Create a delicate, hand-sized Baby Jesus amigurumi using fine yarn and tiny hooks. This pattern walks you through making the straw bed, halo, hair, diaper wrap, and a wooden manger so you can display a beautiful handmade nativity figure. Clear photos and step-by-step rounds make the process enjoyable whether you are gifting or keeping this special piece.
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β Manger Templates :
Info :
You will need 14 craft sticks (popsicle sticks) to construct the wooden manger. Print this page to use as a template. Note: The sticks used were purchased in the craft section of Walmart (USA). They are approximately 4 1/2" (11 1/2 cm) long, and 3/8" (1 cm) wide, for reference.
Item - Template A (Make 2) :
Glue craft sticks in this X position to form two X shapes (you will need 4 craft sticks per Template A)
Item - Template B (Make 4) :
Lay craft stick on template, mark lines, and cut as shown. Glue to X-shape to form a double layer for support (make 4 pieces)
β Manger :
Info :
The wooden manger is constructed using regular sized craft sticks (popsicle sticks), and craft glue (or wood glue) or hot glue. Craft glue is less bulky but takes longer to dry; hot glue dries quickly but seams may not be as tight. This manger will work for dolls made with size 2 yarn and are roughly 5" long.
Step 1 :
Lay one craft stick on Template A and put a dot of glue in the center, then lay a second craft stick to form the X shape. Make 2 of these
Step 2 :
Using Template B mark where you will need to cut craft sticks. Cut the craft stick on the 2 marked lines (Cut 4 craft sticks this way)
Step 3 :
Using the smaller cut pieces, glue them onto the X shape to reinforce it so you end up with 2 double thick X shapes
Step 4 :
Find a way to prop up the X shapes and make sure the distance that they are separated is the length of a craft stick
Step 5 :
Starting in the center, put drops of glue on the X shapes, carefully place the 2 center craft sticks, and continue adding glue and craft sticks so that there are 3 on each half forming the trough
Step 6 :
Let the glue dry, remove the items used to prop it up, and make sure everything is straight. Optional: You can paint the wooden manger with craft paint or spray paint, or leave it as natural wood.
β Straw bed :
Info :
Using Yarn Over (v-stitch) or your preference. Using 2.0mm hook (0.5mm larger hook size than doll). Using Golden Yellow yarn. Note: Turning ch (ch1) will not be included in the stitch count.
Row 1 :
Starting in 2nd ch from hook, 16sc, ch1, turn (16)
Row 2-27 :
16sc, ch1, turn (26 rows) (16)
Row 28 :
16sc (do not turn) (Fig. 1) (16)
Info :
Border and Straw: Place marker, and start continuous rounds.
Rnd 1 :
27 sc across ends of rows, 3sc in corner, 14sc, 3sc in corner, 27sc across ends of rows, 3sc in corner, 14sc, 3sc in corner (Fig. 2) (94)
Rnd 2 :
BLO - [28sc, INC (in corner), 16sc, INC (in corner), 29sc, INC (in corner), 17sc, INC (in corner)] (Fig. 3) (98)
Rnd 3 :
(2 pieces of straw) *(ch10 (Fig. 4), starting 2nd ch from hook β 9slst, 1sc in next sc (Fig. 5), ch15, starting 2nd ch from hook β 14slst, 1sc in next sc (Fig. 6)), continue from * around, (last piece of straw will be a ch15 piece) (Fig. 7) (98 pieces of straw)
Info :
Finish off, and sew in ends.
Join :
Join Olive (or light brown) yarn to exposed front loops from Rnd 2. (Fig. 8)
Interior Rnd :
*(Ch12, starting 2nd ch from hook β 11slst, 1sc in next sc, ch8, starting 2nd ch from hook β 7slst, 1sc in next sc (Fig. 9)), continue from * around (Fig. 10) (92 pieces of straw)
Info :
Finish off, and sew in ends.
Info :
Wet the straw bed and wring out the excess water. Lay out the damp straw bed on a thick piece of foam or Styrofoam, and carefully stretch each piece of straw, keeping it straight, and pin down with stick pins. Let dry overnight or length of time necessary for it to completely dry. Wet blocking will help the straw to lay more neatly (also see Notes on page 4.) (Fig. 11, 12, 13)
β Hair :
Info :
Using Yarn Under (x-stitch). Using 1.5mm hook (same hook size as doll). Using Light Brown yarn.
