The holiday season is the perfect time for soft, simple, and meaningful crochet projects, and I’m so excited to begin a brand-new series: the Easy Nativity Collection! Just like my Santa & Friends patterns, this collection will feature small, beginner-friendly dolls with minimal sewing and lots of charm.
Today, we’re starting with Joseph — a gentle, peaceful figure with simple shapes, soft colors, and an easy construction that works up quickly. Whether you’re creating a full nativity scene, making keepsake gifts, or just looking for a calming Christmas project, this little Joseph doll is a wonderful place to begin.
Grab your yarn and hook — let’s crochet the first character of this heartfelt holiday collection!
Don’t forget to join my Facebook group HERE, where you can ask your questions and share your finished projects. I will regularly ask you what pattern you would like to see next (or you can even suggest something even if I am not asking!).
I hope you will enjoy and understand the pattern. If you have any questions, please write to me, I will try my best to help you. And I would love to see your work! Don’t forget to share your finished projects using the hashtag #natalinacraft. I love seeing your beautiful work!
Joseph Doll – Free Crochet Pattern
Start Here:
Please read the whole pattern properly before starting.
The pattern is written using US terms.
This pattern is made of the following parts:
- 1 Body
- 1 beard
- 1 veil
Size:
- 3 inches (8 cm) with light worsted yarn (I used I love this cotton from Hobby Lobby).
Material:
- Yarn calling for a US I-9 / 5.5 mm hook in light brown, dark brown, peach, and dark orange
- Size US C-2 / 2.75 mm crochet hook.
- 2 black safety eyes (5 mm)
- Stitch markers (if needed)
- Tapestry needle/ Small needle
- Polyfill
Abbreviations:
- chain (ch)
- magic ring (mr)
- single crochet (sc)
- increase (inc)
- invisible decrease (dec)
- slip stitch (sl st)
- double crochet (DC)
- Half double crochet (HDC)
Pattern: How to crochet a Joseph Doll?
Let’s start – Joseph doll – Free Crochet Pattern
The head and body – Joseph doll – Free Crochet Pattern
- The head and body are worked in continuous rounds (as a spiral). Use a stitch marker if needed.
- We start at the top of the head.
- Remember to stuff as you crochet.
With a 2.75 mm crochet and yarn in dark brown.
- Round 1: Start 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
- Round 2: [6 inc]. (12)
- Round 3: [1 inc in the next st, 1 sc]x6. (18)
Change for the peach yarn.
- Round 4: Working in the back loops only: 1 sc in all st. (18)
- Rounds 5-7: 1 sc in all st. (18)
- Round 8: [1 dec in the next st, 1 sc]x6. (12)
Place the safety eyes between Rounds 5 and 6, spaced by 2 stitches.
- Round 9: [2 sc, 1 dec in the next st]x3. (9)
Fill the head.
Change for the light brown yarn.
- Round 10: [9 inc]. (18)
- Rounds 11-19: 1 sc in all st. (18)
- Round 20: Working in the back loops only: [9 dec]. (9)
Fill the body.
Close the body: Using a tapestry needle, weave the yarn tail through the front loops of all 9 stitches and pull gently to close the opening. Secure the yarn and weave in the end.
With a 2.75 mm crochet and yarn in dark brown.
Join the dark brown yarn in any front loop stitches of Round 19 (I joined in the back to make it less visible).
- Round 21: Working in the front loops only: 1 sc in all st. (18).
Finish by a slst in the first sc of the round. Cut and secure the yarn.
The beard – Joseph Doll – Free Crochet Pattern
- The beard is worked in rows.
With a 2.75 mm crochet hook and yarn in dark brown.
- Row 1: ch 13. (13)
- Row 2: starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in all st. (12)
- Row 3: ch1, turn; [1 sc, (2 dc in the next st), 1sc] x4. (16)
Cut the yarn but leave a long tail for sewing. Sew the beard to Joseph’s face.
The Veil – Joseph doll – Free Crochet Pattern
- The veil is first worked in continuous rounds (as a spiral). Use a stitch marker if needed.
With a 2.75 mm crochet hook and yarn in light brown.
- Round 1: Start 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
- Round 2: [6 inc]. (12)
- Round 3: [1 inc in the next st, 1 sc]x6. (18)
- Round 4: [1 inc in the next st, 8 sc]x2. (20)
- Round 5: Working in the back loops only: 1 sc in all st. (20)
- Round 6: 1 sc in the next 14 st. (14)
We will now work in rows.
- Row 7: 1 sc in the next 12 st . (12)
- Row 8: ch1, turn. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 12 st. (12)
- Rows 9 to 12: ch1, turn. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 12 st. (12)
When you finish the last round, cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch to secure. Weave in the yarn tail with a tapestry needle and hide it inside the veil.
With a 2.75 mm crochet hook and yarn in dark orange.
Join the orange yarn in any front loop stitches of Round 4 (I joined in the back to make it less visible).
- Round 13: Working in the front loops only: 1 sc in all st. (20).
Finish by a slst in the first sc of the round. Cut and secure the yarn.
