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Menina The Ladies in Waiting Amigurumi Pattern

Menina The Ladies in Waiting Amigurumi Pattern
4.4★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
1.9K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🧸

Cute Companion

An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.

About This Menina The Ladies in Waiting Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates a sweet little 'Lady in Waiting' amigurumi with a shaped head, fitted bodice, full skirt and decorative overskirt. It includes two sleeve styles (Type A and Type B), a lace neckline, bow and flower embellishments. The instructions walk you through each piece and how to assemble everything to create a polished finished doll.

Menina The Ladies in Waiting Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Worked in cotton yarn with a 2.5mm hook, the design is adaptable to different colour schemes and small custom details. Ideal for making a little collection of ladies in different colours.

Why You'll Love This Menina The Ladies in Waiting Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines classic amigurumi shaping with charming historical-inspired clothing, giving each doll a lot of personality. I enjoy how the overskirt and decorative collar let me play with colours and texture for a unique finish. The pattern encourages careful assembly and finishing, which I find very satisfying and gives a professional result. It is also versatile — I can make tiny changes to create many different characters from the same base design.

Menina The Ladies in Waiting Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Menina The Ladies in Waiting Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Menina The Ladies in Waiting Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Menina The Ladies in Waiting Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how versatile this pattern is for customization! You can change the dress colours to create seasonal or themed ladies — think pastels for spring or jewel tones for a festive look.

Want a sturdier upright doll? Insert a wooden skewer or dowel through the base up into the head for extra support and a taller silhouette.

To make a mini keychain version, use finer yarn and a smaller hook; reduce the skirt rounds and skip the cardboard base for a pocket-sized charm.

I often swap the collar style and add little embroidered details down the bodice to personalize each doll — tiny hearts, initials or small floral motifs work beautifully.

Try adding wired limbs or a small armature if you want posable arms; wrap thin floral wire inside the arm stuffing before closing.

For a plush, luxurious feel, use a soft DK or sport-weight cotton rather than a stiffer organic cotton — this changes the drape of the skirt nicely.

I sometimes make a matching set of ladies with coordinated palettes and slightly different hairstyles to create a themed display or gift set.

Use felt pieces or safety eyes for alternate faces, or embroider delicate facial features for a softer, handmade look.

Experiment with trims: a tiny picot edge on the overskirt, a contrast crab stitch row, or simple bead accents can elevate the finished doll.

Finally, have fun mixing techniques — crochet flowers, tiny bows, and layered collars make this pattern a wonderful playground for creative tweaks that make each doll uniquely yours.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers when joining rounds can make it hard to locate the start; place a marker at the first stitch of each round to stay oriented. ✗ Forgetting to stuff as you go causes lumps or uneven shaping; add stuffing gradually and evenly to maintain smooth curves and silhouette. ✗ Not counting stitches after increases and decreases leads to incorrect shaping; count stitches at the end of each round and correct mistakes immediately. ✗ Using a looser tension than recommended will change the proportions and look of the doll; use the specified hook and maintain consistent tension for best results.

Menina The Ladies in Waiting Amigurumi Pattern

Create a charming hand-crocheted lady in waiting doll with this detailed pattern. You will make a dressed amigurumi with shaped head, body, arms, skirt and decorative overskirt and accessories. The pattern uses simple amigurumi techniques and offers options for two sleeve styles and decorative details. Perfect for gifting or displaying as a sweet handmade collectible.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Menina The Ladies in Waiting Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Schachenmayr Organic Cotton yarn - hanks of 50 grams and 155 metres (main supply)
  • 02
    Dress colours - two or three colours as desired (quantities depend on chosen palette)
  • 03
    Colour flesh - small amount for head, arms and neck
  • 04
    Colour for the hair - small amount
  • 05
    A little third colour for flowers or decorations (optional)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Hook no 2.5 (2.5mm crochet hook)
  • 02
    Fibre for filling (polyester stuffing)
  • 03
    A piece of cardboard (for skirt base)
  • 04
    A small amount of white yarn (for finishing details)
  • 05
    Darning needle (for sewing and weaving in ends)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Arms :

Round 1 :

4 sc in a magic ring

Round 2 :

(1 inc) x 4 ....... (8sc)

Round 3 to 21 :

8sc

Info :

Cut the thread and close. Leave aside until later

— Body :

Info :

With the colour chosen for the body, make 28 chains and close with a sl.st.

Round 1 to 12 :

28sc

Info :

Cut the thread and weave in the loose ends.

Round 13 :

With the flesh colour, on top of the last row make a row of slip stitches. Row 13: 28 slip stitches.