Rnd 3 :
(1sc, INC) x7 (21)
Rnd 4 :
(2sc, INC) x7 (Fig. 14) (28)
Rnd 5 :
(This round will be crocheting the pieces of hair, and each piece will be numbered)
Piece 1 :
*Ch15, starting in 2nd ch from hook β INC, 1sc, INC, 11sc, 1sc in next sc (on Rnd) (Fig. 15, 16)
Piece 2 :
**Ch17, starting in 2nd ch from hook β INC, 1sc, INC (Fig. 17), 13sc, 1sc in next sc (on Rnd) (Fig. 18)
Piece 3 :
Repeat *(Ch15...)
Piece 4 :
Repeat **(Ch17...)
Piece 5 :
Repeat *(Ch15...)
Piece 6 :
***Ch13, starting in 2nd ch from hook β INC, 1sc, INC, 9sc, 1sc in next st (on Rnd)
Piece 7 :
Repeat ***(Ch13...)
Piece 8 :
Repeat ***(Ch13...)
Space :
3sc (in next 3sts on Rnd, forming a gap between hair strands)
Piece 9 :
Ch7, starting in 2nd ch from hook β 6sc, 1sc in next sc (on Rnd)
Piece 10 :
Ch9, starting in 2nd ch from hook β 8sc, 1sc in next sc (on Rnd)
Piece 11 :
Ch11, starting in 2nd ch from hook β 10sc, 1sc in next sc (on Rnd)
Piece 12 :
Ch9, starting in 2nd ch from hook β 8sc, 1sc in next sc (on Rnd)
Piece 13 :
Ch7, starting in 2nd ch from hook β 6sc, 1sc in next sc (on Rnd)
Space :
3sc (in next 3sts on Rnd, forming a gap between hair strands)
Piece 14 :
***Ch13, starting in 2nd ch from hook β INC, 1sc, INC, 9sc, 1sc in next st (on Rnd)
Piece 15 :
Repeat ***Ch13...
Piece 16 :
Repeat ***Ch13...
Piece 17 :
*Ch15, starting in 2nd ch from hook β INC, 1sc, INC, 11sc, 1sc in next sc (on Rnd)
Piece 18 :
**Ch17, starting in 2nd ch from hook β INC, 1sc, INC, 13sc, 1sc in next sc (on Rnd)
Piece 19 :
Repeat *Ch15...
Piece 20 :
Repeat **Ch17...
Piece 21 :
Repeat *Ch15... You should have 21 pieces of hair, with 2 spaces. (Fig. 19, 20)
Info :
Note: The hair piece will be placed on the head with the back side facing out, so that the curls are curling under. Using stick pins, fasten the middle section of the hair piece to the head, carefully centering the 5 shorter strands in front (back strands will reach the back of the neck area).
Glue :
When you are satisfied with placement, you can glue the middle of the hair piece to the top of the head, and re-pin it. Starting from the center of the back, carefully place glue under the 2 middle strands, gluing down to just above the curl. Pin down each strand. Hair strands should be touching each other and neatly lying flat around the back of the head (except for the curl at the end of each strand which will be loose).
Continue :
Continue to glue down and pin each strand around the back of the head, alternating between each side, until all 10 strands of hair on the back of the head are glued in place.
Front strands :
After the 10 strands of hair on the back of the head are glued and pinned in place, find the 6 strands above the ears (3 on each side β these were the ch13 pieces). Apply glue under the 3 side hair strands down to the ear. Glue down the middle strand first, with curl falling just in front of the ear, and pin in place. The 2 strands on either side of the middle strand will fall with their 2 curls above the middle strand curl. Glue and pin into place. Repeat on the other side.
Front bangs :
Start with the middle strand of the 5 front strands (bangs), glue it centered on the forehead. Next glue the 2 outer strands. Because they are shorter, the curls will be higher on the forehead than the middle curl. Leave a little space for the last 2 strands to fit. Add more glue if needed to attach the final 2 strands of hair. Allow time for craft glue to dry, then carefully remove stick pins.
Finishing :
At the back of the head: Arrange the slightly longer strands (ch17) to form a bottom row of curls, and the ch15 strands to form a row above the bottom row. The straight part of the 10 glued strands should lie side by side covering the back of the head so no skin color shows through. If spots are uneven add more glue and re-pin until shaped as desired.
