#crochet doll

I thought I peaked last January when I spent 100+ hours making a blanket of David Bowie. I was a fool, a coward at what I could do.

The current limit of my abilities is a life-sized, proportionally accurate doll of Elton John.

I measured a friend with the same body type and crocheted according to those specifications.

Details include: 

• Bell bottoms
• Buttons
• Lapels
• Feathered shoulder pads
• Shoulder cords
• Bedazzled original design hat
• Bedazzled sunglasses (done by gluing over 200 sequins) that include cutouts of eyes

Based on this photo:

(pardon my basement but I live with three other teens/preteens)

In honor of Taron’s Golden Globe, I think it’s time I share my next major project.

A life-sized, nearly exactly accurate crocheted replica of Elton John.

Things may look skewed now, but when the stuffing and details are added, the legs will be almost exactly the same size as Elton’s in every way (I got a friend with the same body type and height to be measured). Just hoping everything gets done for my March 1st deadline.

This kitty was made when I was just feeling kind of glum and blah and like I wanted an actual cat to spend some time with (can’t get one because I’m deathly allergic and all that jazz). I named mine Mrs. Bigglesworth. The right ear has a bow, which is explained in the pattern, but the left ear has a fake flower that was given to me at my first semi-professional art show that I thought would be an added bonus.

Difficulty: Beginner

Yarn: Neutral colour (I used black), Exciting colour (I used a variegated pink-white-purple), gray

Hook Size: 3.5mm 

Crochet Stitches Used: chain, single crochet, half double crochet, slip stitch

Extra supplies: Two safety eyes (I recommend ones that aren’t black, or have colours on the outer edges), plastic bag, small amount of rice or small beans (approx. 2g)

Body (Start with exciting colour)

Round 1: ch2, 6sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Round 2: 2sc in each st. (12)

Round 3: (2sc in first st, 1sc in next st) around. (18)

Round 4: (2sc in first st, 1sc in next 2 stitches) around. (24)

Round 5: (2sc in first st, 1sc in next 3 stitches) around. (30)

Round 6: (2sc in first st, 1sc in next 4 stitches) around. (36)

Round 7: In BLO, 1sc in each st around. (36)

Round 8: sc2tog, 1sc in next 32 stitches, sc2tog. (34)

Round 9: sc2tog, 1sc in next 30 stitches, sc2tog. (32)

Round 10: sc2tog, 1sc in next 28 stitches, sc2tog. (30)

Round 11: sc2tog, 1sc in next 26 stitches, sc2tog. (28)

Round 12: sc2tog, 1sc in next 24 stitches, sc2tog. (26)

Round 13: 1sc in each st around. (26)

Round 14: sc2tog, 1sc in next 22 stitches, sc2tog. (24)

Round 15: 1sc in each st around. (24)

Round 16: sc2tog, 1sc in next 20 stitches, sc2tog. (22)

Round 17: 1sc in each st around. (22)

Round 18: sc2tog, 1sc in next 18 stitches, sc2tog. (20)

Round 19: 1sc in each st around. (20)

Round 20: sc2tog, 1sc in next 16 stitches, sc2tog. (18)

Round 21: (sc2tog, 1sc in next st) around. Switch to neutral colour. (12)

Fill small bag with rice/beans. Place in bottom of cat. Be sure to tie a very sturdy knot in the bag. Fill rest of cat body with stuffing.

Round 22: (2hdc in first st, 1hdc in next st) around. (18)

Round 23: (2hdc in first st, 1hdc in next 2 stitches) around. (24)

Round 24: (2hdc in first st, 1hdc in next 3 stitches) around. (30)

Round 25: (2hdc in first st, 1hdc in next 4 stitches) around. (36)

Round 26-31: 1hdc in each st around. (36)

Round 32: (hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 4 stitches) around. (30)

Round 33: (hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 3 stitches) around. (24)

Round 34: (hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 2 stitches) around. (18)

Round 35: (hdc2tog, 1hdc in next st) around. (12)

Round 36: hdc2tog around. Fasten off. (6)

Sew top of head shut with tail. Sew on nose and whiskers with gray yarn

Ears (Make 2, in neutral colour)

Round 1: ch2, 4sc into second ch from hook. (4)

Round 2: 2sc in each st around. (8)

Round 3: (2sc in first st, 1sc in next st) around. (12)

Round 4: (2sc in first st, 1sc in next st) around. (18)

Round 5: 1sc in each st around. (18)

Round 6: sc2tog, 1sc in next 7st, sc2tog, 1sc in last 7st. (16)

Round 7: sc2tog, 1sc in next 6st, sc2tog, 1sc in last 6st. Fasten off. (14)

Flatten ear and sew to the top of the head. 

