Knitting Tutorial: Strawberry Rose Tea Party Doll – Free Knitting Pattern

This elegant knitted tea party doll is designed with a romantic vintage look, featuring a wide floral hat, a softly shaped face, long gray hair, puff sleeves, a layered rose dress, a tiny shoulder bag, matching shoes, and tea table accessories for a charming display. It is a lovely choice for collectors, handmade doll lovers, heirloom nursery décor, boutique gift ideas, cottagecore toy styling, and artisan doll display inspiration. The soft blush pink, cream, gold, and gray palette gives the finished piece a refined handmade luxury feel while staying sweet and approachable.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written to closely match the doll in the reference image.

The doll has a large rounded head, a slim straight body, soft tapered arms, short hidden legs under a very full dress, long loose gray hair, a dramatic brimmed hat, and several small tea party accessories.

The clothing is not treated as a simple basic doll dress.

To match the image, the dress is built in structured layers with a cream base skirt, a dusty rose overskirt, gold edging, floral surface decoration, puffed sleeves, and a fitted bodice panel effect.

The finished doll is intended as a decorative knitted collectible rather than a rough-play toy.

Because the image shows a polished boutique-style finish, careful shaping, neat seaming, even stuffing, and tidy embroidery are essential for the final result.

Finished Size

• Doll height: about 15.5 to 17 inches tall including hat
• Doll height without hat: about 13 to 14 inches
• Head width: about 4.25 inches
• Skirt width across front when arranged: about 8.5 to 10 inches
• Hat brim diameter: about 6.5 to 7.25 inches
• Bag height: about 2.25 inches
• Shoes: about 2 inches long each
• Teacup height: about 1 inch
• Berry bowl: about 1 inch across

Skill Level

Intermediate to advanced.

A patient beginner can make it, but only by following each section carefully and taking time with shaping, sewing, and decorative embroidery.

Materials

• Main skin tone yarn: light peach or warm ivory, sport weight
• Dress yarn A: cream or soft ivory, sport weight
• Dress yarn B: dusty rose pink, sport weight
• Trim yarn: muted antique gold or mustard-gold, light fingering or fine sport
• Hair yarn: medium cool gray, sport weight
• Flower pink 1: pale blush
• Flower pink 2: rose pink
• Flower yellow: butter yellow
• Leaf green: muted olive green
• Berry red: strawberry red
• Small bowl tan or basket color: soft beige or light tan
• Stuffing: premium polyester fiberfill
• Knitting needles: 2.25 mm double-pointed needles, 2.75 mm double-pointed needles, 3 mm straight or circular needles
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Black embroidery floss or very fine black yarn
• Soft pink embroidery thread or blush powder for cheeks
• Thin cardboard or flexible plastic canvas for hat brim support and shoe sole support, optional
• Fine sewing needle and matching thread for invisible finishing if needed

Gauge

Gauge matters mainly for proportion and firmness.

• Stockinette on 2.75 mm needles: 8.5 stitches and 11 rows = 1 inch
• Stockinette on 3 mm needles: 8 stitches and 10 rows = 1 inch
• Firm toy fabric: the stuffing should not show through

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• M1L = make 1 left
• M1R = make 1 right
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• rep = repeat
• sl = slip
• wyif = with yarn in front
• wyib = with yarn in back

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Construction Order

1. Knit legs
2. Knit lower body and torso
3. Knit head
4. Knit arms
5. Knit bodice overlay and sleeves
6. Knit base skirt and lower ruffle
7. Knit rose overskirt panels
8. Knit hair strands and bangs
9. Knit hat crown and brim
10. Knit flowers, leaves, bag, shoes, teacup, saucer, and berry bowl
11. Embroider floral motifs
12. Assemble and detail face

Body, Legs, and Head

Legs Make 2

The legs are mostly hidden under the dress, so they are short and simple, but still need enough structure to support the doll.

