This Amigurumi crochet gingerbread man pattern will be your next favorite project for this Holiday season. And do you want to know what else you will love about him? It’s a one-piece, no-sew, crochet project (yay!).
One of the Christmas traditions in my household is to bake gingerbread men cookies. I love the smell, the fun that go with the baking process and, of course, the taste is delicious. Now, after crocheting this cute guy, my hands are itching to bake some, I can’t wait.
This gingerbread man doll will be quite big, around 9 inches tall. So, keep in mind that if you want a smaller doll, you will need to use a thinner yarn. More on yarn type, materials, and other pattern details further below.
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Table of Contents
How to crochet an Amigurumi Gingerbread Man
If you prefer one-piece, no-sew, Amigurumi, you will love working on this crochet gingerbread man pattern. Here is the basic construction of this pattern (see the full instructions below):
- First, you will crochet both arms, stuff them with fiber and set them aside.
- Second, you will crochet the legs, one at a time, starting with a magic circle from the bottom.
- Thirdly, when the second leg is done, you will attach them in the crotch.
- Next, you will crochet in big rounds to make the torso. stuff the doll as you go and attach the arms in the shoulders.
- Then, keep going up without cutting the yarn to crochet to head and attach the eyes before you close the top.
- And finally, you will give him the final touches, such as buttons, the face features, and a bow tie.
Materials & Tools you’ll Need
You will need some Amigurumi making basic supplies and tools for this crochet gingerbread man pattern. Here is the list:
- 3.25 mm (US D) crochet hook
- Stitch marker
- Stuffing fiber – Poly-fil is my favorite.
- Stuffing tool, such as a craft dowel or a hemostat
- A pair of 8mm safety eyes
- A pair of sharp yarn scissors
- Yarn needle – to weave in the ends.
- Sewing needle – to attach the buttons.
- Red buttons and matching crochet thread (or you can crochet them with scraps of red yarn).
- Yarn scraps: pink thread and black yarn – for face embroidery.
- Small amount of green yarn for the bow tie
Best Yarn for this Crochet Gingerbread Man Pattern
The brown and white yarns used in the pictured doll were worsted weight (#4). The brand for the brown one was Red Heart Super Saver, which is a 100% acrylic yarn. And I used white yarn leftovers from my stash.
Here are the exact colors and amount used:
- The main color was called Café Latte and the amount was approximately 2.78 oz (79 g), or 145 yds (133 m).
- As for the white yarn for the frosting and the green for the bow tie, you will need a small amount, around 10 to 15 yards each.
Skills & Techniques you’ll Need
This is project I’m rating as intermediate skill level since you will need some knowledge on how to crochet Amigurumi. But since this is a no-sew pattern, a brave beginner will probably be able to make it.
Here are the stitches and techniques you will need to know:
- Single Crochet (sc) in continuous rounds: it means you will sc in a spiral, without joining the rounds with a slip stitch.
- Single crochet increase (inc) – two single crochet stitches in next stitch.
- Single crochet decrease (dec) – also known as single crochet two together (sc2tog), preferably the invisible decrease, which gives your Amigurumi a smoother finish. You can check my tutorial for the crochet invisible decrease, with video, if you are not familiar with it.
- Single crochet in back loop and front loop only (blo, flo) – this will be used to crochet the “frosting” with the white yarn.
- You will need other Amigurumi making skills, like attaching safety eyes, stuffing as you go, and basic embroidery for the face features.
- Fasten Off and weave in ends – it’s important to know how to do it the right way, so your toy has a clean finish.
The Yarn Under Single Crochet Stitch
Have you heard of the yarn under sc stitch (aka “x” sc) before? If you look closely at the photos in this crochet gingerbread man pattern, you will notice that the stitches resemble an “x”.
The difference between an “x” single crochet (or yarn under sc) and a usual single crochet stitch is very simple. It means that for the “x” single crochet stitch, you will “yarn under” instead of yarn over when completing the stitch.
