What size will the finished piece be?

The finished amigurumi size will depend on your yarn tension, but using Schachenmayr organic cotton and 2.5mm hook the doll stands approximately 22-28 cm tall depending on skirt stuffing and insertion of the support skewer.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights but this will affect the final size and the required hook. Adjust the hook size accordingly and remember the cardboard base and skewer support may need resizing.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate; basic knowledge of working in rounds, increases and decreases, and techniques like BLO/FLO and crab stitch will be helpful.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in 5-7 hours, though time may vary depending on experience level and how many decorative details you add.

How do I make the skirt stand upright?

Trim and glue a piece of cardboard to the crochet dress base and sew it securely; then stuff the skirt and insert a skewer from the base to the head for stability.

Menina The Ladies In Waiting Amigurumi Pattern

Make charming Menina 'Ladies in Waiting' amigurumi dolls with this complete crochet pattern. You will find detailed, step-by-step instructions for every part: arms, body, head, skirts, hair and decorative details. The pattern is full of helpful tips and photo-supported techniques to guide you as you crochet. Perfect for creating a handmade, collectible doll to gift or display.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Menina The Ladies In Waiting Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

01
Schachenmayr Organic Cotton hanks, 50 grams, 155 metres each - use multiple colours for dress and hair as desired
02
Colour flesh - small amount (head, arms, neck)
03
Colour for the hair - small amount
04
Dress body colour A - approx 50-100g depending on skirt size
05
Dress body colour B (overskirt/contrast) - small to medium amount
06
Accent colour for flowers/bows - small amount
07
Small amount of white yarn for details

— Tools Required

01
Crochet hook size 2.5mm (Hook no 2.5)
02
Fibre for filling (polyester stuffing)
03
A piece of cardboard for the skirt base
04
Darning needle for sewing pieces and weaving ends
05
Scissors
06
Pins for positioning parts during assembly
07
Stitch markers
08
Skewer or stick (skewer type) to help keep the doll upright
09
White glue (to stick cardboard to the base)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Stitches Used :

Infos :

Chain ch. Single crochet sc. Decrease dec. Double decrease make 3sc in one stitch (decrease by two stitches). Increase inc. Slip stitch sl.st. Single crochet Blo. sc blo. The single crochet is worked only in the back loop of the single crochet of the previous row. Single crochet Flo. sc flo. The single crochet is worked only in the front loop of the single crochet of the previous row. Half double crochet hdc. Crab stitch is made in the same way as a single crochet but instead of working right to left you work left to right, you will be working backwards.

— Arms :

Info :

Make both the same. With flesh colour.

Row 1 :

4 sc in a magic ring (4)

Row 2 :

(1 inc) x 4 ....... (8sc)

Row 3 to 21 :

8sc

Info :

Cut the thread and close. Leave aside until later.

— Body :

Info :

With the colour chosen for the body, make 28 chains and close with a sl.st.

Rows 1 to 12 :

28sc

Info :

Cut the thread and weave in the loose ends.

Info :

With the flesh colour, on top of the last row make a row of slip stitches.

Row 13 :

28 slip stitches

Info :

On the next row join the arms to the body. Make single crochets in the back loop BLO of the slip stitch on the previous row.

Row 14 :

2sc, 1 dec, 3sc,

Info :

Take one of the arms and make 6sc around the top. Leave the loose strand at the bottom.

Row 14 Continued :

3sc, 1 dec, 4sc, 1 dec, 3sc,

Info :

Take the other arm and work 6sc. Leave the strand at the bottom to use later.

Row 14 Final :

3sc, 1 dec, 2sc. (36 sts)

Info :

With a darning needle sew the hole inside the arms, using the attached strand.

