For this pattern, you will need to be familiar with simple colorwork techniques. Regarding this, I have not included a chart or written where the wounds should go in the pattern because it will look more natural if you are allowed to make these decisions on your own. It isn’t hard to do, but I wanted you to be prepared. In general, the body, arms, and legs are all pretty straightforward, but the details may require some patience.
Finished size: 15 1/2″
Links to the free doll clothes patterns I used for my zombie are listed at the end of this pattern.
Materials
(A) 240-280 yds DK-weight yarn in gray-green (Plymouth Yarn Encore® in Light Green Frost, 75% Acrylic, 25% Wool, 50 g/150 yds)
(B) 10-50 yds DK-weight yarn in red (Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton in Wine, 100% Pima Cotton, 100g/220yds) * The amount will vary depending on the quantity and size of the wounds you give your zombie.
(C) 35-50 yds worsted-weight yarn in gray-purple (Plymouth Yarn Encore® in Zinc Heather, 75% Acrylic 25% Wool, 100 g/200 yds)
(D) 3-5 yds worsted-weight yarn in gray (Caron Simply Soft in Grey Heather, 100% Acrylic, 142 g/250 yds)
(E) 3-5 yds worsted-weight yarn in white (Caron Simply Soft in White, 100% Acrylic, 142 g/250 yds)
(F) 2 yds worsted-weight yarn in black (Caron Simply Soft in Black, 100% Acrylic, 170 g/315 yds)
(G) 100-200 yds worsted-weight yarn in hair color of your choice (Caron Simply Soft in Chocolate, 100% Acrylic, 142 g/250 yds) * The amount will vary depending on hair length.
D-3 (3.25 mm) crochet hook
F-5 (3.75 mm) crochet hook
G-6 (4.00 mm) crochet hook
Place marker or waste yarn (PM)
35 mm doll joint set
Polyester Fiberfill
Tapestry needle
Straight pins
Sewing needle
Felt in black, white, and gray (you’ll need less than half of a 9” x 12” square of each)
Hot glue or fabric glue
Thread to match G (Coats & Clark Dual Purpose Color 8890)
Scissors
Gauge
6 sc = 1 inch
6 rows = 1 inch
Abbreviations
beg = beginning
BL = back loop
ch = chain
ch-sp = chain space
dc = double crochet
dec = decrease by single crocheting 2 together
ea = each
FL = front loop
FO = fasten off
hdc = half double crochet
inc = increase with 2 sc in next st
rep = repeat
rnd = round
sc = single crochet
sk = skip
slst = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
tr = treble crochet
Instructions
Body
With A and F-5 crochet hook, chain 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. (12)
Rnd 3: * Sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (18)
Rnd 4: * 2 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (24)
Rnd 5: * 3 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (30)
Rnd 6: * 4 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (36)
Rnd 7: * 5 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (42)
Rnd 8: * 6 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (48)
Rnd 9: * 7 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (54)
Rnd 10: Sc in ea sc around.
Rep Rnd 10 until body measures 7 inches from beginning.
Place male part of doll joint through the hole at the top of the body. Stuff body.
Flatten the last row at the bottom of the body and sc it closed with 28 scs. Ch 1 and turn. Do not FO. You will proceed to the first leg next.
First Leg
(Continue using A and F-5 crochet hook.)
(Switch to B wherever you choose to add a wound as you work down the length of the leg.)
Rnd 1: Sc in FL of the next 14 scs, turn and sc in the unused loops of those 14 scs. Join with slst to 1st sc. (28)
Rnds 2-14: Sc in ea sc around. (28)
Rnd 15: * Sc 5, dec, rep from * 3 more times. (24)
Rnds 16-25: Sc in ea sc around. (24)
FO, weave in end.
Second Leg
(Continue using A and F-5 crochet hook.)
(Switch to B wherever you choose to add a wound as you work down the length of the leg.)
Insert hook into FL at the outer edge of the bottom of the doll.
Pull up a loop, ch 1.
Rnd 1: Sc in FL of the next 14 scs, turn and sc in the unused loops of those 14 scs. Join with slst to 1st sc. (28)
Rnds 2-14: Sc in ea sc around. (28)
Rnd 15: * Sc 5, dec, rep from * 3 more times. (24)
Rnds 15-25: Sc in ea sc around. (24)
FO, weave in ends.
Feet (Make 2)
With A and F-5 crochet hook, ch 5.
Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in BL of ea of next 2 chs, sc 3 in last ch. Sc in unused loops of foundation ch, 3 sc in last ch, join with slst to first sc. (12)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next 3 sc, sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next 3 sc, join with slst. (18)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sc, [2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc] 3 times, sc in next 3 sc, [2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc] 3 times, join with slst. (24)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sc, [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc] 3 times, sc in next 3 sc, [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc] 3 times, join with slst. (30)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in BL only of ea sc around. (30)
Rnds 6-7: PM. Sc in ea sc around.
Rnd 8: Move PM. Sc 3, [dec, sc in next sc] 3 times, sc in next 18. (27)
Rnd 9: Move PM. Sc 2, [dec, sc in next sc] 3 times, sc in next 16. (24)
FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Stuff a leg and foot. Pin and sew together using tail from foot. Repeat with opposite leg.
With D, embroider foot using the Cabbage Patch method (scroll down to step 9 of her doll pattern instructions).
Bottom Half of Head
With A and F-5 crochet hook, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. (12)
Rnd 3: * sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (18)
Rnd 4: * 2 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (24)
Rnd 5: * 3 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (30)
Rnd 6: * 4 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (36)
Rnd 7: * 5 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (42)
Rnd 8: * 6 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (48)
Rnd 9: * 7 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (54)
Rnds 10-21: Sc in ea sc around.
Rnd 22: * 7 sc, dec, rep from * 5 more times. (48)
Rnd 23: * 6 sc, dec, rep from * 5 more times. (42)
Rnd 24: * 5 sc, dec, rep from * 5 more times. (36)
Rnd 25 (Making jagged edge of skull): Sc in ea sc around while placing picots (sc, ch 1, 2, or 3, sc in one stitch) of varying heights in random scs. Join with slst. FO, leaving a long tail.
Eyes (Make 2)
With D and size D-3 crochet hook, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Switch to E.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. (12)
Rnds 3-4: Sc in ea sc around.
Rnd 5: * Sk, sc, rep from * 5 more times. Join with slst. (6)
FO, leaving a long tail.
Thread tail through last 6 sts and pull together. Don’t trim tail yet.
With F, embroider a black pupil at the center of the gray iris.
Cut a length of B about 2 feet long. Double it up and thread the loop through the back of one eye. Pull the tail ends through the loop to secure. On this eye only, weave in white tail end and trim.
Eyelids (Make 4)
With A and D-3 crochet hook, ch 4.
Row 1: Tr 11 in 3rd ch from hook.
BO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Arrange two eyelids, one on top of the other with RS facing out. Sew together through the last three trs on each eyelid. Repeat on the other side.
For the eye with the nerve at the back (red thread): Position the eye about where you want it to go on the head. Thread the red strands through and secure to the inside of the head with a few knots, leaving enough slack so that the eye will be able to droop a few inches if you pulled it out of the socket. Position the eye between the eyelids, threading the tail through the hole at the back of the joined eyelids. Using the long tail from the eyelids, sew the eyelids to the head.
Repeat for the eye without the nerve. Instead of threading the nerve through, thread the white tail end through the front of the head and secure.
Nose
Thread a tapestry needle with F, double up the yarn and embroider two lines for the holes where the nose would normally be.
Mouth
Use the bottom half of this PDF pattern to cut out the mouth, lips, and teeth: Pattern for Zombie Parts
Glue the teeth to the mouth piece. Glue the mouth with teeth to the zombie’s head. Be sure to cut out the hole in the center of the lips. Then glue the lips onto the mouth.
Right Ear
With A and F-5 crochet hook, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. (12)
Rnd 3: * Sc, inc, rep from * 5 times. (18)
Rnd 4: * 2 sc, inc, rep from * 2 more times. This will take you halfway around the circle. Ch 2, dc 3 in next sc. Slst, FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Left Ear
With A and F-5 crochet hook, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. (12)
Rnd 3: * Sc, inc, rep from * 5 times. (18)
Rnd 4: Slst, ch 2, dc 3 in next sc, * sc 2, inc, rep from * 2 more times. Slst, FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Sew ears to head.
Top of Head (Skull Flap)
With A and F-5 crochet hook, chain 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. (12)
Rnd 3: * sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (18)
Rnd 4: * 2 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (24)
Rnd 5: * 3 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (30)
Rnd 6: * 4 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (36)
Rnd 7: * 5 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (42)
Rnd 8: * 6 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (48)
Rnd 9: * 7 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (54)
Rnds 10-11: Sc in ea sc around.
Join with slst. FO. Work in ends.
Hair for Flap
Determine how long you want the hair to be. Get a book or piece of cardboard that has a width comparable to the hair length you desire. Wrap the yarn around the book several times. Cut the yarn on one end. (You’ll have to do this step several times to get enough hair to cover your doll’s head.) Use pins to mark a line down the center of the Skull Flap. Using thread that matches your doll’s hair, sew 4 pieces of hair at a time to the Skull Flap using a back stitch down the center line that you marked.
