The Yorkshire Terrier is recognized for its bold two-toned coat and its perky, V-shaped ears set high on a compact, rounded head. These two features make the Yorkie one of the most visually striking and rewarding amigurumi projects a beginner can attempt.
Yorkies are beloved worldwide for a bold, affectionate personality packed into a tiny frame. A handmade Yorkie plush makes a deeply personal keepsake or meaningful gift for any dog lover.
This pattern is 100% free with no sign-up required, and includes complete instructions, a full materials list, step-by-step assembly guidance, and a coat color and marking guide. Let’s get started.
Pattern At A Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Skill Level | Beginner |
| Finished Size | Approx. 5 inches tall sitting |
| Yarn Weight | Worsted Weight (4) |
| Hook Size | US G/6 (4.0mm) |
| Stitch(es) Used | Single crochet, magic ring, increase, invisible decrease, slip stitch, BLO |
| Techniques Used | Continuous amigurumi rounds, flat piece shaping, invisible decrease, color management |
| Time to Complete | 6–10 hours |
| Stuffing Needed | Yes — polyester fiberfill |
| Safety Eyes | 9mm black safety eyes (or embroider for child-safe version) |
| Number of Pieces | 11 — Head, Muzzle, Body, Chest Patch, 2 Ears, 2 Front Legs, 2 Back Legs, Tail |
| Yarn Colors Needed | Steel Blue/Gray, Tan/Gold, Black (small amount) |
| Best Occasion / Use | Dog lover gift, pet memorial, nursery decor, dog show keepsake |
Materials You Will Need
Gather everything below before you begin to avoid any mid-project interruptions.
Yarn
- Steel Blue/Gray (Main Body Color) — approx. 80 yards — Lion Brand Pound of Love in “Oxford Gray” — this shade matches the classic steel-blue saddle that runs across the Yorkie’s back and sides.
- Tan/Gold (Face, Legs, and Chest) — approx. 60 yards — Red Heart Super Saver in “Gold” — this rich warm gold replicates the Yorkie’s distinctive tan face, eyebrow markings, lower legs, and chest patch.
- Black (Nose Embroidery and Ear Accent) — approx. 5 yards — Lion Brand Pound of Love in “Black” — use a small length for the embroidered nose and optional ear-tip shading detail.
SEE THIS PRODUCT: Lion Brand Pound of Love Yarn
Tools & Notions
- US G/6 (4.0mm) crochet hook
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Two 9mm black safety eyes (or black embroidery floss)
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch marker
- Scissors
- Straight pins
- Fine-tooth comb (optional, for light texture brushing on finished coat areas)
SEE THIS PRODUCT: 9mm Black Safety Eyes for Amigurumi
SEE THIS PRODUCT: Polyester Fiberfill Stuffing
🛒 Yarn Tip: Choose a steel blue-gray yarn for the body rather than a plain medium gray — the blue undertone is essential to capturing the Yorkie’s recognized breed coloring and instantly sets the plush apart from a generic small dog.
Abbreviations & Stitch Guide
All abbreviations in this pattern follow standard US crochet terminology.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | Magic ring |
| ch | Chain |
| sl st | Slip stitch |
| sc | Single crochet |
| inc | Increase — work 2 sc in the same stitch |
| dec | Invisible decrease — insert hook through front loops of next 2 sts together, yarn over, pull through all loops |
| BLO | Back loop only — insert hook in the back loop of the stitch only |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
| rnd | Round |
| rep | Repeat |
| ( ) x# | Repeat instructions in parentheses that many times |
| [ ] | Stitch count at end of round |
💡 Invisible Decrease Tip: Insert the hook through the front loops only of the next two stitches at the same time, then yarn over and pull through all three loops to complete. This keeps the surface smooth and avoids the visible gap that a standard sc2tog creates, which matters most on the Yorkie’s small, rounded head and slender legs.
Gauge
Gauge: 4 stitches x 4 rows = 1 inch in single crochet using US G/6 (4.0mm) and worsted weight yarn.
For amigurumi, working at a consistently tight tension matters far more than matching exact gauge — loose tension allows stuffing to show through the stitches.
Free Yorkie Crochet Pattern — Complete Instructions
All pieces are made separately and assembled at the end; most parts are worked in continuous rounds with no slip stitch joins, so place a stitch marker at the start of every round and count stitches after each round.