Row 15 :

(4sc, 1 dec) x 6 (30 sts)

Row 16 :

(3sc, 1 dec) x 6 (24 sts)

Row 17 :

1sc, 1 dec, 1sc, 2 dec, 1sc, 1 dec, 2sc, 1 dec, 1sc, 2 dec, 1sc, 1 dec, 1sc, 2 dec, 1sc, 1 dec, 1sc (16 sts)

Row 18 :

1sc, 1 dec, 2sc, 1 dec, 2sc, 1 dec, 2sc, 1 dec, 1sc (12 sts)

Rows 19 to 21 :

12sc

— Head :

Row 1 :

1 inc in every stitch (24 sts)

Row 2 :

(3sc, 1 inc) x 6 (30 st)

Row 3 :

(1 inc, 4sc) x 6 (36 sts)

Row 4 :

2sc, 1 inc, (5sc, 1 inc) x 5, 3sc (42 sts)

Row 5 :

(6sc, 1 inc) x 6 (48 sts)

Rows 6 to 14 :

48sc

Row 15 :

(6sc, 1 dec) x 6 (42 sts)

Row 16 :

2sc, 1 dec, (5sc and 1 dec) x 5, 3sc (36 sts)

Row 17 :

(4sc, 1 dec) x 6 (30 sts)

Row 18 :

(3sc, 1 dec) x 6 (24 sts)

Row 19 :

(2sc and 1 dec) x 6 (18 sts)

Info :

Fill the head

Row 20 :

(1sc and 1 dec) x 6 (12 sts)

Info :

Finish filling.

Row 21 :

6 dec (6 sts)

Info :

Cut the yarn and close the head. Fill the body and sew closed along the bottom.

— Skirt :

Info :

Use a colour different from the body. Make 30 ch and close the loop with a sl.st. Leave a long strand to sew the skirt to the body.

Row 1 :

30sc

Row 2 :

30sc

Row 3 :

5sc, 6 inc, 9sc, 6 inc, 4sc (42 sts)

Row 4 :

5sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 9sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc (50 sts)

Row 5 :

5sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 9sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc (58 sts)

Row 6 :

7sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 13sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 6sc (66 sts)

Row 7 :

11sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 21sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 10sc (74 sts)

Row 8 :

14sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 7sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 13sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 7sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 13sc (82 sts)

Info :

Now place this part of the skirt on a piece cardboard and draw round the outline. Trim and leave until later.

Row 9 :

82sc blo

Rows 10 to 35 :

82 sts

Info :

Cut the yarn and weave in the loose ends.

— Overskirt :

Info :

If you want to make the Lady in waiting in two colours, make the overskirt with the same colour as used for the body. If you want to make the Lady in waiting in three colours, make the overskirt with a third colour. Make 32ch. Leave a long strand to sew on to the body. Finish all rows with 1ch and turn. From the 2nd ch from the hook.

Row 1 :

31sc

Row 2 :

31sc

Row 3 :

5sc, 6 inc, 9sc, 6 inc, 5sc (43 sts)

Row 4 :

5sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 9sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 5sc (51 sts)

Row 5 :

5sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 9sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 5sc (59 sts)

Row 6 :

7sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 13sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 7sc (67 sts)

Row 7 :

11sc, 1 inc, 12sc, 1 inc, 18sc, 1 inc, 12sc, 1 inc, 11sc, 11sc (71 sts)

Row 8 :

14sc, 1 inc, 10sc, 1 inc, 20sc, 1 inc, 10sc, 1 inc, 14sc (75 sts)

Rows 9 to 11 :

skip the 1st stitch then make a single crochet in every stitch of the row until the last and finish with a sl.st. Cut the yarn and weave in the loose thread.

Info :

Now start at one end and work a row of crab stitch. If you are making the Lady in waiting in two colours, work a row of sl.sts on the row of starting chains.

— Dress Base :

Info :

In a magic circle make, 6 p.b.

Row 1 :

6 inc (12 sts)

Row 2 :

(1sc, 1 inc) x 6 (18 sts)

Row 3 :

(2sc, 1 inc) x 6 (24 sts)

Row 4 :

(3sc, 1 inc) x 6 (30 sts)

Row 5 :

5sc, 6 inc, 9sc, 6 inc, 4sc (42 sts)

Row 6 :

5sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 9sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc (50 sts)

Row 7 :

5sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4 pb, 1 aum., 9sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc (58 sts)

Row 8 :

7sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 13sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 6sc (66 sts)

Row 9 :

11sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 21sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 10sc (74 sts)

Row 10 :

14sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 7sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 13sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 7sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 13sc (82 sts)

Row 11 :

10sc, 4hdc, 1 inc(hdc) 3hdc, 1 inc (hdc) 7hdc, 1 inc (hdc) 3hdc, 1 inc (sc), 20sc, 1 inc (sc), 3hdc, 1 inc (hdc) 7hdc, 1 inc (hdc) 3hdc, 1 inc (hdc), 4hdc, 10sc (90sts)

Row 12 :

90sc

Info :

Cut the yarn and weave in the loose ends. Lightly iron the base of the dress. Adjust the size of the cardboard to the base. The crochet base must be wider than that of the cardboard, so you can then sew it to the skirt easily. Pour some white glue into the cardboard and stick to the base. Let dry.