Pattern Notes & Instructions
- This pattern uses US terminology.
- Level of difficulty: Intermediate (see “skills and techniques” section to find out what is needed).
- This crochet gingerbread man pattern is crocheted in continuous rounds, meaning there is no need to join the rounds with a slip stitch.
- Use a stitch marker to mark the first or last stitch in every round, moving it up as you go, so you can keep track of your stitch and round count.
- There is no need to leave a long tail when cutting the yarn, unless otherwise instructed.
- Stuff your gingerbread man as you go to shape it firmly, but do not overstuff it.
Finished Project Size: this crochet gingerbread man pattern will measure approximately 9” (23 cm) in height, considering you will use the same yarn type and hook size.
Gauge
Gauge is not crucial for this crochet gingerbread man pattern, but I tend to crochet Amigurumi tight. So, stitch tension matters if you want your doll to be around the same size as mine.
A swatch with 6 rounds is 2.5” (6.5 cm) in diameter, measured across the center.
Gauge swatch pattern:
- Rnd1: 6 sc in mr
- Rnd2: (inc) 6 times. [12]
- Rnd3: (inc, sc in next st) 6 times. [18]
- Rnd4: (inc, sc in next 2 sts) 6 times. [24]
- Rnd5: (inc, sc in next 3 sts) 6 times. [30]
- Rnd6: (inc, sc in next 4 sts) 6 times. [36]
- Rnd7: (inc, sc in next 5 sts) 6 times. [42]
Abbreviations (US terms)
- approx.: approximately
- blo: back loop only
- flo: front loop only
- ch: chain
- inc: increase (2 sc in next stitch)
- dec: decrease (two single crochet together)
- FO: fasten off
- rem: remaining
- Rnd: Round
- sl st: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sk: skip
- sc: single crochet
- ( ): repeat instructions within parenthesis as many times as directed
- [ ]: stitch count in a round
More Christmas Crochet Patterns
If you like this crochet gingerbread man pattern, you may also like to check this roundup with more Christmas Patterns.
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Crochet Gingerbread Man Pattern Step by Step
With no further ado, here are the “how-to” detailed steps to make this gingerbread man.
I’ve included detailed instructions within the pattern lines to try to make it as clear as possible. I hope you enjoy making it!
Total Time: 4 hours
-
Arms (make 2)
Rnd1: 6 sc in mr
Rnd2: (inc) 6 times. [12]
Rnd3: (inc, sc in next st) 6 times. [18]
Rnd4-7: sc around. [18]Read the tip below before you proceed*. Drop the brown yarn when you have two loops on hook to finish the last st in round 7. Then, pull up a loop with the white yarn to crochet rounds 9 and 10. No need to cut the brown yarn, just drop it in the inside and pick it back up to continue in round 11. Place the st marker in blo of first st in rnd 7 so you will know where to insert the hook when it’s time to crochet round 9.
Rnd8: with white yarn sl st in flo of 1st st, (ch 1, sl st in flo of next st) around.
Rnd9: with white yarn sc around in blo of round 7. [18]
Pick brown yarn back up to crochet round 10, cut white yarn and FO.
Rnd10-21: sc around. [18]
Stuff the arms adding fiber only up to about ¾, leaving the top empty. Pinch the arm’s top opening and sc 9 across to close them. FO. Cut the yarn and set aside.
Tip: * you will get a slightly visible yarn color transition when changing from brown to white and vice-versa. However, it’s not something that will make a huge difference in this crochet gingerbread man pattern. But if it bothers you, you can cut the yarn when changing colors and join the round with a sl st to make it less visible. -
Legs (make 2)
You’ll be starting from the bottom/feet and will join both legs in the crotch. In next step, you’ll crochet the torso.
