If you’ve been searching for an amigurumi project that will stop everyone in their tracks on social media, you just found it! This gorgeous little poodle doll combines the timeless charm of traditional crochet granny squares with the irresistible sweetness of character amigurumi. With her textured curly hair, delicate summer sandals, and coordinating garden accessories, she looks like she stepped straight out of a high-end boutique storefront.
This little poodle is about to become your new favorite crochet project — and yes, the pattern is completely free. Perfectly suited for intermediate crocheters (or ambitious beginners looking to level up their stitch game), this step-by-step tutorial will guide you through every single element. You’ll learn how to engineer a beautifully proportioned, seated doll frame, work up miniature daisy granny squares that join seamlessly into a sundress, and craft a collection of tiny backyard props. Grab your favorite caramel yarn, find a cozy spot, and let’s bring this sweet garden pup to life!
🧶 What You’ll Need — Materials & Tools
Yarn:
- Warm caramel brown worsted weight yarn (approx. 100g) — Main Body & Head
- Cream/Off-white worsted weight yarn (approx. 40g) — Dress Base, Sandals, Crossbody Bag Detail, & Flower Pots
- Pastel cornflower blue worsted weight yarn (approx. 30g) — Dress Motifs, Sandal Details, & Watering Can
- Sunny yellow worsted weight yarn (approx. 15g) — Flower Centers
- Tan/Straw-colored worsted weight yarn (approx. 25g) — Sun Hat
- Small amounts of pink, green, and dark brown worsted weight yarn for the accent potted flowers and soil.
Tools & Supplies:
- Crochet hook: 3.0mm (or size needed to achieve a tight, gap-free fabric)
- Safety eyes: 18mm black safety eyes (with white felt or white yarn backing for highlights)
- Safety nose: 15mm textured black oval/dog safety nose
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Tapestry needle + sharp scissors
- Stitch markers (essential for tracking continuous rounds)
- Optional: Fine fabric glue for securing eye backing accents
📏 Gauge & Measurements
- Gauge: 5 sc x 5 rows = 1 inch using a 3.0mm hook and worsted weight yarn.
- Finished doll height: Approximately 32 cm from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet when laid flat, or roughly 24 cm when seated.
- Note: Perfect gauge isn’t critical for the props, but it is highly recommended for the head and body to guarantee that the polyester stuffing remains hidden inside the stitches.
📖 Abbreviations Used (US Terms)
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| MR | Magic Ring |
| sc | Single crochet |
| inc | Increase (2 sc in the same stitch) |
| dec | Invisible decrease (sc 2 stitches together using front loops only) |
| sl st | Slip stitch |
| ch | Chain |
| BLO | Back loop only |
| FLO | Front loop only |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
| rnd | Round |
| rep | Repeat instructions inside asterisks the required number of times |
| hdc | Half double crochet |
| dc | Double crochet |
| tr | Treble crochet |
| LP | Loop Stitch (For the curly poodle texture) |
Poodle Loop Stitch (LP) Note: Insert hook into the next stitch. Wrap the yarn over your index finger to create a 1-inch loop on the right side of the fabric. Grab the yarn behind your finger, pull it through the stitch, yarn over, and pull through both loops on your hook to lock the loop in place.
🪡 Free Crochet Pattern — Penny the Poodle
Head
Using warm caramel brown yarn and working in continuous rounds.
- Rnd 1: Start with an MR, 6 sc inside the ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc rep 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 3: sc 1, inc rep 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: sc 2, inc rep 6 times. (24)
- Rnd 5: sc 3, inc rep 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 6: sc 4, inc rep 6 times. (36)
- Rnd 7: sc 5, inc rep 6 times. (42)
- Rnd 8: sc 6, inc rep 6 times. (48)
- Rnd 9–14: sc in each st around. (48)
- Rnd 15: sc 6, dec rep 6 times. (42)
- Rnd 16: sc 5, dec rep 6 times. (36)
- Note: Prepare to install the safety eyes and nose. Cut two small crescent shapes out of white felt and place them behind the 18mm safety eyes. Insert the eyes between Rnds 12 and 13, leaving 9 stitches open between them. Do not lock the washers yet.
- Rnd 17: sc 4, dec rep 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 18: sc 3, dec rep 6 times. (24)
- Rnd 19: sc 2, dec rep 6 times. (18)
- Stuff the head firmly with fiberfill, shaping it into a neat sphere. Lock the safety eye backings securely.
- Rnd 20: sc 1, dec rep 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 21: dec rep 6 times. (6)
- Fasten off, weave the tail through the remaining 6 front loops, pull tightly to close, and hide the yarn tail.