Tail (in neutral colour)

Round 1: ch2, 4sc in second ch from hook. (4)

Round 2-13: 1sc in each st around. Fasten off. (4)

Sew to back of the project

Bow (in exciting colour)

Round 1: ch17, slst in ninth ch from hook, bring over original end and slst through it as well. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. 

In honour of the late, great John Belushi, I made a small doll of him in the classic SNL Bee suit. The eyebrow is what really sets this doll apart from all other bee dolls. Springs can be used for the antennae to make them more similar to the source material, but yarn keeps him cuddly. 

Difficulty: Beginner

Yarn: Yellow, Black, Skin, Brown

Hook Size: 3.5mm

Crochet Stitches Used: chain, single crochet, slip stitch

Body/Head

Round 1: Using black yarn, ch 2, 6sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Round 2: 2sc in each st. (12)

Round 3: (2sc in first st, 1sc in next st) around. (18)

Round 4: (2sc in first st, 1sc in next 2 stitches) around. (24)

Round 5: In BLO, sc in each st around. (24)

Round 6-8: Sc in each st around. Switch to yellow at end. (24)

Round 9-10: Sc in each st around. Switch to black at end. (24)

Round 11-12: Sc in each st around. Switch to yellow at end. (24)

Round 13-14: Sc in each st around. Switch to black at end. (24)

Round 15-16: Sc in each st around. Switch to yellow at end. (24)

Round 17: (sc2tog, 1sc in next 2 stitches) around. (18)

Round 18: (sc2tog, 1sc in next st) around. Switch to skin at end. (12)

Round 19: (2sc in first st, 1sc in next st) around. (18)

Round 20: (2sc in first st, 1sc in next 2 stitches) around. (24)

Round 21-23: Sc in each st around. Place safety eyes between rows 22 and 23. Begin stuffing. (24)

Round 24: (sc2tog, 1sc in next 2 stitches) around. (18)

Round 25: (sc2tog, 1sc in next st) around. (12)

Round 26: sc2tog around. (6)

Fasten off. Sew hole shut with tail.

Using black yarn, sew one eyebrow flat across the top of the eye (approx. 1 row above) and sew the other pointing upwards in raised fashion.

Hair

Using brown yarn, cut several strands and use slip knots to create the hair.

Antennae

Round 1: Using yellow yarn, ch 2, 5sc in second ch from hook. (5)

Round 2: sl st, ch 20, cut yarn, leaving a long tail.

Unhook your hook and slide it through two stitch holes across either side of the project, rehook the last loop and pull the work through so that approx. five chains are visible on either side.

Round 3: 5sc in second ch from hook. (5)

Fasten off and sew in ends.

This was a request/commission for a buddy of mine for a last minute Valentine’s Day gift. It’s not really my place to judge; this lil guy was a lot of fun to make and design. 

Difficulty: Tricky

Yarn: White, Dark Blue, Denim Blue, Pine Green, Beige, Yellow, Black

Hook Size: 3.5mm

Crochet Stitches Used: chain, single crochet

Sewing Stitches Used: Running stitch, Whip stitch, slip knot

Leg 1: Start with Dark Blue Yarn

round 1: ch2, sc 6 in second ch from hook. (6)

round 2: 2sc in each st. (12)

round 3: (2sc, 1sc in next st) around. (18)

round 4: In BLO, 1sc in each st. (18)

round 5: sc2tog 3 times, 1sc in each st around. (15)

round 6: sc2tog 3 times, 1sc in each st around. (12)

round 7-8: 1sc in each st. (12)

round 9: 1sc in each st. Switch to Denim Blue. (12)

round 10: In BLO, 1sc in each st. (12)

round 11-18: 1sc in each st. (12)

round 19: 1sc in each of first 9 stitches. Fasten off. Stuff leg

Leg 2 / Body: Start with Dark Blue Yarn

repeat round 1-18. Stuff leg. Continue to stuff as you go. (12)

