Today I’m excited to share another peaceful addition to the Easy Nativity Collection — the Shepherd. Designed with simple shapes, soft colors, and minimal sewing, this shepherd doll is quick to make and perfect for beginners. With his little staff and gentle expression, he adds a charming and meaningful touch to your handmade nativity scene.
Like the rest of the collection, this pattern is easy to assemble, making it a relaxing project for the holiday season. Whether you’re building the full nativity set or looking for a small, heartfelt ornament or gift, this shepherd will fit beautifully into your Christmas décor.
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!
Shepherd 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 veil
- 1 stick
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, beige and red.
- 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 Shepherd Doll?
Let’s start – Shepherd doll – Free Crochet Pattern
The head and body – Shepherd 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 dark 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 beige.
Join the beige 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 stick – Shepherd Doll – Free Crochet Pattern
- The stick is worked in rows.
With a 2.75 mm crochet hook and yarn in light brown.
- Row 1: ch 16. (16)
- Row 2: starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 slst in the next 3 ch; 2 slst in the next ch; 1 slst in the next 11 ch. (16)
Cut the yarn but leave a long tail for sewing. Sew the stick to the shepherd’s body as shown in the pictures below.
The Veil – Shepherd 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 beige.
- 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 red.
Join the red 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.
Shepherd Doll – Free Crochet Pattern