How to Make a Waldorf Doll: Waldorf Doll Knitting Pattern

I walk you through this completely free knitting pattern and photographed knitting tutorial to teach you how to knit a Waldorf baby doll.

This knit waldorf doll is a perfect first toy due to its softness, and it is the perfect first waldorf doll making project because of its simple design. Requiring only basic knitting and sewing skills, follow along as I help you make this adorable medium sized waldorf doll.

This knit waldorf doll is a faster type of waldorf doll to make. It makes a great gift to give to a child in your life!

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Supplies Needed:

• Bulky yarn (I used Wonderfluff yarn in “Beehive Heather”)
• Size 4.5mm straight needles, and 4.5mm circular needles
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle
• Wool
• Cotton interlock knit fabric in skin color of your choice
• Unwaxed dental floss
• Scissors
• Thread that at least relatively matches the skin color fabric
• 1 1/8″ Wide Cotton Gauze Inner Head Tubing
• Sharp Sewing Needles
• Measuring Tape
• OPTIONAL: Cotton Embroidery Floss for making the eyes and mouth
• OPTIONAL: Beeswax Crayons for blush

Let’s get right to it!

Want to print the pattern for free? Get it below, or keep scrolling to read the pattern here on the blog!

Knit the Body

Step One: Knit the front arms

Using 4.5mm straight needles and bulky weight yarn, cast On 50 stitches.

Knit in stockinette stitch for 8 rows (Knit one row, purl the next. Repeat this pattern for stockinette stitch.)

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: Purl

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: Purl

Row 5: Knit

Row 6: Purl

Row 7: Knit

Row 8: Purl

Step two: Cast off arms for body

Row 9: Cast off 18 stitches, knit to end.

Row 10: Cast off 18 stitches, purl to end. (14 stitches remain on needles)

Step Three: Increase for a nice snuggly Waldorf doll body

Row 11: Increase one stitch at each end using cast on method both times, knit this row.

Row 12: Purl

Row 13: Increase one stitch at each end using cast on method both times, knit this row.

Row 14: Purl

Row 15: Increase one stitch at each end using cast on method both times, knit this row.

Step Four: Create the front and back of the body

Work in stockinette stitch for 45 rows. (Knit one row, purl the next. Repeat this pattern for stockinette stitch.) This creates both the front and back of the body.

Step Five: Decrease for back arms

Row 61: Decrease one stitch at each end using K2tog, knit this row.

Row 62: Pearl

Row 63: Decrease one stitch at each end using K2tog, knit this row.

Row 64: Pearl

Row 65: Decrease one stitch at each end using K2tog, knit this row. (14 stitches remain on needles)

Step Six: Knit the Back arms, and cast off

Row 66: Cast on 18 stitches, purl to end.

Row 67: Cast on 18 stitches, knit to end.

Knit in stockinette stitch for 8 rows (Knit one row, purl the next. Repeat this pattern for stockinette stitch.)

Row 68: Purl

Row 69: Knit

Row 70: Purl

Row 71: Knit

Row 72: Purl

Row 73: Knit

Row 74: Purl

Row 75: Knit

Cast off.

Fold the knitted body in half, with right sides together.

Be sure your arms line up with each other!

Using your tapestry needle and matching yarn, sew together the body, leaving an opening for the head.

Turn the body right side out.

This completes the knitting portion for the body and arms.

Knit the Waldorf Doll Hat

Step One: Knit the Ribbing

Using matching bulky weight yarn (or maybe you’d prefer a different colored hat? How fun!) and switching over to 4.5mm Circular Needles, cast on 31 stitches.

Distribute stitches evenly onto the two needles (16 stitches on the back needle, and 15 stitches on the front needle).

The front needle should also have your “working yarn,” which is your long strand of yarn that’s attached to your ball of yarn.

Slip last stitch on your back needle onto your front needle.

Then, take that stitch you just moved over and slip it over first stitch to join.

Doing this will make that seamless circle you need for knitting in the round.

Divide stitches evenly onto 2 needles. (15 stitches on each needle)

Place stitch marker at beginning of round.

Work in K1 P1 ribbing for 8 rounds:

Round 1: (K1, P1) repeat to end.

Round 2: (K1, P1) repeat to end.

Round 3: (K1, P1) repeat to end.

Round 4: (K1, P1) repeat to end.

Round 5: (K1, P1) repeat to end.

Round 6: (K1, P1) repeat to end.

Round 7: (K1, P1) repeat to end.

Round 8: (K1, P1) repeat to end.

Step Two: Create the Top of Waldorf Doll Hat

Knit for 5 rounds to increase the height of the hat:

Round 9: Knit

Round 10: Knit

Round 11: Knit

Round 12: Knit

Round 13: Knit

Next we will work on some decrease rounds to create that woodsy gnome-like point on the top of the hat.

Round 14: K1, K2tog, K to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1. Repeat for second needle.

Round 15: Knit

Round 16: K1, K2tog, K to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1. Repeat for second needle.

Round 17: Knit

Round 18: K1, K2tog, K to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1. Repeat for second needle.

Round 19: Knit

Round 20: K1, K2tog, K to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1. Repeat for second needle.

Round 21: Knit

Round 22: K1, K2tog, K to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1. Repeat for second needle.

Round 23: Knit

Round 24: K2tog, K1, ssk; repeat on second needle

Round 25: Knit

Round 26: K3 tog, K3 tog, sew together last two stitches.

Weave in your ends.

This completes the hat!

Doesn’t your knitted work look oh-so lovely??

Next, we will move onto the head.

Head: for the head, please use this link to go to my medium sized waldorf head tutorial.

If I posted the waldorf head instructions here, this post would be come much too lengthy!

After you’ve completed the head, let’s assemble your doll…

Waldorf Doll Assembly

Make sure that your neck is nicely filled with wool.

Put your finished head into the neck opening on your waldorf doll’s knitted body.

Add any extra wool to the bottom inside of the knitted body, if needed.

With a sharp needle and thread, sew the head to the knitted body.

Stuff your waldorf doll’s knitted arms, and tightly tie some hands onto the end.

Weave the extra yarn deeply into your doll’s body.

With a sharp needle and thread, firmly sew the knitted hat onto the head of your waldorf doll.

Admire the finished product of your doll!

You did a great job!

Have fun playing around with different details on your doll. Each waldorf doll can really take on its own personality!

Did you make this doll? Leave a comment down below and tell me what color yarn you chose for your knitted waldorf doll!