K and J Dolls Blog has a great tutorial on how to give your doll some hair
Brain
With C and G-6 crochet hook, ch 16.
Row 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea st across, ch 1, and turn.
Row 2: 3 sc in ea st across, ch 1, and turn.
Row 3: 3 sc in ea st across, FO, and work in ends.
You’ll need to play with the form a bit to make it look like a brain. Just move it around and let it twist naturally until it takes a shape that appeals to you. Set aside brain for the moment.
Putting the Head Together and Attaching It to the Body
Insert female part of doll joint into bottom of Bottom Half of Head. Insert male part of joint from Body and click them together. Stuff head. (At this point, I thought my zombie’s eyes were too bug-eyed so I stuffed the head halfway and using the long tails from the back of the eyes, pulled the eyes back a little and tied these threads at the inside back of the head. Then I stuffed the rest of the head. But you could skip this if you like your zombie bug-eyed. I won’t judge.)
Using the tail on the Bottom Half of Head, sew Brain to Bottom Half of Head.
Lining up the part in your hair front to back, sew the back 2” of the Flap to the back 2” of the Bottom Half of Head, behind the Brain.
Give your zombie a haircut. I found it easiest to use a doll stand for this, but since she doesn’t have arms yet, I had to hold her up by her neck. Ouch!
Arm (Make 1)
With A and F-5 crochet hook, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. (12)
Rnd 3: * Sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (18)
Rnds 4-8: Sc in ea sc around.
Rnd 9: 2 sc in next sc, 4 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in remaining sc around. (23)
Rnd 10: Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next 5 sc, sc in remaining sc around. (28)
Rnd 11: Sc in next 3 sc, dec 5 times over the next 10 sc, sc in remaining sc around. (23)
Rnd 12: Dec 1 time over next 2 sc, dec 1 time over next 4 sc, dec 1 time over next 2 sc, sc in remaining sc around. (18)
Rnd 13: Sc in ea sc around.
Rnd 14: * Sc, dec, rep from * 5 more times. (12)
Stuff hand.
Rnds 15-35: Sc in ea sc around, stuffing as you go.
Leave the last ½” of the arm unstuffed.
Row 36: Pinch the upper arm flat, line up sts. Ch 1, turn, and sc the arm closed. (6)
FO, leaving long tail.
If you’d like to embroider scratches as I did, now is a good time. With D, embroider hand as you did for foot. I used three stitches, so my hand has three fingers and a thumb. Whatever, it looks cute.
Using tail, sew arm to body.
Arm with Bone (Make 1)
Leaving a tail of about 6”, with E and F-5 hook, ch 4. (Keep track of this tail as you go around, as it will be used to shape the bone later. Work in all other ends as you change colors.)
Rnd 1: 7 dc in 3rd ch from hook, join with slst. (8)
Rnd 2: Sc in ea dc around.
Rnd 3: * Sc, sk, rep from * 3 more times. (4)
Switch to B.
Rnd 4: Sc in ea sc around.
Rnd 5: 2 sc in FL only of ea sc around. (8)
Rnd 6: * Sc, inc, rep from * 3 times, slst. (12)
Switch to A.
Rnd 7: Sc in BL only of ea sc around.
Rnds 8-17: Sc in ea sc around, stuffing as you go.
Leave the last ½” of the arm unstuffed.
Pull white tail taunt so bone flattens out on the end and weave in end to secure it.
Row 16: Pinch the upper arm flat, line up sts. Ch 1, turn, and sc the arm closed. (6)
FO, leaving long tail. Use long tail to sew the arm to the body.
Finishing Touches
Just like you added jagged flesh to the skin around the brain, now’s a great time to go back and do the same to the skin around any gaping wounds you created on the arms and legs. Pull up a loop of A, ch 1, and sc in the stitches around each wound, adding a picot here and there.
Clothing
Customize your zombie with clothes that suit your style! Most 16” to 18” doll clothes patterns will fit your zombie, but do a fitting with the pattern before you start. There are a lot of free American Girl Doll clothes patterns online and from what I could tell most of them will fit your zombie with minimal tweaking. (Zombie hips are wider than American Girls… go figure.)
These are the free patterns I used for the female zombie:
Zombie Top
This Pareu Top from BeachBabyDoll is made from one piece of fabric. So easy, especially if you have a serger.
Zombie Skirt
This Sweet Little Skirt from Avery Lane Designs is super cute and easy to sew.
More Amigurumi Zombie Ideas:
