Finding a dog plush pattern – the search is a job in and of itself. And that’s before you can start making the actual stuffie.
There are so many patterns. Still, finding the perfect one, for this very occasion, can prove to be quite a challenge.
In this compilation, I’ve added a mixture of sewing, crochet, and knitting patterns.
As someone who dabbles in all three, I’m never quite decided on which needlecraft to use until finding a pattern that has the right vibe.
Perhaps you are in the same boat.
Do you prefer to knit, crochet, or sew? Or do you know it’s the pattern you were looking for when you see it?
Table of Contents
- Best Dog Plush Patterns
- 1. Miss Daisy Patterns ‘Snuggle Puppy’
- 2. Flora The Basset Hound
- Bonus: Petra’s Wonderland ‘Lazy Dog’
- 3. Button-Nosed Puppy
- 4. Plush Dog Pattern
- 5. Little Pugs
- Bonus: Knitted Puppy (Comes with Friends!)
- 6. Tiny Dachshund
- Bonus: Elf Pop Nails It
- 7. Spotted Plush Dog Pattern
- 8. Dusty The Dog
- 9. Lucky Puppy Crochet Pattern
- 10. Crochet A Tiny Pocket Puppy
- 11. The Little Christmas Dog
- 12. Beagle Plush Crochet Pattern
- 13. Jack Russel Knitting Pattern
- 14. Greyhound Dog Knitting Pattern
- 15. Cute Pink & Grey Floppy Dog Crochet Pattern
- Knitting vs. Crochet vs. Sewing
Best Dog Plush Patterns
The best plush dog patterns are those that actually go somewhere.
And by somewhere, I mean the original post/website/maker’s tutorial.
With the sheer number of pictures online, it can be tricky to zone in on the original source of a cute stuffed animal D.I.Y. project. Because those pictures tend to go off and live a life of their own on the Wild Wild Web.
| Tip: For creators and makers, putting a name (or URL) on your photographs is absolutely crucial. When all else fails, sometimes we can still locate the original designer of a pattern by simply Googling the watermark on an image. |
My aim is to curate an outstanding and qualitatively excellent list of dog plushies to make yourself. A compilation where every pattern has been checked to lead somewhere useful and legit.
This stems from the fact that I’ve on occasion been quite frustrated with “orphaned” images of stuffed toy patterns (or anything else you can make).
Sometimes, the cutest one of the bunch – the one that stands out and you really want to make – leads nowhere. Pinterest images only lead to other random links or web pages. None of which contains the pattern or tutorial. Of course, the images aren’t watermarked or credited.
Yup… Can you tell I’m not a fan of semi-shady websites using other people’s content without proper attribution?
At the time of writing, everything below checks out. If you find a feature in one of these posts that is no longer accurate, please don’t hesitate to pitch in. Thank you kindly. 🙂
Now without further ado: Find that perfect stuffed dog pattern just begging to come to life through your hands.
Enjoy!
1. Miss Daisy Patterns ‘Snuggle Puppy’
The creator behind ‘Miss Daisy Patterns and Tutorials’ is called… Tina. She’s located in beautiful Ireland and this pup comes with a video tutorial and a printable. The printable pattern is easy to download and conveniently sized on letter paper.
On her site, you’ll find detailed video guidance. (Also embedded below.)
There is no written description of the steps to sew this little guy together – for those who prefer reading over watching.
However, there are many other stuffed animal patterns on her blog. If you are a serial maker, do check it out and line up your next projects.
2. Flora The Basset Hound
Sew magazine gives access to the free printable pattern of Flora the basset hound after you register an account.
The instructions are in writing only. They are fairly detailed, although beginners might find the absence of imagery (whether stills or video) a bit abstract.
Bonus: Petra’s Wonderland ‘Lazy Dog’
Would you have a few bucks to spare for a plush dog pattern this cute?
The lazy dog pattern is $8. I am totally smitten with the shape of its head and body. Especially those floppy ears and stretched-out back legs.
This pooch will for sure be hit with any lucky kid (or adult) on the receiving end.
