French Bulldog Crochet Tutorial

If you’ve ever scrolled through Pinterest or Etsy and thought, “Wow, I wish I could crochet one of those cute French Bulldog plushies,” then you’re in exactly the right place. This French Bulldog crochet tutorial is your go-to guide for creating an adorable amigurumi Frenchie—whether you’re a total beginner or someone who’s already obsessed with the world of yarn. And trust me, as someone who has spent way too many late nights crocheting “just one more ear” (you know how it goes), I get the excitement and the struggle.

Maybe you want something handmade for your desk, maybe a unique gift for a dog-loving friend, or maybe you simply want to learn amigurumi without feeling overwhelmed. Whatever your reason, this tutorial will walk you through everything—from choosing yarn to shaping the snout to sewing all those tiny pieces together. By the end, you’ll have your own miniature Frenchie buddy staring back at you like, “Bonjour, human!” 😉

Let’s get into it.

Choosing the Right Materials and Tools

Before we start stitching, let’s talk about supplies. You don’t need a big fancy kit—just the basics and a tiny bit of patience.

Recommended Yarn Types

Your yarn choice affects the entire personality of your Frenchie. Want a soft baby-style plush? Go with velvet yarn. Prefer a classic amigurumi look? Standard cotton works wonders.

Some popular options:

Cotton yarn (DK or sport weight) – Great for beginners because it doesn’t split easily.
Acrylic yarn – More affordable and comes in tons of colors.
Velvet or chenille yarn – Perfect for a fluffy Frenchie but slightly harder to stitch.

For colors, you can’t go wrong with:

Classic Frenchie tones: cream, gray, fawn, black, or pied combinations.
A fun twist: pastel pink, lilac, sky blue… if you’re feeling artsy.

FYI: If you’re totally new to amigurumi, cotton is your safest bet.

Hook Size and Tools

A comfortable hook matters more than people admit. You’ll usually need:

2.0 mm to 3.5 mm crochet hook (depending on yarn weight)
Stitch markers (to keep track of rounds)
Fiberfill stuffing
Tapestry needle
Safety eyes (8–10 mm is perfect)
Scissors

Optional but helpful:

Pins for holding pieces before sewing
A pet brush (if you’re going for a fuzzy finish)

Understanding the Basic Crochet Stitches

Even if you’re a newbie, don’t worry. The stitches used in amigurumi are simple and repetitive.

Core Stitches You Must Know

Here’s what you’ll use:

Magic ring – Starts most parts of the plush.
Single crochet (sc) – Your best friend for crocheting in rounds.
Increase (inc) – Two single crochets in the same stitch.
Decrease (dec) – Combine two stitches to shape curves.

If you know these four, you’re unstoppable.

Working in Continuous Rounds

Amigurumi is built in spirals. That means:

No slip stitches at the end of each round
Use stitch markers to avoid losing track
Keep tension consistent for a smooth finish

Think of it like building your Frenchie layer by layer, almost like sculpting with yarn.

Crocheting the French Bulldog Head

The head is the star. Frenchies are known for their big cheeks and expressive faces, so this is where the magic happens.

Creating the Head Shape

You’ll start with a magic ring and increase to form a round sphere. As you work through the rounds, you’ll:

Increase gradually to widen the head
Work even rounds to keep the shape balanced
Start decreasing to close the dome

A few pro tips:

Keep your tension tight to avoid stuffing leaks.
Try pausing after every few rounds to check symmetry.

Adding the Snout

The Frenchie snout is short and rounded—super cute and iconic.

Typical snout structure:

Begin with a smaller magic ring
Add a few increase rounds to create a tiny dome
Slightly flatten the back with decreases
Stuff lightly before attaching

Attach it to the lower center of the face, but IMO, positioning is everything. If it’s too high, your Frenchie looks surprised; too low, and it suddenly becomes a pug.

Installing the Safety Eyes

Safety eyes bring your plush to life—literally.

General placement:

Insert between rounds where the face looks widest
Keep even spacing
Add felt circles underneath for a “soft eyebag” look if you want extra cuteness

Before securing the backs, make sure you’re happy with the expression. Once they snap, there’s no going back 😅

Shaping the Iconic French Bulldog Ears

Frenchies have big, triangle-shaped “bat ears”—one of their most recognizable features.

How to Crochet the Ears

Each ear is usually worked flat and then folded or worked in small rounds. A typical ear includes:

A magic ring
Several increase rows
Slight shaping rows at the top to taper the triangle

Make two identical ears. They should be slightly curved forward.

