Crochet a Vincent van Gogh Amigurumi Doll

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Vincent van Gogh

Celebrate one of history’s most beloved artists by creating your own miniature Vincent van Gogh amigurumi doll! This charming 10cm (4-inch) crochet figure captures the essence of the famous painter—complete with his signature straw hat, red beard, bandaged ear, blue jacket, and even a tiny sunflower. This step-by-step tutorial will guide you through creating this adorable art-inspired amigurumi that’s perfect for art lovers, crafters, and collectors alike.

Vincent van Gogh Materials Needed

Before you begin your artistic crocheting journey, gather these supplies:

  • Cotton yarn in these colors:
    • Beige (for skin)
    • Red/orange (for beard and hair)
    • Dark blue (for jacket)
    • White (for bandage and shirt)
    • Dark gray (for pants)
    • Gray (for accent)
    • Yellow (for sunflower petals)
    • Brown (for sunflower center)
    • Mustard/tan (for straw hat)
  • Tools and notions:
    • 2.5mm or 2.75mm crochet hook
    • Fiberfill stuffing
    • Yarn needle
    • Scissors
    • 9mm safety eyes
    • Stitch markers

Abbreviations and Terms

  • MR – Magic ring
  • CH – Chain stitch
  • SL ST – Slip stitch
  • SC – Single crochet
  • HDC – Half double crochet
  • DC – Double crochet
  • TR – Treble crochet
  • INC – Increase (2 SC in same stitch)
  • DEC – Decrease (2 SC together)
  • FLO – Front loop only
  • BLO – Back loop only

Vincent van Gogh Creating the Legs and Body

Legs (Make 2)

  1. Using dark gray yarn:
    • Round 1: 6 SC in magic ring
    • Round 2: 6 INC (12 SC)
    • Round 3: BLO 12 SC
    • Rounds 4-5: 12 SC
  2. Cut yarn after completing the first leg. For the second leg, follow the same pattern but don’t cut the yarn after Round 5.
  3. Join the legs:
    • Round 6: Attach first leg with 1 SC, then 23 SC around both legs (24 SC total)

Body

  1. Continuing from the joined legs:
    • Rounds 7-8: 24 SC
    • Round 9: (3 SC, INC) x 6 (30 SC)
    • Round 10: 30 SC
  2. Change to gray yarn:
    • Round 10.5: 30 SL ST
    • Round 11: BLO 30 SC
  3. Change to red yarn:
    • Round 12: (3 SC, DEC) x 6 (24 SC)
  4. Change to gray yarn:
    • Rounds 13-14: 24 SC
    • Round 15: (2 SC, DEC) x 6 (18 SC)
    • Rounds 16-17: 18 SC

Stuff the body firmly with fiberfill. Leave a long tail for attaching the head later.

Vincent van Gogh Creating the Jacket

The blue jacket is what gives this amigurumi its distinctive van Gogh look. We’ll create it using rows rather than rounds:

  1. Using dark blue yarn:
    • Row 1: Chain 19, turn
    • Row 2: 18 SC, CH 1, turn
    • Row 3: 2 SC, INC, 12 SC, INC, 2 SC, CH 1, turn (20 SC)
    • Row 4: 3 SC, INC, 12 SC, INC, 3 SC, CH 1, turn (22 SC)
    • Row 5: 4 SC, INC, 12 SC, INC, 4 SC, CH 1, turn (24 SC)
    • Row 6: 5 SC, INC, 12 SC, INC, 5 SC, CH 1, turn (26 SC)
    • Row 7: 26 SC, CH 1, turn
    • Row 8: 6 SC, INC, 12 SC, INC, 6 SC, CH 1, turn (28 SC)
  2. Border: Turn, CH 1, and SC evenly around all edges of the rectangle to create a finished look.

Vincent van Gogh Arms (Make 2)

  1. Using beige yarn:
    • Round 1: 6 SC in magic ring
    • Round 2: (2 SC, INC) x 2 (8 SC)
    • Round 3: 8 SC
  2. Change to blue yarn:
    • Rounds 4-9: 8 SC

Leave a long tail for attaching to the body.

The head forms the centerpiece of your amigurumi, so take care with the shaping:

  1. Using beige yarn:
    • Round 1: 6 SC in magic ring
    • Round 2: 6 INC (12 SC)
    • Round 3: (SC, INC) x 6 (18 SC)
    • Round 4: (2 SC, INC) x 6 (24 SC)
    • Round 5: (3 SC, INC) x 6 (30 SC)
    • Round 6: (4 SC, INC) x 6 (36 SC)
    • Round 7: (5 SC, INC) x 6 (42 SC)
    • Rounds 8-15: 42 SC (8 rounds)
    • Round 16: (5 SC, DEC) x 6 (36 SC)
    • Round 17: (4 SC, DEC) x 6 (30 SC)
  2. Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 13-14 with approximately 6 stitches between them.
  3. Continue decreasing:
    • Round 18: (3 SC, DEC) x 6 (24 SC)
    • Round 19: (2 SC, DEC) x 6 (18 SC)
    • Round 20: BLO (SC, DEC) x 6 (12 SC)
    • Round 21: 6 DEC (6 SC)

Stuff the head firmly and close the opening. Cut yarn and weave in the end.

