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Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern

Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern
4.0★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.5K Made This
✂️

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 Border Collie amigurumi inspired by the childrens book Tip Counts to Ten. The design uses worsted weight yarn in cream and black to create charming color blocking and folded ears. The pattern features basic amigurumi techniques, worked in continuous rounds and simple sewn-on parts for an easy finish.

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

Clear round-by-round instructions guide you through each piece: head, muzzle, ears, body, legs and tail. Photos and placement notes help you assemble Tip with confidence and charm.

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

I absolutely love this pattern because it captures a dogs sweet expression with very simple stitches and shaping. I enjoy how quickly the head and body come together, giving you a satisfying result in just a few hours. I love the folded-ear detail — it adds so much personality without complicated steps. I also appreciate that the pattern uses common materials, so its easy to start right away. Im excited for you to make Tip for storytime or as a heartfelt handmade gift.

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 how easy it is to customize Tip by changing yarn colors; try shades of brown and white for a different pup, or pastels for a whimsical look.

You can also vary the size by changing yarn weight and hook size — bulky yarn and a larger hook will make a chunky cuddly version, while fingering weight will produce a tiny delicate puppy.

I often add embroidered eyebrows or a little felt tongue to give more personality and expression to the face.

For safety-eye-free versions suitable for babies, embroider the eyes with black yarn to keep the toy fully soft and safe.

Try adding a tiny crocheted scarf, collar or bow as a removable accessory to make each dog unique and gift-ready.

If you want a posable version, consider inserting thin wire into the limbs before final stuffing to allow gentle posing.

I like to experiment with different ear placements and folds: move the ear a stitch or two to change Tip's alertness or playfulness.

For a shabby-chic look, use a slightly fuzzy or boucle yarn for the white areas to create soft texture contrasts.

Make a whole litter by varying eye sizes or nose shapes — small changes make each pup feel like its own character.

I recommend trying decorative stitches or a surface crochet stripe on the body for a sporty or patched effect to personalize each finished dog.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the marker or making no visual guide for the end of the round leads to miscounted rounds; use a short length of contrasting yarn or a stitch marker and move it up at the end of each round. ✗ Under-stuffing or over-stuffing the head and body causes loss of shape or lumps; stuff gradually, checking the shape as you go and aim for firm but flexible stuffing. ✗ Incorrect placement of safety eyes will change the expression and proportions; attach the eyes through the stitches of round 4 as suggested and space them about 5 stitches apart to match the sample. ✗ Not weaving the finishing tail through the remaining stitches can leave a gap when closing; always leave a long tail, weave it through the remaining stitches and pull to close tightly before hiding inside. ✗ Forgetting to flatten and sew the ears properly causes them to look uneven; flatten the ear closed through the stitches of the last round and tack the wider back part to the head to achieve the folded look.

Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern

Make Tip, a sweet Border Collie amigurumi inspired by the childrens book "Tip Counts to Ten." This easy, well-written pattern guides you through crocheting the head, muzzle, ears, body, legs and tail with clear rounds and assembly notes. Youll enjoy creating a cuddly handmade friend with large safety eyes and charming folded ears. Perfect as a gift or storytime companion.

Beginner Friendly 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Tip The Border Collie Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Worsted weight yarn (#4) - Cream - approx. 110 yards
  • 02
    Worsted weight yarn (#4) - Black - 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
    Short length of contrasting yarn or stitch marker (for marking rounds)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— 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. 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.

Infos :

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.) Rows 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)

Rows 5-10 :

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

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a longer length of yarn for sewing. Attach safety nose at center front of muzzle. 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. 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.

Rows 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)

Rows 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)

Rounds 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. 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)

Rounds 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) :

Rounds 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)

Rounds 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 through the stitches of round 4 on the head, spacing them approximately 5 stitches apart before stuffing the head securely.
  • Position and sew the muzzle at the front of the head with the rows of the muzzle stretching up between the eyes; attach the safety nose to the center front of the muzzle first, then sew the muzzle in place.
  • Flatten and sew each ear closed through the stitches of the last round, then sew ears to the sides of the head leaving about 3 black stitches visible between the ear and muzzle; fold and tack the ear to create the folded look.
  • Sew cream underside (body part 1) onto the top of the black body (body part 2) aligning the end of the cream underside at the center back of the body before final sewing.
  • Stuff legs, flatten and sew closed, then sew front and hind legs to the body so that they lay flat (front legs at the front of the body, hind legs at the back).
  • Flatten top end of tail and sew closed, then tack the tail to the top back of the body; light stuffing is optional for the tail.

Important Notes

  • 💡Work continuously in rounds; do not join unless the pattern specifically instructs to join.
  • 💡Mark the end of each round with a short length of contrasting yarn or a stitch marker and move it up as you work to keep track of rounds.
  • 💡Leave longer lengths of yarn when fastening off parts you will sew to allow for easy sewing and hiding of ends.

This Tip the Border Collie pattern was created to celebrate the childrens book Tip Counts to Ten and is perfect for storytime companions. The design uses simple shapes and a folded-ear detail for maximum charm and minimal fuss. Make one for a loved child, a teacher, or keep Tip on your shelf as a handmade keepsake. 🧶🐶✨

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished amigurumi is approx. 9 inches long (nose to tip of tail) and about 6 inches tall when lying flat, using the recommended worsted yarn and F (3.75 mm) hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will change the final size; adjust your hook size accordingly and expect differences in proportions.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated Beginner Friendly, so basic knowledge of single crochet, joining in rounds, and simple decreases is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in about 5-7 hours, though time may vary depending on experience and how much assembly is needed.

Where should I place the safety eyes for the correct expression?

Attach the safety eyes through the stitches of round 4 and space them about 5 stitches apart as indicated in the pattern to match the sample expression.