Info :

On the next row join the arms to the body. Make single crochets in the back loop BLO of the slip stitch on the previous row.

Round 14 :

2sc, 1 dec, 3sc, Take one of the arms and make 6sc around the top. Leave the loose strand at the bottom. 3sc, 1 dec, 4sc, 1 dec, 3sc, Take the other arm and work 6sc. Leave the strand at the bottom to use later. 3sc, 1 dec, 2sc. (36 sts)

Info :

With a darning needle sew the hole inside the arms, using the attached strand.

Round 15 :

(4sc, 1 dec) x 6 (30 sts)

Round 16 :

(3sc, 1 dec) x 6 (24 sts)

Round 17 :

1sc, 1 dec, 1sc, 2 dec, 1sc, 1 dec, 2sc, 1 dec, 1sc, 2 dec, 1sc, 1 dec, 1sc (16 sts)

Round 18 :

1sc, 1 dec, 2sc.., 1 dec, 2sc, 1 dec, 2sc, 1 dec, 1sc (12 sts)

Round 19 to 21 :

12sc

— Head :

Round 1 :

1 inc in every stitch (24 sts)

Round 2 :

(3sc, 1 inc) x 6 (30 st)

Round 3 :

(1 inc, 4sc) x 6 (36 sts)

Round 4 :

2sc, 1 inc, (5sc, 1 inc) x 5 , 3sc....... (42 sts)

Round 5 :

(6sc, 1 inc) x 6 .......(48 sts)

Round 6 to 14 :

48sc

Round 15 :

(6sc, 1 dec) x 6 (42 sts)

Round 16 :

2sc, 1 dec, (5sc and 1 dec) x 5, 3sc........ (36 sts)

Round 17 :

(4sc, 1 dec) x 6............ (30 sts)

Round 18 :

(3sc, 1 dec) x 6 .......(24 sts)

Round 19 :

(2sc and 1 dec) x 6 ........(18 sts)

Info :

Fill the head

Round 20 :

(1sc and 1 dec) x 6 .........(12 sts)

Info :

Finish filling.

Round 21 :

6 dec (6 sts)

Info :

Cut the yarn and close the head. Fill the body and sew closed along the bottom.

— Skirt :

Info :

Use a colour different from the body. Make 30 ch and close the loop with a sl.st. Leave a long strand to sew the skirt to the body

Round 1 :

30sc

Round 2 :

30sc

Round 3 :

5sc, 6 inc, 9sc, 6 inc, 4sc (42 sts)

Round 4 :

5sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 9sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc (50 sts)

Round 5 :

5sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 9sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc (58 sts)

Round 6 :

7sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 13sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 6sc (66 sts)

Round 7 :

11sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 21sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 10sc (74 sts)

Round 8 :

14sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 7sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 13sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 7sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 13sc (82 sts)

Info :

Now place this part of the skirt on a piece cardboard and draw round the outline. Trim and leave until later.

Round 9 :

82 sc blo

Round 10 to 35 :

82 sts

Info :

Cut the yarn and weave in the loose ends.

— Overskirt :

Info :

If you want to make the Lady in waiting in two colours, make the overskirt with the same colour as used for the body. If you want to make the Lady in waiting in three colours, make the overskirt with a third colour. Make 32ch. Leave a long strand to sew on to the body. Finish all rows with 1ch and turn. From the 2nd ch from the hook.

Round 1 :

31sc.

Round 2 :

31sc

Round 3 :

5sc, 6 inc, 9sc, 6 inc, 5sc (43 sts)

Round 4 :

5sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 9sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 5sc (51 sts)

Round 5 :

5sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 9sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc (59 sts)

Round 6 :

7sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 13sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 7sc (67 sts)

Round 7 :

11sc, 1 inc, 12sc, 1 inc, 18sc, 1 inc, 12sc, 1 inc, 11sc (71 sts)

Round 8 :

14sc, 1 inc, 10sc, 1 inc, 20sc, 1 inc, 10sc, 1 inc, 14sc (75sts)

Round 9 to 11 :

Skip the 1st stitch then make a single crochet in every stitch of the row until the last and finish with a sl.st. Cut the yarn and weave in the loose thread.

Info :

Now start at one end and work a row of crab stitch. If you are making the Lady in waiting in two colours, work a row of sl.sts on the row of starting chains.

— Dress Base :

Info :

In a magic circle make, 6 p.b.