Rnd1: 6 sc in mr
Rnd2: (inc) 6 times. [12]
Rnd3: (inc, sc in next st) 6 times. [18]
Rnd4: (inc, sc in next 2 sts) 6 times. [24]
Rnd5: (inc, sc in next 3 sts) 6 times. [30]
Rnd6-7: sc around. [30]
Rnd8: (dec, sc in next 8 sts) 3 times. [27]
Rnd9: (dec, sc in next 7 sts) 3 times. [24]Like you did with the arms, drop the brown yarn when you have two loops on hook to finish the last st in round 9. Then, pull up a loop with the white yarn to crochet rounds 10 and 11. No need to cut the brown yarn, just drop it in the inside and pick it back up to continue in round 12. Place the st marker in blo of first st in rnd 9 so you will know where to insert the hook when it’s time to crochet round 11.
Rnd10: with white yarn sl st in flo of 1st st, (ch 1, sl st in flo of next st) around.
Rnd11: with white yarn sc around in blo of round 9. [24]
Pick brown yarn back up to crochet round 12, cut white yarn and FO.
Rnd12-18: sc around. [24]
FO and cut the yarn (for the first leg only).
When you are done with rnd 18 in the second leg, do not cut the yarn, continue to rnd 19 to join the legs, and start the torso. Keep the st marker in the 1st st in the second leg, it will continue to be the 1st st for next rounds as well. -
Join the legs
Without cutting the yarn in the second leg, follow instructions in next round to join the legs in the crotch to continue working on the crochet gingerbread man pattern.
Note: You’re doing it in a way, so you will “hide” the visible joining in the rounds with the white yarn at the back of the legs. This is fyi only, just follow next instructions and you will be good.
Rnd19: sc in next 20 sts in 2nd leg, insert the hook in 8th st of rnd 18 in 1st leg, sc in the 24 sts around 1st leg, sc in rem 4 sts in 2nd leg. [48]
Continue to the torso. No need to cut the yarn. -
Torso
Now, that you have joined the legs, continue to crochet around in big rounds to make the torso in the crochet gingerbread man pattern.
Tip: The crotch may need some sewing to avoid a hole from joining the legs, please check before going too far up, so you can do it from the inside.
In next round, you’ll do increases in the crotch to give this crochet gingerbread man pattern some bottom shaping. Make sure when you stuff, you fill all spots.
Rnd20: sc in next 18 sts, inc 3 times, sc in next 21 sts, inc 3 times, sc in next 3 sts. [54]
Rnd21: sc in next 18 sts, (inc, sc) 3 times, sc in next 21 sts, (inc, sc) 3 times, sc in next 3 sts. [60]
Rnd22-29: sc around. [60]
Rnd30: (dec, sc in next 8 sts) 6 times. [54]
Rnd31: sc around. [54]
Rnd32: (dec, sc in next 7 sts) 6 times. [48]
Rnd33: sc around. [48]
Rnd34: (dec, sc in next 6 sts) 6 times. [42]
Rnd35: sc around. [42]
Rnd36: (dec, sc in next 5 sts) 6 times. [36]
Rnd37-38: sc around. [36] -
Attach the arms
Continue without cutting the yarn. In this step of the crochet gingerbread man pattern, you’re attaching the arms centered on the shoulders, one on each side.
Rnd39: sc around and attach the arms as you go using the 9 sc sts you did to close them on top. [36]
Do not cut the yarn yet. Your crochet gingerbread man pattern is almost done.
-
Head
The head is the last step in this crochet gingerbread man pattern. The following steps are for the accessories and face features.
Rnd40: sc around. [36]
Rnd41: (dec, sc in next 10 sts) 3 times. [33]
Rnd42: (inc, sc in next 10 sts) 3 times. [36]
Rnd43: (inc, sc in next 5 sts) 6 times. [42]
Rnd44: (inc, sc in next 6 sts) 6 times. [48]
Rnd45: (inc, sc in next 7 sts) 6 times. [54]
Rnd46: (inc, sc in next 8 sts) 6 times. [60]
Rnd47: (inc, sc in next 9 sts) 6 times. [66]
Rnd48-58: sc around. [66]Attach the eyes, centered on face, between rounds 53-54, 8 sts apart.