Poodle Hair Cap
Using warm caramel brown yarn. This cap creates the signature curly poodle top-knot framing her face.
- Rnd 1: Start with an MR, 6 LP inside the ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: 2 LP in each st rep 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 3: LP 1, 2 LP in next st rep 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: LP 2, 2 LP in next st rep 6 times. (24)
- Rnd 5: LP 3, 2 LP in next st rep 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 6: LP 4, 2 LP in next st rep 6 times. (36)
- Rnd 7–10: LP in each st around. (36)
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Position this over the top half of the head like a beanie, tilting it slightly backward so her eyes remain clear, and sew it in place.
Snout
Using warm caramel brown yarn.
- Rnd 1: Start with an MR, 6 sc inside the ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc rep 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 3: sc 1, inc rep 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: sc 5, inc rep 3 times. (21)
- Rnd 5–6: sc in each st around. (21)
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Insert the 15mm textured black safety nose between Rnds 2 and 3 centered on the top half of the snout. Lightly stuff the snout and sew it to the center of the face directly beneath the eyes. Use a strand of black thread to embroider a small vertical line downwards from the nose.
Body
Using warm caramel brown yarn.
- Rnd 1: Start with an MR, 6 sc inside the ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc rep 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 3: sc 1, inc rep 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: sc 2, inc rep 6 times. (24)
- Rnd 5: sc 3, inc rep 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 6: sc 4, inc rep 6 times. (36)
- Rnd 7: sc 5, inc rep 6 times. (42)
- Rnd 8–15: sc in each st around. (42)
- Rnd 16: sc 5, dec rep 6 times. (36)
- Rnd 17–18: sc in each st around. (36)
- Rnd 19: sc 4, dec rep 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 20–21: sc in each st around. (30)
- Rnd 22: sc 3, dec rep 6 times. (24)
- Rnd 23: sc in each st around. (24)
- Rnd 24: sc 2, dec rep 6 times. (18)
- Stuff the body firmly with polyester fiberfill.
- Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing the body to the head.
Arms (make 2)
Using warm caramel brown yarn.
- Rnd 1: Start with an MR, 6 sc inside the ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc rep 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 3–5: sc in each st around. (12)
- Rnd 6: sc 4, dec rep 2 times. (10)
- Rnd 7–18: sc in each st around. (10)
- Lightly stuff the bottom 1/3 of the arm, leaving the upper portion unstuffed so it sits flat against the body. Press the top edges together and sc 5 across both layers to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for assembly.
Legs (make 2)
Using warm caramel brown yarn.
- Rnd 1: Start with an MR, 6 sc inside the ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc rep 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 3: sc 1, inc rep 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4–6: sc in each st around. (18)
- Rnd 7: sc 5, dec 4 times, sc 5. (14)
- Rnd 8: sc 5, dec 2 times, sc 5. (12)
- Rnd 9–22: sc in each st around. (12)
- Stuff the foot and lower half of the leg firmly, leaving the upper 4 rows unstuffed. Flatten the top opening and sc 6 across both layers to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Ears (make 2)
Using warm caramel brown yarn.
- Rnd 1: Start with an MR, 6 LP inside the ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: 2 LP in each st rep 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 3: LP 1, 2 LP in next st rep 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4–10: LP in each st around. (18)
- Rnd 11: LP 7, dec rep 2 times. (16)
- Rnd 12: LP 6, dec rep 2 times. (14)
- Flatten the top of the ear (do not stuff) and sc 7 across both layers to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Sew the ears securely to the sides of the Poodle Hair Cap on Rnd 6.
Daisy Granny Square Dress
To make the beautiful patchwork dress, you will create 6 miniature daisy granny squares and sew them together in a horizontal ring to create the main skirt, adding a top bodice piece.
Mini Granny Square Pattern (Make 6)
- Start with sunny yellow yarn. Make an MR. Ch 1, 8 sc inside ring. Sl st to first sc to join. Fasten off yellow yarn.
- Join pastel cornflower blue yarn into any sc front loop.
- Daisy Petal: Ch 2, 2 dc in same st, ch 2, sl st into same st. Sl st into next st. Repeat around to create 8 daisy petals. Fasten off blue yarn.
- Join cream/off-white yarn into the back loop of any yellow sc behind a petal.
- Rnd 1 (Squaring the circle): Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same space, ch 1 (this forms your first corner). In the next st, 3 hdc. In the next st, 3 dc, ch 1. Repeat from * to * around until you have 4 distinct corners. Sl st to top of ch-3 to close. Fasten off, leaving a tail for piecing together.
Dress Assembly & Straps
- Sew the 6 squares together side-by-side to form a wide tube that fits over the poodle’s waist.