Round 1 :

6 inc (12 sts)

Round 2 :

(1sc, 1 inc) x 6 (18 sts)

Round 3 :

(2sc, 1 inc) x 6 (24 sts)

Round 4 :

(3sc, 1 inc) x 6 (30 sts)

Round 5 :

5sc, 6 inc, 9sc, 6 inc, 4sc (42 sts)

Round 6 :

5sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 9sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 4sc (50 sts)

Round 7 :

5sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4 pb, 1 aum. 9sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc (58 sts)

Round 8 :

7sc, inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4 sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 13sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 4sc, 1 inc, 6sc (66 sts)

Round 9 :

11sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 21sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 2sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 10sc (74 sts)

Round 10 :

14sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 7sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 13sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 7sc, 1 inc, 3sc, 1 inc, 13sc (82 sts)

Round 11 :

10sc, 4hdc, 1 inc (hdc) 3hdc, 1 inc (hdc), 7hdc, 1 inc (hdc), 3hdc, 1 inc (hdc), 3hdc, 1 inc (sc), 3hdc, 1 inc (hdc) 7hdc, 1 inc (hdc) 3hdc, 1 inc (hdc), 4hdc, 10sc. (90sts)

Round 12 :

90sc. Cut the yarn and weave in the loose ends.

Info :

Lightly iron the base of the dress. Adjust the size of the cardboard to the base. The crochet base must be wider than that of the cardboard, so you can then sew it to the skirt easily. Pour some white glue into the cardboard and stick to the base. Let dry.

— Hair :

Info :

The first 8 rows are worked in a spiral, end them by making 1 sl.st, 1ch turn and work in the other direction. The rest of the rows will end with 1ch and turn. In magic circle make 6sc.

Round 1 :

6 inc, 1ch and turn (12 sts)

Round 2 :

(1sc, 1 inc) x 6 (18 sts)

Round 3 :

(2sc, 1 inc) x 6 (24 sts)

Round 4 :

(3sc, 1 inc) x 6 (30 sts)

Round 5 :

(4sc, 1 inc) x 6 (36 sts)

Round 6 :

(5sc, 1 inc) x 6 (42 sts)

Round 7 :

(6sc, 1 inc) x 6 (48 sts)

Round 8 :

10sc (1 inc, 1sc) x 6, 11sc, (1 inc, 1sc) x 6, 3sc (60 sts)

Round 9 :

54sc The 6 unworked stitches will form the fringe.

Round 10 :

1sc, 1 inc, 50sc, 1 inc, 1sc (56sts)

Round 11 :

56sc

Round 12 :

1sc, 1 inc, 52sc, 1 inc, 1sc (58 sts)

Round 13 :

58sc

Round 14 :

1sc, 1 inc, 48sc, 1 sl.st. (7 stitches remaining.) turn

Round 15 :

Skip the 1st sl.st and make 42sc, - 1sl.st. (8 stitches remaining) turn

Round 16 :

Skip the 1st sl.st and make 48sc, - now work the sl.st that was skipped on the previous row - 1 inc, 1sc.

Round 17 :

60sc and work the sl.st skipped on the previous row.

Round 18 :

1sc , 1 inc, 48sc, 1sl.st. Turn. 9 stitches remaining

Round 19 :

Skip the 1st sl.st and work 40sc, 1sl.st. 10 stitches remaining.

Round 20 :

Skip the 1st sl.st, 48sc, - now work the sl.st that was skipped on the previous row - 1 inc, 1sc.

Round 21 :

62sc now work the sl.st that was skipped on the previous row

Round 22 :

1sc, 1inc, 58sc, 1 inc, 1sc.

Round 23 :

64sc

Round 24 :

3 double decs, (2sc, 1 dec) x 11, 2sc, 3 double decs. 41 sts

Round 25 :

1 double decs, (1sc, 1 dec ) x 11 , 2sc, 1 double decs. Cut the yarn and weave in loose ends.

— Lady in Waiting Type A - Sleeve :

Info :

With the colour of yarn used for the body make 10ch and close the circle with a sl.st.

Round 1 :

10sc

Round 2 :

10 inc (20 sts)

Round 3 :

20sc

Round 4 :

20sc

Round 5 :

(3sc, 1 dec) x 4 (16 sts)

Round 6 :

16sc

Round 7 :

(2sc, 1 dec) x 4 (12sts)

Round 8 to 20 :

12sc

Info :

Cut the yarn and weave in the starting thread. The thread at the end will be used to attach the sleeve to the body

— Lace for the Neckline :

Info :

Make 35 ch

Round 1 :

35 sl.st.

