Little Long Neck Dino Pattern (No Sew!)
Here’s how to crochet this adorable, little long neck dinosaur!
This pattern uses a “no-sew” method to attach the legs and tail to the body. Instead of sewing, we’ll be connecting the pieces by crocheting through the limbs and the body at the same time. This helps save time from sewing and can also create a stronger attachment.
Although I originally intended to design this as a dino keychain, mine turned out a bit too large for a keychain in my opinion (even for a large plushie keychain). With the yarn I used (Bernat Blanket - size 6 yarn) and my tension, it stands at just under 7 inches tall. So if you’re looking to make this dinosaur smaller, I recommend using a tighter tension (you can use a smaller hook size) or use a thinner yarn to shrink the dinosaur more.
So let’s get into the pattern . . .
This pattern is designed to be crocheted in continuous rounds (or spirals) unless otherwise mentioned. You can also find an ad-free PDF version on my Patreon.
Please do not sell, copy, or duplicate (to distribute) this crochet pattern in any format without permission. However, you may absolutely sell, gift, or donate any plushies that you make with any of my patterns. I would just greatly appreciate if you could give "The Mary Jay" pattern credit and link back to this pattern when possible.
Skills and Abbreviations (In U.S. terms)
MR = Magic Ring (Magic Circle)
SC = Single Crochet
INC = Increase
DEC = Decrease
FLO = Front Loop Only
FO = Fasten off
R= Round
Recommended Materials:
(Based on what I used to make the dinosaurs in the sample photos)
Super Bulky Weight Yarn (#6)
5 mm Crochet Hook
Two 16 mm Safety Eyes (Warning: Safety eyes can be choking hazards and are generally not recommended when making plushies for young children/pets. You can replace them with an alternative.)
Stuffing
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Stitch Markers (Optional)
Pins (Optional)
Common Questions (FAQ):
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You can find most of these items in a craft store, sometimes in places like Walmart, or on my Amazon Storefront. My Amazon Storefront contains my own personal favorites to use! It’s an affiliate link, which means I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use it to make a purchase. This is an additional way that helps support me and lets me continue to make free content for you.
For the dinosaur, I used bernat blanket, which I get from Yarnspirations.
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Yes! The above yarn sizes and hook size are recommendations based on what I used to make the plushie in the sample photo. Feel free to switch up the yarn or hook size based on what you have available or your preference.
If you are using a different yarn or hook size, don’t forget to make sure that the yarn and hook size work well together. For amigurumi, it’s often recommended to use a hook size that is 1-2mm smaller than the recommended hook size on the yarn label for tighter stitches and less holes in your project. However, different crocheters have their own preferences on hook size and you are welcome to follow your own preference.
Please note that the plushie(s)may vary in size with different yarn and hook sizes.
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Yes! Just like the yarn and hook size, the safety eyes listed are just what I used to make the plushie in the sample photo. Feel free to use a similar eye size or switch it up with felt, buttons, or even just embroider it with yarn.
Please note that safety eyes can be choking hazards and are not recommended for plushies made for young children or pets.
Tail:
R1: 3 SC in a MR (3)
R2: INC, SC, INC (5)
R3: [SC, INC] x 2, SC (7)
R4-5: 7 SC (7) 2 Rounds
FO leaving a tail. Add stuffing.
Hide the yarn tail inside or you can use it to help sew closed any gaps between the tail and the body later. We’ll be attaching the tail during R5 of the body.
Dinosaur Tail (Picture Reference)
Legs: (Make 4)
R1: 7 SC in a MR (7)
R2-3: 7 SC (7) 2 Rounds
FO leaving a tail.
Hide the tail inside or you can use it to help sew closed any gaps between the legs and the body later. We’ll be attaching the legs during R2 of the body.
Make four dinosaur legs!
Body:
The body, neck, and head are crocheted as one continuous piece.
R1: 12 SC in a MR (12)
R2: 1 SC,
We’ll now be attaching the legs to the body. When indicated, line up the first and last stitch of each leg to the next two stitches of the body. Insert the hook from the inside to the outside of the leg and then through the body before SC them together. The rest of the stitches are crocheted just like normal along the round of the body.
Working through the first leg and body: 2 SC
Continue working in the body only: 1 SC
Working through the second leg and body: 2 SC
Continue working in the body only: 1 SC
Working through the third leg and body: 2 SC
Continue working in the body only: 1 SC
Working through the fourth leg and body: 2 SC (12)
Round 2 (Picture Reference): Attach the legs to the body by crocheting through both of them!
We’ll now be crocheting along the outside of the legs, ignoring the stitches that connected the legs to the body.
R3: 1 SC, 5 SC (around the outside of the leg), 1 SC, 5 SC (around the outside of the leg), 1 SC, 5 SC (around the outside of the leg), 1 SC, 5 SC (around the outside of the leg) (24)
Round 3 (Picture Reference): Crochet around the outside of the legs!
R4: [5 SC, INC] x 4 (28)
R5: 13 SC,
Then similarly to R2, line up three stitches of the tail to the next three stitches of the body. Attach the tail to the body by making 3 SC through both the tail and body.
Continue working along the body and make 12 SC (28)
Note: Sometimes stitches can shift differently for different crocheters. Check to make sure that the tail is centered to the back of your dino and adjust the tail placement if necessary.
Round 5 (Picture Reference): Attach the tail to the body by crocheting through both of them!
In the next round, we’ll now be crocheting along the outside of the tail, ignoring the stitches that connected the tail to the body.
R6: 13 SC, 4 SC (around the outside of the tail), 12 SC (29)
Round 6 (Picture Reference): Crochet around the outside of the tail!
Add stuffing to the legs. If there’s still little gaps between the legs and the body or the tail and the body, use the leftover yarn from fastening off the legs/tail to sew the gaps closed.
R7: 9 SC, 6 DEC, 8 SC (23)
R8: 5 SC, 7 DEC, 4 SC (16)
R9: 3 SC, 5 DEC, 3 SC (11)
Do NOT fasten off here.
Add stuffing and continue on to the next round to make the neck and head.
Neck/Head:
Continuing on from the body
R10-12: 11 SC (11) 3 Rounds
R13: 9 SC. Then in FLO, make 2 INC (13)
R14: In FLO, 3 INC. Return to working through both loops like usual: 7 SC, INC, SC, INC (18)
Note: The FLO stitches should be on the front side of the dinosaur’s head. Sometimes stitches shift differently for different crocheters, so check to make sure that they’re centered on the front and shift the stitches if necessary.
R15: [INC, SC] x 3, 12 SC (21)
R16-18: 21 SC (21) 3 Rounds
R19: [SC, DEC] x 7 (14)
Attach the eyes between R17 and 18 around 11 stitches apart along the front.
Add stuffing and continue stuffing as you go.
R20: [DEC] x 7 (7)
FO leaving a tail for sewing. Finish stuffing.
Use the yarn tail to sew the plushie closed.
Little Long Neck Dino with my original Low Sew Brachiosaurus!
Meet the original, low-sew brachiosaurus that I designed for my 3-in-1 Dino Pack Pattern! Only the head is sewn on in this larger version, so you can angle the head to face forward or to the side (like mine!)
Find the larger brachiosaurus pattern in my low-sew 3-in-1 Dinosaur Pack Patten!
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