Welcome to the charming world of classic British academia! “The Vintage Schoolgirl Puppy” is a delightful amigurumi project that captures the nostalgia of traditional private school days. This sweet Golden Retriever puppy is ready for her first day of class, looking impeccably smart and studious.

She features soft golden-cream fur and those signature floppy ears that make retrievers so lovable. Her uniform is a lesson in vintage style: a sharp Burgundy blazer trimmed with gold piping worn over a crisp white shirt, paired with a charcoal grey pleated skirt. She wears a jaunty grey beret tilted to the side and sensible black Mary Jane shoes with white ankle socks. No student is prepared without her supplies; she carries a leather-style satchel across her shoulder, holds a miniature blackboard to practice her ABCs, and has packed a shiny red apple for her favorite teacher. This pattern is perfect for intermediate crocheters who enjoy dressing their creations in detailed, miniature clothing.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR – Magic Ring
• ch – Chain
• sc – Single Crochet
• hdc – Half Double Crochet
• dc – Double Crochet
• sl st – Slip Stitch
• inc – Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
• dec – Decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• st(s) – Stitch(es)
• rnd – Round
• row – Row
• BLO – Back Loop Only
• FLO – Front Loop Only
• FO – Fasten Off

Materials Needed

• DK or Sport weight yarn in Golden Cream (Puppy Body)
• DK weight yarn in Lighter Cream/White (Muzzle)
• DK weight yarn in Burgundy/Dark Red (Blazer)
• DK weight yarn in Charcoal Grey (Skirt, Beret)
• DK weight yarn in White (Shirt, Socks)
• DK weight yarn in Black (Shoes, Blackboard)
• DK weight yarn in Brown (Satchel, Blackboard frame)
• DK weight yarn in Red and Green (Apple)
• Gold embroidery thread or thin yarn (Blazer trim)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for amigurumi parts)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for clothing)
• Pair of 10mm black safety eyes
• Black embroidery thread (Nose/Mouth)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, pins
• Cardboard or plastic canvas (for shoe soles and blackboard)

Gauge & Finished Size

Work tightly in continuous spiral rounds for the puppy body so the stuffing does not show. Using DK yarn and a 2.5mm hook, the finished puppy stands approximately 28 cm (11 inches) tall. The clothing is designed to be removable, except for the socks and shoes which are integrated into the leg pattern for stability.

Construction Overview

The puppy is constructed in pieces. The head is round with a sewn-on muzzle and floppy ears. The legs are crocheted starting with the black shoes, transitioning to white socks, and then to the fur color. The body is formed by joining the legs. The upper body is crocheted in white to simulate the shirt underneath the blazer. The skirt and blazer are removable garments. The accessories—satchel, blackboard, and apple—are detailed miniatures.

Body Parts

Head

Use Golden Cream yarn and 2.5mm hook.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) repeat around (54)
• Rnd 10–22: sc around (54) (13 rounds).
• Rnd 23: (7 sc, dec) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 24: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 25: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36)

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 16 and 17, spaced about 10 stitches apart.

• Rnd 26: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 27: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 28: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18).

Stuff firmly. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Muzzle

Use Lighter Cream or White yarn.

• Rnd 1: Ch 6. Start 2nd ch from hook: inc, sc 3, 4 sc in last ch. Turn: sc 3, inc (14).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 5, 2 inc, sc 5, inc (18).
• Rnd 3: sc, inc, sc 5, inc, sc 2, inc, sc 5, inc, sc (22).
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (22).

FO. Sew to the face between and slightly below the eyes. Stuff lightly. Embroider a triangular black nose and a mouth line.

Floppy Ears (Make 2)

Use Golden Cream yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 5–10: sc around (24)
• Rnd 11: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (21)
• Rnd 12–14: sc around (21)
• Rnd 15: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 16–19: sc around (18)
• Rnd 20: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (15)

Flatten the opening and sew to the sides of the head (approx Rnd 7) so they hang down.

Legs with Shoes & Socks (Make 2)

Start with Black (Shoes).

• Rnd 1: Ch 7. Oval start: sc 5, 3 sc in last, sc 4, inc (14).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 4, 3 inc, sc 4, 2 inc (20).
• Rnd 3: (BLO) sc around (20).
• Rnd 4–5: sc around (20).
• Rnd 6: sc 6, 4 dec, sc 6 (16).
• Change to White (Socks).
• Rnd 7: (BLO) sc around (16). (Leave front loops black for shoe strap).
• Rnd 8–11: sc around (16).
• Rnd 12 (Sock Ruffle): (FLO) *ch 2, sl st in next* around.
• Change to Golden Cream (Fur).
• Rnd 13: Working in the BLO of Rnd 11 (behind the ruffle): sc around (16).
• Rnd 14–20: sc around (16).

