Ida B Wells

Ida B Wells Crochet Doll by Webb Crochet

Project Overview

This downloadable crochet pattern from independent designer Webb Crochet creates a finished doll approximately 6 inches (15.5 cm) tall and 2.75 inches (7 cm) wide. The pattern commemorates Ida B Wells (1862-1931), a civil rights journalist, activist, educator, and suffragist, making this an educational and meaningful handmade project suitable for intermediate crocheters.

What is Being Made

The Ida B Wells pattern produces an amigurumi-style crochet doll—a three-dimensional stuffed figure created through the traditional technique of crocheting small pieces and assembling them together. This doll captures the likeness and historical significance of an important figure in American civil rights history.

Crochet Techniques Used

This intermediate-level pattern employs fundamental amigurumi construction methods. The design utilizes back loop only (BLO) and front loop only (FLO) stitching techniques to create textured details and dimensional shaping. Decreasing stitches (combining two single crochet stitches together) is used to shape the doll's form and create smooth transitions between sections. The pattern requires careful stitch placement and counting to achieve proper proportions and facial features.

Stitches Used

• Chain (ch) - foundation stitches used to begin sections
• Single crochet (sc) - the primary stitch for building the doll's body, head, and accessories
• Double crochet (dc) - used for selected details and texture variation
• Decrease (dec) - combining two single crochet stitches together to shape and reduce stitch count for proper doll proportions

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern calls for DK weight yarn (lightweight category 3), which is ideal for creating detailed amigurumi with fine definition. A 2.50mm crochet hook is specified to work with this yarn weight, producing a compact, sturdy finished doll.

Yarn colors and quantities required:

• Medium brown yarn - approximately 46.5 yards (42.5 meters), 0.6 ounces (17 grams)
• Dark brown yarn - approximately 38.3 yards (35 meters), 0.5 ounces (14 grams)
• Cream yarn - approximately 46.5 yards (42.5 meters), 0.6 ounces (17 grams)
• Purple yarn - approximately 24.6 yards (22.5 meters), 0.32 ounces (9 grams)
• Black yarn - approximately 5.5 yards (5 meters), 0.07 ounces (2 grams)
• Yellow or gold yarn - approximately 2.7 yards (2.5 meters), 0.035 ounces (1 gram)

Additional Supplies

Beyond yarn and hook, the pattern requires two 12mm safety eyes for the doll's face, creating a secure and child-safe finished product. Stuffing material fills the doll to create its three-dimensional form; the pattern notes that kapok is an eco-friendly choice. Essential finishing tools include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and assembling pieces, scissors for cutting yarn, and a stitch marker to track rounds during construction.

Pattern Format

This pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF, allowing crafters to access instructions digitally and work at their own pace. The format includes standard crochet abbreviations using US terminology and references the Craft Yarn Council's Yarn Standards for consistency and clarity.