Welcome to this delightful project featuring a sophisticated Poodle character dressed in a vibrant coral ballgown, ready for a garden stroll with her tiny duckling companion. This design captures the essence of spring with its rich textures, from the curly loop-stitch hair to the “hundred-petal” ranunculus flowers adorning the hat. This project is perfect for intermediate crocheters looking to create a high-quality, boutique-style doll. Whether you are crafting for a collection or creating a special gift, this duo is sure to impress.

Before beginning, ensure you have the right materials. For the best definition, I recommend using a high-quality semi-cotton yarn (50% cotton, 50% acrylic) in Sport weight. If you need to stock up, you can buy yarn and ergonomic hooks on major online retailers like Amazon to find the specific coral and vintage cream shades required. The estimated cost to make this doll is approximately $15-$20 depending on your yarn stash. Once completed, a handmade doll of this detail and size can easily have a selling price of $65 to $85 on handmade marketplaces due to the intricate accessories and outfit details.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Materials & Tools

• Yarn (Sport Weight/Fine #2):
  • Light Brown (Skin/Fur)
  • Coral Orange (Dress & Shoes)
  • White (Lace top sleeves & socks)
  • Cream/Beige (Hat)
  • Bright Yellow (Umbrella & Duckling)
  • Scrap amounts of Pink, Peach, Orange, and Green (Flowers)
  • Tiny amount of Orange (Duck beak)
• Hooks: 2.5mm (for the doll and duck) and 3.0mm (for the dress and hat to keep them airy).
• Safety Eyes: 10mm black eyes (Puppy), 5mm black eyes (Duckling).
• Stuffing: High-quality fiberfill.
• Wire: Thin craft wire for the umbrella handle (optional).
• Needle: Tapestry needle for assembly.
• Stitch Markers.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR: Magic Ring
• ch: Chain
• sc: Single Crochet
• hdc: Half Double Crochet
• dc: Double Crochet
• inc: Increase (2 sc in one st)
• dec: Decrease (sc 2 together)
• sl st: Slip stitch
• BLO: Back Loop Only
• FLO: Front Loop Only
• st(s): Stitch(es)

Part 1: The Poodle Head

Use Light Brown yarn and 2.5mm hook. Work in a continuous spiral.

1. R1: MR, 6 sc (6)
2. R2: inc in each st (12)
3. R3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
4. R4: (sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
5. R5: (sc 3, inc) x 6 (30)
6. R6: (sc 4, inc) x 6 (36)
7. R7: (sc 5, inc) x 6 (42)
8. R8: (sc 6, inc) x 6 (48)
9. R9: (sc 7, inc) x 6 (54)
10. R10-R20: sc in each st around (54) [11 rounds]
11. R21: (sc 7, dec) x 6 (48)
12. R22: (sc 6, dec) x 6 (42)
13. R23: (sc 5, dec) x 6 (36)
14. Insert 10mm safety eyes between R17 and R18, 9 stitches apart.
15. R24: (sc 4, dec) x 6 (30)
16. Start stuffing the head firmly.
17. R25: (sc 3, dec) x 6 (24)
18. R26: (sc 2, dec) x 6 (18)
19. R27: (sc 1, dec) x 6 (12)
20. R28: dec x 6 (6)
21. Fasten off and weave in ends.

The Muzzle

Use Light Brown yarn.

1. R1: MR, 6 sc (6)
2. R2: inc in each st (12)
3. R3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
4. R4: (sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
5. R5-R6: sc in each st around (24)
6. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Embroider a triangular black nose on the tip. Sew the muzzle to the face between the eyes, stuffing lightly before closing.

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Part 2: The Curly Wig

This creates the poodle texture. Use Light Brown (or a slightly darker shade for contrast).

1. R1: MR, 6 sc (6)
2. R2: BLO inc in each st (12)
3. R3: BLO (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
4. R4: BLO (sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
5. R5: BLO (sc 3, inc) x 6 (30)
6. R6: BLO (sc 4, inc) x 6 (36)
7. R7: BLO (sc 5, inc) x 6 (42)
8. R8-R12: BLO sc in each st around (42)
9. The Curls: Now, go back to the front loops we left unworked, starting from the center MR and spiraling out to the edge. Join yarn to the first FL.
10. Curl Pattern: (Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 4 chs, sl st into next FL on the wig cap) repeat until the entire head is covered in ringlets.
11. Sew the wig onto the head.

Part 3: Arms (White Lace Sleeves)

Start with Light Brown (Hands), change to White (Sleeves). Make 2.

1. R1: (Brown) MR, 6 sc (6)
2. R2: (sc 2, inc) x 2 (8)
3. R3-R4: sc in each st around (8)
4. R5: Change to White. sc in each st around (8)
5. R6: (sc 1, inc) x 4 (12)
6. R7-R15: Texture Row: (sc in next st, dc in next st) repeat around. This alternating height creates a faux lace texture. (12)
7. R16: (sc 1, dec) x 4 (8)
8. Stuff hand only. Flatten top of arm and sc across to close. Fasten off.

Part 4: Legs and Body

Start with Coral Orange (Shoes).

