Mother Mary with Infant Jesus Crochet Pattern
Updated: Mar 29, 2021
Materials:
2.75 mm hook
3.25 mm hook
Yarn (I use cotton yarn, weight 4): tan/beige or skin color of choice, brown, light blue, white, gold. (I use an acrylic yarn for the gold parts only because I like the color more than my cotton gold yarn options.)
Polyester fiber stuffing
2 8mm safety eyes (Safety eyes are not recommended for small kids, but you may use black thread or eyes to embroider eyes if you prefer).
Stitch marker (to keep track of rows)
Finishing/tapestry needle (to sew parts together, embroider nose, and weave in ends)
Black embroidery thread
Optional: blush for cheeks, pins for placing parts together before sewing
Skills:
Basic understanding of how to complete amigurumi and follow patterns
Chain (ch)
Working in rounds
Working in a spiral
Single crochet (sc)
Increase (inc.)
Invisible decrease (dec.)
Slip stitch (sl st)
Triple crochet (tr)
Triple crochet increase (tr inc.)
Half double crochet (hdc)
Color changing
Crocheting two pieces together (you will have to make two legs and join them together with chains and single crochet stitches, and then continue to crochet the torso).
Sewing amigurumi parts together
Creating a border
Finishing off (f.o.) and weaving/tucking in ends
The finished doll is approximately 6.5 inches tall.
This pattern is written in US crochet terms.
I choose to begin by chaining two and then completing 6 sc starting in the 2nd ch from the hook. Of course, you may alternatively do a magic ring if you prefer.
We will start by crocheting the whole body and then crocheting the gown. If you wish, you can start with the dress so that you can place it on the body after completing the neck and before crocheting the head. This might be a bit easier if you’re concerned about fitting the gown over the body (I have never had any problems doing so, but it does take a bit of manipulation).
Leg (make two)
Use a 2.75 mm hook and begin with tan yarn.
Lightly stuff as you go
Row 1: ch 2, 6 sc in the 2nd chain from the hook (6)
R 2: (sc, inc.) x 3 (9)
R 3-13 (11 rows): 9 sc (9)
F.o and leave a tail for sewing. Create a second leg and do not finish off. Row 14 begins on the second leg.
Next you will connect both legs together with a chain of three. You will crochet on each side of the chain and continue crocheting in regular rounds as you complete the torso. If you have not connected doll legs this way before, I’d recommend reading the directions for row 14 and looking at the pictures before beginning. This isn’t very hard, but if you haven’t done it before, it might get confusing if you just begin following directions without understanding the process.
R 14: ch 3 and insert hook into the last stitch you created before finishing off on your first leg. (See the picture below). Complete 9 sc around the first leg. On one side of the three chains, complete 3 sc. Complete 9 sc. On the other side of thee chains, complete 3 sc. (24)
This is right after completing three chains and one single crochet connecting to your first leg. (I took out my hook so you can see better, but you can see the little loop where my hook would be.) Before continuing. Make sure you can clearly identify the three chains you just created. After you complete 9 sc all around your first leg, you will be back at this chain. Complete three single crochets in the sides of the chain labeled “1, 2, and 3.” Next, you will complete 9 sc all around the second leg, and you will reach the chain again. You will complete single crochets in the remaining sides of the chain, 4, 5 and 6.
Torso, Head, and Neck
(Stuff as you go. Try not to overstuff so that it does not show through the stitches. I stuff a little extra in the neck to keep the neck and head straight. After a few rows of torso, I used the tail from the first leg to sew any little holes that may have resulted when I joined the two legs.)
R 15-16: 24 sc (24)
R 17: (2 sc, dec.) x 6 (18)
R 18-24 (7 rows): 18 sc (18)
R 25: (sc, dec.) x 6 (12)
R 26: dec. x 6 (6)
R 27: 6 sc (6)
Reminder: as you continue to crochet and stuff as you go, place extra stuffing in the neck to ensure it stands up properly. The veil will make the head a bit heavy and prone to bobbling. (Another option is to eliminate row 27. Making the neck shorter will give the head more support and will result in a slightly different appearance of your doll as well)
R 28: inc. x 6 (12)
R 29: (sc, inc.) x 6 (18)
R 30: (2 sc, inc.) x 6 (24)
R 31: (3 sc, inc.) x 6 (30)
R 32-37 (6 rows): 30 sc (30)
Insert safety eyes or sew eyes with black yarn/thread where you wish. I insert them between rows 34 and 35, about 5 stitches apart (about 4-5 visible stitches, not including stitches covered by the eyes). Use black thread to embroider eyelashes. Embroider nose where you wish, slightly below and between the two eyes.To do so, take a piece of yarn finishing needle and wrap around several times to create a small bump that is the nose. After I create my desired size, I tie the two ends of yarn together inside of the head to keep secure. Put a small amount of blush on cheeks.