Rnd59: (dec, sc in next 9 sts) 6 times. [60]
Drop the brown yarn when you have two loops on hook to finish the last st in round 59. Then, pull up a loop with the white yarn to crochet rounds 60 and 61. No need to cut the brown yarn, just drop it in the inside and pick it back up to continue in round 62. Place the st marker in blo of first st in rnd 59, so you will know where to insert the hook when it’s time to crochet round 61.
Rnd60: with white yarn sl st in flo of 1st st, (ch 1, sl st in flo of next st) around.
Rnd61: with white yarn (dec, sc in next 8 sts) 6 times. [54]
Pick brown yarn back up to crochet round 62, cut white yarn and FO.
Rnd62: (dec, sc in next 7 sts) 6 times. [48]
Rnd63: (dec, sc in next 6 sts) 6 times. [42]
Rnd64: (dec, sc in next 5 sts) 6 times. [36]
Rnd65: (dec, sc in next 4 sts) 6 times. [30]
Rnd66: (dec, sc in next 3 sts) 6 times. [24]
Rnd67: (dec, sc in next 2 sts) 6 times. [18]
Rnd68: (dec, sc in next st) 6 times. [12]
Rnd69: dec 6 times. [6]Cut the yarn. FO. Weave in the ends.
-
Buttons and Face Blush
First, thread a sewing needle with thread and attach two buttons centered at the belly. But if you would rather crochet the buttons (use the same pattern for the face blush rounds).
The face blush rounds will give your gingerbread man pattern some charm. Here is how you make them: First, crochet 6 sc in a mc. Then, join the round with a sl st. Leave a long tail and use the tails to sew the two rounds on to the doll’s face.
-
Bow tie (optional)
I used this bow pattern here on the blog to crochet a bow tie, but with a treble st (tr) instead of the double tr. Here is how you do it:
1. Create a mc and leave a long tail of about 12” (30 cm).
2. Then (ch 3, 6 tr sts, ch 3, sl st in mc) 2 times.
3. Pull the initial tail to cinch the mc. Cut the yarn, leave a long tail again.
4. Next, use both tails to tie a knot at the back of the bow to secure it, and wrap both tails around the center of the bow, in opposite directions. FO. Cut the yarn.
5. Lastly, ch 35 separately and use it as a string to tie the bow around his neck. As an alternative, you can use any other craft string. -
Embroider the face
In this last step of the crochet gingerbread man pattern you will embroider the face features to give him some character.
Use red or black yarn to embroider a simple mouth and black yarn for the eyebrows. Refer to photo for placement of the features.
Estimated Cost: 10.00 USD
Supply:
- Medium weight yarn (#4) – see yarn description above
Tools:
- 3.25 mm (US D) hook, Stuffing tool (optional) like a hemostat, Tool for placing safety eyes (optional)
Materials: Stitch Marker, pair of 8mm safety eyes, Stuffing fiber Stuffing tool (optional), Tapestry needle, sewing needle, Scissors, 2 red buttons
Would you rather have a PDF?
If you like print friendly, ad free files, an inexpensive PDF download can be purchases in by Ravelry and Etsy pattern shops here:
And with that, we have the crochet gingerbread man pattern ready to rock your party decorations this Christmas season. Or to put a smile in a gingerbread cookie lover’s face, maybe? Whatever, or whomever, you chose to make him for, I hope it will be loved and cherished.
More Free Amigurumi Patterns
- Crochet Doll Easy Pattern
- Crochet Easter Peep Bunny Pattern
- Crochet Easter Eggs Pattern
- Amigurumi Dolls Pattern Roundup
- Adorable Crochet Elephants
- Easy For Beginners Amigurumi Roundup
- No-Sew Amigurumi Ghost
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