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AmigurumiCrochet dog amigurumi in pajamas pattern
A plush crochet dog in pajamas and a nightcap, built in spiral rounds with amigurumi shaping.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Time
- 4-6 hours
- Hook
- 4.0 mm
- Yarn
- Bulky
Pattern highlights
- Work the Ears separately, then set them aside until assembly.
- Crochet the Body in the main color, leaving a round open for the collar later.
- Crochet the Tail flat, then close the opening with a single crochet seam instead of stuffing it.
- Work the Hat and the small white Slipper Ears as separate accent pieces.
- Assemble everything — eyes, nose, collar, and limbs — following the order in the assembly steps.
About This Pattern
This one belongs in the sleepy-toy corner of any amigurumi collection, next to the bears in nightshirts and the bunnies with floppy ears. A dog in pajamas is a specific kind of charm — it asks the maker to build a whole little outfit into the body instead of sewing one on after. I like patterns that fold costume into construction rather than bolting it on at the end.
The techniques here are familiar amigurumi ground: magic ring starts, single crochet increases, continuous spiral rounds with no joining. What sets this piece apart is the color-blocking inside the Head and Legs — white, then pajama color, then main dog color, worked right into the rounds rather than added later. The Tail breaks the spiral habit by flattening and closing with a seam, which is worth noticing.
Finished, this is a plush dog sitting upright in a two-piece pajama set, complete with collar and a nightcap-style hat. The slipper ears are a nice touch — a small white add-on that turns ordinary feet into bunny slippers. It reads as a bedtime companion, not a shelf ornament, though it will happily do both jobs.
Worth knowing
What I like here is the color-change discipline. The Head and Legs both shift yarn mid-piece — white to pajama color to main color — so you're thinking ahead before you even start the magic ring. That's a small planning puzzle, and amigurumi doesn't always ask for one. The Tail is the other quiet pleasure: instead of stuffing and closing it like every other part, you flatten it and single crochet the opening shut, pair by pair. It's a different kind of finish, and it teaches you something about flat-seam closures you can reuse elsewhere. Add the slipper ears worked in white, and you've got a piece that rewards attention to sequence as much as to stitch count.
Common mistakes
- Losing track of the spiral start Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round and move it up as you go. Without it, color changes in the Head make it easy to lose your place.
- Stuffing the Tail by habit Leave the Tail unstuffed and flatten it before closing. Stuffing it defeats the flat seam the pattern calls for.
- Eyes placed without checking spacing Position the bead eyes between the rounds specified and count stitches apart before securing. Eyes set too close read as cross-eyed once stuffed.
- Loose stitches showing stuffing Check your tension before committing to a hook size. If fiberfill peeks through the fabric, drop down a hook size and keep stitches snug.
Intermediate
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The kit
Yarn
- Bulky plush yarn (such as Himalaya Dolphin Baby or YarnArt Dolce) — approximately 2.5 skeins total; you’ll need the main dog color, the pajama color, and a small amount of white for the muzzle, collar, slipper ears, and pompom
Hook
- US Size G-6 / 4.0 mm
Stuffing
- Polyester fiberfill
Eyes
- Small beads or safety eyes (quantity: 2)
- Stitch markers
- Yarn needle / tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Strong sewing thread or fine yarn for assembling pieces
Head
Work in white yarn.
Step by step: Work in pajama color yarn.
Step by step: Work in main dog color yarn.
Round 16 sc in MR. (6)
Round 2inc in each st around. (12)
Round 3sc, inc repeat around. (18)Step by step: sc in each st around. (18) (5 rounds).
Round 42 sc, inc repeat around. (24)Step by step: sc in each st around. (24) (2 rounds).
Round 53 sc, inc repeat around. (30)Step by step: 4 sc, inc repeat around. (36); 5 sc, inc repeat around. (42); sc in each st around. (42) (5 rounds).
sc in each st around. (30) (3 rounds) If you’d like colored ears, switch yarn color at Rnd 11.