round 20: 1sc in first 8 stitches, (place both legs together and begin to crochet around) 1sc in next 12 stitches, (continue in leg 2) 1sc in last 4 stitches. (24)

round 21: 1sc in first 4 st, sc2tog, 1sc in next 10 st, sc2tog, 1sc in final 6 st. (22)

round 22: 1sc in first 4 st, sc2tog, 1sc in next 9 st, sc2tog, 1sc in final 5 st. (20)

round 23-24: 1sc in each st around. Switch to white at end. (20)

round 25-26: 1sc in each st around. (20)

round 27: sc2tog, 1sc in next 8 stitches, sc2tog, 1sc in last 8 stitches. (18)

round 28-30: 1sc in each st. (18)

round 31: sc2tog, 1sc in next 7 stitches, sc2tog, 1sc in last 7 stitches. (16)

round 32: 1sc in each st. (16)

round 33: (sc2tog, 1sc in next 2 st) 4 times. (12)

round 34: sc2tog 6 times. Switch to flesh at end. (6)

round 35: 2sc in each st around. (12)

round 36: (2sc, 1sc in the next st) 6 times. (18)

round 37: (2sc, 1sc in next 2 stitches) 6 times. (24)

round 38-40: 1sc in each st. (24)

round 41: (sc2tog, 1sc in next 2 stitches) 6 times. (18)

round 42: (sc2tog, 1sc in next st) 6 times. (12)

round 43: sc2tog 6 times. (6)

Fasten off. Sew hole shut with tail.

Cardigan: Start with Pine Green

round 1: chain 15. Starting in second chain from hook, 1sc in each chain hole. (14)

round 2: ch1, turn project, 2sc in first st, 1sc in next 12 stitches, 2sc in last st. (16)

round 3: ch1, turn project, 1sc in each st. (16)

round 4: ch1, turn project, 2sc in first st, 1sc in next 14 stitches, 2sc in last st. (18)

round 5-6: ch1, turn project, 1sc in each st. (18)

round 7: ch1, turn project, 2sc in first st, 1sc in next 16 stitches, 2sc in last st. (20)

round 8-10: ch1, turn project, 1sc in each st. (20)

round 11: ch1, turn project, 2sc in first st, 1sc in next 18 stitches, 2sc in last st. (22)

round 12-14: ch1, turn project, 1sc in each st. Fasten off at end. (22)

Arms (Make 2): Start with Beige

round 1: ch 2, sc 5 in second chain from hook. (5)

round 2: 2sc in each st. (10)

round 3: 1sc in each st. Switch to green at end. (10)

round 4-12: 1sc in each st. Fasten off at end. (10)

Leave a long tail for sewing.

Assembly

Using white yarn, sew a whip stitch around the front loops of round 4 of each foot. Go around twice, if necessary. Make the laces with two long white stitches between rounds 6-7 and rounds 7-8. 

Using Denim Blue, pull a strand through the first empty front loop of round 10. From there, crochet a sc into each empty front loop, going around each leg twice to make the jean cuff. 

Using Pine Green, cut off an arm’s length of yarn for sewing. Wrap the cardigan around the back of Kurt, lining up the cardigan’s chain row with round 34 of the body. Wrap the cardigan around the torso and use pins to keep in place if necessary. Use a running stitch (small ones) to sew the cardigan onto the body. If desired, don’t stitch all the way to the edges to leave a more realistic flap. 

Stuff both arms lightly (or firmly; I don’t run your life), and flatten the open end. Place the arms opposite each other on either side of the body and sew them onto the cardigan, making sure to get into the body layer as well.

Using black, sew eyes onto the front of the head, at around round 39. If desired, a mouth as well.

Using yellow, cut strands to the desired length and use slip knots to tie them to the head. 

amigurumi strawberry pink octopus doll

Since it’s Black Friday here’s a reminder that my etsy has 30% off your order for the next week!! Support small businesses this holiday season!

-30% off your order of $10 or more

-cute extra doodles with every order

-all kinds of stuff, paintings, illustrations, paper dolls, crochet stuff, art grab bags, and fanart!

-thank you

amigurumi mermaid doll

Since it’s Black Friday here’s a reminder that my etsy has 30% off your order for the next week!! Support small businesses this holiday season!

-30% off your order of $10 or more

-cute extra doodles with every order

-all kinds of stuff, paintings, illustrations, paper dolls, crochet stuff, art grab bags, and fanart!

-thank you