Crochet an Adorable Maru The Shiba Dog Amigurumi

Posted by by nicecrochetpattern 3 months Ago 124 Views
Maru

Shiba Inu dogs have become Maru incredibly popular with their fox-like appearance, loyal temperament, and expressive faces. Now you can create your very own adorable Shiba companion with this detailed amigurumi pattern. Maru The Shiba is a charming crochet project perfect for both beginners and experienced crafters who want to expand their amigurumi collection with a beloved canine friend.

What You Need for Your Crochet Shiba

Before starting your Maru The Shiba amigurumi project, gather these essential materials:

  • 2.5 mm crochet hook
  • Light brown yarn (main color)
  • Broken white/cream yarn (for face, snout, and paws)
  • 6 mm black safety eyes
  • Pink yarn (for cheeks)
  • Black yarn (for mouth)
  • Broken white yarn (for eyebrows)
  • Stuffing material
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors

Understanding Crochet Terminology

This pattern uses standard amigurumi abbreviations:

  • MR: Magic Ring – The starting point that allows you to tighten your first round completely
  • Ch: Chain – Creates the foundation of your work
  • Sc: Single crochet – The basic stitch used throughout most amigurumi projects
  • Inc: Increase – Two single crochets in one stitch, expanding your work
  • Dec: Decrease – Combining two stitches into one, reducing your work
  • FO: Fasten Off – Securing and ending your work
  • A: Light brown yarn (main color)
  • B: Broken white/cream yarn

Creating Maru’s Head

The head features the characteristic Shiba face with its distinct coloration pattern:

  1. Start by chaining 6, then work on both sides of the chain:
    • Round 1: 4 sc, 3 sc in the last chain, 4 sc, increase in the last chain (12 stitches)
    • Round 2: Increase, 3 sc, 3 increases, 3 sc, 2 increases (18 stitches)
    • Round 3: Increase, 6 sc, 3 increases, 6 sc, 2 increases (24 stitches)
    • Round 4: Increase, 7 sc, increase, (1 sc, increase) twice, 7 sc, (increase, 1 sc) twice (30 stitches)
    • Rounds 5-8: Sc around (30 stitches)
    • Round 9: Increase, 8 sc, increase, (2 sc, increase) twice, 8 sc, (increase, 2 sc) twice (36 stitches)
    • Round 10: Increase, 9 sc, increase, (3 sc, increase) twice, 9 sc, (increase, 3 sc) twice (42 stitches)
    • Rounds 11-15: Sc around, using broken white for 21 stitches and light brown for 21 stitches (42 stitches)
  2. Begin decreasing to shape the face:
    • Round 16: (Light brown) Decrease, (broken white) 9 sc, decrease, 3 sc, decrease, 2 sc, (light brown) 1 sc, decrease, 9 sc, decrease, 3 sc, decrease, 3 sc (36 stitches)
    • Round 17: (Light brown) Decrease, (broken white) 8 sc, decrease, 2 sc, decrease, (light brown) 2 sc, decrease, 8 sc, decrease, 2 sc, decrease, 2 sc (30 stitches)
    • Round 18: (Light brown) Decrease, (broken white) 7 sc, decrease, 1 sc, (light brown) decrease, 1 sc, decrease, 7 sc, decrease, 1 sc, decrease, 1 sc (24 stitches)
    • Round 19: (Light brown) (2 sc, decrease) 6 times (18 stitches), fasten off

Crafting Maru’s Body

The body combines both the light brown and broken white yarns to create the distinctive Shiba coloring:

  1. Begin with the light brown yarn:
    • Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6 stitches)
    • Round 2: 6 increases (12 stitches)
    • Round 3: (1 sc, increase) 6 times (18 stitches)
    • Round 4: (2 sc, increase) 6 times (24 stitches)
    • Rounds 5-6: Sc around, using 6 sc light brown, 6 sc broken white, 12 sc light brown (24 stitches)
    • Round 7: (Light brown) 2 sc, decrease, 2 sc, (broken white) decrease, 3 sc, decrease, (light brown) (2 sc, decrease) 3 times (18 stitches)
    • Rounds 8-9: (Light brown) 5 sc, (broken white) 4 sc, (light brown) 9 sc (18 stitches)
    • Round 10: (Light brown) Sc around (18 stitches), fasten off

Creating Maru’s Snout

The snout gives your Shiba its characteristic expression:

  1. Using broken white yarn:
    • Round 1: Chain 4, work on both sides: 2 sc, 3 sc on the last chain, turn around, 2 sc, increase (8 stitches)
    • Round 2: (3 sc, increase) twice (10 stitches)
    • Round 3: (4 sc, increase) twice (12 stitches), fasten off

Forming the Arms and Legs

These small limbs add character to your Shiba:

Arms (make 2)

  1. Start with broken white yarn:
    • Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6 stitches)
    • Rounds 2-4: Switch to light brown yarn, sc around (6 stitches)

Legs (make 2)

  1. Using light brown yarn:
    • Round 1: 7 sc in magic ring (7 stitches)
    • Rounds 2-4: Sc around (7 stitches)

Adding the Finishing Touches

Tail

The curly tail is characteristic of the Shiba breed:

  1. Using light brown yarn:
    • Round 1: 4 sc in magic ring (4 stitches)
    • Rounds 2-3: Sc around (4 stitches)

Ears (make 2)

The pointed ears complete the fox-like appearance:

  1. Using light brown yarn:
    • Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6 stitches)
    • Round 2: (2 sc, increase) twice (8 stitches)
    • Round 3: (3 sc, increase) twice (10 stitches)

Assembling Your Shiba Dog

Now it’s time to bring Maru to life:

  1. Face assembly:
    • Sew the ears between rows 2-6 of the head
    • Attach the snout between rows 10-13 of the head
    • Position and secure the 6mm safety eyes between rows 10-11, about 7 stitches apart
    • Embroider eyebrows using broken white yarn between rows 7-8
    • Add cheeks with pink yarn and embroider the mouth with black yarn
  2. Body assembly:
    • Stuff the head and body firmly
    • Sew the head to the body securely
    • Attach arms to the sides of the body
    • Attach legs to the bottom of the body
    • Sew the tail to the back of the body, curving it slightly for that classic Shiba look

Tips for Perfect Results

  • When changing colors, try to make seamless transitions by carrying the yarn inside your work
  • Stuff firmly but not too tightly to maintain the shape without distorting stitches
  • Use pins to position parts before sewing them together
  • For a more realistic look, you can brush the finished amigurumi gently with a wire pet brush to create a fuzzy texture
  • Consider adding a collar with a small charm for extra personality

Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered Maru The Shiba, you might want to try these creative variations:

  • Create a black and tan Shiba by using dark brown and tan yarns
  • Make a red Shiba using rusty orange yarn as the main color
  • Create a mini version using thinner yarn and a smaller hook
  • Add accessories like a bandana or backpack for added charm

Caring for Your Amigurumi Creation

To keep your Maru The Shiba looking its best:

  • Spot clean with mild soap and water as needed
  • Air dry completely after cleaning
  • Display away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading
  • Periodically reshape if it becomes flattened from display or play

Showcase Your Creation

Once you’ve completed your adorable Shiba Inu amigurumi, share your creation with the crafting community! Tag your photos with @freeamigurumii on Instagram or Facebook to join fellow crafters who’ve also completed this charming pattern.

Congratulations on creating your very own Maru The Shiba! This adorable amigurumi companion brings the charm and personality of the beloved Shiba Inu breed into a huggable, handcrafted form. Whether made as a gift or a decoration for your own space, this crochet Shiba is sure to bring smiles for years to come.

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Conclusion

Creating a Maru The Shiba amigurumi offers a rewarding crafting experience that results in an irresistibly cute companion. This pattern combines simple techniques with thoughtful details to capture the essence of the beloved Shiba Inu breed. The distinctive color pattern, fox-like face, and curled tail all contribute to making this amigurumi instantly recognizable.

What makes this pattern particularly special is its accessibility for crafters of various skill levels. Beginners can follow the straightforward instructions to develop their amigurumi techniques, while experienced crocheters can add their own creative touches to personalize their Shiba companion.

The finished Maru The Shiba doesn’t just serve as a charming decoration—it represents the joy of handmade crafting and the special connection we feel with our animal friends. Whether you’re making it for yourself, as a gift for a dog lover, or to complement your existing amigurumi collection, this Shiba Inu will undoubtedly become a treasured creation.

Remember that each stitch contributes to bringing this adorable character to life. Take your time, enjoy the process, and soon you’ll have your very own crochet Shiba Inu with a personality as unique as the hands that created it.