Pack your bags and grab your compass! “The Safari Explorer Puppy” is here to lead you on a wild adventure through the tall grasses of the savannah. This spirited little adventurer captures the thrill of discovery and the beauty of the wild, making her the perfect companion for nature lovers and dreamers alike.

This intrepid puppy features a coat of soft cream fur marked with distinctive chocolate brown patches, including a charming spot over one eye and matching floppy ears. She is dressed for the rugged outdoors in a practical yet stylish Khaki Shirt Dress, complete with a smart collar and four functional cargo pockets to hold her gear. The dress is cinched at the waist with a wide, brown leather-style belt. To protect herself from the sun, she wears a classic, round cream Pith Helmet. Her feet are ready for a long trek in sturdy, lace-up hiking boots worn over thick socks. She never leaves camp without her essential tools: a pair of binoculars hanging around her neck for spotting wildlife, and a vintage treasure map leading to hidden wonders. Tagging along on her expedition is a mischievous little Monkey with a long, curling tail, ready to cause some fun trouble.

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 Cream/Off-White (Puppy Main Color)
• DK weight yarn in Dark Brown (Patches, Ears, Boots, Monkey, Belt)
• DK weight yarn in Khaki/Beige (Shirt Dress)
• DK weight yarn in Light Cream/Ivory (Pith Helmet)
• DK weight yarn in Black/Dark Grey (Binoculars)
• DK weight yarn in Parchment/Tan (Map, Monkey Face)
• Scrap yarn in White (Socks)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for amigurumi parts)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for clothing)
• Pair of 10mm black safety eyes (Puppy)
• Pair of 6mm safety eyes (Monkey)
• Dark brown embroidery thread (Nose, Mouth, Laces)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, pins
• Cardboard (for boot soles)

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 removable to allow for dress-up play.

Construction Overview

The puppy is constructed in pieces. The legs are made first, starting with the boots, and are joined to form the body. The head is a sphere with color changes to create the eye patch. The dress is a detailed removable garment featuring a collar and four separate pocket appliqués. The Pith Helmet is shaped to have a high crown and a small brim. The accessories—binoculars, map, and monkey—are detailed miniatures.

Body Parts (Puppy)

Head

Use Cream and Dark Brown yarn. Start with Cream.

• 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 10–12: sc around (54).
• Eye Patch Colorwork:
• Rnd 13: sc 18 Cream, sc 10 Brown, sc 26 Cream.
• Rnd 14: sc 17 Cream, sc 12 Brown, sc 25 Cream.
• Rnd 15–18: sc 16 Cream, sc 14 Brown, sc 24 Cream.
• Rnd 19: sc 17 Cream, sc 12 Brown, sc 25 Cream.
• Rnd 20: sc 18 Cream, sc 10 Brown, sc 26 Cream.
• Rnd 21: (All Cream) (7 sc, dec) repeat around (48).
• Insert safety eyes. One goes in the center of the Brown patch, the other in the Cream section opposite.
• Rnd 22: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42).
• Rnd 23: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36).
• Rnd 24: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30).
• Rnd 25: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24).
• Rnd 26: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18).

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

Snout

Use Cream yarn.

• Rnd 1: Ch 6. Oval start: sc 4, 3 sc in last, sc 3, inc (12).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 3, 3 inc, sc 3, 2 inc (18).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc), sc 3, (1 sc, inc) x3, sc 3, (1 sc, inc) x2 (24).
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (24).

FO. Sew to the lower face. Stuff lightly. Embroider a triangular nose in Dark Brown.

Ears (Make 2)

Use Dark Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4–9: sc around (18).
• Rnd 10: (4 sc, dec) around (15).
• Rnd 11–14: sc around (15).
• Rnd 15: (3 sc, dec) around (12).
• Rnd 16–17: sc around (12).

Flatten and sew to the sides of the head (approx Rnd 7-8). They should hang down long and floppy.

Legs with Hiking Boots (Make 2)

Start with Dark Brown (Boots).

• 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). (Sole edge).
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (20).
• Rnd 7: sc 6, 4 dec, sc 6 (16). (Toe shaping).
• Rnd 8: sc 6, 2 dec, sc 6 (14).
• Rnd 9: sc around (14).
• Change to White (Socks).
• Rnd 10: (BLO) sc around (14).
• Rnd 11–12: sc around (14).
• Rnd 13 (Cuff): (FLO) hdc around. FO sock cuff.
• Change to Cream (Legs).
• Rnd 14: Join yarn to BLO of Rnd 12 inside the sock. sc around (14).
• Rnd 15–20: sc around (14). (Feel free to add a random Brown spot on one leg).

