Mini Balloon Dog: Free pattern

Fancy a fun and quick gift idea? A great market seller? A cute shelf filler?

I've got you.

This mini balloon dog is a simple and super adorable gift anyone would be happy to receive. And if they wouldn't be, well I don't want to know them, frankly.

If you're in the UK, you can get a Mini Balloon Dog kit in my store. The kit contains everything you need to make your own balloon dog posted to your door, including a printed pattern leaflet, 100% cotton DK yarn, toy stuffing and a metal hook.

If you're just here for the pattern, scroll down to get started!

Notes.

You will need approx. 60m of DK yarn, a 3mm hook, toy stuffing, scissors and a tapestry needle.

Feel free to mix up the yarn for a different balloon dog. I made some with chenille yarn and theyr'e very cute!

My finished balloon dog measures approximately 4 inches tall and 6 inches long. This may vary slightly depending on your tension and your chosen yarn.

Your balloon dog is worked in continuous rounds in the amigurumi style. No need to chain or join between rounds. Use a scrap of yarn to help you keep track of your rounds, flipping it over the first stitch of each rnd.

Your balloon dog consists of ten balloon sections formed by the round 5-12 repeats, and nine 5sc tubes formed by the round 13-15 repeats. The nose is formed by rounds 1-4, and the tail by rounds 113-116.

Stuff each balloon of your sections medium firmly so they hold their shape, but not so your stuffing shows through your stitches when finished.

If the stitch count changes, you will find a count at the end of the round. If there is no stitch count, it means it hasn’t changed from the previous round.

Abbreviations:

This pattern is written in US crochet terminology.

sc: single crochet.

sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease).

st(s): stitch(es).

[ ]: work instructions within [ ] as many times as stated.

The pattern starts by working 5 stitches into a chain. If you prefer to use a magic ring, that’ll work too.

How to work an invisible sc2tog: insert hook into front loop of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both sts, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook. -1 st.

Pattern.

Chain 2.

Round 1: 5sc in second chain from hook. 5 sts.

Pull your starting tail through the same chain to keep it on the right side of your work.

Rounds 2-4: sc around.

Round 5: 2sc in each st. 10 sts.

Round 6: [1sc, 2sc in next st] 5 times. 15 sts.

Rounds 7-11: sc around.

Round 12: [1sc, sc2tog] 5 times. 10 sts.

Add your stuffing.

Round 13: sc2tog around. 5 sts.

Rounds 14-15: sc around.

Rounds 16-114: repeat rounds 5-15 nine times for a total of ten balloon sections.

Rounds 115-116: sc around.

Fasten off. Weave finishing tail through remaining sts to close the gap, then inside the tail to hide.

Pull starting tail tightly to close the gap, then weave it through the starting chain and pull tightly to pull the nose inside itself. Hide the tail inside the head.

Cross the first 5sc tube (the tube after the first balloon section) in front of the third 5sc tube. Pull the first balloon section through between the second and third balloon sections from back to front. This creates the nose and ears.

Cross the sixth 5sc tube behind the fourth 5sc tube. Pull the seventh to tenth balloon sections through between the fifth and sixth balloon sections from front to back. This creates the neck and front legs.

Cross the ninth 5sc tube behind the seventh 5sc tube. Pull the tenth balloon section through between the eighth and ninth balloon sections from front to back. This creates the body, back legs and tail.

And you’re finished! I hope you love your new friend as much as I love mine.

Please share your makes with me as I love to see them.

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For queries, email manateesquares@gmail.com.

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