• Using skin tone and 2.75 mm needles, CO 12 sts evenly across 3 double-pointed needles.
• Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
• Rounds 1 to 12: k all sts.
• Round 13: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1, k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1. 16 sts.
• Rounds 14 to 20: k all sts.
• Stuff lightly at foot and ankle.
• Round 21: k2tog, k4, k2tog, k2tog, k4, k2tog. 12 sts.
• Rounds 22 to 24: k all sts.

Break yarn on first leg and leave live stitches.

Complete second leg the same way, but do not break yarn.

Join Legs and Knit Lower Body

• From second leg, knit across 12 sts.
• CO 4 sts for center back.
• Knit across first leg 12 sts.
• CO 4 sts for center front. 32 sts total.
• Place marker for round beginning.
• Rounds 1 to 4: k all sts.
• Round 5: k6, kfb, k2, kfb, k6, kfb, k2, kfb, k6, kfb, k2, kfb, k6. 38 sts.
• Rounds 6 to 10: k all sts.
• Round 11: k7, kfb, k4, kfb, k7, kfb, k4, kfb, k7, kfb, k4, kfb, k7. 44 sts.
• Rounds 12 to 18: k all sts.

Stuff hips and lower body firmly but do not overstuff.

Waist and Torso

• Round 19: k2tog around. 22 sts.
• Round 20: k all sts.
• Round 21: k1, M1R around. 44 sts.
• Rounds 22 to 30: k all sts.
• Round 31: k8, k2tog, k2, ssk, k8, k2tog, k2, ssk, k8, k2tog, k2, ssk. 38 sts.
• Rounds 32 to 35: k all sts.
• Round 36: k7, k2tog, k2, ssk, k7, k2tog, k2, ssk, k7, k2tog, k2, ssk. 32 sts.
• Rounds 37 to 42: k all sts.

The torso should now look slim and straight, matching the doll’s delicate body hidden under the dress.

Neck

• Round 43: k2tog around. 16 sts.
• Rounds 44 to 48: k all sts.

Stuff torso very firmly before continuing.

Head

• Round 49: kfb in every st. 32 sts.
• Round 50: k all sts.
• Round 51: k1, kfb around. 48 sts.
• Round 52: k all sts.
• Round 53: k3, kfb around. 60 sts.
• Rounds 54 to 72: k all sts.

Shape face carefully while stuffing.

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The head in the image is full and rounded with a very smooth face, not narrow and not heavily pointed at the chin.

• Round 73: k3, k2tog around. 48 sts.
• Round 74: k all sts.
• Round 75: k2, k2tog around. 36 sts.
• Round 76: k all sts.
• Round 77: k1, k2tog around. 24 sts.
• Round 78: k all sts.
• Round 79: k2tog around. 12 sts.

Finish stuffing the top of head very firmly and evenly.

• Thread yarn through remaining stitches, pull tight, and close.

Arms Make 2

The arms are simple, soft, and slightly tapered, with a gentle outward curve once sewn in place.

• Using skin tone and 2.75 mm needles, CO 10 sts across 3 needles.
• Join in round.
• Rounds 1 to 5: k all sts.
• Round 6: kfb, k4, kfb, kfb, k4, kfb. 14 sts.
• Rounds 7 to 10: k all sts.
• Round 11: k2tog, k3, k2tog, k2tog, k3, k2tog. 10 sts.
• Rounds 12 to 24: k all sts.

Stuff lower hand area lightly and upper arm only very lightly.

• Flatten arm.
• Knit 5 sts through front and back together, or use three-needle bind off for a neat finish.

Base Dress Structure

The dress is the most important visual feature.

It has a cream center and lower layers, a rose overskirt, gold outlines, and embroidered rose motifs arranged symmetrically.

Upper Bodice Foundation

This bodice panel is worn over the torso and under the overskirt pieces.

• Using cream yarn and 3 mm needles, CO 24 sts flat.
• Row 1 RS: k all.
• Row 2 WS: p all.
• Rows 3 to 8: continue in stockinette.
• Row 9 RS: k2, ssk, k16, k2tog, k2. 22 sts.
• Row 10: p all.
• Row 11: k2, ssk, k14, k2tog, k2. 20 sts.
• Row 12: p all.
• Rows 13 to 20: continue straight in stockinette.

