Schnitzel the Dachshund | Free Crochet Pattern

With a large vote on the amigurumi poll, the Dachshund crochet pattern was at the top of my list. Who doesn’t love a wiener dog!? This little fellow will win your hearts and steal your treats.

Meet Schnitzel the Dachshund! He has that classic Doxie pointed nose, big floppy ears, and big expressive eyes.

Have you ever seen a dachshund sit up and beg? It’s hilarious! Their legs are so short they basically just plop right down flat on their bum and their legs stick out in front of them like a person on a sofa. They make themselves into a perfect tripod! And they can sit like that for quite a long time!

Construction

It was with this in mind that I made the Schnitzel the Dachshund pattern into a sort of tripod. His bum is flat on the ground with two hind feet that act as his supportive base so he doesn’t fall onto his pointy nose.

The construction for this dachshund pattern is fast and easy. A few well-placed stitch markers will help you when part attachment gets going. His front legs use short rounds for the shaping, so if you have done Vincent the Dragon or Murdock the Kelpie, these will come naturally to you.

This pattern can also be purchased as a Premium Pattern for only $5.00 (printable, ad-free, downloadable .pdf file) here. The Premium Pattern comes with extra assembly photos and a BONUS PATTERN for Schnitzel’s collar and tag.

It can also be found on Etsy or Ravelry. 

Schnitzel the Dachshund

All patterns are written in US terms using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.

Difficulty: Intermediate pattern.  Knowledge needed of chains (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), Front Loops Only (FLO), Back Loops Only (BLO), Right side (RS), Wrong side (WS), increases and decreases. Knowledge of amigurumi part attachment is recommended. Pattern uses short rounds for shaping.

Gauge

7 sts x 8 rows in sc = 2” x 2”

Measurements

12” tall x 8” wide

Supplies

• Red Heart Super Saver yarn, 100% acrylic, worsted weight, 364 yds/7 oz/198 g; Chocolate (CHOC) 1 ball; Black (BLK) < 1 ball
• Red Heart Super Saver Fair Isle, 100% acrylic, worsted weight, 236 yds/5 oz/141 g; Winter (WINT) < 1 ball.
• Furls Odyssey G (4.00 mm) hook
• Two 15mm colored safety eyes
• Polyfil stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Straight pins (optional)

Pattern Notes

• Work in continuous rounds. Do not slip stitch unless otherwise specified by the pattern.
• For best results, assemble parts in order as directed.
• Weave in attachment ends at very end of project in case pieces require repositioning.
• Mark stitches as directed for best placement of safety eyes and limbs.
• Rows labeled “WS” or “wrong side” are worked with the stitches facing the inside of the piece; rows labeled “RS” or “right side” are worked with the stitches facing the outside of the piece as normal. This is to help you keep track of your rows while working short rows.
• Rounds labeled “Short rnd” are worked back and forth and will end before the round is complete, leaving stitches deliberately unworked to be worked in later rounds as instructed.

Instructions

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Head

With BLK, ch 4.

Rnd 1: Sc inc in second ch from hook, sc, inc in last ch, do not turn, working in the bottom of the starting ch, inc, sc, inc. (10)

Rnd 2: 2 sc, 3 dc in next st, mark 2^nd dc (see Pattern Notes), 7 sc. (12)

Rnd 3: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 4: Change to CHOC, 2 sc, (in FLO) inc in next 3 sts, (in both loops) 7 sc. (15)

For more on easy, jogless color changes, go here.

Rnd 5: 3 sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, 7 sc. (18)

Rnd 6: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 7: 4 sc, inc, 2 sc, inc, 10 sc. (20)

Rnd 8: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 9: 6 sc, inc, 4 sc, inc, 8 sc. (22)

Rnd 10: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 11: 7 sc, inc, 6 sc, inc, 7 sc. (24)

Rnds 12-13: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 14: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 15: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 16: [5 sc, inc] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 17-23: Sc evenly around.