Head
The Yorkie’s head is small, compact, and slightly flat on top — this rounded shape frames the breed’s wide-set eyes and gives the plush its signature alert, inquisitive expression.
Work in Tan/Gold yarn.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. [6]
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. [12]
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc rep 6 times. [18]
Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc rep 6 times. [24]
Rnd 5: Sc 3, inc rep 6 times. [30]
Rnd 6: Sc in each st around. [30]
Rnd 7: Sc in each st around. [30]
➡️ Place 9mm safety eyes between Rnds 7 and 8, approximately 6 stitches apart.
Rnd 8: Sc in each st around. [30]
Rnd 9: Sc in each st around. [30]
Rnd 10: Sc 3, dec rep 6 times. [24]
Rnd 11: Sc 2, dec rep 6 times. [18]
➡️ Begin stuffing firmly now and continue adding stuffing as you close.
Rnd 12: Sc 1, dec rep 6 times. [12]
Rnd 13: Dec 6 times around. [6]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch tail for sewing to body.
💡 Head Tip: Pack the head very firmly with fiberfill — a tightly stuffed head holds the Yorkie’s rounded dome shape and prevents the safety eyes from shifting or sinking after assembly.
Muzzle
The Yorkie’s muzzle is petite and slightly protruding, with a small black button nose at the very tip — keeping this piece compact is essential to the breed’s dainty, fine-featured facial expression.
Work in Tan/Gold yarn.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. [6]
Rnd 2: Inc, sc 1 rep 3 times. [9]
Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. [9]
Fasten off, leaving a 10-inch tail for sewing. Do not stuff.
Ears (Make 2)
Yorkie ears are small, V-shaped, and stand fully erect — they are set high and close together on the skull, which is one of the breed’s most distinctive and instantly recognizable traits.
Work in Steel Blue/Gray yarn.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. [6]
Rnd 2: Sc 1, inc rep 3 times. [9]
Rnd 3: Sc 2, inc rep 3 times. [12]
Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. [12]
Rnd 5: Sc 2, dec rep 3 times. [9]
Rnd 6: Sc 1, dec rep 3 times. [6]
Fold the piece flat and sl st across the open edge to close. Fasten off, leaving a 10-inch tail for sewing.
💡 Ear Tip: Before sewing the ears on, embroider a small tan diamond or V-shape on the inner face of each ear — this inner tan marking is true to the breed’s real coat pattern and is the detail that makes the plush unmistakably Yorkie rather than a generic terrier.
Body
The Yorkie’s body is compact and slightly elongated, covered across the back and sides in the classic steel blue saddle coloring that extends from the neck to the base of the tail.
Work in Steel Blue/Gray yarn.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. [6]
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. [12]
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc rep 6 times. [18]
Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc rep 6 times. [24]
Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. [24]
Rnd 6: Sc in each st around. [24]
Rnd 7: Sc in each st around. [24]
Rnd 8: Sc in each st around. [24]
Rnd 9: Sc in each st around. [24]
Rnd 10: Sc 2, dec rep 6 times. [18]
Rnd 11: Sc in each st around. [18]
➡️ Begin stuffing the body firmly now.
Rnd 12: Sc 1, dec rep 6 times. [12]
Rnd 13: Dec 6 times around. [6]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch tail for sewing.
💡 Body Tip: Leave the top 6 stitches of the body loosely closed rather than pulling fully tight — a flat, open neck surface makes the head-to-body seam far cleaner and creates the Yorkie’s natural upright sitting posture.
Chest Patch
The Yorkie’s chest is covered in the same warm tan-gold as the face and legs — this small circular patch sewn to the front of the body completes the breed’s two-toned color boundary.
Work in Tan/Gold yarn. Work flat; do not stuff.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. [6]
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. [12]
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc rep 6 times. [18]
Sl st in next st to close. Fasten off, leaving a 10-inch tail for sewing.
Front Legs (Make 2)
Yorkie front legs are slender and covered from paw to shoulder in the warm tan-gold color — maintaining a slim, cylindrical shape is key to matching the breed’s delicate, fine-boned build.
Work in Tan/Gold yarn.
