Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend: Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

An Introduction from Patricia to Your Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend

Hello there, fellow yarn enthusiast! It's Patricia Poltera, and I'm simply overjoyed to share this pattern for Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend with you. There’s something so heartwarming about crocheting a companion, and Barnaby, with his soulful eyes and charmingly floppy ears, is designed to be a true friend. The inspiration for Barnaby came from that classic, loyal puppy look that just makes you smile – those earnest expressions and the promise of cuddles. Crafting his sweet facial blaze and perky little tail was such a joy, and I hope you feel it too.

I'm delighted to share this Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend pattern free of charge. Your enthusiasm and support, perhaps by visiting again for new patterns or sharing your finished Barnaby with our community, truly keep my hooks clicking and allow me to continue designing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Materials You'll Need for Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend

Gathering your supplies is the first step to bringing Barnaby to life! For a pup around 7 inches (18cm) tall when sitting, like the one pictured, here’s what I recommend:

Yarn:

• Absolute Essentials:
  • Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn (Aran, 10-ply) – Cotton gives wonderful stitch definition, perfect for Barnaby’s smooth coat.
    • Color A (Tan/Light Brown): Approx. 100g (for head, body, top of legs)
    • Color B (White): Approx. 50g (for muzzle, head blaze, chest, paws)
    • Color C (Dark Brown): Approx. 30g (for ears, hind paws, tail)
  • Small amount of Black Embroidery Floss (for nose and mouth details)
• My 'Game Changer' Recommendations:
  • Choosing a good quality cotton yarn will make all the difference to Barnaby's huggability and durability. A soft, yet sturdy cotton ensures his features, like that distinct head blaze, really stand out.

Hooks & Notions:

• Absolute Essentials:
  • Crochet Hook: 3.5mm (US E/4). Or, the size that gives you a nice tight gauge with your chosen yarn so no stuffing shows through.
  • Safety Eyes: One pair, 12mm or 15mm, black with an amber/brown iris ring if possible, or plain black. (The sample image uses eyes with a distinct highlight).
  • Toy Stuffing: Good quality polyester fiberfill.
  • Yarn Needle: For assembling Barnaby and weaving in ends.
  • Stitch Markers: Essential for keeping track of your rounds.
  • Scissors.
• My 'Game Changer' Recommendations:
  • White Felt Scrap (Optional): If your safety eyes don’t have a built-in highlight, cutting tiny circles of white felt to place behind them before securing the washer adds that adorable sparkle you see in Barnaby's eyes. It’s a small touch that makes a huge impact on his expression!
  • Locking Stitch Markers: These are less likely to fall out than split ring markers, especially when working those tapestry crochet sections for Barnaby's blaze.

Skills Required & Techniques Demystified for Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend

This pattern is best suited for those with some amigurumi experience, venturing into intermediate territory, mainly due to the colorwork and assembly. But don't you worry, I'll guide you!

• Core Crochet Skills:
  • Magic Ring (MR): The neatest way to start amigurumi pieces. We'll use this for Barnaby's head, muzzle, paws, and tail.
  • Single Crochet (sc): The star stitch of amigurumi!
  • Increase (inc): Usually two sc in the same stitch.
  • Invisible Decrease (dec): Essential for smooth shaping in amigurumi. We'll use this lots for shaping Barnaby’s head and body.
  • Working in a Continuous Spiral: How we build most of Barnaby's parts.
  • Working in Rows: We’ll use this for Barnaby's lovely long ears.
  • Chain Stitch (ch): For starting rows or creating small details.
  • Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining and finishing off.
  • Basic Sewing/Assembly: For attaching Barnaby’s muzzle, ears, legs, and tail.
• Key Techniques for Barnaby:
  • H3: Tapestry Crochet (for Head Blaze & Chest Patch): This technique involves working with two colors in the same round, carrying the unused color under your stitches. It's how we'll create Barnaby’s signature white blaze on his head and his white chest patch seamlessly. Pro Tip for Barnaby: Keep your tension even when carrying the yarn to prevent puckering or the carried color showing through too much. It takes a little practice, but the crisp result on Barnaby’s markings is so worth it!
  • H3: Color Changes: We’ll have a few neat color changes, for example, from the tan of his legs to his white paws. I’ll guide you on making these as clean as possible.
  • H3: Attaching Parts Securely & Neatly: The placement of Barnaby’s floppy ears and sweet muzzle is key to his expression. We’ll talk about pinning before sewing.
  • H3: Embroidery (Nose & Mouth): A few simple stitches with black floss will bring Barnaby’s gentle face to life.

