Little Kokeshi Amingurumi
This is the pattern for this cute Japanese Kokeshi Doll.
What You’ll Need:
* DK wool (or Crochet Thread in size 10) in colours: Cream (A), Lilac (B), Fushia (C), Black (D) and Baby Pink (E).
* Crochet Hook size 2.5mm or steel crochet hook size 1.4mm.
* Stitch Marker
* Yarn Needle.
* Embroidery Needle
Finished Measurements – with 2.5mm hook: approx. 7”/18cm
– with 1.4mm hook: approx. 4”/10cm
Gauge is not critical for this pattern.
Stitches used – Ch, sl st, Dc, Htr, Tr, Dtr, Picot, French knot.
Special Techniques:
Adjustable Ring Method – holding the thread a few inches from the end, wrap around your finger; do not remove wrap from finger. Insert hook into the wrap and draw up a loop of yarn. Chain 1 to secure the loop, and remove ring from finger. Work stitches of first round in the ring. Pull gently, but firmly, on tail to tighten ring.
Picot – Chain 3, slip stitch in third chain from hook.
Special Notes:
1. Doll’s head and body are crocheted in a spiral, starting at top of the head. The hair, obi, sleeves, bottom circle and flower are made seperately and stitched on.
2. When working in a spiral, insert a stitch marker in last stitch of round 1 and move marker up to last stitch in each round as you progress.
3. To change colours, work last stitch of old colour to last yarn over. Yarn over with new colour and draw through all loops on hook to complete stitch.
Tip: Work stitches tightly so the stuffing does not show through and stuff doll firmly to keep its shape.
Doll:
Head
With A, make an adjustable ring.
Round 1 Work 6 dc in ring, do not join – work in spiral. (6 DC)
Round 2 Work 2 DC in each st around. (12DC)
Round 3 [DC in next st, 2 DC in next stitch] 6 times. (18DC)
Round 4 [DC in next 2 sts, 2DC in next stitch] 6 times. (24DC)
Round 5 [DC in next 3 sts, 2 DC in next st] 6 times. (30DC)
Round 6 [DC in next 9 sts, 2 DC in next st] 3 times. (33DC)
Round 7 [DC in next 5 sts, 2 DC in next st, DC in next 5sts] 3 times. (36DC)
Rounds 8 -11 DC in each st around.
Round 12 [DC in next 10 sts, DC2Tog] 3 times. (33DC)
Round 13 [DC in next 4 sts, DC2Tog, DC in next 5 sts] 3 times. (30DC)
Round 14 [DC in next 3 sts, DC2Tog] 6 times. (24DC)
Round 15 [DC in next st, DC2Tog] 8 times. (16DC)
Round 16 DC in each st around, Stuff head firmly.
Round 17 [DC in next 2 sts, DC2Tog] 4 times. (12 DC) DO NOT FASTEN OFF
Body
Round 18 DC in each stitch around. Change to B in last st.
Round 19 With B, sl st in each st around (12 sl sts).
Round 20 Working in DC on Rnd 18 (behind sl sts on Rnd 19), 2DC in each st around (24DC).
Rounds 21-32 DC in each st around. Change to C in last st of Rnd 32.
Round 33 With C, sl st in each st around. (24 sl sts).
Round 34 Working in DC on Rnd 32 (behind sl sts on Rnd 33), DC in each st around. (24DC)
Round 35 DC in each st around. Change to D in last st.
Round 36 With D, sl st in each st around. (24 sl sts).
Round 37 Working in DC on Rnd 35 (behing sl sts on Rnd 36), DC in each st around. (24DC)
Round 38 DC in each st around; join with sl st in first DC.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Bottom Circle
Rounds 1-4 With D, work same as Rounds 1-4 on Head.
At end of Rnd 4, join with sl st in first DC. Fasten off.
Stuff Body firmly. Using long tail from Body, stitch Bottom Circle to bottom edge of Body.
Obi
With C, ch 25. Do not join. Work in a spiral.
Round 1 Being careful not to twist chain, DC in first ch made, DC in each remaining ch around. (25DC). Do not join.