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring. [6]
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. [12]
Rnd 3: BLO sc in each st around. [12]
Rnd 4: Sc 2, dec rep 3 times. [9]
Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. [9]
Rnd 6: Sc in each st around. [9]
Rnd 7: Sc in each st around. [9]
Rnd 8: Sc in each st around. [9]
➡️ Lightly stuff, keeping the top third of the leg flexible for a natural sewing angle.
Fasten off, leaving a 10-inch tail for sewing.
Back Legs (Make 2)
Yorkie back legs are slightly wider at the hip than the front legs — building the back legs from a wider base gives the finished plush a natural haunched sitting pose that is stable and true to the breed’s silhouette.
Work in Tan/Gold yarn.
Rnd 1: MR, 8 sc into ring. [8]
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. [16]
Rnd 3: BLO sc in each st around. [16]
Rnd 4: Sc 2, dec rep 4 times. [12]
Rnd 5: Sc 1, dec rep 4 times. [8]
Rnd 6: Sc in each st around. [8]
Rnd 7: Sc in each st around. [8]
Rnd 8: Sc in each st around. [8]
➡️ Stuff moderately — back legs should be firm but retain a slight flex at the top for angling during attachment.
Fasten off, leaving a 10-inch tail for sewing.
Tail
The Yorkie tail is short and carried slightly above the topline — a small, lightly flared tail at the center back of the plush adds the correct breed silhouette and a satisfying finishing detail.
Work in Steel Blue/Gray yarn. Do not stuff.
Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc into ring. [4]
Rnd 2: Sc in each st around. [4]
Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. [4]
Rnd 4: Inc in each st around. [8]
Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. [8]
Fasten off, leaving an 8-inch tail for sewing.
Assembly
Pin all pieces before sewing and check placement from multiple angles before committing any stitch.
- Embroider the nose at the center tip of the muzzle using 3–4 horizontal satin stitches in black floss or yarn.
- Pin the muzzle to the lower center of the face between Rnds 5–7 and sew securely all the way around using the tail end and a tapestry needle.
- Attach the ears high on the skull, angled slightly inward toward each other, with the folded seam edge facing forward to recreate the breed’s natural upright, close-set V-ear position.
- Sew the head onto the top of the body with the face tilted slightly forward — not straight up — to give the Yorkie its characteristic alert sitting posture.
- Pin the front legs to the lower front sides of the body, angling them slightly downward and outward, then sew firmly all the way through the body.
- Attach the back legs to the sides of the lower body, positioning them wide enough apart that the plush sits flat and stable without tipping forward.
- Sew the tail to the center back of the body between Rnds 9–10, angling it slightly upward to match the Yorkie’s natural tail carriage above the topline.
- Sew the chest patch to the front center of the body between Rnds 3–7, then embroider two short horizontal tan yarn eyebrow stitches directly above each safety eye to complete the breed’s most iconic facial marking.
- Weave in all yarn ends with at least two direction changes, trim tails close, and gently tug every sewn seam to confirm full security before the plush is handled.
📸 Photo Tip: The Yorkie plush photographs best from a straight front-on angle that captures both the tan face markings and the blue body in a single frame — place the plush on white linen with a small satin ribbon bow for a clean, shareable Pinterest image.
Face Details & Expression Options
Small changes in eye placement and embroidery create very different personalities in the finished Yorkie plush.
- Classic Yorkie expression: Place 9mm safety eyes at Rnd 7–8, exactly 6 stitches apart, to achieve the breed’s wide-eyed, bright, and alert look.
- Breed signature expression: Embroider two short horizontal tan yarn stitches directly above each eye — the Yorkie’s tan eyebrow markings are its single most recognizable facial feature and add immediate breed accuracy to the plush.
- Alert and curious variant: Position the eyes slightly higher at Rnd 6 and add a tiny upward-curved stitch of black floss beneath the nose to create a happy, engaged expression.
- Child-safe fully embroidered version: Replace safety eyes with two small black French knots or satin-stitched circles in black embroidery floss — completely hardware-free and safe for babies and toddlers.
