My dear creator, as the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, our hooks naturally long for warmer hues and softer textures. There is a distinct magic in capturing the spirit of the harvest, and Pippa is the embodiment of that cozy transition.

She is not merely a doll; she is a keeper of autumn secrets, with her shy gaze and pumpkin-inspired attire. We shall craft her with patience, paying close attention to the structural beauty of her skirt and the sweetness of her expression. Let us begin this journey together.

About This Creation & The Harvest Angle

Pippa represents the “Embrace of Softness” aesthetic perfectly. The commercial appeal here lies in the seasonal specificity paired with high-detail accessories. While many patterns offer simple dolls, Pippa’s value comes from the textures—the ribbed “pumpkin” effect of her skirt, the realistic laces on her boots, and the intricate hair styling.

This project is ideal for intermediate crafters looking to practice garment construction and facial sculpting. By mastering the “bubble” shape of her dress, you add a versatile technique to your repertoire that mimics organic forms like pumpkins or gourds.

Project Snapshot:

 Difficulty: Intermediate

 Est. Time: 12–15 Hours

 Size: Approx. 22cm tall

“It is in the smallest details—a blush on the cheek, a ruffle on the hem—that a doll finds her soul.” — Patricia

Materials & Tools Needed

 Yarn: Sport or DK weight cotton/acrylic blend.

• Skin Tone (Beige/Fair)
• Pumpkin Orange (Skirt/Hat)
• Cream/White (Shirt/Ghost)
• Rust/Copper (Hair)
• Chocolate Brown (Boots/Details)
• Sage Green (Vines/Leaves)

 Hook: 2.25mm or 2.5mm (keep tension tight)

 Other Materials:

• 10mm Safety Eyes (Black)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Tapestry needle (sharp tip preferred)
• Wire (optional, for neck stability)
• Blush or soft pastel chalk
• Black embroidery thread
•  PASTE IMAGE 2 HERE: Side Angle/Variation]

Abbreviations & Stitches Used

ch: chain

sl st: slip stitch

sc: single crochet

inc: increase (2 sc in one st)

dec: decrease (sc 2 together)

hdc: half double crochet

dc: double crochet

BLO: back loops only

FLO: front loops only

The Complete Pippa Pattern

Component 1: The Arms (Make 2)

Start with Skin Tone.

R1: Magic ring, 6 sc (6)

R2: (1 sc, inc) x 3 (9)

R3-5: sc in all 9 st (9)

R6: (Thumb) 3 dc cluster in next st, sc in next 8 st (9)

R7: sc in all 9 st (9)

R8: (1 sc, dec) x 3 (6)

R9-18: sc in all 6 st (6)

Change to Cream/White for sleeves.

R19: (inc) x 6 (12)

R20: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

R21-25: sc in all 18 st (18)

R26: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)

R27: (Sleeve Ruffle) FLO: (ch 2, dc in same st, 2 dc in next st) repeat around. Fasten off. Stuff hands lightly only.

Component 2: The Boots & Legs

Start with White (Sole).

R1: Ch 6, start in 2nd ch from hook. 4 sc, 3 sc in last ch. Turn to other side: 3 sc, inc (12)

R2: Inc, 3 sc, (inc) x 3, 3 sc, (inc) x 2 (18)

R3: 1 sc, inc, 3 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 3, 3 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 2 (24)

Change to Chocolate Brown.

R4: BLO sc in all 24 st (24)

R5-7: sc in all 24 st (24)

R8: 8 sc, (dec) x 4, 8 sc (20)

R9: 6 sc, (dec) x 4, 6 sc (16)

R10: 6 sc, (dec) x 2, 6 sc (14)

R11-13: sc in all 14 st (14)

Change to Skin Tone (Left Leg).

R14: BLO sc in all 14 st (14)

R15-28: sc in all 14 st (14)

R29: (Knee shaping) 4 sc, dec, 3 sc, dec, 3 sc (12)

R30: 4 sc, inc, 3 sc, inc, 3 sc (14)

R31-38: sc in all 14 st (14). Fasten off Left Leg.

Make Right Leg same way, do not cut yarn. Ch 3 and join to Left Leg.