Copyright Notice:
All rights reserved. The pattern and photographs presented in this document are the sole property of Natalina Craft and are protected under copyright law. This pattern is provided for personal use only. Any unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, or distribution of this pattern or its contents is strictly prohibited.
You are permitted to sell finished items created from this pattern in limited quantities. If you choose to sell your finished products online, it would be greatly appreciated if you include a statement attributing the pattern to Natalina Craft and provide a link back to the original post. Thank you for your understanding and adherence to these guidelines.
Joseph Doll – Free Crochet Pattern
Free Crochet Pattern: Joseph Doll – Nativity Collection
Instructions
Joseph Doll - Free Crochet Pattern
Start Here:
Please read the whole pattern properly before starting.
The pattern is written using US terms.
This pattern is made of the following parts:
- 1 Body
- 1 beard
- 1 veil
Size:
- 3 inches (8 cm) with light worsted yarn (I used I love this cotton from Hobby Lobby).
Material:
- Yarn calling for a US I-9 / 5.5 mm hook in light brown, dark brown, peach, and dark orange
- Size US C-2 / 2.75 mm crochet hook.
- 2 black safety eyes (5 mm)
- Stitch markers (if needed)
- Tapestry needle/ Small needle
- Polyfill
Abbreviations:
- chain (ch)
- magic ring (mr)
- single crochet (sc)
- increase (inc)
- invisible decrease (dec)
- slip stitch (sl st)
- double crochet (DC)
- Half double crochet (HDC)
Pattern: How to crochet a Joseph Doll?
Let's start - Joseph doll - Free Crochet Pattern
The head and body - Joseph doll - Free Crochet Pattern
- The head and body are worked in continuous rounds (as a spiral). Use a stitch marker if needed.
- We start at the top of the head.
- Remember to stuff as you crochet.
With a 2.75 mm crochet and yarn in dark brown.
- Round 1: Start 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
- Round 2: [6 inc]. (12)
- Round 3: [1 inc in the next st, 1 sc]x6. (18)
Change for the peach yarn.
- Round 4: Working in the back loops only: 1 sc in all st. (18)
- Rounds 5-7: 1 sc in all st. (18)
- Round 8: [1 dec in the next st, 1 sc]x6. (12)
Place the safety eyes between Rounds 5 and 6, spaced by 2 stitches.
- Round 9: [2 sc, 1 dec in the next st]x3. (9)
Fill the head.
Change for the light brown yarn.
- Round 10: [9 inc]. (18)
- Rounds 11-19: 1 sc in all st. (18)
- Round 20: Working in the back loops only: [9 dec]. (9)
Fill the body.
Close the body: Using a tapestry needle, weave the yarn tail through the front loops of all 9 stitches and pull gently to close the opening. Secure the yarn and weave in the end.
With a 2.75 mm crochet and yarn in dark brown.
Join the dark brown yarn in any front loop stitches of Round 19 (I joined in the back to make it less visible).
- Round 21: Working in the front loops only: 1 sc in all st. (18).
Finish by a slst in the first sc of the round. Cut and secure the yarn.
The beard - Joseph Doll - Free Crochet Pattern
- The beard is worked in rows.
With a 2.75 mm crochet hook and yarn in dark brown.
- Row 1: ch 13. (13)
- Row 2: starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in all st. (12)
- Row 3: ch1, turn; [1 sc, (2 dc in the next st), 1sc] x4. (16)
Cut the yarn but leave a long tail for sewing. Sew the beard to Santa's face.
The Veil - Joseph doll - Free Crochet Pattern
- The veil is first worked in continuous rounds (as a spiral). Use a stitch marker if needed.
With a 2.75 mm crochet hook and yarn in light brown.
- Round 1: Start 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
- Round 2: [6 inc]. (12)
- Round 3: [1 inc in the next st, 1 sc]x6. (18)
- Round 4: [1 inc in the next st, 8 sc]x2. (20)
- Round 5: Working in the back loops only: 1 sc in all st. (20)
- Round 6: 1 sc in the next 14 st. (14)
We will now work in rows.
- Row 7: 1 sc in the next 12 st . (12)
- Row 8: ch1, turn. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 12 st. (12)
- Rows 9 to 12: ch1, turn. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 12 st. (12)
When you finish the last round, cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch to secure. Weave in the yarn tail with a tapestry needle and hide it inside the veil.
With a 2.75 mm crochet hook and yarn in dark orange.
Join the orange yarn in any front loop stitches of Round 4 (I joined in the back to make it less visible).
- Round 13: Working in the front loops only: 1 sc in all st. (20).
Finish by a slst in the first sc of the round. Cut and secure the yarn.
Copyright Notice:
All rights reserved. The pattern and photographs presented in this document are the sole property of Natalina Craft and are protected under copyright law. This pattern is provided for personal use only. Any unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, or distribution of this pattern or its contents is strictly prohibited.
You are permitted to sell finished items created from this pattern in limited quantities. If you choose to sell your finished products online, it would be greatly appreciated if you include a statement attributing the pattern to Natalina Craft and provide a link back to the original post. Thank you for your understanding and adherence to these guidelines.
Joseph Doll - Free Crochet Pattern