— Hair :

Info :

The first 8 rows are worked in a spiral, end them by making 1 sl.st, 1ch turn and work in the other direction. The rest of the rows will end with 1ch and turn. In magic circle make 6sc.

Row 1 :

6 inc, 1ch and turn (12 sts)

Row 2 :

(1sc, 1 inc) x 6 (18 sts)

Row 3 :

(2sc, 1 inc) x 6 (24 sts)

Row 4 :

(3sc, 1 inc) x 6 (30 sts)

Row 5 :

(4sc, 1 inc) x 6 (36 sts)

Row 6 :

(5sc, 1 inc) x 6 (42 sts)

Row 7 :

(6sc, 1 inc) x 6 (48 sts)

Row 8 :

10sc, (1 inc, 1sc) x 6, 11sc, (1 inc, 1sc) x 6, 3sc (60 sts)

Row 9 :

54sc. The 6 unworked stitches will form the fringe.

Row 10 :

1sc, 1 inc, 50sc, 1 inc, 1 sc (56 sts)

Row 11 :

56sc

Row 12 :

1sc, 1 inc, 52sc, 1 inc, 1sc (58 sts)

Row 13 :

58sc

Row 14 :

1sc, 1 inc, 48sc, 1 sl.st. Turn. (7 stitches remaining.)

Row 15 :

Skip the 1st sl.st and make 42sc, 1 sl.st. (8 stitches remaining) Turn

Row 16 :

Skip the 1st sl.st and make 48sc, now work the sl.st that was skipped on the previous row - 1 inc, 1sc.

Row 17 :

60sc and work the sl.st skipped on the previous row.

Row 18 :

1sc, 1 inc, 48sc, 1 sl.st. Turn. 9 stitches remaining

Row 19 :

Skip the 1st sl.st and work 40sc, 1 sl.st. 10 stitches remaining.

Row 20 :

Skip the 1st sl.st, 48sc, now work the sl.st that was skipped on the previous row - 1 inc, 1sc.

Row 21 :

62sc now work the sl.st that was skipped on the previous row.

Row 22 :

1sc, 1 inc, 58sc, 1 inc, 1sc.

Row 23 :

64sc

Row 24 :

3 double decs, (2sc, 1 dec) x 11, 2sc, 3 double decs. 41 sts

Row 25 :

1 double dec, (1sc, 1 dec) x 11, 2sc, 1 double dec. Cut the yarn and weave in loose ends.

— Lady In Waiting Type A :

Section :

SLEEVE: With the colour of yarn used for the body make 10ch and close the circle with a sl.st.

Row 1 :

10sc

Row 2 :

10 inc (20 sts)

Row 3 :

20sc

Row 4 :

20sc

Row 5 :

(3sc, 1 dec) x 4 (16 sts)

Row 6 :

16sc

Row 7 :

(2sc, 1 dec) x 4 (12 sts)

Row 8 to 20 :

12sc

Info :

Cut the yarn and weave in the starting thread. The thread at the end will be used to attach the sleeve to the body.

Section :

LACE FOR THE NECKLINE: Make 35ch

Row 1 :

35 sl.st.

Row 2 :

35sc

Row 3 :

(1sc, 1dc, 1sc in the same stitch, 1sl.st in the next stitch) repeat until the end of the row.

Info :

Now with slip stitches position yourself at the height of the initial chain and make: *3ch, skip 1ch. and sl.st into the next stitch.* Repeat from *a* until all the chain is covered. Weave in one of the loose ends, the other one will be use to sew it onto the body.

Section :

BOW: 10 ch. – The last 3 count as 1dc. Work 5 rows each with 7dc.

