Welcome to a serene afternoon with the “Spring Tea Ceremony” Puppy. Unlike a grand tea party, this little Shiba Inu is a dedicated herbal tea blender, finding joy in the quiet art of mixing nature’s flavors. This pattern features a golden-yellow and white Shiba Inu with perky ears and a sweet expression.

She is dressed in a modernized, vibrant blue kimono-style dress with a flared skirt, delicately embroidered with pink cherry blossoms. Her waist is cinched with a wide turquoise Obi belt featuring a decorative pink cord and a large bow at the back. To complete her traditional yet playful look, she wears stylized woolen geta clogs and adorns her ear with a cluster of hydrangea flowers. She holds her prized “Herbal Blend” tea canister and a tiny bamboo matcha whisk, ready to brew the perfect cup.

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
• tr – treble crochet
• inc – increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• dec – decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• sl st – slip stitch
• BLO – back loop only
• FLO – front loop only
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd – round
• row – row
• FO – fasten off

Materials

• DK or Sport weight yarn in:
  • Golden Yellow/Orange (Shiba fur)
  • White (Face mask, paws, tail tip, kimono collar trim)
  • Slate Blue (Kimono dress)
  • Turquoise/Teal (Obi belt, shoe straps)
  • Pink (Cherry blossoms, belt cord)
  • Purple/Lilac (Hydrangea)
  • Beige/Light Brown (Shoes, Tea canister body, Whisk handle)
  • Moss Green (Tea canister lid, Whisk tips)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for amigurumi parts)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for clothing)
• 10mm Black Safety Eyes
• Dark Brown embroidery thread (Nose, Mouth)
• Small piece of white felt or fabric paint (for “Herbal Blend” label)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, embroidery needle, scissors, pins

Gauge & Finished Size

The finished Shiba Inu stands approximately 26–28 cm (10–11 inches) tall. The gauge for the body parts should be firm to keep the shape. The kimono dress fits snugly over the body but flares out at the hips.

Head

Use Golden Yellow yarn. The face mask (White) is worked using color changes. Carry the unused yarn behind the stitches.

• Rnd 1: (Yellow) MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: (Yellow) inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (Yellow) (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4: (Yellow) (2 sc, inc) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 5: (Yellow) (3 sc, inc) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 6: (Yellow) (4 sc, inc) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 7: (Yellow) (5 sc, inc) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 8: (Yellow) (6 sc, inc) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 9: (Yellow) (7 sc, inc) repeat around (54)
• Rnd 10–13: (Yellow) sc around (54)
• Begin White Face Mask Pattern:
• Rnd 14: (Yellow) 18 sc, (White) 5 sc, (Yellow) 8 sc, (White) 5 sc, (Yellow) 18 sc (54)
• Rnd 15: (Yellow) 17 sc, (White) 7 sc, (Yellow) 6 sc, (White) 7 sc, (Yellow) 17 sc (54)
• Rnd 16: (Yellow) 16 sc, (White) 22 sc, (Yellow) 16 sc (54)
• Rnd 17–19: (Yellow) 15 sc, (White) 24 sc, (Yellow) 15 sc (54)
• Rnd 20: (Yellow) 16 sc, (White) 22 sc, (Yellow) 16 sc (54)
• Rnd 21: (Yellow) (8 sc, inc) x 2, (White) 8 sc, inc, 9 sc, (Yellow) inc, 8 sc, inc (60) – Check coloring to keep white centered.
• Rnd 22–24: (Yellow) 18 sc, (White) 24 sc, (Yellow) 18 sc (60)
• Rnd 25: (Yellow) (8 sc, dec) repeat around (54)
• Rnd 26: (Yellow) (7 sc, dec) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 27: (Yellow) (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 28: (Yellow) (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 29: (Yellow) (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 30: (Yellow) (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 18 and 19, within the white patches. Embroider a nose and mouth on the snout area. Embroider small white eyebrows on the yellow forehead. Stuff firmly. FO.

Muzzle

Use White 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 5–6: sc around (24)

FO. Sew to the center of the white face area, slightly below eyes. Stuff lightly.

Ears (Make 2)

Use Golden Yellow yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc (4)
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) x 2 (6)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 3 (12)
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 3 (15)
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x 3 (18)
• Rnd 7–9: sc around (18)

Sew a small triangle of white felt or crochet a smaller white triangle inside the ear. Sew ears to top of head.