3. Button-Nosed Puppy
There are a lot of these images floating around online – especially on Pinterest. Often with Russian text, though here it appears to be an as-yet-to-be-identified oriental language.
While the prospect of putting together a plush dog with only pattern pieces and no instructions may seem daunting to beginning crafters, I’ve been wanting to give it a try.
I like that this floppy-eared pup does not require plastic eyes or a nose. Details are either fabric or embroidered on, which is not only easy if you don’t have supplies on hand (and you’re impatient to start) but also safer for babies.
If you have some experience, you’ll easily figure out which piece is which. And putting them together in the right order should be doable as well.
4. Plush Dog Pattern
Hard-core crafters, who do not let themselves be held back by a lack – or complete absence – of directions, head this way. No printer needed. Indeed, it’s a plush dog sewing pattern you can draw with the help of squares.
How’s that for old school?
It also means you could potentially blow this pattern up as large as you feel like tackling! Or as small… My oldest has a thing for tiny animal figurines. You bet I’ll give this one a try as a miniature version.
Either way, it requires a bit of work and elbow grease but I’m seeing so many possibilities. Upon further inspection, some pieces seem to be missing. While these squares remain an interesting concept, I guess we’ll move on for now.
From here on forward, no more plush dog patterns in the form of orphaned images with foreign language text, I promise!
5. Little Pugs
For pug lovers, here is a small stuffed dog pattern. Extracted from the book Palm-size Softies, you’ll find it on the website “cut out and keep”, a craft-sharing platform.
| Tip: a pattern like the one above, with English text, can be helpful if you’re aiming to decipher one of the earlier-mentioned foreign ones. Certain shapes come back across many different patterns. With a bit of practice, they are easy to recognize. |
Bonus: Knitted Puppy (Comes with Friends!)
This puppy pattern is for knitters. Created by Pat on LoveCrafts, I think she more than nailed it. So much so that this stuffed dog pattern looks like the classic and adorable Gund stuffed dogs.
Do you see the resemblance?
The knitting pattern is available for purchase as part of a bundle called ‘Toys from the Toybox – Part 2’. For less than five bucks, you get a dog, a bear, a bunny, an elephant, and a donkey. That’s a worthwhile little investment if you ask me.
6. Tiny Dachshund
This teeny tiny plush Dachshund is not only adorable – the maker practically holds your hand throughout the entire process.
Sit back, relax, and – okay, you’ll have to do a few things to put this cutie together.
But it sure is a whole lot more relaxing to follow along with a well-made tutorial like this one than to figure out the details for yourself.
The printable pattern is shared on the website, follow the link below.
Bonus: Elf Pop Nails It
Not just another dog plush pattern, this creation by Elf Pop on Etsy.
Of course, it is that, too: yet another stuffed dog sewing pattern. But this pooch really stood out to me because of a few things.
- The oversized head and skinny body, there’s something about that combo that just works.
- The cuteness of its embroidered face.
- The fact that the face is embroidered.
- That spot on its eye!
And I’m not the only one crushing on this pup. When reading this story, it got respectfully quiet in my head.
One reviewer on Etsy writes: “I looked everywhere for the right pattern to create memory bears for my family in honor of my brother who recently passed away. My brother loved dogs so I wanted to pick something he had a connection to with more of a modern style to represent him. This puppy was perfect! The design, size, and detailed instructions were exactly what I needed! With the help of a couple friends I made six total (one for each of my sisters, me and my parents) and I am soooo happy with the results! I used fabric from some of my brother’s favorite clothing and I even added a little fabric tummy tag with my brother’s handwriting to make them more personalized. These memory dogs are going to make wonderful Christmas gifts that will be cherished forever! Thank you!!“
Wouldn’t you agree that in their picture (below), the dog looks even nicer than the one from the example picture by the original designer?
7. Spotted Plush Dog Pattern
Nasty Schastlivaya is clearly the maker of this dog (and image) which is why I’m featuring it to direct traffic to what is hopefully the original post.