Info :

Cut the yarn and weave in the ends. Wind a strand of yarn wind two or three times around the middle of the loop, to shape it. Us the same strand to sew it onto the hair.

— Lady In Waiting Type B :

Section :

SLEEVE: Make to the same. Make 16 chains and starting in the 2nd chain from the hook: Make 15sc, 1ch and turn.

1st :

15sc flo, 1ch and turn.

2nd :

15sc blo, 1ch and turn. Repeat these 2 rows 18 times.

Info :

Along one side make 20sc, 1 sl.st. In these photos this row is worked in another colour to make it clearer. Close into a circle by making 1sc onto the 1st sl.st of the row and working on this chain make 20sc around the sleeve.

Info :

Make 10 dec. Work 5 rows of single crochets on these 10 stitches. Cut the yarn and weave in the ends. Sew up the side of the sleeve. Using the starting yarn slightly gather the top of the sleeve. Leave until later.

Section :

Collar: Make 39 chains. Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook: Work 38sc.

Row 1 :

12sc, 3sc in the same stitch, 12sc, 3sc in the same stitch, 12sc (42 sts)

Row 2 :

42sc

Row 3 :

13sc, 3sc in the same stitch, 14sc, 3sc in the same stitch, 13sc (46 sts)

Row 4 :

46sc

Info :

Close and weave in the loose ends. Keep the starting thread to sew onto the body.

— Flower :

Info :

Using a colour that will stand out on the colour of the dress and the hair make 15ch.

Round :

*Skip a chain and in the next make 1sc, 1hdc, 1sc.* Repeat * to * 7 times.

Info :

Roll up the petals and make a few stitches at the back hold them together.

— To Make Up :

Info :

Once all the elements have been made you will need to sew them together.

Instruction 1 :

Pull the sleeve over the arm and sew to the shoulder.

Instruction 2 :

Sew the collars around the neckline (style A or B). Hold in position with pins first to get it even.

Instruction 3 :

Now you must add the skirt. With pins position around the waist and sew to the body.

Instruction 4 :

Do the same with the overskirt.

Instruction 5 :

Now we will have to fill the skirt and to help the Lady in waiting stay upright, especially the head, insert a stick, skewer type that goes from the base to the head.

Instruction 6 :

To attach the base to the skirt use the crochet hook, taking a chain from the base and another chain of the skirt and making slip stitches.

Instruction 7 :

Check that the skirt is filled enough before completely closing.

Instruction 8 :

Position the hair and hold in place with pins the "face". And to finish position the bow or flower in one of the corners of the fringe.

Instruction 9 :

To the Lady in waiting type A sew 3 small bows down the centre of the body from the centre of the neckline to the edge of the overskirt using the same colour yarn.

Assembly Instructions

Attach the arms to the body by joining them to the back loop (BLO) of the slip stitch row on the body and sew the join hole inside each arm with the attached strand for a neat finish.
Sew the head to the body after filling, closing the head opening and securely stitching the neck area to the top of the body so the head is centered and stable.
Position the skirt around the waist, pin evenly and sew to the body; fix the dress base to the cardboard and then crochet or slip stitch the base to the skirt edge for a secure foundation.
Insert a skewer or stick from the base up to the head through the centre of the skirt to keep the doll upright and stable before fully closing the base.
Pin and sew collars, sleeves and overskirt in place, using photos as guidance for placement and keeping symmetry by checking from multiple angles before final stitching.

Important Notes

💡Use stitch markers to keep track of your rounds and increases, particularly when shaping the head and skirt to avoid losing place.
💡Pin all parts in position before sewing to ensure correct alignment and symmetry, especially collars and overskirts.
💡Trim and glue the cardboard base slightly smaller than the crocheted base and let the glue dry fully before sewing the skirt to the base.
💡Weave in ends and secure loose threads as you go to make assembly quicker and neater at the end.
💡Stuff gradually and check silhouette often; overstuffing can distort the shape while understuffing may leave gaps.

This Menina 'Lady in Waiting' is a delightful heirloom-style amigurumi perfect for display and gifting. The structured skirt and decorative overskirt give it charming historical character to showcase on a shelf. Add a bow or flower and a painted or embroidered face for a personal finish. 🧶🎀

Menina The Ladies In Waiting Amigurumi Pattern

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