Hello, crochetlovers! Welcome to our blog Handmade Learning Here. Oh, my dear friend… today I want to share something truly special with you, a crochet project that is as charming as it is relaxing. If you love cozy crafts and little handmade details that bring joy into everyday life, you’re going to fall in love with this crochet Dachshund Bookmark.

There’s just something magical about turning a simple strand of yarn into a tiny, lovable creature… and this one? It stretches right along your book pages like the sweetest little companion.

A Project Full of Personality

The dachshund, often lovingly called a “sausage dog”,  is known for its long body and short legs, and that makes it absolutely perfect for a bookmark design. As you crochet, you’ll see your little pup slowly come to life, starting from the back legs and growing into that long, adorable shape.

What makes this pattern so special is its versatility. While it was designed as a bookmark, it can just as easily become a decorative applique. Simply adjust the body length, and you have a completely different piece with the same lovable character.

Oh my dear, I’m so happy you’re here. Today we’re going to make the most adorable little dachshund bookmark, a long, cozy pup that will gently peek out of your favorite book. Isn’t that just the sweetest thing?

This pattern is very beginner-friendly, and I’ll guide you through each step with care. Take your time, enjoy every stitch, and don’t worry about perfection, handmade pieces are meant to be full of love, not perfection.

Materials

You can truly use whatever you have on hand, sweetheart, but here’s what I recommend for the best result:

• Cotton yarn (it helps the bookmark lay nice and flat)
• Fingering weight yarn (for a delicate look)
• 3 mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Yarn needle (for finishing)

Stitches Used (US Terms)

Let’s go over our stitches nice and gently:

• ch (chain) – your foundation
• sc (single crochet) – our main stitch
• sl st (slip stitch) – for smooth finishing
• inc (increase) – two single crochets in the same stitch
• dec (decrease) – two stitches worked together

Before We Begin

We will crochet our little pup from back to front, starting at the hind legs and working our way all the way to that sweet little nose.

Take a deep breath… and let’s begin.

Hind Legs

This is where your little dachshund starts coming to life:

1. Chain 6
2. Single crochet in the 2nd chain from hook
3. Make 4 more single crochets
4. Chain 4 and turn

Now continue:

5. Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook
6. Make 7 single crochets
7. Chain 1 and turn
8. Make 8 single crochets
9. Chain 1 and turn
10. Put 2 sc in the first stitch (increase)
11. Slip stitch in the next 2 stitches
12. Make 5 single crochets
13. Chain 1 and turn

See? You’re already doing beautifully.

 

Main Body

Now we’ll create that long, signature dachshund body:

• Repeat:
  5 sc, chain 1, turn

Do this for as many rows as you like.

 If you’re making a bookmark:
Make the body slightly longer than your book so the legs peek out, it’s such a charming detail.

If you’re making an applique:
You can stop whenever your pup feels “just right.”

Try to end on a row that corresponds to the dog’s back, not the belly.

Front Legs & Chest

Now we shape the front:

1. 4 sc, increase in last stitch (belly side), ch 1, turn
2. 2 sc in first stitch, 5 sc, ch 1, turn
3. 7 sc, ch 4, turn
4. Sc in 2nd chain from hook
5. 9 sc, ch 1, turn
6. 10 sc, ch 1, turn
7. 2 sc in first stitch, slip stitch in next 2 stitches
8. 7 sc, ch 1, turn
9. 6 sc, fasten off

Take a moment , your pup is really forming now.

Head

Now for the sweetest part… the face 💛

(Optional: change color here to create a tiny collar — such a lovely touch!)

1. Attach yarn on the dog’s back, about 5 rows from the end
2. 5 sc, ch 1, turn
3. 5 sc, ch 1, turn
4. 5 sc, ch 4, turn
5. Sc in 2nd chain from hook
6. 7 sc, ch 1, turn
7. 8 sc, ch 1, turn
8. 2 sc in first stitch, 7 sc, ch 1, turn
9. 4 sc, decrease
10. Fasten off

And there’s that darling little head.

Ear

A floppy ear makes all the difference:

1. Chain 4
2. Sc in 2nd chain from hook
3. 2 sc

Rows 2–4:

• 3 sc, ch 1, turn

Then:

• Single crochet 3 stitches together
• Work sc evenly around the ear
• Fasten off

Finishing Touches

Now we bring everything together with love:

Single crochet all around the entire dog

Tail:

When you reach the tail corner:

• Sc in corner
• Chain 10
• Slip stitch back along the chain
• Sc again in the same corner

Corners:

• Place 2 sc in each corner stitch

Body shaping tip:

• If it starts to ripple, you can do:
  2 sc, skip 1 stitch along the belly and back

Attach the ear:

• Sew or crochet it onto the top of the head (about 3 stitches wide)

Final Step

Weave in all your ends carefully

If your bookmark curls a little (and sometimes it will, sweetheart), just:

Lightly block it or gently press with an iron (cotton setting, just a few seconds, nice and careful).

VIDEO TUTORIAL

 

You did something truly lovely today.

This little dachshund isn’t just a bookmark, it’s a tiny companion that will sit quietly between your pages, keeping your place and bringing a smile every time you open your book. And if your stitches aren’t perfect? That’s alright, dear.
That just means it was made by hand… and by heart.

You can use almost any yarn and hook you have on hand, which makes this project wonderfully accessible. But if you’re hoping for that neat, flat finish (especially for bookmarks), cotton yarn is a lovely choice.

A lightweight yarn paired with a smaller hook will give your dachshund a delicate, refined look, perfect for slipping between the pages of your favorite book.

Of course, don’t be afraid to play with colors. A soft neutral pup, a playful multicolor body, or even a contrasting collar… each version tells its own little story.

This little dachshund isn’t just a project, it’s a heartfelt gift waiting to happen. Imagine tucking it inside a book and giving it to a friend… or making one for a child who’s just learning to love reading. It’s the kind of handmade piece that feels personal, warm, and full of care. And because it works up so nicely, you might find yourself making a whole family of tiny pups before you know it.

Finally…

Once your dachshund is complete, you may notice it needs just a bit of help to lay perfectly flat, and that’s completely normal.

A light blocking or a gentle press will give it that polished finish, helping your little pup rest comfortably between your pages.

At the end of the day, this pattern is more than just instructions, it’s an experience. It’s about creating something small, meaningful, and full of charm. Something that makes you smile. Something that carries a bit of your time, your care, and your creativity.

And really… isn’t that what handmade is all about? So go ahead, pick up your hook, choose a yarn that makes your heart happy, and bring your little dachshund to life. I promise, it will be worth every stitch. 🧶XoXo