Flora embodies a classic spring aesthetic. She wears an ivory, full-skirted dress built directly into a crimson bodice, detailed with a removable scalloped collar. Her face captures the essence of youth with wide-set eyes and distinctly sculpted cheeks. A structured, wide-brimmed sun hat crowned with vivid flowers completes her look, while her bent arm allows her hand to rest thoughtfully near her mouth.
Project Snapshot
🧶 Skill Level: Advanced Intermediate
⏳ Estimated Time: 12-14 Hours
🪡 Construction: Seamless legs and torso, attached head and limbs.
✨ Key Techniques: Asymmetrical increasing, front-loop foundation work, structural decreases.
Materials
🧶 Cotton yarn in Light Peach (Skin), Crimson (Red), Ivory (Cream), Azure (Blue), Chocolate (Brown), and Pale Blonde (Hair)
🧶 2.5mm crochet hook
🧶 8mm safety eyes
🧶 Fiberfill stuffing
🧶 Yarn needle
🧶 Stitch markers
🧶 Small craft pearls for dress detailing
Abbreviations
➡️ sc: single crochet
➡️ inc: single crochet increase (2 sc in one stitch)
➡️ dec: single crochet decrease (invisible decrease preferred)
➡️ dc: double crochet
➡️ hdc: half double crochet
➡️ sl st: slip stitch
➡️ ch: chain
➡️ BLO: back loops only
➡️ FLO: front loops only
➡️ st(s): stitch(es)
The Pattern
The Head
Work in continuous rounds. Firmly stuff as you go, paying special attention to pushing stuffing into the cheek increases.
R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
R2: 6 inc (12)
R3: (sc, inc) x 6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
R6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
R7: (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
R8: (6 sc, inc) x 6 (48)
R9-13: sc in each st around (48)
R14: sc in each st around (48)
R15: sc in each st around (48) Insert safety eyes between R14 and R15. Ensure there are exactly 9 stitches visible between the posts. This low, wide placement is essential.
R16 (Building the Cheeks): 10 sc, 6 inc, 16 sc, 6 inc, 10 sc (60)
R17-19: sc in each st around (60)
R20: 10 sc, 6 dec, 16 sc, 6 dec, 10 sc (48)
R21: (6 sc, dec) x 6 (42)
R22: (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
R23: (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
R24: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
R25: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
R26: (sc, dec) x 6 (12) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
The Legs & Torso
Begin with Light Peach yarn. Make two legs.
R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
R2: 6 inc (12)
R3-12: sc in each st around (12) Fasten off the first leg. Do not fasten off the second leg.
R13 (Joining): ch 3 from the second leg, join with a sc to the first leg. 11 sc around the first leg, 3 sc along the chain, 12 sc around the second leg, 3 sc along the opposite side of the chain (30)
R14-16: sc in each st around (30)
R17: Change to Crimson yarn. sc in each st around (30)
R18: BLO sc in each st around (30) The unworked front loops will hold the dress skirt.
R19-21: sc in each st around (30)
R22: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
R23-25: sc in each st around (24)
R26: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
R27: sc in each st around (18)
R28: Change to Light Peach yarn. BLO sc in each st around (18)
R29: (sc, dec) x 6 (12) Fasten off. Ensure the torso is firmly stuffed, creating a rounded, chubby belly.
The Dress Skirt
Join Ivory yarn to the first front loop of R18 on the Torso. Hold the doll upside down to work this section.
R1: 30 inc (60)
R2: (14 sc, inc) x 4 (64)
R3-12: sc in each st around (64)
R13: Change to Crimson yarn. sc in each st around (64)
R14 (Scalloped Hem): (sc in next st, skip 1 st, 5 dc in next st, skip 1 st) x 16 (96) Fasten off and weave in ends.
The Arms (Make 2)
Begin with Light Peach yarn.
R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
R2: 6 inc (12)
R3-4: sc in each st around (12)
R5: Change to Crimson yarn. sc in each st around (12)
R6: BLO sc in each st around (12)
R7-10: sc in each st around (12)
R11 (Elbow Bend): 3 sc, 3 dec, 3 inc (12) The decreases pull the inner arm in, while the increases push the outer elbow out.
R12: 3 sc, 3 inc, 3 dec (12)
R13-16: sc in each st around (12) Stuff only the bottom half of the arm. Flatten the top opening and sc through both layers to close. Fasten off with a long tail.
The Mary Jane Shoes (Make 2)
Use Azure yarn.
R1: ch 6, start in 2nd ch from hook. 4 sc, 3 sc in last ch, work down opposite side of chain, 3 sc, inc (12)
R2: inc, 3 sc, 3 inc, 3 sc, 2 inc (18)
R3: BLO sc in each st around (18)
R4-5: sc in each st around (18)
R6: 5 sc, 4 dec, 5 sc (14) Fasten off.
Strap: Attach yarn to the outer side of R6, ch 6, pull tightly across the top of the shoe, and sl st to the opposite side. Fasten off.
The Ruffled Collar
Use Ivory yarn. Worked in rows.
Row 1: ch 20, start in 2nd ch from hook. 19 sc (19)
Row 2: ch 2, turn. 19 dc inc (38)
Row 3: ch 1, turn. (sc, ch 2, sc in next st) across (57) Fasten off. Using Azure yarn, surface crochet or slip stitch along the ch 2 spaces of Row 3 for the blue trim.
The Hair Wig
Use Pale Blonde yarn.
R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
R2: 6 inc (12)
R3: (sc, inc) x 6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
R5 (Creating the Strands): (sl st in next st, ch 30, start in 2nd ch from hook, 29 hdc back down the chain, sl st back into the same base stitch) repeat for all 24 stitches. Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew the cap to the head.
The Sun Hat
Use Chocolate yarn.
R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
R2: 6 inc (12)
R3: (sc, inc) x 6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
R6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
R7-10: sc in each st around (36)
R11 (Brim Base): FLO (sc, inc) x 18 (54)
R12: (2 sc, inc) x 18 (72)
R13: sc in each st around (72) Fasten off and weave in ends.
The Floral Appliqués
Make one in Crimson, one in Ivory, and one in Azure.
R1: In a magic ring work (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st into ring) x 5. Pull the ring tight and fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
The Leaves (Make 2)
Use Green yarn.
Row 1: ch 6, start in 2nd ch from hook. sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc (5) Fasten off, leaving a tail.
Assembly
Precision is everything, my friend.
➡️ Sew the head to the torso. The final rounds (12 sts) align perfectly. Ensure the chubby cheeks face directly forward.
➡️ Pin the hair wig cap to the top of the head, slightly leaning back to expose the forehead. Sew the center cap securely. Arrange the curled strands evenly around the face and back of the head, securing with a few hidden stitches if desired.
➡️ Sew the arms to the sides of the torso at R27. Position one arm so the engineered elbow bend brings the hand up to rest gently just below her mouth.
➡️ Wrap the ruffled collar around the neck and secure the back corners together with a small stitch.
➡️ Slip the shoes onto the feet. They should fit snugly.
➡️ Sew the three floral appliqués to the front rim of the sun hat, tucking the green leaves just underneath the petals. Rest the hat gently atop her curls.
➡️ Optional: Embroider tiny flowers along the ivory skirt using French knots and straight stitches for an authentic vintage finish.