track of where each row begins.

Place the Eyes

• After completing Row 8, attach safety eyes between Rows 8 and 9.
• Position the eyes approximately 5 stitches apart for a balanced look.

Row 13

Begin shaping the body by alternating two Single Crochets (2 Sc) and a Decrease (Dec).

• Single Crochet (Sc) in the first stitch, Single Crochet (Sc) in the second stitch, then Decrease (Dec) in the third and fourth stitches. Repeat this pattern around.
• You’ll now have 24 stitches.

Row 14

Alternate between one Single Crochet (Sc) and a Decrease (Dec).

• Single Crochet (Sc) in the first stitch, then Decrease (Dec) in the next two stitches. Repeat this pattern around.
• You’ll now have 16 stitches.

Row 15

Decrease (Dec) in every stitch around.

• Work a Decrease (Dec) in each stitch to reduce the total to 8 stitches.

Row 16+

Continue decreasing until the opening is small enough to close completely.

• Once it’s small, Fasten Off (FO) and sew the opening shut using the yarn tail and a yarn needle.