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Hello, my dear crocheter! It's Patricia Poltera here, and I'm just so delighted to share this Darling Dachshund amigurumi pattern with you all, completely free. There's something truly special about creating a beloved pet in yarn, isn't there? This little fellow, with his long body and floppy ears, is sure to steal your heart. It's your wonderful enthusiasm, your kind words, and the ways you choose to support my work (like visiting my Pattern Parlour!) that keep my crochet hooks merrily clicking away, allowing me to share these detailed patterns freely. So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being part of this wonderful crafting community!
Materials You'll Need for Your Darling Dachshund
Gathering your materials is like preparing your palette before painting – it sets the stage for a beautiful creation!
Yarn
For this charming dachshund, I recommend a smooth, light worsted weight (DK or Sport weight would also work if you adjust your hook size to maintain tight stitches). Acrylic or cotton are both excellent choices for amigurumi!
- Black Yarn: Approximately 80-100 yards for the main body, head, ears, legs, and tail.
- Warm Brown Yarn (Rust/Tan): Approximately 20-30 yards for the snout and paws.
Hooks & Notions
The right tools make all the difference, my dears!
The Absolute Essentials
- Crochet Hook: A 3.0mm (US C/2 or D/3) or 3.5mm (US E/4) hook. Choose one that creates a tight fabric with your chosen yarn to prevent stuffing from showing through. I'll be using a 3.0mm in this pattern for a snug stitch.
- Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill is perfect for amigurumi. You'll want plenty!
- Safety Eyes: Two 8mm or 9mm black safety eyes.
- Yarn Needle: Essential for weaving in ends and assembly.
- Stitch Marker: To keep track of your rounds, especially when working in continuous spirals.
- Scissors: For cutting yarn, of course!
My 'Game Changer' Recommendations (Optional, but oh-so-helpful!)
- Pins (Dressmaking Pins): These are my absolute secret weapon for assembly! They let you position pieces perfectly before you sew, ensuring everything is just right.
- Row Counter: If you find yourself losing track of rounds, a clicky row counter is a fantastic little helper.
- Snips/Small Embroidery Scissors: So much quicker for trimming ends than larger scissors!
Skills Required & Techniques Demystified for Your Darling Dachshund
Don't fret if some of these sound new; we'll work through them! The joy of amigurumi is in mastering these foundational stitches.
- Magic Ring (MR): This is how we start most amigurumi pieces, creating a tight, closed center. If you're new to it, there are wonderful video tutorials online!
- Single Crochet (sc): The backbone of amigurumi. It creates a dense, sturdy fabric.
- Increase (inc): Working two single crochet stitches into one stitch from the previous round. This makes your piece grow.
- Invisible Decrease (inv dec): This is my preferred method for decreasing in amigurumi because it creates a much neater, less noticeable decrease than a regular single crochet decrease. You insert your hook into the front loop of the first stitch, then immediately into the front loop of the second stitch, yarn over, pull through both loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops (1 loop on hook).
- Slip Stitch (sl st): Used to join rounds or finish off a piece neatly.
- Fasten Off (FO): Cutting your yarn and pulling it through the last loop to secure your work.
- Working in Continuous Rounds: Most amigurumi pieces are worked in a spiral, meaning you don't join each round with a slip stitch. A stitch marker is crucial here!
A Note on Photos & Your Unique Darling Dachshund
Now, my dear crafters, remember that every handmade item has its own unique charm! While my pattern provides precise instructions, the exact look of your finished dachshund might vary ever so slightly from the photos. This is the beauty of handmade – a testament to your own hands and your unique touch! Embrace these little differences; they make your amigurumi truly yours.
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The Darling Dachshund Amigurumi Pattern
Oh, I just know you’re going to love stitching up this darling Dachshund amigurumi! If you enjoy this free pattern, do pop over to Patricia Poltera’s Amigurumi Pattern Parlour for more exclusive PDF patterns and support for my free content. Your support keeps my patterns coming! Now, let’s get to crocheting!
We'll work almost exclusively in single crochet (sc) and in continuous rounds unless stated otherwise. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.
Head (Start with Black Yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: 1 sc, 1 inc, (2 sc, 1 inc) x 5, 1 sc (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6-9: sc in each st around (30) (4 rounds)
Rnd 10: (3 sc, 1 inv dec) x 6 (24)
Rnd 11: sc in each st around (24) Insert safety eyes between Rnd 7 and Rnd 8, about 5-6 stitches apart. Start stuffing the head firmly.
Rnd 12: (2 sc, 1 inv dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 13: (1 sc, 1 inv dec) x 6 (12) Finish stuffing the head firmly, shaping it as you go.
Rnd 14: 6 inv dec (6) FO, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the front loop of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in end.
Snout (Start with Warm Brown Yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4-5: sc in each st around (18) (2 rounds) Sl st to next st and FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Lightly stuff the snout.
Body (Start with Black Yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: 1 sc, 1 inc, (2 sc, 1 inc) x 5, 1 sc (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, 1 inc)
Rnd 6: 2 sc, 1 inc, (4 sc, 1 inc) x 5, 2 sc (36)
Rnd 7-20: sc in each st around (36) (14 rounds) Stuff the body firmly as you go, shaping it into a long cylinder.
Rnd 21: 2 sc, 1 inv dec, (4 sc, 1 inv dec) x 5, 2 sc (30)
Rnd 22: (3 sc, 1 inv dec) x 6 (24)
Rnd 23: (2 sc, 1 inv dec) x 6 (18) Finish stuffing firmly.
Rnd 24: (1 sc, 1 inv dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 25: 6 inv dec (6)
FO, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the front loop of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in end.
Ears (Make 2 - Start with Black Yarn)
Work in rows. Ch 1 and turn at the end of each row.