Attaching the Ears

Here’s the trick:

Pin both ears before sewing
Aim for symmetry
Tilt them outward slightly
Stitch securely so they stand upright

Remember, the ears define the vibe. Slightly tilted = playful. Straight = alert. Lowered = sleepy Frenchie.

Building the Body

After the head, the body is surprisingly simple.

Body Structure

Most amigurumi bodies follow a rounded pear shape. You’ll:

Work from the bottom up
Increase for the belly
Add even rounds
Decrease toward the chest

You can stuff as you go or wait until the end. I personally prefer stuffing gradually to avoid awkward lumps.

Adding the Belly and Chest Definition

To give your Frenchie some charm, you can:

Add an extra round of increases for a belly pooch
Insert felt patches for chest markings
Adjust stuffing firmness depending on the shape you want

Crocheting the Legs and Paws

French bulldogs have chunky legs, and adding that chonk factor makes your plush irresistible.

Creating the Legs

Each leg is typically:

A small tube worked in rounds
Slightly stuffed
Closed off at the ends

Front legs are usually shorter; back legs can be longer or shaped at the top.

Attaching the Legs

You can choose between:

Sewn legs – Classic and sturdy
Jointed legs – Adds movement
Flat-attach legs – For a sitting Frenchie

Before sewing, position the body upright to check balance. No one wants a Frenchie that keeps face-planting.

Adding the Tail and Final Features

Your Frenchie isn’t complete without the little corkscrew tail and finishing touches.

Making the Tail

A French Bulldog tail is tiny, so you only need:

A short chain
A few single crochets
Maybe a slight curve made with increases

Attach it to the back with strong stitches to prevent wobbling.

Finishing Touches

These details make your crochet plush professional-looking:

Embroider the nose shape with black yarn
Add a small line for the mouth
Lightly blush cheeks using pink fabric paint or pastel
Brush out yarn (only if using wool or acrylic) for a furry effect

These tiny accents transform your plush from “cute” to “adorable masterpiece.”

Customizing Your Crochet Frenchie

Want a unique look? Here’s where your creativity comes in.

Popular Custom Variations

Color patterns: pied, brindle, fawn, black mask
Accessories: bow tie, bandana, tiny hoodie
Body poses: standing, sitting, lying down

Fun Personal Ideas

You could even crochet:

A mini croissant
A food bowl
A little bone toy
A miniature sweater matching your own outfit (yes, people do this!)

Adding personality makes your crochet piece a total showstopper—and it’s fun.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even the best of us mess up. Here’s a cheatsheet for quick fixes.

Uneven Rounds or Gaps

Try these:

Pull your stitches tighter
Use a smaller hook
Check that you’re working in proper spirals

Lopsided Face

Happens to everyone.

Recount stitches
Make sure increases are centered
Double-check eye placement

Visible Seams

To avoid this:

Stitch pieces together with matching yarn
Use whip stitch or invisible stitch
Align pieces before sewing

Troubleshooting is part of the process, and honestly, it teaches you more than the easy rounds ever will.

Final Assembly and Stuffing Tips

This is where the magic happens—you’re putting all the pieces together.

Best Stuffing Practices

Stuff firmly but not too hard
Shape as you go
Use small tufts for smoothness

Assembly Order (Recommended)

Head
Snout
Eyes
Ears
Body
Legs
Tail
Embroidery details

Having a clear order helps everything look nicely aligned.

Care Instructions for Your Crochet French Bulldog

Because yes, your plush needs a little TLC too.

Cleaning Tips

Spot clean with mild soap
Use a tiny toothbrush for delicate scrubbing
Air dry only

Long-Term Care

Keep it away from:

Pets (they will 100% try to steal it)
Direct sunlight
Excess moisture

Your Frenchie will stay adorable for years.

Conclusion

Crocheting a French Bulldog amigurumi is one of the most rewarding little projects you can make—especially when that final stitch pulls everything together and you’re holding your own handmade Frenchie in the palm of your hand. You now know how to choose your materials, sculpt the perfect head and snout, build the body, shape those iconic ears, and assemble every little feature with confidence.

Whether you’re creating a gift, starting a collection, or just trying something new for fun, your finished French Bulldog will carry your personality, creativity, and effort in every stitch. So what’s stopping you? Grab your yarn, pick a color, and let the crocheting adventure begin. And who knows—your new Frenchie friend might just be the start of a whole pack! 🐾