- Attach cream yarn to the top edge of the pieced tube. Sc evenly around the top opening to clean up the edge, reducing stitches if needed to fit the poodle’s midsection tightly.
- Bodice: Sc across 10 stitches on the front side of the dress for 4 consecutive rows to form a small square bib. At the top corners of the bib, ch 12 to create shoulder straps, run them over the shoulders, and sew them down securely at the back of the waistband.
- Bottom Trim: Attach pastel cornflower blue yarn to the lower hemline of the granny square ring. Sc 1, skip 1 st, 4 dc in next st, skip 1 st rep around to create a delicate scalloped edge. Fasten off and weave in all loose ends.
Mini Crossbody Bag
Using cream/off-white yarn.
- Row 1: Ch 9, hdc in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across, turn. (8)
- Row 2–6: Ch 1, hdc across, turn. (8)
- Row 7 (Flap): Ch 1, sc across, turn. (8)
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Fold Rows 1 to 4 upward to form the pocket, leaving rows 5-7 to fold forward over the front as a bag flap. Sew the side seams closed.
- Strap: Attach warm caramel brown yarn to the left side seam, chain 45 (or length required to cross the doll’s shoulder diagonally), and slip stitch to the opposite side seam.
- Details: Embroider three miniature yellow and white lazy-daisy flowers across the front flap.
Theme Sun Hat
Using tan/straw-colored yarn.
- Rnd 1: Start with an MR, 6 sc inside the ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc rep 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 3: sc 1, inc rep 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: sc 2, inc rep 6 times. (24)
- Rnd 5: sc 3, inc rep 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 6: sc 4, inc rep 6 times. (36)
- Rnd 7: sc 5, inc rep 6 times. (42)
- Rnd 8–11: sc in each st around. (42)
- Rnd 12 (Brim): Working in FLO, sc 1, inc rep around. (63)
- Rnd 13–14: sc in each st around. (63)
- Sl st to next st, fasten off, and cleanly weave in the end. Decorate the base of the crown by embroidering simple white, pink, and blue floral details using scraps of yarn.
Mini Potted Flowers (Make 2)
The Pot
Using cream or terracotta yarn.
- Rnd 1: Start with an MR, 6 sc inside the ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc rep 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 3: sc 1, inc rep 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: Working in BLO, sc in each st around. (18)
- Rnd 5–8: sc in each st around. (18)
- Rnd 9: Working in FLO, hdc in each st around to create a rim. Fasten off.
Soil & Flower Stem
Using dark brown yarn for soil. Repeat Rnds 1–3 of the pot pattern. Fasten off, leaving a tail. Stuff the pot with a tiny ball of fiberfill, then sew the soil disc into the BLO loops of Rnd 8 inside the pot.
- Attach green yarn to the center of the brown soil. Ch 6, turn, sl st 5 back down to make a stem. Fasten off.
- Stitch a small multi-petaled flower out of pink or white yarn and sew it to the top tip of the green stem.
Mini Pastel Blue Watering Can
Using pastel cornflower blue yarn.
- Rnd 1: Start with an MR, 6 sc inside the ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc rep 6 times. (12)
- Rnd 3: sc 1, inc rep 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: Working in BLO, sc in each st around. (18)
- Rnd 5–9: sc in each st around. (18)
- Stuff lightly.
- Rnd 10: Working in BLO, sc 1, dec rep around. (12)
- Rnd 11: dec around to close. Fasten off.
- Spout: Attach blue yarn to Rnd 6 on the side. Ch 4, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 chains. Fasten off and secure.
- Handle: Attach blue yarn to Rnd 9 on the opposite side of the spout. Ch 6, sl st down to Rnd 4 to secure the handle shape. Fasten off.
🔧 How to Assemble Your Penny the Poodle Doll
- Secure the Features: Make sure your safety eyes and safety nose are completely locked down with their plastic backings inside the head and snout before sewing pieces together.
- Head to Body: Using the long yarn tail left from the body, sew the head down to the body opening stitch-by-stitch. Add extra stuffing to the neck right before finishing to prevent a droopy head.
- Attach the Arms: Pin the flat, closed top edges of the arms to Rnd 23 of the body, directly beneath the neck seam. Sew securely through both layers.
- Attach the Legs: Position the legs side-by-side at the bottom base of the body (around Rnds 6–7). Sew them so they extend forward, allowing the poodle to sit comfortably on flat surfaces.
- Hair Details: Place two small crocheted white daisies near the base of each ear on the hair cap to simulate decorative flower clips.
- Dress and Accessorize: Slip the granny square dress over the legs and torso. Slip the crossbody bag strap diagonally over the arm and head. Place the sun hat onto her head between her ears, and style your scene with the watering can and potted flowers!
