Barkley the Dog Tutorial & Pattern
Download Barkley the Dog Pattern
Welcome to the tutorial for our Barkley the Dog kit. Use the button below to download the pattern or watch the videos for video instructions.
Making the Body (Part 1 of 5)
MAKING THE 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.
Making the Nose (Part 2 of 5)
MAKING THE NOSE
👉 Start with a Magic Ring
Create a Magic Ring as the base for the nose.
Row 1
Crochet 6 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 6 times.
Pull the loose end of the Magic Ring to close it tightly.
Row 2
Increase (Inc) in every stitch around.
Work 2 Single Crochet (Sc) stitches into each of the 6 stitches from Row 1.
At the end of this row, you’ll have 12 stitches.
Slip Stitch (Sl St)
To finish the row neatly, insert your hook into the first stitch of the row, yarn over, and pull through both loops on your hook to make a Slip Stitch (Sl St).
Attach the Nose and Mouth
(This is also briefly covered at the end of this project.)
Using black thread or yarn, embroider Barkley's nose onto the center of the crocheted nose base.
Then, add a small line extending down to create a simple mouth.
You can make the nose as simple or detailed as you’d like, depending on your preference.
Fasten Off (FO)
Leave a long tail for sewing. This tail will be used to attach the nose to Barkley’s head.
Making the Feet (Part 3 of 5)
MAKING THE FEET
You’ll need to make two feet for Barkley.
👉 Start with a Magic Ring
Create a Magic Ring. This will be the base for the foot.
Row 1
Crochet 6 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 6 times.
Pull the loose end of the Magic Ring to close it tightly.
Row 2
Increase (Inc) in every stitch around.
Work 2 Single Crochet (Sc) stitches into each of the 6 stitches from Row 1.
At the end of this row, you’ll have 12 stitches.
Row 3
Single Crochet (Sc) around.
Work one Single Crochet (Sc) into each stitch for a total of 12 stitches. This row keeps the foot’s shape consistent.
Drawstring Cinching
Thread the long yarn tail onto a yarn needle.
Weave the needle through each of the stitches in the final row.
Pull the yarn tightly to close the opening, creating a rounded shape.
Fasten Off (FO)
Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail (about 6–8 inches).
Pull the yarn through the loop on your hook to secure it.
Making the Ears (Part 4 of 5)
MAKING THE EARS
You’ll need to make two ears for Barkley.
👉 Start with a Chain
Make a foundation chain of 6 stitches:
Create a slipknot on your hook, then yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook 6 times. Each pull creates one chain stitch.
Row 1
Single Crochet (Sc) across the chain and Increase (Inc) in the last stitch.
Work 4 Single Crochet (Sc) stitches, one in each of the first 4 chain spaces.
In the last chain space, work an Increase (Inc) by making 2 Single Crochet (Sc) stitches in the same space.
You’ll now have 6 stitches in total.
Row 2
Single Crochet (Sc) across and Increase (Inc) in the last stitch.
Work 5 Single Crochet (Sc) stitches, one in each stitch.
In the last stitch, work an Increase (Inc).
You’ll now have 7 stitches.
Row 3
Single Crochet (Sc) across and Increase (Inc) in the last stitch.
Work 6 Single Crochet (Sc) stitches, one in each stitch.
In the last stitch, work an Increase (Inc).
You’ll now have 8 stitches.
Row 4
Single Crochet (Sc) across.
Work one Single Crochet (Sc) in each stitch for a total of 8 stitches.
Row 5
Begin shaping the ear with a Decrease (Dec).
Work 6 Single Crochet (Sc) stitches, then Decrease (Dec) by crocheting two stitches together.
You’ll now have 7 stitches.
Row 6
Continue shaping with another Decrease (Dec).
Work 5 Single Crochet (Sc) stitches, then Decrease (Dec).
You’ll now have 6 stitches.
Row 7
Finish shaping with one final Decrease (Dec).
Work 4 Single Crochet (Sc) stitches, then Decrease (Dec).
You’ll now have 5 stitches.
Create a Border and Shape the Ear
Single Crochet (Sc) evenly around 3 sides of the ear to create a clean border.
On the outer side of the ear, weave a drawstring through the border stitches.
Pull the drawstring tightly until the ear curves slightly, giving it a natural floppy appearance.
Fasten Off (FO)
Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail (about 6–8 inches).
Pull the yarn through the loop on your hook to secure it.
Final Assembly (Part 5 of 5)
FINAL ASSEMBLY
Now that you’ve completed all the parts, it’s time to bring Barkley to life! You should have:
💪 1 Body
💪 2 Feet
💪 2 Ears
💪 1 Nose
Follow these steps to assemble Barkley:
Attach the Feet
Position the feet at the bottom of the body, slightly toward the front.
Using the long tails from the feet, thread your yarn needle and sew each foot securely to the body.
Knot the yarn and weave in any loose ends to hide them inside the body.
Attach the Nose
Place the nose in the center of the face, just above the bottom edge of the body.
Using the long tail from the nose piece, sew it securely onto the face.
Add any final details, like a mouth, using black thread or yarn if you haven’t already.
Attach the Ears
Position the ears on either side of the head, slightly above and toward the back of the face for a floppy, cute look.
Use the long tails from the ears to sew them securely to the head.
Make sure they’re symmetrical before tying off and weaving in the yarn.
Add the Tail
Cut 3–4 strands of yarn, each about 3–4 inches long.
Fold the strands in half, creating a loop at one end.
Attach the folded strands to the lower back of the dog:
Insert your crochet hook through a stitch in the lower back.
Pull the loop of the folded yarn through the stitch.
Thread the loose ends through the loop and pull tight to secure the strands in place.
Trim the strands evenly if needed to create a neat and fluffy tail.
Final Touches
Double-check that all parts are securely attached. Adjust any positioning if necessary.
Fluff up Barkley’s tail and ears to give him a playful, finished look.