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Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern

Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern
4.7★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.9K Made This
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Beginner Friendly Level

Perfect for those just starting their crochet journey, with clear instructions and simple techniques

⏱️

Weekend Treat

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

🧸

Cute Companion

An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.

About This Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates Tip, a small Border Collie amigurumi with classic black and cream markings and floppy ears. The design uses worsted weight yarn and basic single crochet shaping to build the head, muzzle, ears, body, legs and tail. You'll learn invisible single crochet decrease and simple row shaping for the muzzle and body underside. The finished toy measures roughly 9" long and is perfect for gifting or cuddling.

Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The pattern is written in standard American crochet terms and uses safety eyes and nose for a polished look. Photos are provided to help with placement and finishing.

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

I absolutely love this pattern because it captures the sweet personality of a Border Collie in a small, huggable form. I enjoyed designing Tip to reflect the markings and expressions that make this breed so endearing. The construction is straightforward, letting me focus on placement and finishing details that make each dog unique. I also love that it pairs with my children\'s book project, giving makers a special keepsake that connects to a story. Making Tip is relaxing and rewarding — you end up with a lovely handmade friend every time.

Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love experimenting with colors on this design; I often switch the cream to a tan or gray to create different dog breeds.

I sometimes use bulky yarn and a larger hook to make a chunkier, cuddlier version of Tip that works great as a pillow pet.

For mini versions suitable as keychains, I use a lighter weight yarn and a smaller hook to shrink the pattern down.

I like embroidering tiny eyebrow marks or a little tongue with yarn to change Tip\'s facial expression and personality.

I occasionally replace safety eyes with embroidered eyes for a child-safe version suitable for infants.

Try adding a crocheted collar or a tiny bandana in a contrasting color for a playful accessory.

If you want posable limbs, I add thin wire into the legs before stuffing, taking care to secure and conceal the wire ends.

To create a family set, adjust the yarn weight and hook to make a large, medium and mini Tip trio — they look adorable together.

I sometimes add felt patches or tiny crocheted spots to give Tip unique markings and a handmade character.

If you\'re gifting the toy, consider crocheting a small blanket or tiny bone toy to include as a matching accessory for an extra special touch.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the stitch marker while working continuously can make you lose track of rounds; place a marker at the end of each round and move it up as you work to maintain correct stitch counts. ✗ Failing to stuff gradually often yields lumps or uneven shaping; stuff small amounts at a time and shape as you go to achieve a smooth, firm finish. ✗ Attaching safety eyes too late or in the wrong round can misplace facial features; attach the eyes when instructed (sample attached through rounds 4) and check spacing before securing. ✗ Not flattening and sewing ears or legs properly can make the finished dog look floppy or uneven; flatten pieces and tack them securely, checking photos for positioning before final stitching. ✗ Tugging your yarn too tightly during invisible decreases can distort the fabric; use even, moderate tension for neat decreases and consistent stitch appearance.

Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern

Make Tip, an adorable Border Collie amigurumi, with clear step-by-step instructions you can follow at home. This pattern celebrates the children\'s book "Tip Counts to Ten" and uses simple shaping and basic stitches for a charming result. You\'ll create a cute, cuddly dog with distinctive markings — perfect for gifts or cozy playtime. Supplies are minimal and the finished size is travel-friendly.

Beginner Friendly 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Worsted weight yarn (#4) - Black - approx. 110 yards
  • 02
    Worsted weight yarn (#4) - Cream - approx. 110 yards

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size F (3.75 mm)
  • 02
    Stuffing (polyester fiberfill)
  • 03
    16 mm Safety eyes (2)
  • 04
    16 mm Safety nose (1)
  • 05
    Yarn needle for sewing
  • 06
    Stitch marker (or contrasting yarn for marking rounds)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Special Stitches :

Info :

Invisible Single Crochet Decrease (sc dec) – Insert hook under front loop only of 1st sc, insert hook under front loop only of 2nd sc, yo, pull yarn through both sts, yo, pull through all loops on hook.

Infos :

Finished Size: approx. 9" long (nose to tip of tail); 6" tall lying flat. Gauge: 4 sc & 4 rows = 1".

— Head :

Round 1 :

Beginning at front of head with black, make a magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in ring. Pull yarn end to tighten ring. (6 sc) Do not join; Work continuously in rnds. Mark end of rnd with a short length of yarn in a contrasting color and move marker up as you work.

