Nostalgic Amigurumi Troll Doll Pattern

Recreate the beloved retro troll dolls with this comprehensive amigurumi pattern. This Troll Doll detailed guide walks you through creating your own adorable troll with its signature wild hair and charming proportions. Perfect for beginners and experienced crocheters alike, this pattern will help you craft a delightful handmade treasure that captures all the whimsy and nostalgia of the original troll dolls that were popular across generations.

Essential Materials For Your Troll Doll

Before beginning your troll doll project, gather these materials:

Light weight yarn (DK, light-worsted, or 4-ply) in beige for the body and head (recommended: Rico Design Ricorumi DK in Clay)
Wool yarn or roving in your choice of vibrant color for the hair (recommended: Loopy Mango Merino No. 5 scraps)
Black embroidery floss for the facial features (recommended: DMC Embroidery Floss)
Crochet hook size 2.75mm (C) (recommended: Clover Amour)
Polyester fiberfill for stuffing (recommended: Fairfield Poly-Fil)
Needle-felting tool for the belly gem (recommended: Clover Pen Styling Needle-Felting Tool)
Stitch markers to track your rounds
Embroidery/sewing needle for facial details
Tapestry needle for assembly
Scissors
Wire brush for fluffing the hair (optional but recommended)

Understanding Size and Gauge

With the recommended materials, your finished troll doll will stand approximately 4 inches tall (not including the hair). Gauge isn’t critical for this project, but maintaining tight stitches is important to prevent stuffing from showing through. Rico Design Ricorumi DK is noted to be on the thinner end of light weight yarns, so adjust your hook size accordingly if using a different brand.

Crochet Terminology Used

This pattern uses US terminology:

Magic Ring (mr): Creates a tight center circle to begin spherical shapes
Chain (ch): Creates the foundation for your work
Round(s) (rnd/rnds): Indicates working in circular rounds
Stitch(es) (st/sts): The basic unit of crochet
Slip stitch (sl st): Used to join rounds or finish off sections
Single crochet (sc): The primary stitch used in amigurumi
Increase (inc): Working two single crochet stitches in one stitch
Invisible decrease (inv dec): A decrease technique that creates a seamless look
Times (x): Indicates the number of times to repeat an action
Brackets [ ]: Enclose sequence to be repeated
Parentheses ( ): Indicate stitch count at the end of each round

Creating The Troll’s Head

The head forms the distinctive round shape characteristic of troll dolls:

Round 1: Using beige yarn, create a magic ring and work 6 single crochet into it (6 stitches total). Round 2: Work an increase in each stitch around (12 stitches total). Round 3: Work 1 single crochet, 1 increase and repeat 6 times around (18 stitches total). Round 4: Work 1 single crochet, 1 increase, 1 single crochet and repeat 6 times around (24 stitches total). Round 5: Work 3 single crochet, 1 increase and repeat 6 times around (30 stitches total). Rounds 6-11: Work 30 single crochet around for 6 rounds (30 stitches total). Round 12: Work 3 single crochet, 1 invisible decrease and repeat 6 times around (24 stitches total).

Slip stitch into the next stitch. Fasten off, leaving an 8-inch tail for later weaving in.

Embroidering The Face

Before stuffing the head, add the characteristic troll doll facial features:

Using all six strands of black embroidery floss and an embroidery needle, create two French knots for the eyes. Position them on the 7th round with approximately 6 stitches between them.
Use backstitch to create a simple curved mouth between rounds 8 and 9, spanning about 6 stitches wide.

Once the embroidery is complete, stuff the head firmly and set it aside for final assembly.

Troll Doll Crafting The Body

The body creates the rounded troll shape that supports the oversized head:

Round 1: Using beige yarn, create a magic ring and work 6 single crochet into it (6 stitches total). Round 2: Work an increase in each stitch around (12 stitches total). Round 3: Work 1 single crochet, 1 increase and repeat 6 times around (18 stitches total). Round 4: Work 1 single crochet, 1 increase, 1 single crochet and repeat 6 times around (24 stitches total). Round 5: Work 3 single crochet, 1 increase and repeat 6 times around (30 stitches total). Round 6: Work 9 single crochet, 1 increase and repeat 3 times around (33 stitches total). Rounds 7-13: Work 33 single crochet around for 7 rounds (33 stitches total). Round 14: Work 9 single crochet, 1 invisible decrease and repeat 3 times around (30 stitches total).

Begin stuffing the body firmly and continue adding stuffing as you close the opening:

Round 15: Work 3 single crochet, 1 invisible decrease and repeat 6 times around (24 stitches total). Round 16: Work 1 single crochet, 1 invisible decrease, 1 single crochet and repeat 6 times around (18 stitches total). Round 17: Work 1 single crochet, 1 invisible decrease and repeat 6 times around (12 stitches total). Round 18: Work 6 invisible decreases around (6 stitches total).