Stuff firmly. FO first leg. Do not cut yarn on second leg. Shoe Strap: Join Black yarn to the front loops left at Rnd 7. Ch 6, attach to opposite side to create the Mary Jane strap.

Body

Join legs: From second leg, ch 4, join to first leg with sc.

• Rnd 21: sc 16 (leg 1), sc 4 in ch, sc 16 (leg 2), sc 4 in ch (40).
• Rnd 22: (9 sc, inc) repeat around (44).
• Rnd 23–28: sc around (44). (Fur color).
• Change to White (Shirt).
• Rnd 29: (BLO) sc around (44). (Waistline).
• Rnd 30–31: sc around (44).
• Rnd 32: (9 sc, dec) repeat around (40).
• Rnd 33–34: sc around (40).
• Rnd 35: (8 sc, dec) repeat around (36).
• Rnd 36–37: sc around (36).
• Rnd 38: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30).
• Rnd 39: sc around (30).
• Rnd 40: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24).
• Rnd 41: sc around (24).

Stuff firmly. FO. Sew head to body. Shirt Collar: Join White yarn to the neck. (Ch 2, dc, hdc, sc) in first few stitches to create a small collar flap on each side.

Arms (Make 2)

Use Golden Cream yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3–15: sc around (12).

Stuff lightly. Flatten and sew to body.

The Uniform Wardrobe

Charcoal Pleated Skirt

Use Charcoal Grey yarn and 3.0mm hook. Worked waist-down.

• Waist: Ch 42 (measure waist). Join. sc around (42).
• Rnd 2: sc around.
• Pleats:
  Rnd 3: (FLO) *2 dc in next st, dc in next* repeat around. (Increases volume).
  Rnd 4–10: dc around.
• Rnd 11: sc around for a neat hem. FO.
• Put the skirt on the puppy. It should sit at the waist color change.

Burgundy School Blazer

Use Burgundy yarn. Worked flat in rows (Raglan style).

• Row 1: Ch 27. sc across (26).
• Row 2: (inc) across (52).
• Row 3 (Armholes): sc 8, ch 6 (skip 10), sc 16, ch 6 (skip 10), sc 8.
• Row 4: sc across (44).
• Row 5–12: sc across. (Length of jacket).
• Row 13: sc around the entire edge of the blazer (sides and bottom) to finish. FO.
• Sleeves: Join yarn to armholes. sc 16 around. Work 8 rounds. FO.
• Details: Use Gold thread to embroider a line along the lapels, the bottom hem, and cuffs. Sew two small buttons on the front (or embroider them).

Grey Beret

Use Charcoal Grey yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around (30).
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) around (36).
• Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) around (42).
• Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) around (48).
• Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) around (54).
• Rnd 10–12: sc around (54).
• Rnd 13: (7 sc, dec) around (48).
• Rnd 14: (6 sc, dec) around (42).
• Rnd 15: (5 sc, dec) around (36).
• Rnd 16: sc around. FO.
• Stalk: Ch 4, sl st back. Sew to top center.

School Supplies

Leather-Style Satchel

Use Brown yarn.

• Row 1: Ch 11. sc 10.
• Row 2–22: sc across. (Long rectangle).
• Fold the bottom up (approx 8 rows) to form the pocket. Sew the sides.
• Fold the top down (approx 6 rows) to form the flap.
• Strap: Ch 45. Sew to the sides of the bag.
• Sew a small button on the pocket and a loop on the flap to close.

Blackboard “ABC”

Use Black and Brown yarn.

• Board (Black): Ch 10. sc 9. Work 6 rows of sc. FO.
• Frame (Brown): Join Brown yarn to the edge. sc around the rectangle, doing (sc, ch 1, sc) in corners.
• Chalk: Use White yarn/thread to embroider “ABC” on the black center.

Red Apple

Use Red yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4–6: sc around.
• Rnd 7: (1 sc, dec) around (12). Stuff firmly.
• Rnd 8: dec around (6). Close.
• Pull the yarn tail through the center from bottom to top and pull tight to create the apple indentation.
• Stem/Leaf: Ch 4 in Brown (Stem). Ch 4 in Green (Leaf). Sew to top.

Assembly

1. Dress the puppy in the Charcoal Skirt.
2. Put on the Burgundy Blazer over the white shirt body.
3. Place the Grey Beret on her head, tilted to one side.
4. Hang the Satchel across her chest diagonally.
5. Stitch the Blackboard to one hand.
6. Place the Apple near her feet or in the other hand.

Your Vintage Schoolgirl Puppy is ready for a day of learning! A+ for cuteness!