What size will the finished piece be?

The finished doll measures approximately 20-25 cm tall depending on yarn tension and how much stuffing you use; changing yarn weight or hook will alter the final size.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights but this will affect the final size and stitch counts; choose an appropriate hook for the yarn and consider adjusting rounds to match proportions.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate; basic knowledge of single crochet, increases, decreases, and working in rounds and rows is recommended for best results.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete one doll in about 5-7 hours, depending on experience and the time spent on assembly and decorative finishing.

Menina The Ladies in Waiting Amigurumi Pattern

Create charming handcrafted 'Ladies in Waiting' amigurumi dolls with this detailed pattern. You will make a soft, weighted skirt base, a shaped body and head, delicate hair and decorative collars and flowers. The pattern is carefully written with clear rounds and assembly notes so you can sew the pieces together and add charming finishing touches.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Menina The Ladies in Waiting Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

01
Schachenmayr Organic Cotton yarn, hanks of 50 grams and 155 metres (main supply recommendation)
02
Flesh colour yarn (for head, arms, neck) – small quantity
03
Colour for the hair – small quantity
04
Dress colours – two or three colours as desired (small hanks of each colour)
05
A small amount of white yarn for slip stitch/edging details

— Tools Required

01
Crochet hook size 2.5mm
02
Fibre for filling (polyester stuffing)
03
A piece of cardboard (to fit and support the skirt base)
04
A small amount of white yarn (for finishing details)
05
Darning needle for sewing pieces together
06
Scissors
07
Yarn needle
08
Pins for assembly and positioning
09
Optional skewer or long stick (to stabilise head through skirt)

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— Arms :

Info :

Make both the same. With flesh colour.

Row 1 :

4 sc in a magic ring

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,

Row 14 continued :

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,

Row 14 continued :

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

Row 18 :

1sc, 1 dec, 2sc, 1 dec, 2sc, 1 dec, 2sc, 1 dec, 1 sc (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.

Info :

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, 2sc, 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 three colours, make the overskirt with a third colour. Make 32 ch. Leave a long strand to sew on to the body. Finish all rows with 1 ch 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 (75sts)

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

Info :

Cut the yarn and weave in the loose thread. Now start at one end and work a row of crab stitch. If making 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 (50 sts)

Row 7 :

5sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4 sc, 1 inc, 9sc, 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, 2sc, 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 (hdc), 4hdc,10sc. (90sts)

Row 12 :

90sc.

Info :

Cut the yarn and weave in the loose ends. Lightly iron the base of the dress and adjust the cardboard to the base. 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, 1 ch turn and work in the other direction. The rest of the rows will end with 1 ch 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 (60sts)

Row 9 :

54sc The 6 unworked stitches will form the fringe.

Row 10 :

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

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. (7 stitches remaining.) turn

Row 15 :

Skip the 1st sl.st and make 42sc, - 1sl.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, 1sl.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, 1inc, 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 decs, (1sc, 1 dec) x 11, 2sc, 1 double decs. Cut the yarn and weave in loose ends.

— Dress Base (continued) :

Info :

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 sew it to the skirt easily.

— Sleeve (Lady in Waiting Type A) :

Info :

With the colour of yarn used for the body make 10 ch 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)

Rows 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.

— Lace for the Neckline :

Info :

Make 35 ch

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 loose end and leave the other to sew onto the body.

— Bow :

Info :

10 ch – The last 3 count as 1dc.

Info :

Work 5 rows each with 7dc. Cut the yarn and weave in the ends. Wind a strand of yarn two or three times around the middle of the loop to shape it. Use the same strand to sew it onto the hair.

— Lady in Waiting Type B Sleeve :

Info :

Make to the same. Make 16 chains and starting in the 2nd chain from the hook:

Row 1 :

Make 15sc, 1ch and turn

Row 1 (alternative) :

1st: 15sc flo, 1ch and turn.

Row 2 :

2nd: 15sc blo, 1ch and turn.

Info :

Repeat these 2 rows 18 times. Along one side make 20sc, 1 sl.st. 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.

— Collar :

Info :

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

Row 1 :

12sc, 3sc in same stitch, 12sc, 3sc in 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. 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 dress and hair make 15 ch.

Instruction :

*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 to hold them together.

— To Make Up (Assembly) :

Info :

Once all the elements have been made you will need to sew them together following the photographs and notes.

Instruction :

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

Instruction :

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

Instruction :

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

Instruction :

To help the Lady in Waiting stay upright, insert a stick or skewer from the base to the head.

Instruction :

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. Check that the skirt is filled enough before completely closing.

Instruction :

Position the hair and hold in place with pins the "face" area. Sew the hair in place and finish by positioning the bow or flower at a corner of the fringe.

Instruction :

To 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 head to body by sewing neck opening into the top of the body and secure with a whipstitch, making sure head is centred and upright.
Position the arms at the sides and sew through the top of the arm to the body on the back-loop slip-stitch row, using the attached strands to close the opening inside the arm.
Pin the skirt and overskirt around the waist evenly and sew them to the body; then attach the crocheted dress base to the cardboard with glue and sew the base to the skirt by matching chains and working slip stitches.
Position and pin the collar (style A or B) around the neckline and sew in place, then add the bow or flower to the hair or collar as shown in photos.

Important Notes

💡Use stitch markers to mark the start of each round and when joining arms to the body for even placement.
💡Stuff the head and body gradually to avoid lumps and check proportions frequently before closing.
💡Trim and shape the cardboard base so the crochet base is slightly larger, glue and allow to dry before sewing to the skirt for a secure fit.
💡Pin every decorative piece (collar, overskirt, hair) in place and check symmetry before sewing to ensure even placement.

This lovely Menina "Ladies in Waiting" pattern makes a charming set of decorative amigurumi dolls you can customize with colors and tiny accessories. The finished dolls are perfect for shelf display or as thoughtful handmade gifts. Have fun picking color combinations and adding small bows or flowers to make each doll unique. 🧶✨

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