R 38: (3 sc, dec.) x 6 (24)
R 39: (2 sc, dec.) x 6 (18)
R 40: (sc, dec.) x 6 (12)
R 41: dec. x 6 (6)
F.o and leave a tail for sewing.
Arm (make 2)
Stuffing is not necessary. Use a 2.75 mm hook.
R 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd chain from the hook (6)
R 2-11 (10 rows): 6 sc (6)
R 12: Fold arm in half so that stitches line up, crochet both halves together with three single crochets. (3)
F.o. and leave a tail. Sew arms onto the body. I sew around row 24, right before the neck begins to form.
Hair
Use a 2.75mm hook and brown yarn.
(If you crochet the hair tightly and/or the head is stuffed very firmly, you may want to use a 3.25 mm hook.)
R 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from the hook (6)
R 2: inc. x 6 (12)
R 3: (sc, inc.) x 6 (18)
R 4: (2 sc, inc.) x 6 (24)
R 5: (3 sc, inc.) x 6 (30)
R 6-9 (4 rows): 30 sc (30)
R 10: 8 sc, ch 21, starting from 2nd ch from the hook complete 20 sc back down chain, 2 sc, ch 16, starting from the 2nd ch from the hook complete 15 sc back down chain, 10 sc, ch 16, starting from the 2nd ch from the hook complete 15 sc back down chain, 2 sc, ch 21, starting from 2nd ch from the hook complete 20 sc back down chain, 8 sc.
F.o. and leave a long tail. Use this tail to sew the hair cap onto the head.
Veil
Use a 3.25 hook and begin with light blue yarn. This is a flat piece that will be worked in distinct rows (not a spiral).
Leave a tail long enough to later sew the veil around the head before beginning.
R 1: ch 33. Beginning at the 2nd from the hook, complete: 3 sc, 4 hdc, 4 dc, 10 tr, 4 dc, 4 hdc, 3 sc (32)
R 2: ch 1, turn, 3 sc, 4 hdc, 4 dc, tr inc. x 2, 6 tr, tr inc. x 2, 4 dc, 4 hdc, 3 sc (36)
R 3: ch 1, turn, 3 sc, 4 hdc, 4 dc, 14 tr, 4 dc, 4 hdc, 3 sc (36)
R 4: ch 1, turn, 3 sc, 4 hdc, 4 dc, tr inc. x 2, 10 tr, tr inc. x 2, 4 dc, 4 hdc, 3 sc (40)
R 5: ch 1, turn, 3 sc, 4 hdc, 4 dc, 18 tr, 4 dc, 4 hdc, 3 sc (40)
R 6: ch 1, turn, 3 sc, 4 hdc, 4 dc, tr inc. x 2, 14 tr, tr inc. x 2, 4 dc, 4 hdc, 3 sc (44)
R 7: ch 1, turn, 3 sc, 4 hdc, 4 dc, 22 tr, 4 dc, 4 hdc, 3 sc (44)
F.o. and weave in ends
Next you will create a border using gold yarn.
Begin at the same place where you began crocheting your veil. You will crochet along the other side of your foundation chain. On this side, complete: In the first stitch: sc, hdc, sc, In the second stitch: sl st) x 16. Turn to the side and make a border of 6 sc, one sc in each gap. On the next long side, complete the sequence: (In the first stitch: sc, hdc, sc, In the second stitch: sl st) x 22. Turn to the last side and make a border of 6 sc, 1 sc in each gap. Sl st to the fist sc of the border. F.o. and weave in tail.
Next, use your blue tail from the beginning to sew the veil around the head. Determine where you would like to place the veil, first. I like to have a little of the hair peeking through, and then pin your veil in place (optional). Sew the veil around the head and fold as shown.
F.o. and leave a long tail for sewing. Place hair cap centered on head and sew it on.