Vincent van Gogh Ear (Make 1)

For the iconic bandaged ear:

  1. Using beige yarn:
    • Round 1: In magic ring, CH 1 then 5 SC, close the opening

Leave a tail for attaching to the head.

Vincent van Gogh Beard

The distinctive red beard is a key feature of this amigurumi:

  1. Using red/orange yarn:
    • Row 1: Chain 19, turn. Work 7 SC, chain 4, skip 4 stitches, 7 SC, CH 1, turn
    • Row 2: FLO 18 SC

Leave a tail for attaching to the face.

Sunflower

Create van Gogh’s signature flower:

  1. Using brown yarn:
    • Round 1: 8 SC in magic ring
  2. Change to yellow yarn:
    • Create petals by working (CH 5, SC in next stitch) around the entire circle

Hair Base

Create the hair base that will frame the face:

  1. Using red/orange yarn:
    • Round 1: 6 SC in magic ring
    • Round 2: 6 INC (12 SC)
    • Round 3: (SC, INC) x 6 (18 SC)
    • Round 4: (2 SC, INC) x 6 (24 SC)
    • Round 5: (3 SC, INC) x 6 (30 SC)
    • Round 6: (4 SC, INC) x 6 (36 SC)
    • Round 7: (5 SC, INC) x 6 (42 SC)
    • Rounds 8-14: 42 SC
    • Round 15: 12 SC, SL ST, SC, 2 HDC, 3 DC, 2 HDC, SC, SL ST, 19 SC

Leave a long tail for attaching to the head.

Straw Hat

The iconic straw hat completes the look:

  1. Using mustard/tan yarn:
    • Round 1: 6 SC in magic ring
    • Round 2: 6 INC (12 SC)
    • Round 3: (SC, INC) x 6 (18 SC)
    • Round 4: (2 SC, INC) x 6 (24 SC)
    • Round 5: (3 SC, INC) x 6 (30 SC)
    • Round 6: (4 SC, INC) x 6 (36 SC)
    • Round 7: (5 SC, INC) x 6 (42 SC)
    • Round 8: (6 SC, INC) x 6 (48 SC)
    • Round 9: BLO 48 SC
    • Rounds 10-12: 48 SC
    • Round 13: FLO (7 SC, INC) x 6 (54 SC)
    • Round 14: (8 SC, INC) x 6 (60 SC)
    • Round 15: (9 SC, INC) x 6 (66 SC)
    • Round 16: (10 SC, INC) x 6 (72 SC)

Bandage

For the famous ear bandage:

  1. Using white yarn:
    • Row 1: Chain 51, turn
    • Row 2: 10 SL ST, 30 DC, 10 SL ST
  2. Cut yarn and use red yarn to embroider blood spots on the bandage for authenticity.

Assembly Instructions

Now let’s bring Vincent to life by putting all the pieces together:

  1. Body and Head: Attach the head to the body securely, ensuring it’s centered.
  2. Arms: Sew the arms to the sides of the body, positioning them so the blue sleeve portion aligns with the body.
  3. Hair and Ear: Attach the red hair base over the head, covering the top portion while leaving the face visible. Sew the single ear to one side of the head (traditionally the right side).
  4. Facial Features:
    • Sew the beard below the face, creating van Gogh’s signature red beard
    • Use black yarn to embroider eyebrows above the safety eyes
    • Add small red stitches for the nose (optional)
  5. Bandage: Wrap the white bandage around the head, covering the ear you attached. Secure with a few stitches. Add the red “blood” embroidery for authenticity.
  6. Hat: Position the straw hat on top of the head, slightly tilted if desired. Sew it securely to the hair.
  7. Final Details:
    • Create a small yellow sunflower emblem and attach it to the blue jacket
    • Optionally, create a larger sunflower to place in his hand
    • Use a yarn needle to add any final facial details or touch-ups

Tips for Success

  • Tension: Maintain consistent tension throughout to ensure all parts are proportional.
  • Stuffing: Stuff firmly but not so tightly that the stitches stretch apart.
  • Assembly: Pin pieces in place before sewing to ensure proper positioning.
  • Embroidery: Use thin strands of yarn (split plies if needed) for facial details to keep them delicate.
  • Customization: Feel free to adapt colors slightly to match your favorite van Gogh self-portrait.

Displaying Your Amigurumi

Your completed Vincent van Gogh amigurumi makes a delightful display piece. Consider these presentation ideas:

  • Place him next to mini versions of his famous paintings (printed on cardstock)
  • Create a tiny easel and palette as accessories
  • Display alongside other artist amigurumis for a creative collection
  • Give as a thoughtful gift to art lovers or art teachers

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Conclusion

Congratulations on creating your very own Vincent van Gogh amigurumi! This charming miniature tribute to one of history’s greatest artists combines your crochet skills with artistic appreciation. The detailed features—from his iconic straw hat and red beard to the bandaged ear and sunflower—make this a recognizable and characterful piece that any art enthusiast would treasure.

Whether you’re keeping him for yourself or giving him as a gift, this handcrafted Vincent will bring a touch of artistic whimsy to any space. Consider creating more famous artists to build a collection of creative minds in amigurumi form!

Happy crocheting, and may your yarn journey be as colorful and expressive as van Gogh’s paintings!