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.

Mustard Yellow knitted waldorf bunting doll wearing hat with purple and pink flowers in the background

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.

mustard yellow ball of yarn, wood knitting needles, thread and metal scissors, cotton fabric, wool, and unwaxed dental floss

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!

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Supplies Needed:

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!

wooden knitting needles knitting mustard yellow bulky yarn

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

wooden knitting needles knitting mustard yellow wonderfluff yarn with a pink dahlia flower

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)

one wooden knitting needle with yellow yarn and a purple flower

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.

two wooden knitting needles knitting yellow yarn with three pink flowers

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.

one wooden knitting needle with yellow knitted work hanging on it with three purple flowers on a white background

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)

one wooden knitting needle poking through a yellow ball of yarn with some knitted work and a purple flower on a white background

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.

knitted waldorf doll body sewed together with lavender on a white background

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.

yellow knitted waldorf doll with purple and pink flowers on a white background

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.

yellow yarn on wooden circular knitting needles with lavender on a white background

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.

yellow yarn joined on circular needles with lavender on a white background

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.

yellow ribbing on circular needles with a red stitch marker and pink flower on a white background

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

waldorf doll hat being knitted on circular knitting needles with a white flower on a white background

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!

finished yellow waldorf doll hat on some basil on a white background

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

knitted waldorf doll in the process of being made with pink flowers on a white background

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…

yellow waldorf doll with purple and pink flowers on a white background

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.

arm and hand on a knitted waldorf doll with flowers

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.

finished waldorf doll with pink and purple flowers on a white background

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!

blue knit waldorf doll on a green and yellow and beige quilt

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

grey knitted waldorf doll laying on a sliver of log and quilt

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

variety of multicolored knitted waldorf doll lined up on a green blanket

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