Free Coraline Doll Crochet Pattern | Amigurumi Guide for Movie Lovers

My dearest creator,

Welcome. Today, we embark on a special journey—not merely of crochet, but of capturing a spirit. The character of Coraline is a testament to the idea that bravery isn't the absence of fear, but the choice to press on despite it. With every stitch, we will imbue this doll with that same courageous curiosity, crafting not just a figure, but a small, yarn-spun icon of resilience. Let's pick up our hooks and begin.

🎨 The Artisan's Vision: Why This Project is Special

This is more than a pattern; it is an act of translation. We are translating the bold, adventurous soul of a beloved character from the screen into a tangible, heirloom creation. This project is for the artisan who finds joy in the details—the perfectly crafted raincoat, the signature blue hair, the determined look in her eyes. You are crafting a piece of nostalgia, a testament to a story that champions the curious and the brave. It is a profound gift, either for yourself or for a fellow admirer of masterful storytelling.

✨ Skills You'll Master (And Why They Matter)

In our atelier, every project is an opportunity for growth. With this creation, you will refine several key artisan skills:

• Garment Construction: Crafting the removable raincoat will elevate your skills beyond the typical amigurumi, teaching you how to create tailored accessories that give your creations life and dimension.
• Advanced Hair Techniques: By individually latching strands of yarn, you will master the art of creating lush, realistic, and styleable hair—a technique that transforms a simple doll into a true work of art.
• Tapestry Crochet: The precise colorwork of the leggings will give you practice in tapestry crochet, ensuring seamless and beautiful stripes that are integral to the character's design. This skill is the key to intricate, multi-colored designs.

🧶 The Alchemist's Trove: Materials & Tools

To begin our work, you will need to gather your reagents. Choose high-quality yarn to give your creation the heirloom feel it deserves.

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Aran, 10-ply) in the following colors:
  • Cream (Skin Tone)
  • Royal Blue (Hair)
  • Bright Yellow (Raincoat)
  • Red-Brown/Terracotta (Legging Stripe 1)
  • Tan (Legging Stripe 2)
  • Dark Brown (Boots & Satchel)
• Crochet Hook: 3.5mm (E-4) or size appropriate for your yarn.
• Safety Eyes: Two 12mm black safety eyes.
• Embroidery Floss: Black (for freckles) and Gold/Yellow Ochre (for hair clip).
• Other Essentials: Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors, and polyester fiberfill for stuffing.

💡 The Language of the Craft: Stitches & Abbreviations

We work in US terminology. Familiarize yourself with this lexicon:

• ch: chain
• mr: magic ring
• sc: single crochet
• inc: increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec: decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• BLO: back loop only
• FLO: front loop only
• [...]: repeat instructions in brackets
• (...): total number of stitches in the round

💡 The Artisan's Advisor: Pro Tips & FAQs

How do I get the hair to look so full and natural?▼

Patience, my dear creator! The secret lies in the individual strand method. We will cut many lengths of blue yarn (I recommend about 25cm each) and attach them one by one to the scalp using a latch hook technique. You'll fold a strand in half, pull the loop through a stitch on the head, and then pull the two tails through the loop to secure it. Covering the entire head this way creates that beautiful, thick hair that you can then trim and style.

My color changes for the leggings look messy. Any advice?▼

A common challenge! For crisp stripes in tapestry crochet, the trick is to complete the final yarn-over of the stitch *before* the color change with the *new* color. Also, try to maintain consistent tension and carry the unused color along the inside of your work, crocheting over it as you go. This hides the carried yarn and makes for a much neater finish.

What's the best way to attach the head so it doesn't wobble?▼

A steady head signifies a well-made creation. I always advise leaving a very long tail of yarn on both the head and the body. When you finish stuffing the neck firmly, use these tails to sew through the stitches of both pieces multiple times, going back and forth across the neck opening. For extra stability in a larger doll like this, you can even insert a small, cut-to-size wooden dowel into the neck before sewing it closed. This provides an internal skeleton and ensures a perfectly stable head.

The full, step-by-step pattern begins below.