Stuff firmly. FO first leg. Do not cut yarn on second leg. Embroider laces on the boots using lighter brown yarn.

Body

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

• Rnd 21: sc 14 (leg 1), sc 4 in ch, sc 14 (leg 2), sc 4 in ch (36).
• Rnd 22: (5 sc, inc) repeat around (42).
• Rnd 23–29: sc around (42). (Cream tummy, you can add random Brown patches).
• Rnd 30: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36).
• Rnd 31–33: sc around (36).
• Rnd 34: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30).
• Rnd 35–37: sc around (30).
• Rnd 38: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24).
• Rnd 39: sc around (24).
• Rnd 40: (2 sc, dec) repeat around (18).

Stuff firmly. FO. Sew head to body.

Arms (Make 2)

Start with Cream (Paws). Add brown spots if desired.

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

Stuff lightly. Flatten top and sew to body.

The Explorer’s Wardrobe

Khaki Shirt Dress

Use Khaki yarn and 3.0mm hook. Worked waist-down.

• Waist: Ch 38. Join. sc around (38).
• Rnd 2: (BLO) (inc, 18 sc) x 2 (40).
• Skirt:
• Rnd 3: (4 sc, inc) around (48).
• Rnd 4–12: dc around (48). (A-line shape).
• Rnd 13: sc around. FO.
• Bodice: Join yarn to front loops of the Waist chain.
  Row 1: sc 38. Turn.
  Row 2–6: sc across.
  Row 7 (Armholes): sc 8, ch 8 (skip 6), sc 10, ch 8 (skip 6), sc 8.
  Row 8: sc across including chains.
• Collar: At the neck edge, ch 2, dc in each st across. Turn. (sc, ch 2, sc) in the first st to make a corner, sc across, (sc, ch 2, sc) in last st.
• Cargo Pockets (Make 4): Ch 5, sc 4. Work 4 rows. Sew two on the chest and two on the skirt. Use a tiny French knot in brown to simulate a button on each.

Leather Belt

Use Dark Brown yarn.

• Ch 42 (long enough to go around waist). hdc in 3rd ch and across. FO.
• Sew a small square outline in yellow/gold yarn at one end to resemble a buckle. Sew onto the dress waist.

Pith Helmet

Use Light Cream/Ivory 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 9–13: sc around (48). (High dome shape).
• Rnd 14 (Brim): (FLO) (3 sc, inc) around.
• Rnd 15: (4 sc, inc) around.
• Rnd 16: sc around. FO.
• Band: Chain a length of Dark Brown yarn and glue or sew it around the base of the crown.

Safari Accessories

Binoculars

Use Black and Grey yarn.

• Tube (Make 2): Black. MR 6, inc to 12. BLO sc around. sc 8 rounds. Close.
• Sew the two tubes together side-by-side. Wrap a grey band around the center join.
• Strap: Chain 60 in black. Attach to the sides of the binoculars.

Treasure Map

Use Parchment/Tan yarn.

• Ch 15. sc across (14). Work 12 rows to make a rectangle.
• Details: Use black embroidery thread to stitch a dashed line path, an “X” mark, and some wavy lines for water. Roll it up slightly and stitch to the hand.

Mini Monkey

Use Dark Brown and Tan yarn.

• Head (Brown): MR 6, inc to 12. sc 3 rounds. dec to 6. Close.
• Face (Tan): Cut a small heart shape from felt or crochet a tiny flat heart and sew to the face. Add eyes.
• Body (Brown): MR 6, inc to 12. sc 3 rounds. dec to 6. Close. Sew to head.
• Limbs: Ch 6, sc back. Make 4. Sew to body.
• Tail: Ch 15, sl st back. Sew to rear. Insert a pipe cleaner if you want it to curl.

Assembly

1. Dress the puppy in the Khaki Shirt Dress with the Belt.
2. Place the Pith Helmet on her head.
3. Hang the Binoculars around her neck.
4. Stitch the Treasure Map to one hand (paw).
5. Position the Monkey on her shoulder or holding her other hand.

Your Safari Explorer Puppy is ready to discover the unknown! Adventure awaits!