Looking for an adorable Perler bead project that’s paws-itively perfect for kids and dog lovers alike? These Perler bead dog patterns are a fun and easy way to make cute pups out of melty beads! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter, these little pixelated puppies are sure to steal your heart.
We’ve created 8 free printable Perler bead patterns featuring different dog designs — from floppy-eared cuties to playful pups with grinning faces. Just grab your beads, a pegboard, and an iron, and get ready to make some tail-waggingly fun creations!
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How to Make a Perler Bead Dog
Materials:
Equipment:
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Prepare your pegboard
- Print our free Perler bead dog patterns, or follow along with the template on your device’s screen.Find the link to one of the patterns in the materials list above. The other can be found below this tutorial.
- To make the Perler bead dogs you’ll need a small square pegboard.If you have a clear pegboard you can place it on top of the printed pattern to make it easier to follow along. We also find it helpful to sort the Perler bead colours we need and divide them into small bowls.
Step 3: Follow the pattern
- Begin placing the beads according to the pattern.Optional: Use tweezers to place the Perler beads. It makes it easier to add a bead to a specific peg. Any type of tweezer will do, or you can buy specific plastic crafting tweezers that are great for kids.
- Work your way across the pattern. You can add the beads colour by colour, working outside in, or go from one side to another – whatever is easiest for you.
- Finish adding the beads and compare the dog to the template one last time. This will ensure it’s exactly how you want it to look.
Step 4: Iron the dog design
- Place the pegboard on an ironing board or wooden cutting board. Cover the Perler bead design with a piece of parchment paper.
- Heat your iron to medium temperature, no steam. Place the iron on the parchment paper and move it around in circular motions for at least 15 to 20 seconds.
- Check the beads to see if they’re melted together. Continue to iron for another 10 to 20 seconds, if necessary.The beads are melted correctly when the parchment paper sticks to the beads and needs to be peeled away from them.
Step 5: Let the melted beads cool
- Leave your dog Perler bead design on the pegboard until it’s cool to the touch.When you remove it, place it under a stack of heavy books to stop it from warping as it cools completely.
- Your Perler bead dog is complete!
- Now have fun making all the dog patterns!
Helpful Tips:
- Use a clear pegboard with the template underneath: This makes it super easy to follow the pattern and place your beads accurately as you create your Perler bead dog.
- Avoid over-ironing your beads: Use short bursts of heat and check frequently to make sure they’re melting just enough to fuse together without losing their shape.
Get our free printable Perler bead dog patterns:
The links and pictures below will take you to our free, printable Perler bead dog templates! The PDF files will open in a new window.
Then simply follow along with the pattern on your device’s screen, or print the patterns in colour on 8.5 x 11 (letter size) printer paper.
>>> Perler Bead Dog Pattern <<<
Pattern #1 features a Husky, Shiba Inu (or Corgi), Pug (or Bulldog), and a Cocker Spaniel.
>>> Dog Perler Bead Pattern <<<
Pattern #2 features a Bull Terrier, Schnauzer (or general dog shape), a Springer Spaniel, and a dog bone.
What supplies do I need to make a Perler bead dog?
To make these adorable Perler bead dogs, you’ll need just a few simple supplies:
- Perler beads: Also called fuse beads or melty beads. The exact brand doesn’t matter.
- A small square pegboard: We designed the dogs with this size in mind.
- Parchment paper: Or the ironing paper that sometimes comes with Perler beads. Do not use wax paper.
- An iron
- Tweezers: These are optional, but they make placing the beads really easy.
You might also want a tray or bowls to organize your beads, but that’s all you’ll need. Super easy and perfect for a creative craft-ernoon!
How do I melt the Perler bead dog designs without ruining them?
Place ironing paper over your finished bead design and gently press with a medium-hot iron for about 10 to 20 seconds. Keep the iron moving in small circles and don’t press too hard.
Once the beads are fused together to your liking, remove the iron and let it cool before carefully lifting it off the pegboard. Always have an adult help with this step to keep things safe and mess-free!
Some people like to melt their Perler bead creations until the beads are completely fused, while others prefer to stop when they’re just holding together. You can also flip your design over and gently melt the back once it’s off the pegboard. It’s totally up to you — there’s no single “right” way, so choose the look you like best!
Can I make my own dog Perler bead designs?
Yes, definitely! Our patterns show specific colours, but feel free to get creative! You can use any colours you like to match your favourite dog breed — or go wild and make a rainbow dog, a pastel pup, or even a sparkly version with glitter beads. The best part is making it your own!
How can I use my finished Perler bead dogs?
After you melt and cool your design, you can transform your adorable pups into fun, functional creations that you can actually use or give as a cute gift!
Just add a key ring (poke a hole with a needle first, if needed), glue on a magnet, or get creative with string or glue dots to show off your beaded buddy wherever you like.
Then use your pixel pups as gift tags, zipper pulls, or even decorations for a dog-themed party! They’re super versatile and make adorable DIY gifts too.
These Perler bead dog patterns are such a fun way to combine creativity with a love of animals! Whether you’re making a whole pack of pups or choosing your favourite to craft, each design is simple, playful, and full of personality.
Print the free patterns, grab your beads, and start creating your own colourful collection of beaded dogs. From fridge magnets to keychains, there are so many ways to show off your finished pups. It’s an easy, hands-on activity that’s perfect for rainy days, parties, or anytime crafting fun!
Here’s even more free Perler bead patterns:
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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