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

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

Supplies:

-Yarn in Green, White, Yellow, and Black, plus a skin tone and hair color of your choice and a little bit of Gold colored yarn for the belt. I used Redheart brand for most of this doll, Vana’s Choice for the Green, and Cozy Wool for the Gold. However, any brand or type of yarn will do, so long as it is all the same weight and the correct corresponding hook is used (just note that this may change the final size of the doll). No reason to be picky.
-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 can also add buttons to his 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 him fun to carry around. Beans in the bum make him 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
-Embroidery thread and needle if you want to add more detail to his coat

Doll shown has dried beans in his torso and feet for weight and pipe cleaners in his arms for pose-ability. Total height is 18”, with hat, 20” but size will change with different yarn and hook combination.

Download is two PDF patterns, fully illustrated. One pattern is for Buddy himself, 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 Buddy, you’ll love Betty!