Round 2 :

35sc

Round 3 :

(1sc, 1dc, 1sc in the same stitch, 1sl.st in the next stitch) repeat until the end of the row.

Info :

Now with slip stitches position yourself at the height of the initial chain and make: *3ch, skip 1ch and sl.st into the next stitch*. Repeat from *a* until all the chain is covered. Weave in one of the loose ends, the other one will be use to sew it onto the body.

— Bow :

Info :

10 ch. - The last 3 count as 1dc. Work 5 rows each with 7dc. Cut the yarn and weave in the ends. Wind a strand of yarn wind two or three times around the middle of the loop, to shape it. Use the same strand to sew it onto the hair.

— Lady in Waiting Type B - Sleeve :

Info :

Make to the same. Make 16 chains and starting in the 2nd chain from the hook: Make 15sc, 1ch and turn. 1st: 15sc flo, 1ch and turn. 2nd: 15sc blo, 1ch and turn. Repeat these 2 rows 18 times. Along one side make 20sc, 1 sl.st. Close into a circle by making 1sc onto the 1st sl.st of the row and working on this chain make 20sc around the sleeve.

Info :

Make 10 dec. Work 5 rows of single crochets on these 10 stitches. Cut the yarn and weave in the ends. Sew up the side of the sleeve. Using the starting yarn slightly gather the top of the sleeve. Leave until later.

— Collar :

Info :

Make 39 chains. Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook: Work 38sc.

Round 1 :

12sc, 3sc in the same stitch, 12sc, 3sc in the same stitch, 12sc. 42 sts

Round 2 :

42sc.

Round 3 :

13sc, 3sc in the same stitch, 14sc, 3sc in the same stitch, 13sc. 46 sts.

Round 4 :

46sc. Close and weave in the loose ends. Keep the starting thread to sew onto the body.

— Flower :

Info :

Using a colour that will stand out on the colour of the dress and the hair make 15ch. *Skip a chain and in the next make 1sc, 1hdc, 1sc.* Repeat * to * 7 times. Roll up the petals and make a few stitches at the back hold them together.

— To Make Up (Assembly) :

Info :

Once all the elements have been made you will need to sew them together. Pull the sleeve over the arm and sew to the shoulder. Sew the collars around the neckline (style A or B). Hold in position with pins first to get it even.

Info :

Now you must add the skirt. With pins position around the waist and sew to the body. Do the same with the overskirt.

Info :

Now we will have to fill the skirt and to help the Lady in waiting stay upright, especially the head, insert a stick, skewer type that goes from the base to the head.

Info :

To attach the base to the skirt use the crochet hook, taking a chain from the base and another chain of the skirt and making slip stitches. Check that the skirt is filled enough before completely closing.

Info :

Position the hair and hold in place with pins the 'face'. And to finish position the bow or flower in one of the corners of the fringe. To the Lady in waiting type A sew 3 small bows down the centre of the body from the centre of the neckline to the edge of the overskirt using the same colour yarn.

Assembly Instructions

  • Pull the sleeve over the arm and sew to the shoulder, using pins to hold it in place and the starting thread to secure it neatly.
  • Sew the collars around the neckline (choose Style A or Style B) and secure with small stitches, holding in position with pins to ensure even placement.
  • Position the overskirt and skirt around the waist, pin evenly and sew the skirt to the body; attach the overskirt on top in the same way.
  • Attach the hair to the head using pins for placement, then sew it down securely; add the bow or flower to the fringe corner for decoration.
  • Insert a skewer or stick from the base through the skirt up to the head to help the doll stay upright before finally closing the base.
  • Attach the dress base to the skirt by taking a chain from the base and a chain from the skirt and joining with slip stitches, then weave in ends.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use a 2.5mm hook and consistent tension to achieve the correct finished size and stitch density.
  • 💡Pin all pieces in place before sewing to check for symmetry and correct positioning of sleeves, collar and skirt.
  • 💡Weave in and secure loose ends as you go to keep the work tidy and make finishing quicker.

This delightful Menina doll pattern brings a little piece of handmade charm to your home with layered skirts and sweet trims. Whether you make one or a whole court of colours, each Lady in Waiting is unique and joyful to create. Enjoy the slow, satisfying process of shaping, stitching and finishing every small detail. 🧶🌸✨

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished amigurumi measures approximately 18-22 cm tall depending on yarn tension and any internal support used.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will affect the final size. Make sure to use an appropriate hook size for your chosen yarn and adjust the cardboard base accordingly.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so basic knowledge of crochet stitches and techniques is recommended for best results.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in 5-7 hours, though time may vary based on experience level and working pace.