🧶 Beautiful ✨ Detailed 💝 Adorable

Tip the Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern

Tip the Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern
4.2★Rating
5-7 HoursTime Needed
2.0KMade This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crocheting experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🐰

Whimsical Buddy

Playful characters full of personality, designed to spark imagination and become cherished playtime favorites.

About This Tip the Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern

Tip the Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view

This handmade pup makes a thoughtful gift for dog enthusiasts or a charming addition to a nursery. His friendly face and soft texture are perfect for little hands to hold and cherish for years to come.

Why You'll Love This Tip the Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern

I personally love how the muzzle and face markings are constructed on this pup—it feels like you're truly sculpting a personality as you work. The way the cream underside joins to the black body is such a satisfying technique to master, and the results are just so professional-looking!

Tip the Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern step 1 Tip the Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern step 2 Tip the Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern step 3 Tip the Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern step 4

Switch Things Up

There is something truly magical about bringing a character from a story to life through crochet. When I first saw Tip, I knew I had to capture that inquisitive look Border Collies always seem to have. One thing I discovered while making my first one is that the muzzle placement is everything! It’s not just a nose; it’s a whole personality.

I really recommend taking your time with the color changes on the legs and tail. It’s those crisp lines that give him that authentic sheepdog feel. If you find the black yarn a bit tricky to see (we’ve all been there!), try working under a bright lamp or even using a slightly lighter shade of dark charcoal if it helps your eyes.

I love how he looks lying flat—it makes him look like he’s just waiting for you to throw a ball. I hope you enjoy every stitch of this project as much as I did. He’s a fast friend and a joy to create!

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Placing the safety eyes too close together on Round 4 will make it difficult to fit the cream muzzle strip between them during assembly.✗ Forgetting to work into the same stitch as the chain-1 at the start of the muzzle rows will result in a strip that is too narrow and uneven.✗ When starting the black body section at Round 13, make sure you use the back loops only; using both loops will hide the ridge needed to attach the belly later.✗ Overstuffing the tops of the legs makes them too round to sew flat against the body, which can prevent your puppy from lying down properly.

Tip the Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern

I'm so excited to share Tip with you! This sweet Border Collie is inspired by a real-life pup, and he has so much character. Whether you're making him as a gift for a dog lover or just want a new companion for your own shelf, you'll find the process of watching his little face come together incredibly rewarding. He is designed to be soft, huggable, and full of that classic, inquisitive collie charm that we all love.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Tip the Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Worsted weight yarn in a crisp cream color, approximately 110 yards.
  • 02
    Worsted weight yarn in a deep black color, approximately 110 yards.

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size F (3.75 mm)
  • 02
    High-quality polyester fiberfill stuffing
  • 03
    One pair of 16 mm safety eyes
  • 04
    One 16 mm safety nose
  • 05
    Yarn needle for assembly
  • 06
    Stitch markers

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— 1. Head :

Round 1 :

Start with black yarn and create a MR, ch 1, then work 6 sc into the ring. Pull tight but do not join your rounds; work in a continuous spiral. (6)

Round 2 :

Work 1 inc into every st around. (12)

Round 3 :

Work (1 sc, 1 inc) 6 times. (18)

Round 4 :

Work (2 sc, 1 inc) 6 times. (24)

Round 5 :

Work (3 sc, 1 inc) 6 times. (30)

Round 6 :

Work (4 sc, 1 inc) 6 times. (36)

Round 7-12 :

Work 1 sc into every st around. (36)

Round 13 :

Work (4 sc, 1 sc dec) 6 times. (30)

Round 14 :

Work (3 sc, 1 sc dec) 6 times. (24)

Round 15 :

Work (2 sc, 1 sc dec) 6 times. (18)

Info :

Insert the 16 mm safety eyes between the stitches of Round 4, placing them about 5 stitches apart. Begin stuffing the head firmly.

Round 16 :

Work (1 sc, 1 sc dec) 6 times. (12)

Round 17 :

Work 6 sc dec around. (6)

Info :

Cut the yarn, leaving a tail for finishing. Use your needle to weave through the final 6 sts, pull tight to close, and hide the tail inside the head.