Dress
Use white yarn and 3.25 mm hook
Crochet in rounds (not a spiral) connecting each round with a slip stitch at the end every time. (This does create a crease that goes down the front of the dress. If you wish, you can just complete the dress in a spiral, like the body, to avoid this. If you do so, you might still want to switch to doing rounds for the last two rows to make the bottom edge of the dress even.)
R 1: ch 21, sl st to the first ch to create a circle (make sure your chain isn’t twisted before continuing)
R 2: ch 1, 21 sc, connect with sl st (21)
R 3: ch 1, 5 sc, ch 4, sk (skip) 4 stitches, 4 sc, ch 4, sk 4 stitches, 4 sc, connect with sl st (21)
R 4-7 (4 rows) : ch 1, 21 sc, connect with sl st (21)
Switch to gold yarn.
R 8: ch 1, 21 sc, connect with sl st (21)
Switch to white yarn.
R 9: ch 1, (6 sc, inc) x 3, connect with sl st (24)
R 10: ch 1, (7 sc, inc.) x 3, connect with sl st (27)
R 11-24 (14 rows): ch 1, 27 sc, connect with sl st (27)
Switch to gold yarn.
R 25: ch 1, 27 sc, connect with sl st (27)
R 26: ch 1, (In the first stitch: sc. In the second stitch: hdc, dc, hdc. In the third stitch: sc) x 9, connect with sl st
F.o. and weave in ends.
Sleeves
R 1: Create a circle of 8 single crochets in the arm hole: on the 4 bottom stitches (where you originally made your chains) and on the 4 top stitches (see picture below for where to place your first round of single crochets). Connect with a slip stitch.
R 2-8 (7 rows): ch 1, 8 sc, connect with sl st (8)
F.o. and weave in the ends. Place your finger in the sleeves to stretch them out a bit, preparing them for arms to be squeezed through. Place the dress over the legs of your doll and gently tug it up. Fit arms into sleeves.
Baby Jesus
Use 2.75 mm hook and white yarn. Work in a spiral and stuff as you go.
R 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from the hook (6)
R 2: inc. x 6 (12)
R 3: (3 sc, inc) x 3 (15)
R 4-7 (4 rows) : 15 sc (15)
R 8: (3 sc, dec) x 3 (12)
Change to tan yarn.
R 9: (sc, inc) x 6 (18)
R 10-12 (3 rows): 18 sc
Embroider closed eyes near row 10 (or where you desire).
R 13: (sc, dec.) x 6 (12)
R 14: dec. x 6 (6)
F.o. and weave in ends.
Baby Jesus’ Hair
Use 2.75 mm hook and brown yarn. This will be a spiral. At the end, complete a slip stitch to make the hair cap into a more even circle.
(If you crochet the hair tightly and/or the head is stuffed very firmly, you may want to use a 3.25 mm hook.)
R 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from the hook (6)
R 2: inc. x 6 (12)
R 3: (sc, ch 3, starting from 2nd ch from the hook complete 2 sc back down chain, sc) x 6 (This will create 6 short hair strands).
F.o. and leave a long tail. Use the tail to sew the hair to the head.
Halo
Use gold yarn and 2.75 mm hook.
R 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from the hook (6)
R 2: inc. x 6 (12)
R 3: (sc, inc.) x 6, sl st to the next stitch (to make the circle even) (18)
F.o. and leave a tail for sewing. Use the tail to sew the halo to the back of baby Jesus’s head.
Sew Jesus onto Mary’s arms. Use white yarn and insert your tapestry needle beneath a couple of stitches on Jesus’ clothing and then to Mary’s sleeve and/or arms. I sewed the bottom of Jesus’s clothes to the one end of Mary’s arm. I then sewed the top part of Jesus’s clothes to Mary’s sleeve (on the other side) at two different points. I also sewed the middle of Jesus’s body to part of Mary’s dress in the middle for extra security and to create the angle I wanted. Of course, you can adapt where you sew depending on your desired position of Jesus being cradled in Mary’s arms.
The end!
Thanks for trying my pattern! I’d love to see your finished result on instagram. Tag me at @Lindsey_Crochets
You may not copy or distribute any part of this pattern. You are welcome to sell the finished product, but please credit Lindsey Crochets as the pattern’s creator. Find me at Instagram at @lindsey_crochets and at Facebook.com/Lindseycrochets.