Betty the Elf is a Christmas-edition Dangly Doll!

What is a Dangly Doll? Dangly Dolls are adorable friends, made in a ragdoll-style who are meant to be carried around by children. They are weighted and sewn together in a way that creates loose, heavy, drooping limbs (think of Penny’s teddy bear in Disney’s “The Rescuers”) which are so cute when dragged around and cuddled by their children.

These dolls are so endearing and delightful that no one will blame you for having a few, even if you’re all grown up!

With Betty, you can make your very own, customize-able elf friend. The pattern includes optional instructions for pose-able arms and shelf-sitting capability. Betty can hang out with you anywhere this Christmas, or she can be Santa’s eyes on the ground, outshining her store-bought counterparts.

Skill Level: Intermediate
This pattern works in the round and uses a variety of techniques and color changes.

Supplies:

-Yarn in Green, White, and Red, plus a skin tone and hair color of your choice
I used Redheart brand for this doll, but any brand or type of yarn will do, so long as it is all the same weight and the corresponding hook is used (just note that this may change the final size of the doll). No reason to be picky. I also used a little Caron Simply Soft Party to add some sparkle details.
-Yarn needle for sewing
-Hooks: size I (5.50mm)
Size E (3.5mm)
-12mm Safety Eyes
-Polyfill or preferred stuffing medium
-Scissors

Optional:

-Buttons or felt for the eyes instead of safety eyes. You could also embroider them with string or yarn. You can also add buttons to her shirt.
-Dried beans to fill the feet and bum. This is not needed, but highly recommended. The extra weight is what makes the dangly doll dangle so well and makes her fun to carry around. Beans in the bum make her a much sturdier shelf-sitter as well.
-Bells or Pom Poms for the feet and hat tips (two bells for feet, one for hat)
-Pipe cleaners for pose-able arms
-Wire cutters for pipe cleaners
-Elf boobs. You don’t have to make them if you don’t want to.

Doll shown has dried beans in her torso for weight and pipe cleaners in her arms for pose-ability. She is 18” tall, 22” with her hat. There is no gauge, so different yarn and hook sizes will make for a different sized doll.

Download is two PDF patterns, fully illustrated. One pattern is for Betty herself, and the other is supplemental directions for the different methods of stuffing and sewing the doll together.

Please check out my other Dangly Doll patterns for some geeky fun. If you like Betty, you’ll love Buddy!