Round 2 :

2 sc in each sc around. (12 sc)

Round 3 :

(Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (18 sc)

Round 4 :

(Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (24 sc)

Round 5 :

(Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (30 sc)

Round 6 :

(Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (36 sc)

Round 7-12 :

Sc in each sc around. (36 sc)

Round 13 :

(Sc in next 4 sc, sc dec) around. (30 sc)

Round 14 :

(Sc in next 3 sc, sc dec) around. (24 sc)

Round 15 :

(Sc in next 2 sc, sc dec) around. (18 sc)

Info :

Attach safety eyes. Sample had eyes attached thru sts of rnd 4, 5 sts apart.

Info :

Stuff head.

Round 16 :

(Sc in next sc, sc dec) around. (12 sc)

Round 17 :

(Sc dec) around. (6 sc)

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a longer length of yarn. Weave yarn end through remaining 6 sc and draw to a close. Pull yarn end to inside of head to hide. Set aside.

— Muzzle :

Round 1-3 :

Beginning at front of muzzle with cream, work as per rnds 1-3 of head. (18 sc)

Round 4-6 :

Sc in each sc around. (18 sc) At end of rnd 6, join with sl st to 1st sc.

Info :

Continue working in rows:

Row 1 :

Ch 1, sc in same sp and in next 2 sc. Turn. (3 sc) (There is intentionally no ch-1 at the end of these rows.)

Row 2-3 :

Sc in each sc across. Turn. (3 sc)

Row 4 :

2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 2 sc. Turn. (4 sc)

Row 5-10 :

Sc in each sc across. Turn. (4 sc)

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a longer length of yarn for sewing.

Info :

Attach safety nose at center front of muzzle.

Info :

Stuff muzzle and sew in place at front of head. The rnds of the muzzle are positioned directly below the eyes, with the rows positioned between the eyes, stretching up to the top of the head. Refer to photos for help with placement.

— Ears (make 2) :

Round 1 :

Beginning at tip of ear with black, make a magic ring, ch 1, 3 sc in ring. Pull yarn end to tighten ring. (3 sc) Do not join; Work continuously in rnds. Mark end of rnd with a short length of yarn in a contrasting color and move marker up as you work.

Round 2 :

2 sc in each sc around. (6 sc)

Round 3 :

Sc in each sc around. (6 sc)

Round 4 :

(Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (9 sc)

Round 5 :

Sc in each sc around. (9 sc)

Round 6 :

(Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (12 sc)

Round 7 :

Sc in each sc around. (12 sc)

Round 8 :

(Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (15 sc)

Round 9-11 :

Sc in each sc around. (15 sc)

Round 12 :

(Sc in next sc, sc dec) around. (10 sc)

Round 13 :

Sc in each sc around. (10 sc) Fasten off, leaving a longer length of yarn for sewing.

Info :

Flatten and sew ear closed through sts of rnd 13.

Info :

Sew ear in place at side of head, leaving approx. 3 black sts visible between ear and front of muzzle. Sew in place in line with top of muzzle. Fold ear down and tack in place at side of head in line with eyes. Sew in place securely, also tacking wider back part of folded ear to top and/or side of head to get desired look.

— Body – Part 1 :

Round 1-12 :

Beginning at front of body with cream, work as per rnds 1-12 of head. (36 sc) At end of rnd 12, join with sl st to 1st sc.

Info :

Continue working in rows:

Row 1 :

Ch 1, working in front loops only, sc in same sp and in next 8 sc. Turn. (9 sc) There is intentionally no ch-1 at the end of these rows.

Row 2-9 :

Working through both loops, sc in each sc across. Turn. (9 sc)

Row 10 :

Sc in 1st sc, sc dec, sc in each sc across to last 3 sc, sc dec, sc in last sc. Turn. (7 sc)

Row 11 :

Sc in each sc across. Turn. (7 sc)

Row 12 :

Repeat row 10. (5 sc)

Row 13-20 :

Sc in each sc across. Turn. (5 sc) Fasten off, leaving a longer length of yarn for sewing.

— Body – Part 2 :

Info :

Continue working in rnds – working into sts of rnd 12 of body – part 1.

Round 13 :

Join black with sc in 1st remaining back loop of rnd 12, sc in remaining back loop of next 8 sc of rnd 12, sc in both loops of next 27 sc of rnd 12. (36 sc)

Round 14-26 :

Sc in each sc around. (36 sc)

Round 27 :

(Sc in next 4 sc, sc dec) around. (30 sc)

Round 28 :

(Sc in next 3 sc, sc dec) around. (24 sc)

Round 29 :

(Sc in next 2 sc, sc dec) around. (18 sc)

Info :

Stuff body.

Round 30 :

(Sc in next sc, sc dec) around. (12 sc)

Round 31 :

(Sc dec) around. (6 sc)

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a longer length of yarn. Weave yarn end through remaining 6 sc and draw to a close. Pull yarn end to inside of body to hide.

Info :

Sew cream underside of body – part 1 in place on top of black body – part 2. End of cream underside should be positioned at center back of body. Refer to photo.

— Front Legs (make 2) :

Round 1-2 :

With cream, work as per rnds 1-2 of head. (12 sc)

Round 3-12 :

Sc in each sc around. (12 sc) At end of rnd 12, join with sl st to 1st sc. Fasten off, leaving a longer length of yarn for sewing.

Info :

Stuff leg. Flatten end of leg and sew closed. Sew leg in place at front of body so that it can lay flat. Refer to photos for help with placement.

— Hind Legs (make 2) :

Round 1-5 :

With cream, work as per rnds 1-5 of front legs. (12 sc) At end of rnd 5, join with sl st to 1st sc. Fasten off.

Round 6 :

Join black with sc in any sc of rnd 5 and sc in each sc around. (12 sc)

Round 7-12 :

Sc in each sc around. (12 sc) At end of rnd 12, join with sl st to 1st sc. Fasten off, leaving a longer length of yarn for sewing.

Info :

Stuff leg. Flatten end of leg and sew closed. Sew leg in place at back of body so that it can lay flat. Refer to photos for help with placement.

— Tail :

Round 1 :

Beginning at tip of tail with cream, make a magic ring, ch 1, 3 sc in ring. Pull yarn end to tighten ring. (3 sc)

Round 2 :

2 sc in each sc around. (6 sc)

Round 3 :

Sc in each sc around. (6 sc) Join with sl st to 1st sc and fasten off.

Round 4 :

Join black with sc in any sc of rnd 3 and sc in each sc around. (6 sc)

Round 5 :

(Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) twice. (8 sc)

Round 6-7 :

Sc in each sc around. At end of last rnd, join with sl st to 1st sc. Fasten off, leaving a longer length of yarn for sewing.

Info :

Flatten top end of tail and sew closed. There is no need to stuff the tail unless you wish to stuff it lightly. Sew tail in place at top back of body.

Assembly Instructions

  • Attach safety eyes to head before stuffing as noted; sample eyes were attached through stitches of rnd 4, spaced about 5 stitches apart. Ensure placement before securing.
  • Stuff head firmly, then sew the muzzle to the front of the head so the muzzle rounds sit directly below the eyes and rows fill between the eyes, stretching up toward the top of the head.
  • Flatten each ear and sew closed through the stitches of rnd 13; position ears at the side of the head leaving approximately 3 black stitches visible between ear and front of muzzle, then fold and tack downward for the desired look.
  • Sew cream underside (body part 1) onto the top of the black body (part 2), positioning the end of the cream underside at the center back of the body as shown in the photo.
  • Flatten ends of legs and sew closed, then stitch front legs to the front of the body and hind legs to the back so each leg can lay flat, checking photos for correct placement.
  • Flatten and sew the top end of the tail closed and attach to the top back of the body; tail stuffing is optional and may be added lightly if desired.

Important Notes

  • 💡Work continuously in rounds where instructed and mark the end of each round with a contrasting yarn or stitch marker to maintain correct stitch counts.
  • 💡Stuff firmly but gradually to maintain smooth shaping; overstuffing can distort the amigurumi shape so add stuffing in small increments.
  • 💡Leave longer yarn tails when fastening off pieces that need to be sewn on later to make assembly and sewing in ends easier.
  • 💡Pin parts in place and refer to the photos for accurate placement before sewing pieces permanently to ensure symmetry.

This sweet Tip the Border Collie pattern captures personality with simple stitches and charming details. Perfect for gifting or pairing with the children's book Tip Counts to Ten, each little dog is full of heart and character. Make one for a special child or keep as a cozy handmade companion to cherish. 🧶🐶✨

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished amigurumi measures approximately 9 inches long (nose to tip of tail) and about 6 inches tall when lying flat using the recommended yarn and hook size.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but the final size will change; use an appropriate hook size for your chosen yarn and adjust stuffing accordingly for best results.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated Beginner Friendly, so basic knowledge of single crochet, increasing, decreasing and working in rounds is helpful to complete the project successfully.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters finish this project in about 5-7 hours, though time may vary depending on experience and assembly pace.