CROCHET FOR CHARITY IN 2020: OC the Puppy

MAKE ITEMS FOR OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD!

When Rachel of Desert Blossom Crafts said she’d be hosting a make-along for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes, I knew I had to get in on it. We’ve been filling shoeboxes with our church for nearly 10 years. It’s not always been our kids’ favorite activity. When they were little, they had a REALLY hard time putting all those fun treats and toys into a shoebox to give away to someone else. But we persisted, knowing how important it is to put others ahead of ourselves and trying to pass that on to our children! Now, they do a much better job and enjoy creating boxes for children that are their ages.

I have designed OC the Puppy which is a quick and easy amigurumi pattern that even beginners can handle!

This pattern was designed for Operation Crochet Shoeboxes. The crochet-along is running from September to November on the Desert Blossom Crafts blog. Participants are making items for shoebox donations via Operation Christmas Child. Each week, a new pattern is released that you can put in your shoebox! To learn more and join the crochet-along, click here.

OC the Puppy

Crochet Pattern by Amber Bliss Calderón–Bliss This

A Beginner Project

Materials

*Yarn Bee Lil’ Dollop Worsted (4), 92 yards, or any worsted weight (4) yarn (approximately 60 yards needed for pattern)

*4.5mm / 7 / G+ hook

*Needle for weaving in ends

*Poly-fil Stuffing

*Contrasting yarn for face stitching

Notes

All directions are written in US Crochet Terms.

Gauge is not essential to this project, but tight stitches will ensure a project that has no holes/gaps for stuffing to show through.

Height = 4 ¾”, Measurement at base = 2 ½” X 1 ½”

Abbreviation & Stitch Key

ch = chain stitch

sc = single crochet

sc2tog = single crochet two stitches together

sl st = slip stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

PATTERN

BASE (make 1)

Ch 9

Round 1: (Work into back bump of ch) 2 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in next 6, 4 sc in last ch, (Now begin working on the other side of the foundation ch.) sc in next 6, 2sc in last space (same space as beginning 2 sc), sl st in first sc to join. [20 sc]

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in next 2, sc in next 6, 2sc in next 4, sc in next 6, 2sc in last 2 sts, sl st in first sc to join. [28 sc]

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in next 2, 2 sc, sc in next 8, 2 sc, sc in next 4, 2 sc, sc in next 8, 2sc, sc in next 2, sl st in first sc to join. [32 sc]

Cut yarn, tie off.

BODY (make 1)

Round 1: Magic Circle, 6 sc in magic circle, sl st in first sc to join. [6 sc]

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, sl st in first sc to join. [12 sc]

Round 3: Ch 1, (sc in next 2, 2 sc)4 times, sl st in first sc to join. [16 sc]

Round 4: Ch 1, (sc in next 3, 2 sc)4 times, sl st in first sc to join. [20 sc]

Round 5: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st in first sc to join. [20 sc]

Round 6: Ch 1, (sc in next 4, 2 sc)4 times, sl st in first sc to join. [24 sc]

Round 7: Ch 1, (sc in next 2, 2 sc)8 times, sl st in first sc to join. [32 sc]

Rounds 8-24: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st in first sc to join. [32 sc]

Joining the Base and Body:

Round 25: With wrong sides of base and body together, sl st the two pieces together. After 20 sts, begin inserting Polyfil. Continue the sl st joining, and stuffing body until firm. [32 sl st]

Cut yarn, tie off. Weave in ends.

EARS (make 2)

Round 1: Magic Circle, 7 sc in magic circle, sl st in first sc to join. [7 sc]

You will now begin working in rows.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in same st, 2 sc in next st, hdc. [2 hdc, 2 sc]

Rows 3-4: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. [4 sc]

Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc in next 3, 2 sc in last st. [5 sc]

Leaving a long tail for sewing to body, cut yarn.

FRONT PAWS (make 2)

Round 1: Magic Circle, 7 sc in magic circle, sl st in first sc to join. [7 sc]

Rounds 2-5: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st in first sc to join. [7 sc]

Leaving a long tail for sewing to body, cut yarn.

BACK PAWS (make 2)

Round 1: Magic Circle, 6 sc in magic circle, sl st in first sc to join. [6 sc]

Round 2: Ch 1, (sc in next 2, 2 sc)2 times, sl st in first sc to join. [8 sc]

Rounds 3-4: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st in first sc to join. [8 sc]

Leaving a long tail for sewing to body, cut yarn.

TAIL (make 1)

Round 1: Magic Circle, 4 sc in magic circle, sl st in first sc to join. [4 sc]

Rounds 2-3: Ch 1, sc in each st around [4 sc]

Round 4: Ch 1, (sc in next st, 2 sc)2 times, sl st in first sc to join. [6 sc]

Round 5: Ch 1, 2sc in next 2, sc2tog in next 4, sl st in first sc to join. [6 sc]

Round 6: Ch 1, sc, 2sc in next 2, sc in next st, sc2tog, sl st in first sc to join. [7 sc]

Leaving a long tail for sewing to body, cut yarn.

ASSEMBLY and FINISHING

Pin the pieces to the puppy. (Leave the paws and tail unstuffed.)

*Pin last row of ears to opposite sides of Row 3 of body.

*Pin front paws to opposite sides of Row 13.

*Pin back paws to front of body at Row 23, approximately 7 sts apart.

*Pin tail to center back of Row 23.

Sew in place securely, and cut yarn.

With contrasting yarn or embroidery thread, stitch eyes (on or around Row 6 of body) and nose (on or around Row 8 of body).

Weave in all ends.

OC the Puppy is finished! Enjoy!

I’d love to see your work. Be sure to tag me @amberblissthis on Instagram and share your project on Ravelry!

If you prefer, the PDF is available on Ravelry for just $1. However, you can also buy the entire set of patterns for the crochet along here. This is a great option because you will have all the patterns in a printable bundle at once without having to wait for the release each week. In addition, ALL THE PROCEEDS of the bundle purchase will be donated to Operation Christmas Child. Help us raise $1,000 for Operation Christmas Child by grabbing the paid bundle!