Component 3: The Body

R39: 14 sc on Left Leg, 3 sc on chain, 14 sc on Right Leg, 3 sc on chain (34)

R40-45: sc in all 34 st (34)

Change to Pumpkin Orange (Underwear/Shorts).

R46-48: sc in all 34 st (34)

Change to Skin Tone.

R49: sc in all 34 st (34)

R50: (Decrease for waist) 8 sc, dec, 15 sc, dec, 7 sc (32)

Change to Cream/White (Shirt).

R51: BLO sc in all 32 st (32)

R52-58: sc in all 32 st (32)

R59: Join Arms: 7 sc (Body), 6 sc (Arm 1), 16 sc (Body), 6 sc (Arm 2), 9 sc (Body) — Ensure alignment is centered.

R60: (3 sc, dec) repeat around until 18 st remain.

R61: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)

R62-64: (Neck) sc in all 12 st.

Component 4: The Head

Continue from Neck with Skin Tone.

R65: (inc) x 12 (24)

R66: (2 sc, inc) x 8 (32)

R67: (3 sc, inc) x 8 (40)

R68: (4 sc, inc) x 8 (48)

R69: (5 sc, inc) x 8 (56)

R70-80: sc in all 56 st (56)

R81: (Cheeks) 18 sc, (inc, 1 sc) x 4, 8 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 4, 18 sc (64)

R82-86: sc in all 64 st (64)

Insert safety eyes between R80/R81, about 10 stitches apart.

R87: (6 sc, dec) x 8 (56)

R88: (5 sc, dec) x 8 (48)

R89: (4 sc, dec) x 8 (40)

R90: (3 sc, dec) x 8 (32)

R91: (2 sc, dec) x 8 (24)

R92: (1 sc, dec) x 8 (16)

R93: dec x 8 (8). Close hole.

Component 5: The Pumpkin Bubble Skirt

Use Pumpkin Orange. Attach yarn to FLO of R51 on Body.

R1: (inc) in every st around (64)

R2: (1 sc, inc) around (96) — We need volume.

R3-14: sc in all 96 st (96)

R15: (Pumpkin Ribs Setup) Work normally, but mark 6 vertical lines evenly spaced.

R16: (2 sc, dec) around (72)

R17: (1 sc, dec) around (48)

R18: (Ruffle Hem) (ch 3, sc in next st) repeat around.

Detailing: Using Chocolate Brown yarn, surface slip stitch vertical lines from the waist down to the hem to create the pumpkin segments.

Waist: Chain 40 with Green yarn to create a belt. Tie a bow.

Component 6: Hair & Accessories

Wig Cap (Rust/Copper): Create a basic hemisphere (up to 56 st) and sew to head.

Strands: Cut 20cm lengths of yarn. Attach using latch hook method around the rim of the cap and the crown.

Styling: Cut bangs shorter (above eyes). Keep the rest long.

Mini Pumpkin Hat:

R1: Magic ring, 6 sc (Orange)

R2: Inc x 6 (12)

R3-5: sc in all 12 st (12)

R6: dec x 6 (6). Stuff. Sew to head. Add a small Green ch-stem.

Component 7: Spooky The Ghost

Use White.

R1: Magic ring, 6 sc

R2: Inc x 6 (12)

R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

R4-8: sc in all 18 st

R9: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)

R10: dec x 6 (6).

Bottom: Don’t close. Instead, (ch 3, sc in next st) around R10 to make a floaty base. Add safety eyes.

Assembly & Final Touches

1. Face: Sculpt the eye sockets by pulling a thread from the back of the head through the eye placement and back.
2. Make-up: Apply blush heavily under the eyes and across the nose for that “cold weather” look.
3. Boots: Embroider laces using lighter brown thread in a criss-cross pattern.
4. Ghost: Tack stitch the ghost to Pippa’s hand or let it sit beside her.

Tips & FAQs

• My skirt isn’t puffy enough: Ensure you stuff the skirt lightly with a bit of fiberfill before closing the bottom rounds to maintain the “bubble” shape.
• Hair control: If the hair feels too wild, use a tiny dab of fabric glue or hairspray on the bangs to keep them in place.

A Final Word

Pippa is more than yarn and filling; she is a celebration of the season. May her creation bring a quiet joy to your hands and a touch of autumn warmth to your home. Craft with love, and the result will always be beautiful.