Crochet Abbreviations (US Terms):

• approx. – approximately
• ch – chain
• dec – invisible decrease (single crochet 2 stitches together using front loops only)
• inc – increase (2 single crochet stitches in the same stitch)
• MR – magic ring
• Rnd(s) – round(s)
• Row(s) – row(s)
• sc – single crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• FO – fasten off
• A, B, C – Yarn Color A (Tan), Yarn Color B (White), Yarn Color C (Dark Brown)
• [...] x N – repeat instructions in brackets N times
• (...) – number of stitches at the end of the round/row

A Note on Photos & Your Unique Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend

Remember, my dear, every handmade creation is wonderfully unique, just like the crafter! Your Barnaby might have his own little quirks depending on your yarn, tension, and stuffing style, and that’s what makes him especially yours. The photos here are a guide, but embrace the personality that emerges from your own hands – that’s the true magic of amigurumi. Barnaby is designed to be a character full of warmth, so let your love shine through your stitches!

Onwards, creative spirit, let's bring our Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend to life! The full pattern awaits you just below.

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The Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend Amigurumi Pattern

Important Notes Before You Start:

• Work in continuous spiral rounds unless otherwise stated. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.
• Stuff pieces firmly as you go, unless otherwise indicated. The stuffing should be firm enough to hold the shape but not so tight that it stretches the stitches.
• Color changes: Complete the last yarn over of the stitch before the indicated color change with the new color.
• For tapestry crochet sections (Head Blaze, Chest Patch): Carry the non-working yarn along the top of the stitches from the previous round and crochet over it. Try to keep it from pulling too tight or being too loose.

Head

(Start with Color A - Tan. The blaze is Color B - White. Instructions for the blaze are embedded.)

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6) 

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12) 

Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] x 6. (18) 

Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] x 6. (24) 

Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] x 6. (30) 

Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] x 6. (36) 

Rnd 7: [Sc 5, inc] x 6. (42) 

Rnd 8: [Sc 6, inc] x 6. (48) 

Rnd 9: [Sc 7, inc] x 6. (54) 

Rnd 10: (Begin Blaze - Tapestry Crochet) With A, sc 24. With B, sc 6. With A, sc 24. (54) 

Rnd 11: With A, sc 23. With B, sc 8. With A, sc 23. (54) 

Rnd 12: With A, sc 22. With B, sc 10. With A, sc 22. (54) 

Rnd 13: With A, sc 21. With B, sc 12. With A, sc 21. (54) 

Rnd 14-19 (6 rounds): Repeat Rnd 13. (With A, sc 21. With B, sc 12. With A, sc 21). (54) 

Rnd 20: With A, sc 22. With B, sc 10. With A, sc 22. (54) (End blaze, cut Color B leaving a tail if desired for security, continue with A only) 

Rnd 21: [Sc 7, dec] x 6. (48) 

Rnd 22: [Sc 6, dec] x 6. (42) 

Rnd 23: [Sc 5, dec] x 6. (36) 

Rnd 24: [Sc 4, dec] x 6. (30) 

Rnd 25: [Sc 3, dec] x 6. (24) Begin stuffing the head. Place safety eyes between Rnds 15 and 16, approximately 10-12 stitches apart, with the white blaze centered between them. If using, place white felt circles behind the eyes before securing the washers. 

Rnd 26: [Sc 2, dec] x 6. (18) 

Rnd 27: [Sc 1, dec] x 6. (12) 

Rnd 28: Dec x 6. (6) Finish stuffing. FO, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the front loops of the final 6 stitches and pull tight to close the hole. Weave in the end.

Muzzle

(Using Color B - White)

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6) 

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12) 

Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] x 6. (18) 

Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] x 6. (24) 

Rnd 5-7 (3 rounds): Sc in each st around. (24) FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Lightly stuff before attaching.

Ears (Make 2)

(Using Color C - Dark Brown. Work in rows.)