— 2. Muzzle :

Round 1 :

Using cream yarn, create a MR, ch 1, and work 6 sc into the ring. (6)

Round 2 :

Work 1 inc into every st around. (12)

Round 3 :

Work (1 sc, 1 inc) 6 times. (18)

Round 4-6 :

Work 1 sc into every st around. At the end of Round 6, sl st into the first sc to join. (18)

Info :

You will now transition from working in rounds to working in flat rows for the bridge of the nose.

Row 1 :

ch 1, work 1 sc into the same space as the join and 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts. Turn your work. (3)

Info :

Note: For the following rows, do not ch 1 at the end of the row before turning.

Row 2-3 :

Work 1 sc in each st across. Turn. (3)

Row 4 :

Work 1 inc in the first st, then 1 sc in the next 2 sts. Turn. (4)

Row 5-10 :

Work 1 sc in each st across. Turn. (4)

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Secure the safety nose to the center front of the muzzle rounds.

— 3. Ears (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

Using black yarn, start at the ear tip with a MR, ch 1, and work 3 sc in the ring. Work in a continuous spiral. (3)

Round 2 :

Work 1 inc in every st. (6)

Round 3 :

Work 1 sc into every st around. (6)

Round 4 :

Work (1 sc, 1 inc) 3 times. (9)

Round 5 :

Work 1 sc into every st around. (9)

Round 6 :

Work (2 sc, 1 inc) 3 times. (12)

Round 7 :

Work 1 sc into every st around. (12)

Round 8 :

Work (3 sc, 1 inc) 3 times. (15)

Round 9-11 :

Work 1 sc into every st around. (15)

Round 12 :

Work (1 sc, 1 sc dec) 5 times. (10)

Round 13 :

Work 1 sc into every st around. (10)

Info :

Fasten off with a long sewing tail. Flatten the opening and sew it closed through both layers.

— 4. Body - Part 1 (Cream Underside) :

Round 1 :

Start with cream yarn and a MR, ch 1, and work 6 sc into the ring. (6)

Round 2 :

Work 1 inc in every st. (12)

Round 3 :

Work (1 sc, 1 inc) 6 times. (18)

Round 4 :

Work (2 sc, 1 inc) 6 times. (24)

Round 5 :

Work (3 sc, 1 inc) 6 times. (30)

Round 6 :

Work (4 sc, 1 inc) 6 times. (36)

Round 7-12 :

Work 1 sc into every st around. At the end of Round 12, join with a sl st. (36)

Row 1 :

ch 1, work in flo for this row only: 1 sc in the same space as join, then 1 sc in the next 8 sts. Turn. (9)

Info :

Do not use a ch-1 at the end of these rows.

Row 2-9 :

Work through both loops now: 1 sc in each st across. Turn. (9)

Row 10 :

1 sc in the first st, 1 sc dec, 1 sc in each st until only 3 sts remain, 1 sc dec, 1 sc in the final st. Turn. (7)

Row 11 :

Work 1 sc in each st across. Turn. (7)

Row 12 :

Repeat the instructions for Row 10. Turn. (5)

Row 13-20 :

Work 1 sc in each st across. Turn. (5)

Info :

Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.

— 5. Body - Part 2 (Black Main Body) :

Round 13 :

Using black yarn, join with a sc in the first unworked blo of Round 12 from Part 1. sc in the next 8 blo, then sc through both loops for the remaining 27 sts. (36)

Round 14-26 :

Work 1 sc into every st around. (36)

Round 27 :

Work (4 sc, 1 sc dec) 6 times. (30)

Round 28 :

Work (3 sc, 1 sc dec) 6 times. (24)

Round 29 :

Work (2 sc, 1 sc dec) 6 times. (18)

Info :

Stuff the body firmly.

Round 30 :

Work (1 sc, 1 sc dec) 6 times. (12)

Round 31 :

Work 6 sc dec around. (6)

Info :

Fasten off, weave the tail through the last 6 sts to close, and hide the end.

