My dearest creator, the time has come to bring our gentle vision to life. Gather your softest pastel yarns and let your hands work their magic. This little lady is waiting to meet you, and I am here to guide your hook through every single loop.
About This Creation
This design leaves behind heavy autumn shades and embraces the tender light of spring. We are focusing on youth, absolute softness, and an irresistible charm. Penelope features a generous, oversized head to capture that perfect gaze of innocence. Her chunky pastel accessories and chubby silhouette make her an absolute standout for boutique craft markets or as a cherished heirloom gift. She is a proud addition to the krocheta.com family.
Project Snapshot
📊 Difficulty: Intermediate
⏰ Est. Time: 14 Hours
📏 Size: 11 inches tall
“A stitch placed with intention is a heartbeat given to your creation.” – Patricia Poltera
Materials & Tools Needed
🧶 Yarn: Sport weight cotton in Mint Green, Soft Peach, Buttercup Yellow, Cream, and Caramel Brown
🪡 Hook: 2.5mm precision crochet hook
✨ Other Materials: 10mm safety eyes, craft wire for glasses, hypoallergenic fiberfill, yarn needle, stitch markers
Abbreviations & Stitches Used
➡️ ch: chain
➡️ sl st: slip stitch
➡️ sc: single crochet
➡️ inc: increase (2 sc in one stitch)
➡️ dec: invisible decrease
➡️ FLO: front loops only
➡️ BLO: back loops only
The Complete Penelope Pattern
The Head
Our foundation of innocence. Stuff firmly as you go, ensuring the cheeks are well-rounded.
Round 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Round 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Round 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times (24)
Round 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
Round 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times (36)
Round 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times (42)
Round 8: [6 sc, inc] 6 times (48)
Round 9: [7 sc, inc] 6 times (54)
Rounds 10-22: sc in each stitch around (54)
Round 23 (Cheek Shaping): 15 sc, [inc, 1 sc] 4 times, 8 sc, [1 sc, inc] 4 times, 15 sc (62)
Rounds 24-28: sc in each stitch around (62)
Artisan’s Note: Insert safety eyes between rounds 21 and 22, placing them 11 stitches apart. They must sit low on the face.
Round 29: 15 sc, [dec, 1 sc] 4 times, 8 sc, [1 sc, dec] 4 times, 15 sc (54)
Round 30: [7 sc, dec] 6 times (48)
Round 31: [6 sc, dec] 6 times (42)
Round 32: [5 sc, dec] 6 times (36)
Round 33: [4 sc, dec] 6 times (30)
Round 34: [3 sc, dec] 6 times (24)
Round 35: [2 sc, dec] 6 times (18)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
The Body
We begin from the base and work our way up to the neck, creating her chubby torso and integrating her mint sweater.
Round 1: In Cream yarn, 8 sc in a magic ring (8)
Round 2: 8 inc (16)
Round 3: [1 sc, inc] 8 times (24)
Round 4: [2 sc, inc] 8 times (32)
Round 5: [3 sc, inc] 8 times (40)
Round 6: [4 sc, inc] 8 times (48)
Rounds 7-12: sc in each stitch around (48)
Round 13: Change to Soft Peach yarn. sc in BLO around (48)
Round 14: Change to Mint Green yarn. sc in each stitch around (48)
Rounds 15-18: sc in each stitch around (48)
Round 19: [6 sc, dec] 6 times (42)
Rounds 20-22: sc in each stitch around (42)
Round 23: [5 sc, dec] 6 times (36)
Rounds 24-25: sc in each stitch around (36)
Round 26: [4 sc, dec] 6 times (30)
Round 27: [3 sc, dec] 6 times (24)
Round 28 (Neck Shaping): [2 sc, dec] 6 times (18)
Fasten off. Stuff the body generously.
Left and Right Arms
Make two. Soft curves are essential here to prevent stiffness.
Round 1: In Skin Color yarn, 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Rounds 3-5: sc in each stitch around (12)
Round 6 (Thumb): 4 double crochet cluster in first stitch, 11 sc (12)
Round 7: 1 dec, 10 sc (11)
Round 8: Change to Mint Green yarn. sc in each stitch around (11)
Rounds 9-14: sc in each stitch around (11)
Round 15 (Elbow Bend): 2 sl st, 3 sc, 3 hdc, 3 sc (11)
Rounds 16-22: sc in each stitch around (11)
Stuff lightly. Pinch the top flat and crochet 5 sc across to close. Fasten off with a tail.
Left and Right Legs
Make two. These must be wide and sturdy to support her magnificent head.
Round 1: In Cream yarn, ch 6. Starting in 2nd ch from hook: 4 sc, 3 sc in last ch. Working down the opposite side of the chain: 3 sc, 1 inc (12)
Round 2: 1 inc, 3 sc, 3 inc, 3 sc, 2 inc (18)
Round 3: 1 sc, 1 inc, 3 sc, [1 sc, 1 inc] 3 times, 3 sc, [1 sc, 1 inc] 2 times (24)
Round 4: sc in BLO around (24)
Rounds 5-7: sc in each stitch around (24)
Round 8: 6 sc, 6 dec, 6 sc (18)
Round 9: Change to Mint Green (for striped tights). 5 sc, 4 dec, 5 sc (14)
Rounds 10-11: In Cream. sc in each stitch around (14)
Rounds 12-13: In Mint Green. sc in each stitch around (14)
Rounds 14-22: Continue alternating stripes every 2 rounds until leg is complete. Stuff firmly.