Row 1: Ch 7. Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 6. Ch 1, turn. (6) Row 2: Inc, sc 4, inc. Ch 1, turn. (8) Row 3: Inc, sc 6, inc. Ch 1, turn. (10) Row 4-10 (7 rows): Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (10) Row 11: Dec, sc 6, dec. Ch 1, turn. (8) Row 12: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (8) Row 13: Dec, sc 4, dec. Ch 1, turn. (6) Row 14-15 (2 rows): Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (6) Row 16: Dec, sc 2, dec. Ch 1, turn. (4) Do not FO yet. Now, sc evenly around the entire edge of the ear to give it a clean finish. Place approximately 1 sc per row-end and 1 sc per stitch along the starting chain edge and last row. Place (sc, ch 1, sc) in the corners if needed to keep it flat. Sl st to first sc to join. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. (Alternative for fuller ears: Make two of these flat pieces per ear. Place wrong sides together and sc them together around the edge.)

Body

(Start with Color A - Tan. Chest patch is Color B - White. Instructions for the chest patch are embedded.)

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6) 

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12) 

Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] x 6. (18) 

Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] x 6. (24) 

Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] x 6. (30) 

Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] x 6. (36) 

Rnd 7: [Sc 5, inc] x 6. (42) 

Rnd 8: [Sc 6, inc] x 6. (48) 

Rnd 9-12 (4 rounds): Sc in each st around. (48) 

Rnd 13: (Begin Chest Patch - Tapestry Crochet, centered on what will be the front) With A, sc 20. With B, sc 8. With A, sc 20. (48) 

Rnd 14: With A, sc 19. With B, sc 10. With A, sc 19. (48) 

Rnd 15: With A, sc 18. With B, sc 12. With A, sc 18. (48) 

Rnd 16: With A, sc 17. With B, sc 14. With A, sc 17. (48) 

Rnd 17: (End chest patch, cut Color B leaving a tail for security, continue with A only) [Sc 6, dec] x 6. (42) Rnd 18-19 (2 rounds): Sc in each st around. (42) 

Rnd 20: [Sc 5, dec] x 6. (36) 

Rnd 21-22 (2 rounds): Sc in each st around. (36) 

Rnd 23: [Sc 4, dec] x 6. (30) 

Rnd 24-25 (2 rounds): Sc in each st around. (30) Start stuffing the body firmly. 

Rnd 26: [Sc 3, dec] x 6. (24) 

Rnd 27-28 (2 rounds): Sc in each st around. (24) FO, leaving a very long tail for sewing the body to the head. Finish stuffing.

Front Legs (Make 2)

(Start with Color B - White)

Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6) 

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)  

Rnd 3: [Sc 3, inc] x 3. (15) 

Rnd 4-6 (3 rounds): Sc in each st around. (15) Change to Color A - Tan. 

Rnd 7-14 (8 rounds): Sc in each st around. (15) Lightly stuff the paw (white part) and about halfway up the leg. Do not overstuff the top if you want it to attach flatly. 

Rnd 15: To close the leg opening, flatten the tube and sc across through both layers. You should get about 7 sc across. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Hind Paws (Make 2)

(Using Color C - Dark Brown)

Rnd 1: Start 5 sc in a MR. (5) 

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (10) 

Rnd 3: [Sc 4, inc] x 2. (12) 

Rnd 4-5 (2 rounds): Sc in each st around. (12) 

Rnd 6: [Sc 4, dec] x 2. (10) Lightly stuff. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Tail

(Using Color C - Dark Brown)

Rnd 1: Start 4 sc in a MR. (4) 

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (8) 

Rnd 3: [Sc 3, inc] x 2. (10) 

Rnd 4-6 (3 rounds): Sc in each st around. (10) 

Rnd 7: [Sc 3, dec] x 2. (8) Lightly stuff. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly Instructions for Your Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend

My dear, this is where Barnaby truly comes to life! Take your time, pin pieces in place before sewing, and use matching yarn tails.

