Knitting, Crochet and Crafts

Fun Toys to Make for Christmas

‘Tis the season for toy shopping, but shopping for toys isn’t your only option.


Have you given any thought to the possibility of making the dolls or toys you’ll give to the children on your gift list? It’s totally do-able considering there are many, many patterns available for sewing, knitting and crocheting adorable toys.


You aren’t limited to these craft techniques, by any means. Lately my niece has been begging me for tiny, cute needle felted toy animals (which I don’t know how to make — so I have no recommendations for needle felting patterns. Yet.)


Right now, knitting and crocheting are my top craft techniques, so this post will focus primarily on pattern recommendations for crocheted and knitted toys.

Knitted Dolls and Teddy Bears

If you want to knit a teddy bear for a special child on your gift list, consider using this cute teddy bear knitting pattern from Arne & Carlos Favorite Designs, published by Trafalgar Square Books.
If you want to knit a teddy bear for a special child on your gift list, consider using this cute teddy bear knitting pattern from Arne & Carlos Favorite Designs, published by Trafalgar Square Books.

If you want to knit truly wonderful holiday gifts for anyone in your inner circle, my top pattern book recommendation of the moment would be Arne & Carlos Favorite Designs. This book isn’t specifically intended to be a toy pattern book, but it does have some fantastic options for fun toys you can make — including a vibrant and colorful teddy bear, bunches of different dolls and doll clothes, plus assorted other toys.


The book also includes patterns for slippers, socks, and all kinds of other gift-worthy items.

Learn More About This Book:

The Woobles Crochet Amigurumi Pattern Book: Make Gifts for Every Occasion

The Woobles Crochet Amigurumi for Every Occasion by Justine Tiu -- Text © 2022 Justine Tiu, Photography © 2022 Weldon Owen International
The Woobles Crochet Amigurumi for Every Occasion by Justine Tiu — Text © 2022 Justine Tiu, Photography © 2022 Weldon Owen International

Are you a beginner to crocheting?


If you’d be interested in finding crocheted toy patterns that include video tutorials (for many of them — but not all of them) and are also easy enough for total beginners, The Woobles is a book you’re likely to enjoy.


This isn’t specifically a Christmas pattern book, but it offers you bunches of patterns that would make lovely gifts for different occasions, including Christmas and others.


Learn More About This Book:

Amigurumi: An Adorable Collection — Cute Crocheted Stuffed Animal Toys

Amigurumi: An Adorable Collection, a Crochet Pattern Book Published by Leisure Arts
Amigurumi, an Adorable Collection of Heroes, Animals and Monsters to Crochet. Leisure Arts is the publisher of this brand new crochet pattern book.

Reasons I love this book:

  • These patterns are super fun, super cool and super cute. Well, OK, not all of these designs are cute, but most of them are.
  • There are designs suitable for both boys and girls, so the boys are not left out of the fun.
  • The book format is totally logical and user-friendly, with gorgeous full-color photography and readable fonts.

Learn More About This Book:

Maybe you’re not interested in making toys right now. Did you know this website has 800+ pages of craft tutorials, instructions and project inspiration? If you’re hoping to find other sorts of patterns and projects, you’re invited to check out the blog and the main directory of craft project ideas to find other projects that better reflect your current interests!

See Also:

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By Amy Solovay

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About the Author:

Amy Solovay
Amy Solovay

Amy Solovay is a real, live, human content creator and educator who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Sweet Briar College; she has also earned a separate Associate of Arts degree in textile design from FIDM LA (The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles). She is NOT a robot and does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to write book reviews or articles for this website.


Amy learned to knit as a teenager, and she still enjoys knitting all these years later.


I'm excited about this book, Delicate Crochet by Sharon Hernes Silverman! I am super proud of the 2 patterns I contributed to this pattern collection. I hope you'll check out the fingerless gloves and the beaded necklace I designed for this book. Thanks for taking a look at them!
I’m excited about this book, Delicate Crochet by Sharon Hernes Silverman! ! I am super proud of the 2 patterns I contributed to this pattern collection. I hope you’ll check out the fingerless gloves and the beaded necklace I designed for this book. Thanks for taking a look at them!

As an educator, Amy Solovay used to teach in-person college courses in trend forecasting, marketing and surface design at California Design College in Los Angeles. Nowadays she uses online platforms for sharing her knowledge about textiles, crafts, current color trends and current design trends.


Happy crafting, and happy holidays to you and yours. I hope your family will have a delightful holiday season this year.


This page was last updated on 11-26-2024.