Rounds 2-4 DC in each st around. At end of Rnd 4, join with a sl st in first DC. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Referring to photo for placement, slide Obi onto Body, approx halfway down lilac section of Body. Using long tail of yarn, stitch Obi in place on centre of Body, stitching along top and bottom edges of Obi.
Obi-Jime (Cord around Obi)
Using E, make a chain long enough to wrap nearly twice around centre of Obi. Wrap chain around the centre of Obi and tie a knot in the front. Using yarn needle, stitch beginning yarn tail through other end of chain (to anchor cord’s end and side to Obi and Body). Using same yarn tail, tack centre back of cord to centre back of Obi. Secure tail and weave into Body. Repeat with other end of cord, tacking knot at centre front in place. Secure tail and weave into Body.
Sleeves (make 2)
Starting at top of Sleeve with B, ch 20, leaving a long yarn tail at beginning. Do not join. Work in a spiral.
Round 1 Being careful not to twist ch, DC in first ch made, DC in each remaining ch around. (20DC). Do not join. Work in a spiral.
Rounds 2-8 DC in each st around. Change to C in last st on Rnd 8.
Round 9 With C, sl st in each st around (20 sl sts).
Round 10 Working in DC on Rnd 8 (behind sl sts on Rnd 9), DC in each st around; join with sl st in first DC. (20DC). Fasten off.
Flatten Sleeve
Using beginning yarn tail, stitch half of top edge of Sleeve tube closed, leaving other half of top edge open. Referring to photo for placement, stitch closed section of Sleeve to side of Body above Obi. Use same yarn tail to tack inside of Sleeve tube to side of Body through Obi, to keep sleeves closer to Body. Repeat with second Sleeve.
Hair Bun
Rounds 1-4 With D, work same as Rounds 1-4 of Head.
Round 5 [DC in next 7 sts, 2 DC in next st] 3 times. (27DC).
Round 6 [DC in next 2 sts, 2 DC in next st, DC in next 6 sts] 3 times. (30DC).
Rounds 7-10 DC in each st around.
Round 11 [DC2Tog] 15 times. (15DC)
Round 12 DC in each st around. Do not fasten off.
Hair and Eyes
Round 13 Work 2 DC in each st around. (30DC).
Rounds 14-16 DC in each st around.
Round 17 [DC in next st, 2 DC in next st] 15 times. (45DC)
Round 18 and 19 DC in each st around.
Round 20 [DC in next 8 sts, 2 DC in next st] 5 times. (50DC)
Round 21 [DC in next 3 sts, DC2Tog] 10 times. (40DC)
Round 22 [DC in next 2 sts, DC2Tog] 10 times; join with sl st in first DC. (30DC).
Fasten off leaving a long tail. Stuff Hair Bun firmly. Stuff rest of Hair very gently, placing most of the stuffing in outer areas. Referring to photo for placement, pin Hair onto Head, tilting Hair Bun backwards just a bit, and stitch into place around entire edge of hairline. Using same yarn tail, make two French knots for the Eyes.
Mouth
Using C, embroider Mouth with 2 loose horizontal stitches and 1 tiny vertical st centred below horizontal sts to tack horizontal sts in place (pull horizontal sts downward with centre st).
Flower
With E, make an adjustable ring.
Round 1 Work 5 DC in ring. Do not join. Work in a spiral. (5DC).
Round 2 [DC, HTR, TR, DTR, Picot, DTR, TR, HTR, DC] in each stitch around; join with sl st in first DC. (5 petals). Fasten off.
Using yarn tails and embroidery needle, sew Flower onto Hair.
Using C, embroider 3 French knots in Flower centre.
Weave in ends.
Hanging Loop (optional)
With D, ch 11.
Row 1 DC in second ch from hook and in each remaining ch across. (10DC)
Rows 2- 6 Ch 1, turn; DC in each st across.
At end of Row 6, fasten off, leaving a long tail. Fold hanging loop in half over a key-ring; stitch in place to back of Head, just below Hair Bun.
Finishing
Weave in all ends.
So there you have it. Your own cute little Japanese doll! 🙂 Please do let me know how you get on with this pattern and send me a link to your finished cutie! 🙂
Happy Hooking!
sewstitchtastic 