📖 Woven into Being: The Complete Coraline Doll Pattern

Head

Using Cream yarn.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in mr (6)
Rnd 2: [inc] x 6 (12)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x 6 (48)
Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] x 6 (54)
Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] x 6 (60)
Rnd 11-20: sc in all 60 sts (60) - 10 rounds
Rnd 21: [8 sc, dec] x 6 (54)
Rnd 22: [7 sc, dec] x 6 (48)
Rnd 23: [6 sc, dec] x 6 (42)
Rnd 24: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)
Rnd 25: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
Place safety eyes between Rnd 17 and 18, about 10 stitches apart. Begin stuffing the head firmly.
Rnd 26: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
Rnd 27: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
Finish stuffing. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Body

Using Cream yarn.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in mr (6)
Rnd 2: [inc] x 6 (12)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
Rnd 4-6: sc in all 18 sts (18) - 3 rounds for the neck
Rnd 7: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
Rnd 8: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
Rnd 9: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
Rnd 10: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
Rnd 11-18: sc in all 42 sts (42) - 8 rounds
Rnd 19: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)
Rnd 20: sc in all 36 sts (36)
Rnd 21: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
Rnd 22: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
Rnd 23: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
Stuff body firmly.
Rnd 24: [sc, dec] x 6 (12)
Rnd 25: [dec] x 6 (6)
Fasten off, sew remaining hole closed. Leave a long tail for sewing to the head.

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Dark Brown for the boots.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in mr (6)
Rnd 2: [inc] x 6 (12)
Rnd 3: [3 sc, inc] x 3 (15)
Rnd 4-5: sc in all 15 sts (15)
Switch to Tan yarn.
Rnd 6-7: sc in all 15 sts (15)
Switch to Red-Brown yarn.
Rnd 8-9: sc in all 15 sts (15)
Repeat Rnds 6-9, alternating Tan and Red-Brown every 2 rounds, until the leg has 6 stripes total (3 of each color). Stuff the leg as you go. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Arms (Make 2)

Using Cream yarn.

Rnd 1: 5 sc in mr (5)
Rnd 2: [inc] x 5 (10)
Rnd 3-15: sc in all 10 sts (10) - 13 rounds
Stuff lightly, leaving the top 1/3 unstuffed. Flatten the opening and sc across to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Raincoat

Using Bright Yellow yarn. This piece is worked in rows.

Back Panel:
Row 1: ch 25, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (24)
Row 2-15: ch 1, turn, sc across (24)
Fasten off.

Front Panels (Make 2):
Row 1: ch 12, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (11)
Row 2-15: ch 1, turn, sc across (11)
Fasten off.

Hood:
Row 1: ch 30, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (29)
Row 2-12: ch 1, turn, sc across (29)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Fold in half and sew the top seam closed.

🧵 The Final Flourish: Assembly & Embellishment

The soul of the creation emerges in these final moments of assembly. Work with care and precision.

1. Body Assembly: Sew the head securely to the body. Refer to the FAQ for tips on achieving a stable connection. Sew the legs to the bottom of the body, and the arms to the sides, just below the neck.
2. Raincoat Assembly: Lay the back panel down. Place the two front panels on top, aligning the outer edges. Sew the shoulder seams and the side seams. Attach the hood by sewing its open edge to the neckline of the coat. Weave in all ends.
3. Hair: This is the most transformative step. Cut many 25cm strands of Royal Blue yarn. Using the latching method described in the FAQs, attach each strand to the top, back, and sides of the head. Fill it in until you are happy with the thickness. Once all hair is attached, give it a trim to style it, creating her signature look.
4. Face Details: Using black embroidery floss, carefully stitch a few small freckles across the bridge of her nose.
5. Hair Clip: With Gold or Yellow Ochre floss, embroider a small dragonfly shape onto her hair on one side.
6. Satchel: Create a small rectangle (approx. 10cm x 5cm) with Dark Brown yarn. Fold it and sew the sides. Create a long chain for the strap and attach it to the bag. Place it over your doll's shoulder.

💌 From Patricia's Hook & Heart: A Final Word

You have done it. Look at the creation resting in your hands. You have channeled story, character, and spirit through your fingers, turning simple yarn into a vessel of courageous curiosity. May this doll be a reminder that within each of us lies the bravery to open new doors and explore the worlds beyond. Cherish what you have made. It is a piece of you, now and forever.