Ellie Simmonds - Today's Inspiring Women

Ellie Simmonds - Today's Inspiring Women Crochet Doll

What is Being Made

This is a crocheted amigurumi-style doll inspired by Ellie Simmonds, part of the "Today's Inspiring Women" collection. The pattern creates a three-dimensional stuffed doll figure using the popular amigurumi technique, which involves crocheting small, densely-stitched pieces that are then stuffed and assembled into finished dolls and doll accessories.

Crochet Techniques Used

The pattern employs fundamental amigurumi construction methods suitable for beginners. Key techniques include:

• Magic ring or chain foundation: The pattern begins with a chain-4 base, demonstrating the foundational method for starting rounds in amigurumi
• Continuous rounds: Stitches are worked in continuous spiraling rounds rather than joined rounds, creating seamless fabric
• Increases and decreases: Strategic shaping is achieved through yarn-over increases and double crochet decreases (including dc3tog triple decreases) to form the contours of legs and body
• Back loop only (BLO) stitching: Working into back loops creates textured ridges, visible in Round 3 of the leg construction
• Stuffing and shaping: Polyfiber fill is added progressively during construction to maintain even density and shape

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes essential crochet stitches appropriate for amigurumi work:

• Chain stitch (ch): Used for the initial foundation
• Double crochet (dc): The primary stitch throughout, creating a dense, sturdy fabric ideal for stuffed toys
• Increases (inc): Two double crochets worked into the same stitch to expand rounds
• Decreases (dec, dc3tog): Double crochet decreases and triple decreases used to shape and reduce stitch counts

Materials Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK weight yarn in multiple colors for creating distinct design elements:

• Vanilla Cream (408) - Yarn A, used for legs
• Midnight Blue (438) - Yarn B, used for body sections
• Pillar Red (415) - Yarn C
• Pure Black (402) - Yarn D
• Daffodil Yellow (422) - Yarn E

Tools and Notions: A 2.5 mm crochet hook provides the appropriate gauge for DK weight yarn and creates the tight, dense stitches necessary for amigurumi. Additional materials include 6 mm safety eyes for facial features, polyfiber fill for stuffing, a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, and a stitch marker or scrap yarn for tracking round beginnings.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an excellent introduction to amigurumi doll-making. While it incorporates multiple techniques including increases, decreases, and color changes, each step is foundational and builds skills progressively. The straightforward leg construction (Rounds 1-11) provides practice before moving to more complex body shaping.

Pattern Format

This is a free, downloadable PDF pattern designed by Manuska Crochet and published by LoveCrafts, an independent designer brand. The pattern includes visual references (noted as "picture A" and "picture B") to guide construction of the doll components.