The directions are clear and should not pose any problems for intermediate crocheters. The yarn looks very squishy, doesn’t it? Such a cutie pie, with those spots on one eye and an ear.
This exact pattern, however, I found in two different locations. Not certain who is the original creator, or whether perhaps the same person owns both websites.
Go to Amigurumi Today pattern (FYI: the nicer-looking site, more pleasant browsing here.)
8. Dusty The Dog
Cuddly stitches craft gives this super cute stuffed dog pattern away for free. If you don’t mind scrolling past ads, you can follow along with the pattern online.
For the luxury of an ad-free version, you can visit Etsy and get yourself a neat PDF.
9. Lucky Puppy Crochet Pattern
At Amigurumi Today, you have to make an account to view the free patterns. Here is a cutie to crochet – it’s not too large (about 15 cm) but you can always choose to play with the gauge and do your own thing size-wise.
What a sweet face, though!
10. Crochet A Tiny Pocket Puppy
Make a tiny pocket dog (about 10 cm tall) with this free crochet pattern.
It can be a pocket dog but also a little friend to attach to a backpack or a keyring… I’d say this cutie could even work as an adorable Christmas ornament but the next one up kind of takes the spotlight for that job.
How about both?
You’d perhaps need to improvise a little scarf and/or hat for this one, which is not too hard if you have some experience.
11. The Little Christmas Dog
Amigurumi Today again – yes. What can I say, they have good stuff. And if you’re building a list compiling the cutest, nicest, and simply best plush dog patterns, who can scroll past a little dumpling pup wearing a Christmas hat?
This small crocheted plush dog is going to be a part of our upcoming Christmas celebration, for sure.
With a two-year-old and a five-year-old, who love all animals and dogs, in particular, it’ll be guaranteed to be a hit. That said, the adults in the house may want one, too. (I know I do!)
12. Beagle Plush Crochet Pattern
It says this pattern is easy, and the result is so sweet. It looks like a Beagle-kind of dog and is quite similar to the Christmas puppy mentioned earlier. Maybe even the same pattern? The nose looks a tad different, perhaps.
Can you see variations in other colors? I can picture these in less natural hues, like pink and blue instead of brown and beige. Or two shades of grey.
Another must-make to be added to my list – I’m thinking making a little plush dog like this one can’t possibly eat up a whole lot of time.
Then again, I’ve been deceived before by the hours it takes to crochet all the pieces, fill them appropriately, sew them together, and finish up.
13. Jack Russel Knitting Pattern
Gathered has not one but two free plush dog patterns to knit up. The first is unmistakably a Jack Russel. The next one is a greyhound – maybe with a little bit more imagination.
Both look lovely, though, and will make someone very happy – no doubt!
14. Greyhound Dog Knitting Pattern
This is the greyhound knitting pattern mentioned earlier.
It would work wonderfully as a wolf plush knitting pattern also.
If you manage to shorten the nose by a few rounds… The colors are already on point. With the nose somewhere in between the Jack Russel’s nose length and the greyhound’s… it’ll be a wolf!
Go to pattern (This is the same page as the Jack Russel stuffie, you have to scroll down to reach the greyhound.)
15. Cute Pink & Grey Floppy Dog Crochet Pattern
Simple and elegant, this pink and grey dog crochet pattern with floppy limbs and a perky little bow is right-on.
So sweet. Also, endless color variations are possible!
Knitting vs. Crochet vs. Sewing
Personally, I love the squishy nature of knitted stuffed animals. Knitting is more stretchy than crochet, which I find adds to the cozy factor of a lovey.
On the flip side, crochet does allow for more defined shapes. It’s easier to “build” a creature and it will perhaps be a bit more sturdy, too.
With sewing patterns, the sky is the limit. Each type of fabric comes with its own perks and challenges. But with the right shapes, any shape or size can be put together. (And the right amount of stuffing, we should add!)
Do you sometimes find yourself analyzing and mentally deconstructing the different pieces that came together to make one of the kids’ store-bought stuffed animals?
I hope you enjoyed this compilation of dog plush patterns!
Whichever is your preferred needlecraft?