Legs & Body

Legs (Make 2)

Start with White (Paws/Socks).

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (18)
• Change to Golden Yellow.
• Rnd 7: BLO sc around (18)
• Rnd 8–20: sc around (18)

Stuff firmly. FO first leg. Do not cut yarn on second leg. Ch 4, join to first leg.

Body

Continue with Golden Yellow.

• Rnd 21: 18 sc on first leg, 4 sc on chain, 18 sc on second leg, 4 sc on other side of chain (44)
• Rnd 22: (10 sc, inc) repeat 4 times (48)
• Rnd 23–30: sc around (48)
• Rnd 31: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 32–34: sc around (42)
• Rnd 35: (5 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 neck.

Arms (Make 2)

Start with White (Paws).

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (9)
• Rnd 3–4: sc around (9)
• Change to Golden Yellow.
• Rnd 5–15: sc around (9)

Stuff lightly. Flatten top and sew to shoulders.

Kimono Outfit

Blue Kimono Dress

Use Slate Blue yarn. Worked top-down.

• Bodice (Wrap Style): Worked in rows.
• Row 1: Ch 30. Sc in 2nd ch and across (29).
• Row 2: (sc, inc) repeat across approx (44).
• Row 3 (Armholes): 7 sc, ch 6, skip 8, 14 sc, ch 6, skip 8, 7 sc.
• Row 4: sc across (40).
• Row 5–8: sc across (40).
• Skirt: Join to work in rounds (overlap the first and last 2 stitches to close the wrap or sew later).
• Rnd 9: Ch 2, dc inc in every st around (approx 80).
• Rnd 10–18: Ch 2, dc around (80). (Skirt should be A-line).
• Rnd 19: sc around. FO.
• Collar: Attach White yarn to the front opening edge. Sc up the front, around the neck, and down the other side.
• Sakura (Cherry Blossoms): Use Pink yarn. MR, (ch 2, dc, ch 2, sl st) x 5. Sew scattered flowers onto the skirt. Embroider centers with darker pink.

Turquoise Obi Belt

Use Turquoise yarn.

• Row 1: Ch 10, sc in 2nd ch and across (9).
• Row 2–35: sc across (9). (Make long enough to wrap around waist).
• Sew ends together at the back.
• Back Bow: Create a large rectangle (20 ch, 8 rows sc). Pinch center, wrap with yarn, and sew to the back of the belt.
• Decorative Cord: Use Pink yarn to make a chain or twisted cord. Tie around the center of the belt.

Stylized Geta (Clogs)

Use Beige yarn.

• Sole: Ch 7, sc around chain increasing at ends (approx 18 sts). Work 2 rounds.
• Straps: With Turquoise yarn, ch 10. Sew in a “V” shape from the toe point to the sides of the sole.

Hydrangea Hair Clip

Use Purple/Lilac yarn.

• Flower Cluster: Ch 4, sl st in first ch to form ring. (Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st) x 4. Make 3 of these flowers.
• Leaves: Green yarn. Ch 6, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc.
• Sew flowers and leaves together and attach near the left ear.

Accessories

Herbal Tea Canister

Use Beige and Moss Green yarn.

• Body (Beige): MR, 6 sc. Inc to 18. BLO sc around. Sc 8 rounds.
• Lid (Green): MR, 6 sc. Inc to 18. BLO sc around. Sc 2 rounds. FO.
• Stuff body firmly (insert cardboard circle for flat bottom). Sew lid on top.
• Label: Glue a small white square and write “HERBAL BLEND” or embroider a green square.

Matcha Whisk (Chasen)

Use Beige and Green yarn.

• Rnd 1: (Beige) MR, 5 sc.
• Rnd 2: BLO sc around (5).
• Rnd 3–5: sc around (5). (Handle).
• Rnd 6: inc around (10).
• Rnd 7: (Green) Loop stitch or (ch 3, sl st in next) around to create the tine bristles. FO.

Assembly

1. Dress: Put the kimono dress on the puppy.
2. Belt: Slide the wide turquoise Obi belt over the dress, positioning the bow at the back.
3. Shoes: Slip the Geta clogs onto the paws.
4. Hair: Attach the Hydrangea clip to the head.
5. Tea Time: Stitch the tea canister to the right hand and the whisk to the left hand.

Your Spring Tea Ceremony Puppy is ready to brew peace and happiness! Enjoy this unique cultural blend of crochet art.