Row 1: Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 4 ch (5)
Row 2: 1 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc (7)
Row 3-5: sc in each st across (7) (3 rows)
Row 6: inv dec, 3 sc, inv dec (5)
Row 7: sc in each st across (5)
Row 8: inv dec, 1 sc, inv dec (3)
Row 9: sc in each st across (3) Sl st to next st along the edge to finish. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.
Legs (Make 4 - Start with Warm Brown Yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)
Rnd 3: sc in each st around (12) Change to Black Yarn.
Rnd 4-6: sc in each st around (12) (3 rounds) Lightly stuff the leg.
Rnd 7: 6 inv dec (6) FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not close the remaining opening; this is where you'll sew it to the body.
Tail (Start with Black Yarn)
Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR (4)
Rnd 2: (1 sc, 1 inc) x 2 (6)
Rnd 3-4: sc in each st around (6) (2 rounds)
Rnd 5: 1 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc (8)
Rnd 6-9: sc in each st around (8) (4 rounds) Lightly stuff the tail.
Rnd 10: (1 sc, 1 inv dec) x 2, 2 sc (6) Sl st to next st. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Assembly Instructions for Your Darling Dachshund
This is where your little friend truly comes to life! Take your time, my dear, and use those pins I suggested. They're a game-changer!
- Attach the Snout: Position the lightly stuffed brown snout centrally on the front of the head, directly below the eyes. Use pins to hold it in place. Then, carefully sew it securely to the head using whip stitch or mattress stitch, ensuring the seam is neat. Weave in the yarn end.
- Attach the Head to the Body: Pin the head to the front of the body, centering it carefully. Make sure the head is upright and looking forward. Stitch securely all the way around using a whip stitch, adding more stuffing as you go if needed to maintain a firm, even shape. Weave in the yarn end.
- Attach the Ears: Pin one ear to each side of the head, slightly behind the eyes and along the approximate line of Rnd 7-8 of the head. Ensure they hang naturally. Sew securely in place with a whip stitch. Weave in ends.
- Attach the Legs: This is where pins are invaluable! Pin the front two legs to the underside of the body, just behind the head, ensuring they are evenly spaced. The brown paws should be facing forward. Then, pin the back two legs towards the rear of the body, again, evenly spaced. When you're happy with the placement, sew each leg firmly to the body, adding a tiny bit of stuffing if needed before fully closing. Weave in all ends.
- Attach the Tail: Pin the tail to the back of the body, slightly upwards and centrally. Sew it firmly in place, shaping it slightly as you sew so it has a gentle curve. Weave in the end.
Tips & Tricks for Your Darling Dachshund
A few extra little nuggets of wisdom from my stitching journey!
Troubleshooting Common Crochet Challenges
- Stuffing Showing Through? This means your stitches might be a little loose. Try going down a hook size. Also, using a good quality, non-clumping fiberfill and stuffing very firmly helps.
- Wobbly Head? If your head feels a bit unstable, ensure you stuffed both the head and the connecting part of the body very firmly before sewing them together. A small amount of super glue on the safety eye posts before securing the washers can also help prevent them from coming loose over time, especially with active play.
Customization Corner
- Add a Collar: A simple chain of slip stitches or a thin piece of felt can make a cute collar for your dachshund!
- Embroider Details: For a more classic look, you could embroider a tiny black nose onto the brown snout or add small eyebrow stitches for expression.
- Vary the Colors: Imagine a chocolate and tan dachshund, or even a whimsical blue and white one! Don't be afraid to experiment with your yarn stash.
Gifting Your Handmade Masterpiece
- Personal Touch: Attach a small, handmade tag that says "Made with love by [Your Name]" or "Handmade for [Recipient's Name]."
- Care Instructions: Include a little note on how to care for their new amigurumi friend (gentle spot cleaning or hand washing is usually best).
- Safety First: If gifting to a very young child, ensure all parts are sewn on incredibly securely, or consider embroidering eyes instead of using safety eyes for extra peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Pattern & Finishing Questions for Darling Dachshund
These are some common questions I hear from my lovely crocheters!
Q: My dachshund's legs look a bit wonky after assembly. Any tips? A: Ah, yes, leg placement can be a tricky one! My best advice is to really take your time with pinning. Use dressmaking pins to secure all four legs exactly where you want them before you start sewing. Stand the body up, check the balance, and adjust until you're perfectly happy. Then, sew them firmly.
Q: Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern? A: Absolutely! You can use thicker or thinner yarn, but do be aware that your finished dachshund will be larger or smaller respectively. You'll also need to adjust your hook size to ensure your stitches are tight enough to prevent stuffing from showing. A good rule of thumb is to use a hook 1-2 sizes smaller than what the yarn label recommends.
Q: My tail isn't curving nicely. How can I fix this? A: When you're stuffing the tail, try to concentrate the stuffing more towards the base and less towards the tip. As you sew it onto the body, you can gently shape it into a subtle curve and secure it with a few extra stitches to hold that position. Sometimes a tiny bit of wire (wrapped in fabric tape for safety) can be inserted if you want a more pronounced, permanent curve, but that's entirely optional.
A Final Word & Caring for Your Adorable Darling Dachshund
And there you have it, my dear crocheter! Your very own Adorable Dachshund amigurumi! Isn't it just the most satisfying feeling to see a pattern come to life in your hands? I truly hope you enjoyed stitching every single round of this little companion. Seeing these little characters come to life through your hands is the greatest reward. Remember, your continued engagement and support, whether it's through sharing your finished makes, visiting my Pattern Parlour, or simply spreading the word about my free patterns, make it possible for me to keep these detailed patterns freely available for our wonderful community. Happy stitching, and may your crochet hooks always be busy and your yarn stash always plentiful!