How Do You Make Your Own Custom Crocheted Doll?

Have you ever wanted to bring your character to life through crochet but you’re not quite sure how to get started? You’ve come to the right place, my friend! I’m Bugalicious, an Amigurumi (which is a Japanese word for a crocheted/knitted and stuffed doll) and character crocheter, and I’ve got some tips, tricks, and exact steps to make any kind of character doll you want! Firstly, let’s run through some basic questions…

Are Crocheted Dolls Hard to Make?

That depends, my friend. If you want to make something like this:

Then probably.

The alternate choice would be to make something a little more simple like this:

Since it’s more simple, it seems like it should be easier but that also could vary. In the end, it just depends on how skilled you already are at crocheting.

If you’re a beginner who has never touched a crochet hook before this point, it might be better to start with something a little more basic like this:

Whatever your stage of crocheting is, I will try my best to help you figure it out!

What Materials Do I Need For A Crochet Doll?

In case you didn’t know, crocheted projects are usually made with yarn (Crazy, I know). Depending on what your character looks like/has on them, you may need various other materials.

For this jellyfish, I used beads:

For this Legend of Zelda Character – Link – I used wire for his bow and toothpicks for his arrows and sword.

And I also use polymer clay for other little trinkets like these sweets I sewed into this doll’s hair:

Most of the time, you just use yarn. You’ll probably use lots of colors in smaller amounts.

What Kind Of Yarn Should I Use?

For bigger plushies, I like to use chunky chenille yarn (Or just chunky yarn). For humanoid dolls, I like to use thinner polyester yarn. I only use cotton yarn for blankets and clothing types of projects (I might have a grudge against cotton yarn from deep in my childhood but that’s a topic for another day).

What Crochet Hook Size Should I Use?

It depends. What size of yarn are you using? How big do you want the doll? What is the main stitch that you’re going to use? Word of advice for choosing your hook size, the bigger the yarn/desired doll size/stitch, the bigger the hook. Usually, since I make smaller dolls with a single crochet stitch and smaller yarn size, I use between 3-5 mm hooks but it really depends on what the sizes are. Most skeins of yarn have a suggested hook size on them, so using that as a guide is very useful.

What Should I Use For Eyes?

For eyes on your crocheted doll, I like to use whatever works, most especially the kinds that you see lots of crochet artists already using.

(Ones like this)

You can also use a needle and embroidery thread to stitch eyes onto the doll – and even add a mouth if you want to add that. Beads are also totally cool to use, just be cautious about them possibly falling off or getting torn off if they aren’t stitched on tight enough or in the proper position.

What Stitch Should I Use?

Most of the time, you’re gonna use a single crochet stitch. For the more detailed parts of a doll, like hair and accessories, you can use other stitches but the majority of the time it’s going to be single crochet.

How Do You Start a Crochet Doll?

Let’s jump right in! First, you’re going to need a base pattern. Reading patterns is super easy, after you learn how to do it. I could spend a while explaining exactly all of the acronyms and phrases we use in patterns, but that’s not the topic today. For humanoids, I like to use a basic pattern for the head and then make the body whatever height, size, or color desired for the specific character.

The pattern for the heads that I use is as follows:

Row 1 – Ch 2, insert hook into the second stitch from the hook and 6 sc in the same stitch (so it makes a little circle). 2 sc in the next stitch (repeat all around).

Row 2 – Sc in the next stitch and 2 sc in the next stitch after that (repeat around).

Row 3 – Sc for the next 2 stitches and 2 sc in the next stitch (repeat around).

Row 4 – Sc for the next 3 stitches and 2 sc in the next stitch (repeat around).

Row 5 – Sc for the next 4 stitches and 2 sc in the next stitch (repeat around).

Row 6-8 (3 rows) – sc all around

Row 9 – Sc in the next 4 stitches and decrease in the next stitch (repeat around)

Row 10 – Sc in the next 3 stitches and decrease in the next stitch (repeat around)

Row 11 – Sc in the next 2 stitches and decrease in the next stitch (repeat around)

Row 12 – Sc in the next stitch and decrease in the next stitch (repeat around)

Row 13 – Decrease in next 3 stitches but don’t finish the row.

✨You’re done!✨

(US terms)

(For adding eyes to these heads, I usually put them 6-8 stitches apart – depending on the desired look – on one of the 6-8 rows – also depending on the desired look.)

Crocheting hair for them is super easy if you use this pattern too, just don’t go past row 5 and you have a basic cover for the head. Let me show you a sized down version of this:

And as you can see from my various examples presented thus far, the size of the body really does vary depending on the desired outcome or style. I like to use this style above for more meaningful projects such as to replicate a real person who I know and care about and my other style with the normal head size, such as the one below, I use for original characters and the fun projects.

Find Me For More!

If you want to learn more about little things you can do to add on to your detached crocheted head, find me on Instagram, Facebook, and X! I have tutorials on how to add fluffy hair, how to sew on beads correctly, and what the right length of arms and legs is. You can also be updated on all of my most recent projects!