Fasten off.
Hair Cap and Pigtails
In Caramel Brown yarn.
Rounds 1-9: Follow the exact pattern for Rounds 1-9 of the Head to create a base cap (54 sts).
Round 10-16: sc in each stitch around (54)
Pigtails: Attach yarn to the side of the cap. ch 45. sc back down the chain. Repeat this twice more in the adjacent stitches to create a thick, three-strand cluster. Braid these strands together and tie at the bottom. Repeat on the opposite side.
Oversized Beret
In Buttercup Yellow yarn. Keep your tension loose.
Round 1: 8 sc in magic ring (8)
Round 2: 8 inc (16)
Round 3: [1 sc, inc] 8 times (24)
Round 4: [2 sc, inc] 8 times (32)
Round 5: [3 sc, inc] 8 times (40)
Round 6: [4 sc, inc] 8 times (48)
Round 7: [5 sc, inc] 8 times (56)
Round 8: [6 sc, inc] 8 times (64)
Rounds 9-12: sc in each stitch around (64)
Round 13: [6 sc, dec] 8 times (56)
Round 14: [5 sc, dec] 8 times (48)
Round 15: sc in each stitch around (48). Fasten off.
Beret Flower
In Soft Peach yarn.
Row 1: ch 21.
Row 2: 2 sc in the 2nd ch from hook. 2 sc in each chain across (40)
Row 3: [1 sc, skip 1 st, 5 dc in next st, skip 1 st] repeat across.
Fasten off. Coil the strip tightly to form a blooming rose shape and sew the base to secure. Attach to the beret brim.
Infinity Scarf
In Cream yarn.
Row 1: ch 12.
Row 2: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across (10)
Rows 3-25: ch 2, turn. hdc in BLO of each stitch across (10)
Fasten off and sew the short ends together to form a ring.
Ruffled Skirt
In Soft Peach yarn.
Attach yarn to the visible front loops (FLO) of Round 13 on the Body.
Round 1: ch 2, 2 dc in every stitch around. Join with sl st.
Round 2: ch 2, [1 dc, 1 dc inc] around. Join with sl st.
Round 3: ch 1, [1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc in next st] around to create a textured ruffled hem.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Chunky Shoes
In Buttercup Yellow yarn.
Follow Rounds 1-4 of the Leg pattern to create the sole.
Rounds 5-7: sc in each stitch around (24)
Round 8: 6 sc, 6 dec, 6 sc (18)
Round 9: 6 sc, ch 6 (for the strap), skip 6 stitches, 6 sc.
Fasten off. Use a scrap of brown yarn to tie a tiny bow on the strap.
Woven Basket
In Soft Peach yarn.
Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Round 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Round 4: sc in BLO around (18)
Rounds 5-8: sc in each stitch around (18)
Round 9 (Handles): 3 sc, ch 6, skip 3 sts, 6 sc, ch 6, skip 3 sts, 3 sc.
Fasten off.
Basket Florals
Make three in White yarn.
Round 1: 5 sc in a magic ring. Join with sl st.
Round 2: [ch 3, sl st back into the same space, sl st into next st] 5 times.
Fasten off. Place inside the basket.
Wire Glasses
Take a 4-inch piece of craft wire. Wrap it tightly around the handle of your crochet hook to form the first circular lens. Leave a small bridge, then wrap again for the second lens. Bend the remaining ends back to slide over her ears.
Assembly & Final Touches
➡️ Position the head onto the body. Use your tapestry needle and the long tail to sew them together firmly. Add a bit more stuffing right before closing the gap to prevent the head from drooping.
➡️ Sew the arms to the sides of the body, just beneath the neck line.
➡️ Attach the chubby legs to the base of the body. Ensure she can sit up completely unassisted.
➡️ Glue or sew the hair cap to the top of the head.
➡️ Place the scarf around her neck, slide the basket onto her arm, position the glasses on her nose, and adjust her beautiful yellow beret.
Tips & FAQs
➡️ How do I keep the oversized head from wobbling? The secret is in the neck stuffing. Pack the fiberfill densely into the top of the body and the bottom of the head during assembly. You may also insert a small plastic craft dowel if you prefer extreme rigidity, though tight stitches and stuffing usually suffice.
➡️ Can I wash Penelope? Yes. Spot cleaning with a damp cloth and mild soap is best. If a full wash is necessary, place her in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle, cold cycle, and air dry completely.
A Final Word
You have done beautifully. Looking at your finished creation, I hope you feel the deep pride of a true artisan. Every stitch is a testament to your patience and skill. May this little scholar bring joy to whoever holds her.
