DIY Dog Bone Stocking: Free Easy Crochet Pattern
A small red stocking shaped like a dog bone brings a whimsical touch to your mantelpiece when filled with treats for your furry companion. This project feels substantial in your hands, made with soft worsted weight yarn that creates a tight, cozy fabric. It serves as a thoughtful gift for pet owners or a way to include your pup in the holiday festivities. You will learn to shape the rounded ends of the bone using basic increasing and decreasing techniques. The structure stays firm and holds its shape nicely, even after being stuffed with chew toys or biscuits.
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
This beginner-friendly amigurumi mushroom works up in under two hours, making it an ideal choice for quick gift-giving or craft fair inventory. The construction relies on simple single crochet stitches worked in continuous spirals, which removes the need for visible seams or complex turning chains. Because the project uses small amounts of yarn, it is an excellent way to use up leftover worsted weight scraps from your stash. The final result is a sturdy, palm-sized plush that holds its shape well thanks to the firm tension required for amigurumi.
I finished this mushroom in one evening while watching a movie. The instructions were very easy to follow for someone who has only made basic squares before.
— Sarah, amigurumi beginner
Pattern Overview & Skill Level
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Approximate Time: 1 to 2 hours
- Construction: Worked in continuous rounds from the top of the cap down, with a separate stem sewn onto the base.
- Finished Dimensions: Approximately 3.5 inches tall and 3 inches wide.
Materials & Supplies Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) acrylic or cotton yarn. You will need approximately 20 yards of red for the cap, 15 yards of white for the stem, and small scraps of white for the spots.
- Hook Size: 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook. Using a hook slightly smaller than the yarn label recommends helps prevent stuffing from showing through the stitches.
- Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, yarn needle, stitch marker, and scissors.
- Safe Yarn Substitutions: You may use DK weight yarn with a 3.0 mm hook, which will result in a slightly smaller, tighter mushroom. Using bulky weight yarn will increase the size significantly and require more stuffing.
Stitch Guide & Abbreviations (US Terms)
- MR: Magic ring (or alternative: ch 2 and work 6 sc into the second ch from hook).
- ch: Chain.
- sc: Single crochet.
- inc: Increase (work 2 sc in the same stitch).
- dec: Invisible decrease (insert hook into front loop of the first stitch, then front loop of the second stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and complete as sc).
- sl st: Slip stitch.
- st/sts: Stitch/stitches.
Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions
Mushroom Cap
- Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
- Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
- Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
- Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
- Rnd 5: Sc 3, inc repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
- Rnd 6-9: Sc in each st around. (30 sts)
- Rnd 10: Sc 3, dec repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Stem
- Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into MR. (6 sts)
- Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
- Rnd 3: BLO sc in each st around. (12 sts)
- Rnd 4-7: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)
- Rnd 8: Sc 2, dec repeat 3 times. (9 sts)
- Fasten off, leaving a short tail for sewing. Stuff the stem firmly.
Assembly and Finishing
Using the white yarn scraps, sew small French knots or simple “x” stitches onto the red cap to create spots. Stuff the mushroom cap lightly with fiberfill. Center the stem over the bottom opening of the cap. Use the long tail from the cap to whipstitch the cap to the top of the stem, securing it firmly. Weave in all loose ends into the body of the mushroom to hide them.
Care & Washing Instructions
- Hand wash in cold water using a mild detergent to prevent the stuffing from clumping.
- Do not wring out the plush; gently squeeze out excess water and reshape by hand.
- Lay flat on a clean towel in a shaded area to air dry completely.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Maintain consistent tension by holding your yarn with a steady grip, which ensures the stuffing does not poke through the fabric.
- Always place a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round to keep track of your position in the spiral.
- To weave in ends invisibly, use a blunt-tipped tapestry needle and pass the thread through the inside of the stitches rather than across the surface.
- To adjust the size, add more increase rounds to the cap for a wider mushroom, but remember that this will require more yarn and extra stuffing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different yarn weight for this project?
Yes, you can use any yarn weight provided you use an appropriately sized hook. If you choose a thicker yarn, be aware that you will need more stuffing and the final mushroom will be larger.
How do I know if I have the right tension?
The fabric should be dense enough that you cannot see the white fiberfill stuffing through the gaps between your stitches. If you see gaps, try going down one hook size.
Is this pattern suitable for complete beginners?
Absolutely. This pattern uses only the single crochet stitch and simple shaping techniques, making it a great first project for learning how to work in rounds.
Can I sell the items I make from this pattern?
You are welcome to sell finished items made from this design, provided you credit the pattern designer in your listing. Please do not redistribute the pattern itself.
Your finished pet stocking adds a personalized touch to your home decor that lasts for years. You can experiment with velvet yarn for a softer texture or use stripes to match your favorite holiday colors. Posting a photo of your work on Instagram helps other makers find inspiration for their own holiday crafting projects. Feel free to browse through the rest of the blog for more patterns that use small amounts of scrap yarn, including quick ornaments and plush toys for your pets to enjoy throughout the year.
