Those of you that are familiar with the hit Australian cartoon Bluey are probably familiar with this little guy. Affectionately called a long dog, these little characters are hidden in the scenery like little Where’s Waldo Easter egg treats. (The image below was found on the internet and is not mine.)
My sons and I have been joking around that we should get a long dog to hide around the house. As of the typing of this post, I have not seen or heard of Ludo Studios releasing a long dog plush or figurine for sale. When there is a void that needs to be filled, I support filling that void. What I don’t support is all the many crochet patterns I’ve found for Bluey related items are ALL paid patterns. I don’t want to profit from such a wholesome show so I’m offering my pattern for FREE to anyone and everyone. I just ask that you share links to this page and do not redistribute the pattern elsewhere online.
I have this habit when I’m designing that I write down absolutely everything as I’m doing it, even if it’s the only one I ever plan on making. I have two children after all, and I often get asked to make a second one so having a jotted down pattern is quite useful.
I have not run this particular pattern through testers and I really don’t have any intention to do so. This is not a tutorial with pictures or exact guidance on sewing and embroidery despite me doing all of that with my other patterns. This is just a friendly share of what notes I jotted down so you can make your own long dog to tide you over until Ludo Studios releases an official long dog toy.
This long dog was made with approximately 30g of #4 medium worsted weight light pink acrylic yarn I purchased from Daiso in Japan. I used a 3.0mm hook. The pattern is written using US terms and abbreviations. It is worked in continuous rounds except for the spot for the back which is worked around a chain.
US Abbreviations to Know:
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
inc = 2 single crochet in one stitch
dec = join the next 2 stitches together with one single crochet stitch
DC = double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
FO = finish off
[…] x3 = repeat the instructions inside the brackets the designated number of times (x)
Long Dog Crochet Pattern
Body (start with lighter color) stuff as you go
1. 6sc in MR. (6)
2. inc x 6. (12)
3. 3sc, [inc, sc] x3, 3sc. (15)
4. 4sc, [inc, 2sc] x3, 2sc. (18)
5. 6sc, [inc, 2sc] x3, 3sc. (21)
6. 6sc, [inc, 3sc] x3, 3sc. (24)
7. 24sc. (24)
8. 9sc, [inc, 3sc] x3, 3sc. (27)
9. 27sc. (27)
10. 10sc, [inc, 3sc] x3, 5sc. (30)
11-40. (30 rows) 30sc. (30)
41. 12sc, [dec, sc] x6. (24)
42. 12sc, dec x6. (18)
43. 12sc, dec x3. (15)
44. 9sc, dec x3. (12)
FO by sewing the opening closed.
Tail (start with lighter color)
1. 6sc in MR. (6)
2-4. (3 rows) 6sc. (6)
FO with tail for sewing.
Legs (start with lighter color) make 4
1. 8sc in MR. (8)
2-5. (4 rows) 8sc. (8)
FO with tail for sewing.
Nose (start with contrasting color)
1. 8sc in MR. (8)
2. [inc, sc] x4. (12)
3. [inc, 2sc] x4. (16)
FO with tail for sewing.
The last piece we need is the spot. We only ever see it from the side so even I was kind of surprised when I thought about what would make that shape visible on both sides. If you guessed a heart, you would be right. A heart! Imagine that, all of those little long dogs sprinkled throughout episodes are all sporting little love hearts. How adorable!
I found a chart for a heart online but I have absolutely no idea where it came from. I’m hoping it’s vintage because it’s pretty standard, but I am in no way claiming any ownership or creative rights to this design. I will, however, do my best to transcribe it into written form for those who aren’t too great at reading charts. (My program isn’t allowing me to upload the chart for some reason so I’m unable to provide it at the moment)
Heart Shape Back Spot (start with contrasting color)
Chain 15. Starting in the third chain from the hook, make a DC. DC in each of the next 3 chains. DC decrease the next 5 chains together. (Make the first half of a DC for each of the 5 before doing the last yarn over to draw through all loops on hook to finish the decrease). DC in each of the next 3 chains. 7 DC in the end chain. Continue working around the other side of the chain. DC in each of the next 5 chains. 5 DC in next chain. DC in each of the next 5 chains. 5 DC in the next chain. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the first DC of the round.
Chain 2. DC in the same stitch. DC in the next stitch. DC decrease the next 5 stitches together. DC in the next stitch. DC increase in each of the next 7 stitches. DC in each of the next 7 stitches. 5 DC in the next stitch. DC in each of the next 7 stitches. DC increase in each of the next 6 stitches. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the first DC of the round. Finish off with a long tail for sewing.
That’s it. Those are the pieces you need. Now just do your best to pin everything in place according to the image provided for sewing and embroider the extra lines for the eyes, mouth, and ears.
Enjoy hiding your very own long dog around the house!