β Diaper Wrap :
Info :
Using Yarn Over (v-stitch). Using 1.5mm hook (same hook size as doll). Using White or Natural White yarn. Start with Ch28, then join in a circle by making a sc into the beginning chain, being careful not to twist the row of chains. Place your marker and begin working in continuous rounds. Note: When you sew in your ends (after making the diaper wrap), you can make an invisible join with your starting tail.
Rnd 1-3 :
28sc (3 rounds) (Fig. 22) (28)
Info :
Leaving the marker in place, you will now change to Rows to form the crotch section. Note: Turning ch (ch1) will not be included in the stitch count, and the crotch rows will be designated with letters.
Row A :
BLO 8sc (skipping the rest of the round), ch1, turn (Fig. 23) (8)
Row B :
DEC, 4sc, DEC, ch1, turn (4)
Row C :
6sc, ch1, turn (6)
Row D :
DEC, 2sc, DEC, ch1, turn (Fig. 24) (4)
Row E-H :
4sc, ch1, turn (4 rows) (Fig. 25) (4)
Row I :
INC, 2sc, INC, ch1, turn (6)
Row J :
INC, 4sc, INC (Fig. 26) (8)
Info :
Cut yarn, leaving a tail for sewing. Sew crotch piece to waistband using a whipstitch through the inside loop (Fig. 28) on the waistband and both loops on the crotch piece (leaving the loop to the outside exposed for later). Be careful to center it (there will be 6sts on the waistband over each leg hole) (Fig. 27). Sew in ends.
Return :
Return to where your marker was, and continue with Round 4.
Rnd 4 :
(working into exposed front loops, and FLO) (3sc, INC) x7 (see photos below) (35)
Rnd 5 :
FLO 35sc (Fig. 29) (35)
Rnd 6 :
10sc, (INC, 1sc) x6, 13sc (41)
Rnd 7-8 :
41sc (2 rounds) (41)
Rnd 9 :
FLO 41sc (Fig. 30) (41)
Info :
Finish off with invisible join. Sew in ends. With garment facing you (join on starting round of chains on the waistband should be on the back side (see Fig. 32)). Take the right side and pinch it into creases. Using a bit of white yarn, sew through the creases from bottom to top and back again to hold them in position. Pull the yarn tight and knot it; sew in the ends. (Fig. 33β38)
β Halo :
Info :
Using Yarn Under (x-stitch). Using 2.0mm hook (0.5mm larger hook size than doll). Using Metallic Gold yarn.
Rnd 3 :
(1sc, INC) x8 (24)
Rnd 4 :
BLO β (1sc, INC, 1sc) x8 (32)
Rnd 5 :
(3sc, INC) x8 (40)
Rnd 6 :
(2sc, INC, 2sc) x8 (48)
Rnd 7 :
BLO β (5sc, INC) x8 (56)
Rnd 8 :
(3sc, INC, 3sc) x8 (64)
Rnd 9 :
(7sc, INC) x8 (Fig. 39) (72)
Info :
Do not finish off. Set aside to make second circle.
Using Golden Yellow yarn - Rnd 1 :
8sc in mr (8)
Rnd 3 :
(1sc, INC) x8 (24)
Rnd 4 :
(1sc, INC, 1sc) x8 (32)
Rnd 5 :
(3sc, INC) x8 (40)
Rnd 6 :
(2sc, INC, 2sc) x8 (48)
Rnd 7 :
(5sc, INC) x8 (56)
Rnd 8 :
(3sc, INC, 3sc) x8 (64)
Rnd 9 :
(7sc, INC) x8 (Fig. 40) (72)
Info :
Finish off with invisible join. Sew in ends.
Assembly - Halo :
Cut a piece of plastic canvas, cardboard, or other thin sturdy material into a circle slightly smaller than the crocheted circles. Place the 2 crocheted circles back-to-back, use the yarn from the Metallic Gold circle to crochet through both loops of matching sc on both circles. When you reach about 2/3 of the way around, insert the plastic canvas piece between the 2 circles and continue with sc around until the circles are fully sewn together. Finish off and sew in ends. Optional: Add a little fiber fill between the canvas piece and the Golden Yellow circle to puff out the back like a thin pillow.
This Baby Jesus amigurumi pattern blends tiny amigurumi skills with charming, heirloom-worthy details like a wet-blocked straw bed and a handcrafted wooden manger. The pattern includes detailed rounds, photo guides, and craft-stick templates so you can complete a beautiful nativity piece. Whether for a holiday display or a special gift, this little figure brings warmth and handmade magic to your home. π§Άβ¨π