This week’s pattern is one I’m really excited about because it is my first design wearing a hijab! I’ve been wearing a scarf or head covering since I was in grade school, but I’ve never made one of my dolls wear it. This year though, I’m sharing patterns in a special collection that highlights Eid and Hajj. So without further ado, let’s meet Hajra the Hijabi!
Hajra grew up in a Muslim household, but sometimes wearing her hijab outside was hard. Especially when she went to a public school and just felt different. She believed in everything it stood for and she did love it, but it wasn’t always easy.
This year though, she went to Hajj and experienced something unlike any other! Seeing so many women from all over the world dressed like she was and coming together to worship, renewed her love for her hijab and being part of that community!
Hajra is one of the patterns in this year’s Eid collection which includes 5 patterns. Along with her is her husband Hasan the Hajji in his ihram, and
This collection was really fun for me to put together and I hope you guys like it!
The full free pattern is written out below. Normally I create PDFs of my patterns too, but this is just going to be available free on the blog for now! Let me know if the PDF is something you’d want in the comments and I’ll make that available soon 🙂
Materials:
- 3.25mm crochet hook / D hook*
- #4 medium weight yarn – I used Yarn Bee Soft Secret in White and Black, and Lion Brand Skein Tones in Nutmeg (but there are so many to choose from)
- stitch markers*
- tapestry needle*
- 8mm safety eyes*
- Polyfill stuffing*
*denotes affiliate link
Abbreviations:
- ch – chain
- SC – single crochet
- DC – double crochet
- HDC – half double crochet
- sl – slip stitch
Pattern Notes:
- Skill level: Intermediate – some amigurumi experience is helpful but not necessary
- Sizing: 10″ tall
- Gauge: 6S X 5R per inch
Hajra the Hijabi: Free Crochet Doll Pattern
Head:
Round 1: With yarn in your skin color, create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Round 4: *SC 2, inc* around (24).
Round 5: *SC 3, inc* around (30).
Round 6: *SC 4, inc* around (36).
Round 7: *SC 5, inc* around (42).
Rounds 8-16: SC around for 9 rounds. Insert safety eyes to round 5 after the last increase round, about 5 stitches apart. Start to add the stuffing.
Round 17: *SC 5, dec* around (36).
Round 18: *SC 4, dec* around (30).
Round 19: *SC 3, dec* around (24).
Round 20: *SC 2, dec* around (18). Finish adding stuffing.
Round 21: *SC, dec* around (12).
Round 22: Decrease around (6). Cut the yarn and thread the tail through a tapestry needle. Run the needle under the front loops of each stitch and secure the yarn. Weave in the end.
Hijab:
Row 1: With white yarn (or any color), chain 70. Turn and DC along the chain starting from the 2nd space from the hook.
Rows 2-4: DC in each space. BO and leave a long tail for sewing.
Arms (make 2):
Round 1: With yarn in skin color, create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Rounds 3-22: SC around for 20 rounds. Then BO, leaving a long tail to sew them on later.
Legs (make 2):
Round 1: With yarn in skin color, create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Rounds 3-21: SC around for 19 rounds.
Rounds 21-25: Switch to white yarn and SC around for 5 rounds. Then BO, leaving a long tail to sew them on later.
Body:
Round 1: With yarn in white, create a magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Round 4: *SC 2, inc* around (24).
Round 5: *SC 3, inc* around (30).
Round 6: *SC 4, inc* around (36).
Rounds 7-11 SC around for 5 rounds.
Rounds 12-13: Switch to body color and SC around for 2 more rounds.
Round 14: *SC 4, dec* around (30).
Rounds 15-16: SC around for 2 rounds.
Round 17: *SC 3, dec* around (24).
Rounds 18-19: SC around for 2 rounds
Round 20: *SC 2, dec* around (18).
Rounds 21-22: SC around for 2 rounds. Then BO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Abaya Sleeves (make 2):
Round 1: With black yarn (or any color), chain 16 and slip stitch to the first chain space to form a ring.
Rounds 2-17: SC around for 17 rounds and BO.
Abaya:
Round: Chain 49 and slip stitch to the first chain to form a ring (48).
Rounds 2-10: SC around for 9 rounds.
Round 11: *SC 6, dec* around (42).
Rounds 12-26: SC around for 15 rounds.
Round 27: *SC 5, dec* around (36).
Rounds 28-40: SC around for 13 rounds.
Round 41: SC 8 stitches from the outer half of one sleeve, skip 7 stitches on the body, SC 11, then SC 8 from the outer half of the other sleeve, skip 7 stitches on the body, SC 11. The skipped stitches on the sleeves and body will be seamed together later for the armpits.
Round 42: Chain 1, turn, SC to end, and BO. Leave a long tail.
Assembly
Now that we have all the parts of our free crochet pattern ready, we can start assembling Hajra the Hijabi!
Add stuffing to just the ends of the arms and legs, and all of the body if you haven’t already. Then position the arms along the sides and use the tail yarn to sew them in place. Use the tail yarns from the legs to attach the legs to the body as well.
Next, use the tail from the body to attach the head, going through one space on the body to one space on the head. Use pins to hold it in place as you sew and go through each space around. This makes sure that the head doesn’t wobble around.
Use a bit of yarn in the same color as the skin and thread it through a tapestry needle. Bring the needle up through the head to where you want the nose to be, between the eyes and one row down is where I place it, and stitch across 3 spaces 3-4 times to make the nose. Weave in the ends and hide the ends inside the head. Then use a black embroidery floss and stitch on some line for the mouth and eyebrows.
With the tail yarns from the sleeves, seam up the opening where the sleeves meet the body of the abaya. Put the dress on Hajra by inserting her legs down first and pulling the arms through the sleeves. Then use the tail of the abaya to sew the back closed. Skip that last step if you want to keep it removable. Weave in all the ends and trim the excess yarn.
For the hijab, start with pinning one end under her chin. Wrap the scarf around her head, across her chin, and around her head again, matching up the edges so the head is covered. Use pins to hold it in place as you go. Using matching yarn, whipstitch the edges of the scarf together so it stays in that shape. If you want it to be permanent, you can also stitch it to her head. Trim the excess yarn to finish.
And you’re done!
I made this in black and white clothes but you can dress her up in fun bright colors instead if you want! I kept this pretty simple as a beginner piece, but I would love to try making other clothes and hijab styles for this kind of doll! I usually have the dress built into the body like with my patterns for Ellie the Elf and Magda the Witch but it was fun to try something that goes on over!
Related: Hasan the Hajji Free Crochet Doll Pattern
Thank you so much for reading! If you liked this, be sure to check out the others in the collection too, like Hasan the Hajji here.
See you soon 🙂
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Mrs Franks
Friday 23rd of June 2023
I'm really looking forward to having a go at making this set for my grandson and his father.
We ourselves are Catholic and I am making the Nativity scene for all the grandchildren, so we can teach them about our Christmas.
Now to be able to recreate Eid will allow our grandson to be able to relate to his Muslim faith and their Christmas as well.
Hopefully, this will allow cross faith to prevail.
Thank you so much for the patterns. It is much appreciated.
Shehla Ahmed
Sunday 25th of June 2023
Thank you so much for sharing, that really made my day!! I know that they'll love seeing them and the fact that you included them like this. Just a reminder though, I made up the stories for these characters here, but you can find the real stories by looking up Hajj and Prophet Ibrahim AS!