Meet the sweetest addition to your holiday crochet collection: The “Gingerbread Baker” Puppy. Unlike a typical pastry chef, this adorable Cocker Spaniel specializes in the festive art of decorating gingerbread cookies. With her warm golden-brown fur that matches her baked creations, she is the perfect companion for the cozy winter season.

She is dressed ready for the kitchen in a “Gingerbread Brown” dress that complements her coat, protected by a crisp white apron trimmed with festive red and green rickrack details. On her feet, she wears elegant burgundy Mary Jane shoes, and her look is topped off with a creamy, puffy Baker Boy cap to keep her ears tidy while she works. She comes fully equipped with a silver baking tray filled with tiny gingerbread figures, a piping bag for icing, and a star-shaped cookie cutter. This project is rich in detail and holiday cheer!

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
• 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 the following colors:
  • Golden Brown (Puppy fur)
  • Warm/Gingerbread Brown (Dress)
  • White (Apron, Collar, Icing Bag)
  • Burgundy/Dark Red (Shoes)
  • Cream (Hat)
  • Silver/Grey (Baking Tray, Cookie Cutter)
  • Scrap amounts of Red and Green (Apron trim)
  • Dark Brown (Nose)
  • Biscuit/Tan (Tiny Gingerbread Men)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for amigurumi parts and miniatures)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for clothing)
• 10mm or 12mm Black Safety Eyes
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, embroidery needle
• Stitch markers, pins, scissors
• Cardboard or plastic canvas (to stiffen the baking tray and shoes)

Gauge & Finished Size

The finished puppy stands approximately 28 cm (11 inches) tall. The gauge for the body parts should be tight to ensure no stuffing shows through. The clothing is removable and should be checked for fit as you crochet.

Head

Use Golden Brown yarn and 2.5 mm hook. Work in a continuous spiral.

• 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 10–18: sc around (54)
• Rnd 19: (8 sc, inc) repeat around (60) – Cheek shaping
• Rnd 20–24: sc around (60)
• Rnd 25: (8 sc, dec) repeat around (54)
• Rnd 26: (7 sc, dec) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 27: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 28: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 29: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 30: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 17 and 18, spaced about 10-11 stitches apart. Stuff the head firmly. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Muzzle

Use Golden Brown 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 face, slightly overlapping the bottom of the eyes. Stuff lightly. Embroider a triangular nose with Dark Brown yarn.

Cocker Spaniel Ears (Make 2)

Use Golden Brown yarn. These ears are long and slightly textured.

• 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 5–15: sc around (24)
• Rnd 16: (dec, 10 sc) repeat twice (22)
• Rnd 17–20: sc around (22)
• Rnd 21: (dec, 9 sc) repeat twice (20)
• Rnd 22–26: sc around (20)
• Rnd 27: (dec, 8 sc) repeat twice (18)
• Rnd 28–30: sc around (18)

Do not stuff the ears. Flatten the top opening and sew closed. Attach to the sides of the head at approximately Rnd 8-9 so they hang down framing the face.

Legs & Body

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Golden Brown yarn.

• 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)
• Rnd 7: 6 sc, 3 dec, 6 sc (15) – Foot shaping
• Rnd 8–22: sc around (15)

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

Body

Continue with Golden Brown yarn.

• Rnd 23: 15 sc on first leg, 4 sc on chain, 15 sc on second leg, 4 sc on other side of chain (38)
• Rnd 24: (inc, 18 sc) repeat twice (40)
• Rnd 25–30: sc around (40)
• Rnd 31: (8 sc, dec) repeat 4 times (36)
• Rnd 32–34: sc around (36)
• Rnd 35: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 36–38: sc around (30)
• Rnd 39: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 40: sc around (24)

Stuff firmly. FO. Sew head to neck.

Arms (Make 2)

Use Golden Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (9)
• Rnd 3–15: sc around (9)

Stuff hands lightly, leave upper arms empty. Flatten top and sew to shoulders.

Clothing

Gingerbread Brown Dress

Use Warm Brown yarn and 3.0 mm hook. Worked top-down.

