Worry Dolls

Worry dolls have a long and varied history in multiple cultures, the general idea is a small trinket or doll to tell your worries to so you can let them go. The first type of crochet I learned was to make tiny little creatures called Amigurumis. So when I went to design my first pattern of course it was worked in the round.

This pattern will teach you 10 basics that you need for almost any crochet pattern

Single crochet, Double crochet, slip stitch, chain, fasten off, magic circle, increase, decrease, stuffing, back loops only, and you will learn to make 2 of the most common shapes. The ball is the first shape you learn to make!

Head Worked in crochet thread and a size 7 steal hook in desired skin tone

1) Single crochet 6 into a magic circle (6)

A magic circle means to wrap your yarn around 2 fingers so you have a tail on one side and your working yarn on the other like you are starting to tie a knot. Now you are going to work your single crochet into the space and over both threads to work a single crochet put a loop of working yarn over your hook, now put you hook through the circle catch the working yarn and pull a loop of the working yarn back through the circle (you should have 2 loops over your hook) now pass your hook over top of circle and hook the working yarn and pull it through the 2 loops on the hook ,that is a single crochet. repeat that 6 times for this round

2) Single crochet 2 stitches in each stitch (12)

this is an increase you do a single crochet in each of the stitches of the previous round, make sure to catch both of the loops of the stich you are working into.

3) Single crochet then single crochet 2 stitches in the next stitch repeat around (18)

4) Single crochet in the next 2 stitch then single crochet 2 stitches in the third stitch repeat around (24)

5) Single increase in the next 7 stiches then single crochet 2 stitches in the eighth, repeat around (27)

6/7) Single crochet in every stitch around for 2 rounds (27)

8) Single crochet in the next 7 then work a decrease next 2 stitches together, repeat around (24)

this is a decrease the most common way to do this in amigurumi is the invisible decrease, you pass the hook through the front loop of one stitch and the back stich of the next stitch so where you had 2 stiches you now have 1.

9) Single crochet in the next 2 stitches then work a decrease the next 2 stitches together, repeat around (18)

10) Single crochet in the next 4 stitches then work a decrease the next 2 stitches together, repeat around (15)

11) Single crochet in every stitch around (15)

fasten off the last stich leave a long tail and cut the thread, stuff you dolls head nice and tight with some stuffing or cut thread ends or what ever you have around that will work.

Congratulations your new friend has a head, if you where inclined you could embroider features onto the face but I never felt that was needed, but like all arts and crafts what's most important is doing what you want with your creation. The next most important shape is a tube, so pick a color for your dolls cloths and lets go.

Attach your new color to any stitch in the last row

12) Single crochet in the next 4 stitches and then work 2 stitches in the fifth, repeat around (18)

13) Single crochet in the next 2 stitches and then work 2 stitches in the third stitch, repeat around (24)

14) Single crochet in the next 3 stitches and then work 2 stitches in the fourth stitch, repeat around (30)

15/24) Single crochet in every stitch around for 10 rows (30)

25) Work a single crochet into the inside loop (back loops) only in every stitch around (30) This is back-loops only or (BLO) stich there are patterns that use front-loops (FLO) to create different effect.

26) Single crochet in every stitch around (30)

Stuff your dolls body!

27) Single crochet in the back loops again in 1 stitch then work then decrease the next 2 stitches together repeat around (20) this is for your foot so your doll might stand up

28) Work a single crochet decrease in every 2 stitches around (10)

29) Work a single crochet decrease in every 2 stitches around (5)

Fasten off and leave a long tail and cut your yarn take a needle and sew the last 5 stitches together so there is no hole anymore.

With the same thread attach to the loops left from the row 27 single crochet into each loose loop (20)

chain 3 and slip stitch in the next stich repeat this around this will give you a little lip or foot to help your doll stand

you slip stich by skipping the first loop you usually put on the hook and instead just pass your hook through the stitch you are working, loop the thread over the hook and pull the loop back through stich, loop the working yarn over the hook and pass through the 1 loop on your hook.

You have a doll!!

If you would like a skirt attach thread in the color you want your skirt to be to the open loops of row 25

work 4 single crochet in the next 4 loops then work 2 stitches in the fifth stitch, repeat around (36)

work a double crochet in each stitch around (36)

you work a double crochet by wrapping the thread around your hook twice before passing it through the stitch the first time, then you pull a loop through you now have 3 loops instead of two, yarn over the hook and pull it through only 2 of the loops, you now have 2 loops on the hook, yarn over again and pull it though again, you have now created a double crochet.

chain 3 and slip stitch in the next stitch repeat around fasten off your thread and leave a tail and cut the thread.

If you want a head band leaving a long tail at the start chain 27 (measure against you dolls head pull or add stitches as needed to fit the way you want) join the ends together to make the circlet, then chain 3 and slip stich to the band, repeat around the band until it is full fasten off leaving a long tail and tie your 2 tails together, either use your tails or another thread to sew the circlet onto your doll. You can add more details, or less as you see fit this is your doll!!

Tell your doll all your fears, or tuck it under your pillow, or carry it with you if you like, it fits in a pocket or purse. Gift them to friends, make them out of worsted weight yarn and gift them to the babies and small children in your life.