Color Guide
Use the table below to match any recognized Yorkie coat variety or marking combination using US yarn brands.
| Color Variety or Marking | Yarn Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Classic Blue & Tan | Lion Brand Pound of Love “Oxford Gray” + Red Heart Super Saver “Gold” |
| Black & Gold (Puppy Coat) | Lion Brand Pound of Love “Black” + Red Heart Super Saver “Gold” |
| Blue & Gold | Caron Simply Soft “Charcoal Heather” + Lion Brand Pound of Love “Goldenrod” |
| Parti Yorkie (White, Black & Tan) | Lion Brand Pound of Love “White” + “Black” + Red Heart Super Saver “Buff” |
| Chocolate & Tan | Red Heart Super Saver “Coffee” + Red Heart Super Saver “Gold” |
| Biewer Terrier (White, Black & Gold) | Lion Brand Pound of Love “White” + “Black” + Red Heart Super Saver “Gold” |
| Most Popular on Pinterest | Classic Blue & Tan |
Beginner Tips
These five tips are tailored specifically to the Yorkie plush to help you avoid the most common first-attempt problems.
- Most important shaping technique: Use the invisible decrease throughout the entire pattern — the Yorkie’s smooth, round head and slender legs lose their polished surface finish the moment a standard sc2tog is used.
- Most common beginner mistake: Overstuffing the muzzle causes it to bulge outward rather than sitting flat against the face — use barely any fiberfill inside the muzzle, or leave it completely unstuffed.
- Tension advice: Maintain a tight, even tension throughout every piece — if you can see light through your stitches when you hold the work up, tighten your grip before continuing.
- Best assembly tip: Dry-fit and pin every piece onto the body before sewing a single stitch — the Yorkie’s high-set ears especially require careful positioning to look breed-accurate from the front.
- Most rewarding finishing detail: The two small tan embroidered eyebrow marks above each eye take under five minutes but instantly transform a generic small-dog plush into an unmistakable Yorkshire Terrier.
Making It Bigger Or Smaller
- Mini keychain version: Use fingering weight yarn with a US B/1 (2.25mm) hook for a finished plush of approximately 2 inches tall — attach a split keyring through the tail loop before fastening off.
- Standard size: As written in this pattern using worsted weight and a US G/6 (4.0mm) hook, the finished plush sits at approximately 5 inches tall.
- Large cuddly version: Use bulky weight (5) yarn with a US K/10.5 (6.5mm) hook for a finished plush of approximately 9–10 inches — a perfect display or cuddle size for older children and collectors.
Safety Notice
- Safety eyes are a choking hazard for children under 3 — always embroider eyes using black floss for any gift intended for babies or toddlers.
- Weave in every yarn end with at least 2 direction changes to prevent unraveling over time.
- Check all sewn joins are fully secure before giving the finished plush to a child.
Free Printable Pattern Download
This pattern is free for personal use and for selling finished handmade items in small quantities — the written pattern text must not be reproduced or sold; please link back to this page instead. At standard 12pt font size, this full pattern prints to approximately 5–6 pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this Yorkie take to crochet?
Most beginners finish the complete Yorkie plush in 6–10 hours across two or three sessions. Experienced amigurumi makers typically finish in 4–5 hours.
Can I use DK weight yarn instead of worsted?
Yes — switch to a US E/4 (3.5mm) hook with DK weight for a slightly smaller plush of approximately 4 inches. Reduce safety eye size to 7.5mm.
The tan and blue color sections look uneven at the join — how do I fix it?
Pin the chest patch placement carefully before sewing and adjust the boundary until it mirrors the Yorkie’s real saddle marking. Pinning before committing any stitch makes all the difference.
Can I substitute the magic ring?
Chain 2, work the required sc count into the second chain from the hook, and pull the yarn tail to close. This works for every piece in this pattern.
How can this pattern be customized to match a specific real-life Yorkie?
Match yarn to your dog’s exact coloring using reference photos and add unique facial markings in embroidery. Custom Yorkie commissions typically sell for $45–$90.
Final Thoughts
The Yorkshire Terrier is uniquely rewarding to crochet — the contrast between the steel blue body and the warm tan face makes the finished plush visually stunning right from the first attempt. The tan eyebrow embroidery is the one detail that makes it unmistakably breed-accurate.
The ears require the most patience — getting those tiny V-shaped pieces into the correct high-set position takes careful pinning and a few adjustments. The finished result is worth every extra minute when those ears sit correctly and bring the whole face to life.
Share your finished Yorkie on Pinterest using #YorkieCrochet or tag your favorite crochet community on social media — your photo could inspire another dog-loving crafter to pick up their hook. Happy crocheting! 🐾