1. Muzzle: Sew the Muzzle to the front of the Head, centering it below the eyes, over Rnds 16-22 of the head (approximately). Add a little more stuffing to the muzzle just before you close the seam to ensure it has a nice, full shape.
2. Ears: Pin the Ears to the sides of the Head. The top of the ears should align roughly with Rnd 10 or 11 of the head (near the top of the blaze, or just above eye level), allowing them to flop down nicely. Sew them securely.
3. Body to Head: Using the long tail from the Body, sew the Body to the base of the Head. Ensure the white chest patch on the body aligns with the white blaze and muzzle on the head for a symmetrical look. Add more stuffing to the neck area as you sew if needed, to keep the head well-supported.
4. Front Legs: Pin the Front Legs to the sides of the Body, just below the neck join, angling slightly forward if desired for a cute pose. The flattened edge should be against the body. Sew securely.
5. Hind Paws: Pin the Hind Paws to the lower sides/front of the Body, where they would naturally rest if Barnaby were sitting. The image shows them peeking out at the sides of the base. Sew them securely.
6. Tail: Sew the Tail to the back of the Body, centered over the lower rounds (approx. Rnds 6-8 from the bottom of the body). Position it so it has a slight upward perk.
7. Facial Features (Embroidery):
   • Nose: Using black embroidery floss, stitch a nose onto the Muzzle. A small, rounded triangle or a series of horizontal satin stitches works well. Refer to the image for placement – it’s typically centered near the top edge of the muzzle.
   • Mouth: With black embroidery floss, stitch a simple inverted "Y" shape or a gentle curve for the mouth, just below the nose.

Tips & Tricks for Your Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend

A few extra thoughts to make your Barnaby truly special:

• H3: Troubleshooting Wobbly Heads: If Barnaby’s head feels a little wobbly despite firm stuffing, you can insert a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) folded in half, or a small dowel, into the neck area, anchoring it in both the head and body stuffing before fully closing the seam. Be sure any hard inserts are well-padded with stuffing and secure if the toy is for a young child.
• H3: Customization Corner for Barnaby:
  • Collar: Crochet a simple chain in a bright color and tie it around Barnaby's neck, or stitch a small felt collar. You could even add a tiny charm!
  • Spots: If you're feeling adventurous, embroider a few small, irregular dark brown spots on Barnaby’s back to give him more beagle-like markings.
  • Tongue: A tiny pink felt tongue peeking out from his mouth would be adorable!
• H3: Gifting Your Barnaby: Barnaby makes a wonderful, heartfelt gift! Consider adding a little handmade tag with his name and care instructions (spot clean only). Pairing him with a dog-themed children's book would be a lovely touch for a young recipient.

Frequently Asked Pattern & Finishing Questions for Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend

• My tapestry crochet for the blaze/chest looks a bit messy. Any tips?
  • Patience, my dear! Ensure you're dropping the old color and picking up the new color on the last yarn over of the stitch before the chart indicates the change. Keep the carried yarn slightly taut but not too tight. Practice on a small swatch first if you're new to it. For Barnaby's blaze, since it's a defined shape, you want those edges as crisp as possible.
• How do I get the ears to flop so nicely like in the picture?
  • The pattern aims for that with the row construction. Not over-stuffing (if you chose the two-piece ear method) or using a yarn with a nice drape helps. Also, the placement on the head is key – attaching them slightly higher up and towards the sides allows gravity to do its work for that lovely beagle flop.
• Can I use a different yarn weight for Barnaby?
  • You absolutely can! Just remember that using a thicker yarn will result in a larger Barnaby, and a thinner yarn will make him smaller. Be sure to adjust your hook size accordingly to maintain a tight gauge so the stuffing doesn't show. You might also need to adjust the safety eye size.
• My hind paws look a bit like blobs. How can I make them more defined?
  • The hind paws in this design are meant to be simple, roundish shapes as seen in the inspiration image, suggesting they are tucked in a sitting pose. Ensure you stuff them lightly but firmly enough to hold their shape. When attaching, you can use your sewing stitches to slightly sculpt them or ensure they are positioned snugly against the body to imply the rest of the leg is tucked under.

A Final Word & Caring for Your Adorable Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend

And there you have it – your very own Barnaby the Beagle-Style Best Friend! I truly hope you’ve enjoyed every stitch of this journey, from the first magic ring to the final, jaunty placement of his tail. Seeing your finished Barnaby come to life is the greatest reward for me as a designer. Your engagement with these patterns, your shares, and your lovely comments are what makes these free, detailed patterns possible and keeps my creative spirits high. Thank you for choosing this pattern and for being part of our wonderful crochet community.

To care for Barnaby, I recommend spot cleaning only with a damp cloth and mild soap if he gets a little grubby from too many adventures. Air dry him thoroughly.

Happy stitching, and may your Barnaby bring you endless smiles!