Insert safety eyes at Rnd 14, 6 sts apart, spaced evenly over flat, unmarked side of nose. Marked stitch of nose is the BOTTOM center of the nose and should be facing down.

Rnd 24: [5 sc, dec] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 25: [4 sc, dec] 6 times. (30)

Stuff.

Rnd 26: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 27: [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 28: [Sc, dec] 6 times. (12)

Finish stuffing.

Rnd 29: Dec 6 times. (6)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends.

Ears

(Make 2)

With CHOC, ch 2.

Row 1: 3 sc in second ch from hook, turn. (3)

Row 2: Ch 1, inc in each st across. turn. (6)

Row 3: Ch 1, 6 sc, turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, inc, 4 sc, inc, turn. (8)

Row 5: Ch 1, 8 sc, turn.

Row 6: Ch 1, inc, 6 sc, inc, turn. (10)

Row 7: Ch 1, 10 sc, turn.

Row 8: Ch 1, inc, 8 sc, inc, turn. (12)

Row 9: Ch 1, 12 sc, turn.

Row 10: Ch 1, inc, 10 sc, inc, turn. (14)

Row 11: Ch 1, 14 sc, turn.

Row 12: Ch 1, inc, 12 sc, inc, turn. (16)

Rows 13-15: Ch 1, 16 sc, turn.

Row 16: Ch 1, dec, 14 sc, turn. (15)

Row 17: Ch 1, 13 sc, dec, turn. (14)

Row 18: Ch 1, dec, 12 sc, turn. (13)

Row 19: Ch 1, 11 sc, dec, turn. (12)

Row 20: Ch 1, dec, 10 sc, turn. (11)

Row 21: Ch 1, 9 sc, dec, turn. (10)

Row 22: Ch 1, dec, 8 sc, turn. (9)

Row 23: Ch 1, 7 sc, dec, turn. (8)

Row 24: Ch 1, 8 sc, turn.

Row 25: Skip 4, sl st, leave remaining 3 sts unworked.  This will fold the edge of the last row to the center.

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.  Block lightly.

Turn one ear’s fold inside out so the ears mirror each other.

With the folds curled under at the front and the bell-shaped section to the back, attach ears to head in line with safety eyes, 4 rounds behind eyes, at a slight downward angle between Rnds 19 and 24 of the head.

Eyebrows

(Make 2)

With CHOC, ch 6.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, 4 sc, turn. (5)

Row 2:  Ch 1, 5 sc.

Bind off, leaving long tail for sewing.

Attach directly over Rnd 15, sewing down both long edges of the eyebrow on either side of the row so it creates a ridge above and slightly overlapping the eye. Repeat over other eye.

Set head aside.

Body

With CHOC, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 8 sc in second ch from hook. (8)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (16)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 8 times. (24)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 8 times. (32)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 8 times. (40)

Rnds 6-29: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 30: Dec, 16 sc, dec, 20 sc. Mark decreases. Markers represent either side of the chest at its widest point. (38)

Rnd 31: Dec, 14 sc, dec, 20 sc. (36)

Rnd 32: Dec, 12 sc, dec, 20 sc. (34)

Rnd 33: Dec, 10 sc, dec, 20 sc. (32)

Rnd 34: Dec, 8 sc, dec, 20 sc. (30)

Rnd 35: Dec, 6 sc, dec, 20 sc. (28)

Rnd 36: Dec, 4 sc, dec, 20 sc. (26)

Rnd 37: Dec, 2 sc, dec, 20 sc. (24)

Rnds 38-40: Sc evenly around.

Stuff firmly.

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Front Legs

(Make 2)

With CHOC, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [3 sc, inc] 3 times. (15)

Rnd 4: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 5: Sc evenly around, turn.

Rnd 6: (WS)(Short rnd) (see Pattern Notes)Do not chain, 11 sc, leave remaining 4 sts unworked, turn. (11)

Rnd 7: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 10 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (10)

Rnd 8: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 9 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (9)

Rnd 9: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 8 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (8)

Rnd 10: (WS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 7 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (7)

Rnd 11: (RS)(Short rnd) Do not chain, 7 sc. (7)

Rnd 12: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnds, 15 sc. (15)

Need some help with short rounds? Here is a tutorial!

Rnds 13-15: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 16: [4 sc, inc] 3 times. (18)

Rnd 17: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 18: [5 sc, inc] 3 times. (21)

Rnd 19: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 20: [6 sc, inc] 3 times. (24)

Rnds 21-22: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 23: [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)

Stuff.

Rnd 24: [Sc, dec] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 25: Dec 6 times. (6)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Leave long tail for sewing.

Align front leg so paw faces down. Align the leg so that Rnd 15 of the leg touches the marked decrease on its respective side of body.

The top edge of the leg should be perpendicular to the body (horizontal). Press against body and pin where the leg and body touch in a circle around the shoulder.

Use yarn tail from leg to attach leg to body. Repeat on other side.  

Back Legs

(Make 2)

With CHOC, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [3 sc, inc] three times. (15)

Rnds 4-8: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 9: 5 inc, 10 sc. (20)

Rnds 10-17: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 18: [2 sc, dec] 5 times. (15)

Stuff.

Rnd 19: [Sc, dec] 5 times. (10)

Rnd 20: Dec 5 times. (5)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 5 stitches. Pull tight to close. Leave long tail for sewing.

Set body on flat surface, open end up. Align back legs directly under front legs, smaller end sticking out in front of the body, even with the front legs. With both legs and bottom of body on the flat surface, pin where legs and body meet.

Bottom edge of legs should be at Rnd 6 of body. Use tail from back leg to sew around leg where it touches the body. Back legs will help stabilize base of body.

Feet Detail

Looking at the end of the paw, use a scrap of BLK yarn to sew two long sts over the end of the paw, starting and ending at Rnd 4. This will divide the end of the paw into three segments and create the toe lines. Pull tightly to shape toes.

Tail

With CHOC, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 3: 5 sc, inc. (7)

Rnd 4: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 5: 6 sc, inc. (8)

Rnds 6-27: Sc evenly around.

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly. Tail should be able to bend easily.

Sew tail to body between back legs on back side, between Rnds 7 and 9 on the body. Bend tail around in either direction and sew tip of tail to either back leg at Rnd 7 of back leg.

Head attachment

Sew head to neck in a square, 6 sts x 6 sts between Rnds 18 and 24 of the head. With body on flat surface, the head should tilt up so that top of snout is horizontal, perpendicular the body.  Tilting the head to the side slightly will add a more dramatic “beg.”

For a tutorial on attaching open-ended amigurumi parts, check out this post.

Add extra stuffing to the neck before completing attachment to stabilize the neck.

Weave in all attachment ends when parts are positioned as desired.

Scarf

With WINT, ch 11.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, 9 sc, turn. (10)

Rows 2-72: Ch 1, in BLO, 10 sc, turn.

Bind off and weave in ends.  

Tie loosely around Schnitzel’s neck for a wintery afternoon walk.

All finished? Share your artwork by posting a picture in the Gallery!!

Post comments and pictures on social media with the hashtag #hookedbykati, or tag me @hookedbykati. You can also post pictures on the Facebook Page, or in the Hooked by Kati Crochet Community Facebook Group.

You may sell products made by this pattern, but please link back to hookedbykati.com or credit Hooked by Kati on the craft fair tag. Do not copy this pattern for distribution or sale; that’s not nice and also illegal.

If you run into a snag, drop me a line! I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.

Find more free patterns like this at allfreecrochet.com.

Here’s a few more FREE crochet patterns you might like:

BLOB CAT

HYGGE HEDGEHOG

GUINEACORN ADN PIGASUS

Yarn on, 

Kati