• Bodice:
• Row 1: Ch 27. Sc in 2nd ch and across (26). Turn.
• Row 2: (2 sc, inc) repeat across approx (35). Turn.
• Row 3 (Armholes): 5 sc, ch 6, skip 7, 11 sc, ch 6, skip 7, 5 sc. Turn.
• Row 4: sc across all sts and chains (33). Turn.
• Row 5–8: sc across (33).
• Skirt: Join to work in rounds.
• Rnd 9: Ch 2, dc inc in every st around (66).
• Rnd 10–18: Ch 2, dc around (66).
• Rnd 19: (sc, ch 2, sk 1) repeat around for a simple scalloped hem. FO.
• Collar: Attach White yarn to the neck loop. Work (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) in one st, sl st in next—repeat around to create a small Peter Pan collar.

White Rickrack Apron

Use White yarn. Worked flat.

• Apron Skirt:
• Row 1: Ch 20. Sc in 2nd ch and across (19). Turn.
• Row 2: inc in every st (38). Turn.
• Row 3–12: sc across (38). FO.
• Bib: Attach yarn to center 10 sts of Row 1 waistband. Work 6 rows of sc.
• Ties: Ch 30, attach to top corner of bib, ch 30 (Neck strap). Ch 40, attach to side of waist, ch 40 (Waist tie).
• Rickrack Trim: With Red and Green yarn, use a surface slip stitch or embroidery to create a zigzag line across the bottom of the apron skirt. One row Red, one row Green.

Burgundy Mary Jane Shoes

Use Burgundy yarn.

• Rnd 1: Ch 7, sc around chain increasing at ends (approx 18 sts).
• Rnd 2: BLO sc around (18).
• Rnd 3–4: sc around (18).
• Rnd 5: 6 sc, 3 dec, 6 sc (15).
• Strap: Ch 6, attach to opposite side. Sew a small button detail.

Cream Baker Boy Cap

Use Cream yarn. This hat needs to be puffy.

• Rnd 1: MR, 8 sc (8)
• Rnd 2: inc around (16)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (24)
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (32)
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around (40)
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) around (48)
• Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) around (56)
• Rnd 8–10: sc around (56)
• Rnd 11: (5 sc, dec) around (48)
• Rnd 12: (4 sc, dec) around (40) – Band starts
• Rnd 13–14: sc around (40).
• Brim: Work on front 14 stitches only. FLO. Row 1: sc 14. Row 2: dec, 10 sc, dec. Row 3: sc across. FO.

Accessories

Silver Baking Tray

Use Silver/Grey yarn.

• Row 1: Ch 12. Sc in 2nd ch and across (11). Turn.
• Row 2–16: sc across (11). (Rectangle base).
• Rim: Sc around the entire perimeter. In the next round, work in BLO sc around to make the rim stand up. Work 1 more round of sc. FO.
• Tip: Cut a piece of cardboard to fit inside the base to keep it flat.

Tiny Gingerbread Men

Use Biscuit/Tan yarn.

• Row 1: Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch, sc, sc. (Body).
• Row 2: Ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch (Head). Sl st into body.
• Row 3: Ch 2, sl st (Arm 1). Ch 2, sl st (Arm 2).
• Row 4: Ch 2, sl st (Leg 1). Ch 2, sl st (Leg 2).
• FO. Use tiny dots of Red/Green yarn or fabric paint for buttons. Glue to the tray.

Icing Bag

Use White yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc.
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) around (6).
• Rnd 3: (2 sc, inc) around (8).
• Rnd 4–8: Continue increasing every round by 2 sts until cone is desired size.
• Rnd 9: sc around. Stuff firmly.
• Rnd 10: dec around to close. Twist the top to look like a closed bag.

Star Cookie Cutter

Use Silver/Grey yarn.

• Ch 25. Join to form ring. Sc around. FO.
• Shape the ring into a 5-point star using your fingers or stiffen with white glue/water mixture.

Assembly

1. Dress: Put the brown dress on the puppy.
2. Apron: Tie the white rickrack apron over the dress.
3. Shoes: Place the burgundy shoes on the feet.
4. Hat: Position the Baker Boy cap on the head, pulling it slightly to one side.
5. Baking: Stitch the icing bag to one hand and the tray to the other (or place tray on lap).
6. Details: Place the cookie cutter on the tray or in the apron pocket if you made one.

Your Little Puppy “Gingerbread Baker” is ready to decorate! This festive pup captures all the warmth and sweetness of holiday baking.