Slip stitch into the next stitch. Fasten off and weave in the end securely.

Troll Doll Creating The Legs

Make two identical legs:

Round 1: Using beige yarn, create a magic ring and work 6 single crochet into it (6 stitches total). Rounds 2-10: Work 6 single crochet around for 9 rounds (6 stitches total).

Slip stitch into the next stitch. Fasten off, leaving an 8-inch tail for attaching each leg to the body.

Do not stuff the legs – their slender shape looks best unstuffed.

Troll Doll Forming The Arms

Make two identical arms:

Round 1: Using beige yarn, create a magic ring and work 5 single crochet into it (5 stitches total). Rounds 2-9: Work 5 single crochet around for 8 rounds (5 stitches total). Row 10: Fold the arm opening in half and work 2 single crochet through both front and back stitches to close the opening (2 stitches total).

Fasten off, leaving an 8-inch tail for attaching each arm to the body.

Like the legs, the arms are best left unstuffed for a more natural pose.

Final Assembly

Bring your troll doll to life with careful assembly:

Using the yarn tail from the head and a tapestry needle, attach the head securely to the top of the body. The base of the head should sit just above round 5 of the body. Add additional stuffing if needed to achieve the right shape and stability.
Attach the legs to the bottom of the body, positioning them at round 15 with approximately 3 stitches between them for proper spacing.
Attach the arms to the sides of the body between rounds 5 and 6, ensuring they’re evenly placed for a balanced appearance.

Creating The Wild Troll Hair

The signature wild hair brings your troll doll to life:

Cut approximately 24 pieces of wool yarn or roving into 7-inch lengths. If using chunky yarn like Loopy Mango Merino No. 5, separate each strand into two thinner pieces to achieve a worsted weight thickness.
Plan the hair placement, focusing on the top and sides of the head for the most authentic look.
To attach each strand of hair:
- Insert your crochet hook from back to front through a stitch on the head
- Fold a piece of yarn in half and drape it over the hook
- Pull the folded yarn partially through the stitch
- Bring the loose yarn ends through this loop
- Pull tight to secure the strand
Once all hair strands are attached, use a wire brush to gently brush out the hair, creating the characteristic fluffy texture.
Trim the hair to your desired shape—either the classic tall vertical style or a more rounded silhouette.

Adding The Belly Gem

The belly gem is a charming detail on many troll dolls:

Attach a piece of wool yarn (using the same method as the hair) at round 11 of the body.
Twist and shape the yarn into a small circle on the belly.
Using a needle-felting tool, compact the yarn to create a flat, gem-like appearance.

Display Ideas And Care Instructions

Keep your troll doll looking its best:

Care Suggestions

Spot Cleaning: Use a slightly damp cloth with mild soap when necessary. Avoid saturating the amigurumi as this may damage the stuffing and hair texture.
Hair Maintenance: Periodically brush the hair with a wire brush to maintain its fluffy texture. Trim any uneven ends as needed to preserve the shape.
Storage: When not on display, store in a clean, dry container away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading, especially of the vibrantly colored hair.

Display Ideas

Desk Companion: Position on a desk or shelf as a nostalgic accent and conversation starter.
Collector’s Display: Arrange alongside other handmade or vintage troll dolls for a themed collection.
Gift Presentation: When giving as a gift, consider presenting in a small decorative box with tissue paper for an extra special touch.

Customization Options

Make your troll doll unique with these creative variations:

Color Combinations

Rainbow Hair: Use multiple colors of yarn for a rainbow effect in the hair.
Ombré Effect: Gradient color transitions can be achieved by using similar hues that blend from dark to light.
Body Colors: Experiment with different skin tones for the body and face for a diverse collection.

Size Variations

Mini Trolls: Use fingering weight yarn and a smaller hook (1.75-2.0mm) for a tiny pocket-sized version.
Jumbo Trolls: Scale up with worsted weight yarn and a larger hook (4.0-4.5mm) for a huggable larger version.

Check this out :Adorable Lalafanfan Crochet Duck Pattern

Accessory Additions

Clothing: Create simple removable outfits like skirts, pants, or capes.
Jewelry: Add tiny beads or embroidered details to create necklaces or bracelets.
Themed Elements: Seasonal accessories like Santa hats, flower crowns, or tiny wands can personalize your troll.

Your completed amigurumi troll doll represents a perfect blend of retro charm and modern craftsmanship. Each carefully placed stitch and fluffy strand of hair contributes to creating a character that captures the whimsical essence of the beloved troll dolls that have delighted people for generations.

Whether kept as a personal nostalgic keepsake, displayed proudly in your home, or given as a thoughtful handmade gift, your crocheted troll doll stands as a tribute to both your crochet skills and this enduring pop culture icon—a fuzzy-haired friend that brings joy and a touch of playful nostalgia wherever it goes.