Rounds 6–8sc in each st around. (30) (3 rounds)sc in each st around. (12) (12 rounds) Switch to pajama color yarn at Rnd 15. Stuff the lower portion of the arm with fiberfill. Flatten the opening and join both sides together by working sc through each corresponding stitch pair across. Fasten off and weave in the end.sc in each st around. (12) (4 rounds) Do not stuff the ears. Flatten the opening and join both sides together by working sc through each corresponding stitch pair across. Fasten off and weave in the end.(30)
Round 912 sc, inc 6 times, 12 sc. (36)Switch to main dog color yarn.
Round 10sc in each st around. (36)
Round 1112 sc, sc, inc 6 times, 12 sc. (42)
Rounds 12–20sc in each st around. (42) (9 rounds) Begin stuffing as you work. Continue adding fiberfill as the opening closes.Step by step: Fasten off and weave in the end.
Round 215 sc, dec repeat around. (36)Step by step: sc in each st around. (36) (3 rounds).
Round 224 sc, dec repeat around. (30)
Round 233 sc, dec repeat around. (24)Step by step: sc in each st around. (24) (3 rounds) Switch to main dog color yarn.Step by step: sc in each st around. (24) (3 rounds).
Round 242 sc, dec repeat around. (18)
Round 25sc, dec repeat around. (12)
Round 26dec 6 times. (6)Pull the opening closed. Fasten off and weave in the end. this …
Legs(Make 2)
Work in main dog color yarn. If making bunny slippers, work Rnds 1–9 in white yarn.
Round 16 sc in MR. (6)
Round 2inc in each st around. (12)
Round 3sc, inc repeat around. (18)
Round 42 sc, inc repeat around. (24)
Round 53 sc, inc repeat around. (30)
Round 6sc in each st around through back loops only (BLO). (30)
Rounds 7–9sc in each st around. (30) (3 rounds)(30)
Round 109 sc, dec 6 times, 9 sc. (24)
If you worked the foot in white, switch to main dog color now.
Round 116 sc, dec 6 times, 6 sc. (18)
Round 126 sc, dec 3 times, 6 sc. (15)
Rounds 13–19sc in each st around. (15) (7 rounds) Switch to pajama color yarn at Rnd 16.
Round 203 sc, dec repeat 3 times. (12)
Round 2111 sc. (Do not complete the full round.) Stuff the lower portion of the leg with fiberfill. Flatten the opening and join both sides together by working sc through each corresponding stitch pair across. Fasten off and weave in the end.
Tail
Work in main dog color yarn.
Round 16 sc in MR. (6)
Round 2sc in each st around. (6)
Round 3sc, inc repeat 3 times. (9)
Rounds 4–10sc in each st around. (9) (7 rounds) Do not stuff the tail. Flatten the opening and join both sides together by working sc through each corresponding stitch pair across. Fasten off and weave in the end.
Hat
Begin with white yarn for the pompom.
Round 16 sc in MR. (6)
Round 2inc in each st around. (12)
Round 3sc, inc repeat around. (18)
Rounds 4–6sc in each st around. (18) (3 rounds)(18)
Round 7sc, dec repeat around. (12)
Round 8dec 6 times. (6)Stuff the pompom with fiberfill.Switch to pajama color yarn.
Round 9sc, inc repeat 3 times. (9)
Round 10sc in each st around. (9)
Round 112 sc, inc repeat 3 times. (12)
Round 12sc in each st around. (12)
Round 133 sc, inc repeat 3 times. (15)
Round 14sc in each st around. (15)
Round 154 sc, inc repeat 3 times. (18)
Round 16sc in each st around. (18)
Round 175 sc, inc repeat 3 times. (21)
Round 18sc in each st around. (21)
Round 196 sc, inc repeat 3 times. (24)
Round 20sc in each st around. (24)
Round 217 sc, inc repeat 3 times. (27)
Round 22sc in each st around. (27)
Round 238 sc, inc repeat 3 times. (30)
Round 24sc in each st around. (30)
Round 259 sc, inc repeat 3 times. (33)
Round 26sc in each st around. (33)
Round 2710 sc, inc repeat 3 times. (36)
Round 28sc in each st around. (36)
Round 2911 sc, inc repeat 3 times. (39)
Round 30sc in each st around. (39)
Round 3112 sc, inc repeat 3 times. (42)
Rounds 32–33sc in each st around. (42) (2 rounds) Fasten off and weave in the end.
Slipper Ears(Make 2 — white yarn)
Row 1: Ch 5.
Round 2Starting in the 2nd ch from hook: 3 sc, 4 sc in the last ch; rotate work and sc along the opposite side of the foundation chain: 3 sc, sl st to join.Fasten off and weave in the end.
Pajama Collar
Work in white yarn.
Ch 26. Starting in the 3rd ch from hook: 11 dc, hdc, ch 2, sl st in the same st, sl st, ch 2, hdc in the same st, 11 dc, ch 2, sl st to finish.
Fasten off and weave in the end.
Assembly
Step 1Shape the muzzle. Using your yarn needle and a length of white yarn, cinch the muzzle area gently to give it dimension and definition.
Step 2Attach the eyes. Sew or secure the bead eyes between Rnds 9 and 10 of the Head, spaced 6 stitches apart.
Step 3Embroider the nose. Using dark yarn or embroidery thread, stitch the nose onto the center of the muzzle.
Step 4Attach the collar. Sew the Pajama Collar onto the Body at Rnd 25.
Step 5Attach the Head to the Body. Using a yarn needle and matching yarn, whipstitch the Head securely to the top of the Body.
Step 6Attach the Ears. Sew the Ears to the Head between Rnds 14 and 21.
Step 7Attach the Arms. Sew the Arms to the Body at Rnd 24, one on each side.
Step 8Attach the Legs. Sew the Legs to the base of the Body between Rnds 1 and 6.
Step 9Attach the Tail. Sew the Tail to the back of the Body between Rnds 8 and 9.
Step 10Attach the Hat. Sew or position the Hat on top of the Head at a slight angle.
Step 11Attach Slipper Ears (if made). Sew one to the top of each Leg foot.
Step 12Weave in all remaining ends.
Finishing
- Weave in every yarn end from the color changes in the Head and Legs before stuffing, since they're harder to reach once filled.
- Stuff the Head, Body, Arms, and Legs firmly with fiberfill, keeping the Tail unstuffed as directed.
- Attach the Head, Ears, Arms, Legs, collar, and slipper ears using a yarn needle and matching yarn, following the assembly order.
Why it works
The Head and Legs both open with a magic ring and double the stitch count every round through early increases, which is standard amigurumi shaping for a rounded form.
The Tail is worked flat rather than stuffed — after the increase round it holds a steady stitch count for seven rounds, then gets pinched shut and seamed stitch-by-stitch, which gives it a flat, non-rigid finish instead of a stuffed bulge.
What it becomes
- A bedtime companion for a child's room, paired with a matching blanket or nightlight.
- A gift for a new baby's nursery shelf, alongside other soft amigurumi animals.
- A handmade-market piece, displayed with other pajama-themed or sleepy-animal plush toys.
FAQ
Can I skip the slipper ears if I don't want the bunny-slipper look?
Yes, the Slipper Ears are a separate small piece worked in white yarn. Leave them off and the Legs still work fine as plain feet.
Why does the Tail get seamed instead of stuffed?
The pattern flattens the Tail and joins both sides with single crochet through corresponding stitch pairs. This gives a flat, flexible tail rather than a round, firm one.
How much yarn do I actually need?
Plan for about 2.5 skeins total of bulky plush yarn, split between the main dog color, the pajama color, and a small amount of white. The white only covers the muzzle, collar, slipper ears, and pompom, so it goes quickly.
Do I need safety eyes or can I use beads?
Either works — the materials list calls for small beads or safety eyes, two total. Just make sure whichever you choose is secured firmly since this is a stuffed toy.