— 6. Front Legs (Make 2) :

Round 1 :

With cream yarn, create a MR and work 6 sc inside. (6)

Round 2 :

Work 1 inc in every st. (12)

Round 3-12 :

Work 1 sc into every st around. At the end of Round 12, join with a sl st. (12)

Info :

Stuff the leg, then flatten the top and sew the opening closed. Leave a tail for sewing.

— 7. Hind Legs (Make 2) :

Round 1-5 :

Follow the instructions for Rounds 1-5 of the Front Legs using cream yarn. (12)

Round 6 :

Join black yarn in any st and work 1 sc in every st around. (12)

Round 7-12 :

Work 1 sc into every st around. At the end of Round 12, join with a sl st. (12)

Info :

Stuff the leg, flatten the top opening, and sew it shut. Leave a tail for sewing.

— 8. Tail :

Round 1 :

Using cream yarn, work 3 sc into a MR. (3)

Round 2 :

Work 1 inc in every st. (6)

Round 3 :

Work 1 sc into every st around. Join with a sl st and fasten off. (6)

Round 4 :

Join black yarn in any st and work 1 sc into every st around. (6)

Round 5 :

Work (2 sc, 1 inc) twice. (8)

Round 6-7 :

Work 1 sc into every st around. Join with a sl st. (8)

Info :

Fasten off and flatten the top to sew closed. Stuffing is optional.

Assembly Instructions

  • Stuff the cream muzzle and sew it to the front of the head. Position the rounds directly below the eyes and stretch the narrow row strip up between the eyes to the top of the head.
  • Attach the ears to the sides of the head. Position them level with the top of the muzzle, leaving about 3 black stitches visible between the ear and the muzzle strip.
  • Fold the ears downward and tack them in place at the sides of the head near the eyes. Secure the back part of the folded ear to the head to achieve a natural floppy look.
  • Sew the cream body underside (Part 1) onto the top of the black body (Part 2). The end of the cream strip should reach the center back of the dog's body.
  • Attach the front legs to the forward section of the body, positioning them so the dog can lie flat against a surface.
  • Sew the hind legs to the back section of the body, also ensuring they are angled to allow the pup to lie flat.
  • Attach the tail to the top back of the body, centering it behind the hind legs.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use a scrap of contrasting yarn as a stitch marker to keep track of your rounds, as working in black yarn can make it easy to lose your place.
  • 💡When stuffing, pay extra attention to the muzzle and the neck area to ensure the head sits properly and doesn't wobble.
  • 💡The invisible decrease (sc dec) is highly recommended to prevent gaps in the fabric where stuffing might show through.
  • 💡Always pin your pieces in place before sewing to check for symmetry, especially for the ears and legs.
  • 💡If you prefer a softer look, you can lightly steam the ears after folding them to help them lay flatter before tacking.
  • 💡Ensure all yarn ends are woven in securely and hidden deep inside the stuffing to prevent them from popping out later.

I can’t wait to see your finished Tip! There’s something so special about finishing a project like this and seeing that little face staring back at you. This pattern is such a tribute to the loyalty of Border Collies, and I hope your handmade pup brings a smile to whoever receives him. Don't forget to take a photo of your new friend before he heads off to his new home—seeing all your different versions of Tip is truly the highlight of my day. Happy crocheting, and enjoy your new little companion! 🧶✨🐶

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

How do I make the ears stay floppy instead of sticking out?

The pattern has you tack the ears down at the side of the head. Make sure to sew a few small stitches through the back of the ear to the head to keep them in that cute folded position.

Can I use safety eyes smaller than 16mm?

You can, but the 16mm size gives him that expressive, puppy-like look. If you go smaller, he might look a bit more like an adult dog than a puppy.

Is it okay to use velvet yarn for this pattern?

Yes! Just keep in mind that velvet yarn is much bulkier, so your dog will turn out significantly larger and you will need to increase your hook size accordingly.

I'm struggling to see my stitches in the black yarn. Any tips?

This is a common hurdle! Try using a stitch marker for every single round and work under a very bright, direct light source to help define the loops.