Hello my fellow crocheters,
I'm so excited to share with you my newest amigurumi design, the Sakura Kimono Doll!
Lately, I've been getting more in touch with my Japanese heritage. My grandfather has been teaching me some functional words and phrases in Japanese so that I can use them with my baby girl during play and help her develop some receptive language skills in Japanese. It's been a lot of fun to learn with my sweet akachan (baby).
With the influence of Japanese language comes culture, and if you've been hanging around my blog for the past few weeks, you'll know that I've also made a few Japanese-inspired creations, like the Kimono Kitty Doll and the Sakura Flower.
For the Sakura Kimono Doll, I'm quite happy with the complexity of this doll as a free pattern, as I've added more features to this design. Here they are below!
Design Features
- Hair is styled as a bun with sakura flower accessories
- Feet with sewn details to create the sandals
- Removable obi sash to tie around doll's waist
- Legs and body crocheted together in one piece to decrease sewing of pieces
She makes such a lovely, handmade gift. I think children and adults alike will adore this doll! She's suitable for kids to play with, but at the same time, can also serve as a lovely art doll for display.
With a few color changes and modifications, this design can be made into a Japanese Geisha amigurumi doll as well. You can use white yarn for the face, and add larger hair buns to her head along with hair accessories. I plan to design a Geisha version of this doll in the near future, so stay tuned for that!
The Sakura Kimono Doll’s PDF pattern file includes complete written instructions for the doll-making process, photo references for the crocheted parts, four video tutorials for parts of the pattern, and step-by-step explanations for finishing details.
Pattern Preview Video
Watch it in action! Here's the pattern preview video for the Sakura Kimono Doll.
If you like this design of mine, you can check out the other Amigurumi Patterns I have on my site, or my entire collection of Free Crochet Patterns!
Want the PDF pattern?
If you would like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references, you can get a copy from my Ravelry or Etsy shop.
(Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs! These funds help offset my craft materials cost and allows me to design more free patterns to share with you all on my blog!)
Sakura Kimono Doll
Free Crochet Pattern
Copyright Notice -- © 2021 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com). No wholesale. You may not translate, copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in video tutorials or teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.
Introduction:
The Sakura Kimono Doll is a lovely girl wearing a traditional Japanese dress. Her outfit includes a kimono with an obi sash and sandals. She also wears “sakura” cherry blossom flowers in her hair, which is styled in a bun. Crochet her as the perfect handmade gift! The Sakura Kimono Doll’s PDF pattern file includes complete written instructions for the doll-making process, photo references for the crocheted parts, four video tutorials for parts of the pattern, and step-by-step explanations for finishing details.
Size:
Height: 8 inches (20.5 cm)
Level of Difficulty:
★★★☆☆ Familiar Beginner / Intermediate
Requires familiarity with stitches used (below), attaching plastic safety eyes, attaching yarn, changing yarn colors, and sewing parts together.
Stitches/Terms Used:
- FO: fasten off
- MR: magic ring
- Ch: chain
- Sl st: slip stitch
- Surface slip stitch
- Sc: single crochet
- Inc: increase
- Dec: decrease
- Dc: double crochet
- Dc-inc: double crochet increase (two dc in same st)
- Dc-dec: double crochet decrease (dc two sts together)
- Fdc: foundation double crochet
- BLO: back loops only
Materials:
- Medium weight 4 yarn in desired colors (I used peach, white, purple, dark pink, and black)
- 2.75mm crochet hook
- 8mm plastic safety eyes
- Fiberfill stuffing
- Blush powder
- Q-tip
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
~ CROCHET PATTERN ~
Pattern Notes (Read Before Beginning):
- Video tutorials are available for some parts of this pattern.
- This pattern is broken up into 3 parts on my blog. Full, printable PDF instructions are also available.
Part 1
Part 1 includes: head, hair, flowers. Click here for Part 1!
Part 2
Part 2 includes: legs, body, dress. Click here for Part 2!
Part 3
Part 3 includes: arms, sleeves, sash, collar, and finishing. Click here for Part 3!
Want the PDF pattern?
If you would like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references, you can get a copy from my Ravelry or Etsy shop.
(Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs! These funds help offset my craft materials cost and allows me to design more free patterns to share with you all on my blog!)
If you enjoyed this project, you might like my other designs! Simply click on the image below for the pattern, or check out all my free patterns here.
If you made this project and would like to share photos, I'd absolutely love to see! Here are links for sharing your finished creation:
- Sweet Softies Facebook Page
- Sweet Softies Amigurumi & Crochet Community Facebook Group
- Instagram, @SweetSofties
- Email: sweetsofties [at] gmail.com
Best wishes,
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