Legs (Make 2)

1. R1: Ch 6, start in 2nd ch: sc 4, 3 sc in last st. Turn work to oval side: sc 3, inc (12)
2. R2: inc, sc 3, 3 inc, sc 3, 2 inc (18)
3. R3: BLO sc in each st around (18)
4. R4-R5: sc in each st around (18)
5. R6: sc 5, 4 dec, sc 5 (14)
6. R7: sc 5, 2 dec, sc 5 (12)
7. R8: Change to Light Brown. BLO sc in each st (12)
8. R9-R18: sc in each st around (12)
9. Fasten off first leg. Do not cut yarn on second leg.

Body

1. R19: From second leg, ch 4, join to first leg with sl st. sc 12 (leg 1), sc 4 (on chain), sc 12 (leg 2), sc 4 (on other side of chain) (32)
2. R20-R24: sc in each st around (32)
3. R25: Change to White (Undergarment/Top). sc in each st around (32)
4. R26: BLO sc in each st around (32) (This loop is for attaching the dress later if you want it sewn on, or just for definition).
5. R27-R29: sc in each st around (32)
6. R30: (sc 6, dec) x 4 (28)
7. R31-R32: sc in each st around (28)
8. R33: (sc 5, dec) x 4 (24)
9. R34: sc in each st around (24)
10. R35: (sc 2, dec) x 6 (18)
11. Fasten off, leave long tail. Sew head to body. Sew arms to R34.

Part 5: The Coral Ballgown

Use Coral Orange. We work the bodice in rows, then the skirt in rounds. This dress is meant to be very puffy.

1. Bodice Row 1: Ch 25 (ensure it fits around the doll’s waist), sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (24). Ch 1, turn.
2. Row 2-5: sc across (24).
3. Row 6: (sc 2, inc) x 8 (32). Join with sl st to first st to begin working in rounds.
4. Skirt R1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same st. 3 dc in every st around. (96) This creates the massive volume. Join.
5. Skirt R2: Ch 3, dc in each st around. Join.
6. Skirt R3: (dc 7, inc) around. Join.
7. Skirt R4-R10: dc in each st around. Continue until the dress covers the ankles.
8. Skirt R11: Reverse sc (crab stitch) all around the hem for a decorative finish.
9. Assembly: Sew the back of the bodice closed or add a small button. Put the dress on the doll.

Shoes Strap

Revisit the BLO of R8 on the legs. With Coral Orange, attach yarn, ch 4 to cross the foot, sl st to opposite side to create the Mary Jane strap.

Part 6: Floppy Hat & Ranunculus Wreath

Hat Base

Use Cream yarn.

1. R1: MR, 6 sc (6)
2. R2: inc around (12)
3. R3: (sc 1, inc) around (18)
4. R4: (sc 2, inc) around (24)
5. R5: (sc 3, inc) around (30)
6. R6: (sc 4, inc) around (36)
7. R7: (sc 5, inc) around (42)
8. R8-R11: sc around (42)
9. R12 (Brim): FLO. Ch 2, dc inc in each st around (84). Join.
10. R13: (dc 6, inc) around. Join.
11. R14: sc in each st around for a clean edge. Fasten off.

Ranunculus Flowers

Make 5-6 in different colors (Pink, Peach, Orange). These are rolled flowers.

1. Ch 15.
2. In 4th ch from hook, make 2 dc.
3. 3 dc in every ch st across. The strip will curl naturally.
4. Roll the strip into a tight rosette to mimic the layers of a Ranunculus. Stitch the bottom securely.
5. Sew the flowers onto the hat band area. Add small green leaves (Ch 4, sl st, sc, hdc, sl st) between them.

Part 7: Accessories

Yellow Umbrella (Closed)

Use Bright Yellow.

1. R1: MR, 4 sc (4)
2. R2: (sc 1, inc) x 2 (6)
3. R3-R4: sc around (6)
4. R5: (sc 2, inc) x 2 (8)
5. R6-R12: sc around (8). Stuff lightly at the bottom, keep top empty.
6. R13: (sc 1, ch 3, sc in same st) in each st around to create the ruffled edge of a closed umbrella.
7. Handle: Take a piece of craft wire approx 10cm long. Wrap it tightly in yellow yarn. Insert into the umbrella cone (secure with glue). Bend the exposed bottom into a “J” shape.

The Little Duckling

Use Bright Yellow.

1. Head/Body: MR, 6 sc.
2. R2: inc around (12).
3. R3: (sc 1, inc) around (18).
4. R4-R6: sc around (18).
5. R7: (sc 1, dec) around (12). Stuff firmly.
6. R8: (sc 2, dec) x 3 (9).
7. R9: dec around until closed. Fasten off.
8. Wings (Make 2): Ch 4, dc in 3rd ch, hdc in next. Sew to sides.
9. Beak: Use Orange. Ch 2, 3 sc in 2nd ch. Sew to face.
10. Eyes: Use 5mm safety eyes or black embroidery knots.

Final Assembly

Dress your Poodle in her coral gown. Place the floral hat on her head (you can tack it down with a few stitches if desired). Hook the umbrella handle over her arm. Place the little duckling by her feet. Your scene is now complete!

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