BO knitwise.

Wrap around torso and seam at back.

The center front will later be covered with gold embroidered lines and tiny rose buttons.

Puff Sleeves Make 2

• Using cream yarn, CO 24 sts.
• Work 4 rows in garter stitch.
• Row 5 RS: k all.
• Row 6 WS: p all.
• Row 7: k2tog across. 12 sts.
• Rows 8 to 14: stockinette.
• Row 15: p2tog across. 6 sts.

Break yarn, thread through remaining stitches, and gather.

Sew into a puff shape.

Add a narrow gold trim line near lower edge and a tiny pink rose at outer sleeve if desired, matching the image.

Skirt Base

Cream Inner Skirt

This forms the visible central front panel and the lower light-colored layers.

• Using cream yarn and 3 mm needles, CO 72 sts.
• Rows 1 to 8: work in garter stitch.
• Row 9 RS: k all.
• Row 10 WS: p all.
• Continue stockinette through Row 36.
• Row 37 RS: k3, M1R, repeat from across to last 3 sts, k3. 94 sts.
• Row 38 WS: p all.
• Rows 39 to 56: stockinette.

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Do not bind off yet.

Lower Cream Ruffle

• Change to cream if needed and work from live stitches.
• Row 57 RS: k1, kfb across. 187 sts.
• Rows 58 to 64: garter stitch, beginning with purl row if working flat in garter by every row knit is preferred; either method is acceptable so long as texture is visible.
• Final row: loosely BO.

With gold yarn, surface-edge the transition between skirt and ruffle using duplicate stitch or a fine chain-like oversewn line.

Dusty Rose Main Overskirt Panel

This section creates the dramatic rose outer skirt seen on both sides of the center panel.

• Using dusty rose yarn, CO 96 sts.
• Rows 1 to 6: garter stitch.
• Rows 7 to 32: stockinette.
• Row 33 RS: k2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 94 sts.
• Row 34 WS: p all.
• Repeat Rows 33 and 34 seven more times. 80 sts.
• Rows 49 to 64: stockinette.
• Row 65 RS: k1, kfb across. 159 sts.
• Rows 66 to 72: garter stitch.
• BO loosely.

This wide panel is wrapped around the lower half of the doll and arranged so the center front remains open, revealing the cream panel beneath.

The upper edges should angle downward from waist to front opening.

Before sewing, pin the panel in place and confirm that the opening width matches the image.

Front Side Panel Shaping

To imitate the image more closely, the overskirt does not hang as a plain rectangle.

It frames the cream center like two curved petals.

• Lay the rose overskirt panel flat.
• Mark center front opening area about 24 sts wide.
• Turn under this opening area to create two angled front edges.
• Sew the folded edges invisibly.
• Outline both edges with gold yarn using duplicate stitch or neat couched trim.

Waist Joining of Dress

Gather top edge of cream inner skirt until it fits the torso waist evenly.

Sew securely around waist, keeping center front exactly aligned.

Then position the dusty rose overskirt over it.

The overskirt should start at waist, flare outward, and sit slightly above the cream underlayer so the cream front panel stays clearly visible.

All visible seams should face backward or be hidden under trims.

Bodice Decorative Detailing

The bodice in the image has a structured antique dress look with vertical gold lines and rose decorations.

• Using gold yarn, embroider two curved vertical lines from neckline down to waist center.
• Add a narrow center gold line between them.
• Embroider three small rose-pink rosettes down the bodice front, evenly spaced.
• Add olive leaf motifs beside lower bodice decoration.
• Work a gold neckline outline around front neckline.
• Work a gold sleeve cuff line at the lower edge of each puff sleeve.

Floral Embroidery for Skirt

This step makes the pattern look accurate to the image.

The dress must not be left plain.

The floral placement is balanced, soft, and decorative without covering every surface.

Rose Motif Method

• Make each rose using a spiral embroidered rosette.
• Start with 3 tiny straight stitches like a small star center.
• Wrap or stitch around the center in a tight spiral using pink yarn.
• For larger roses, add one more spiral round.
• Use pale blush, medium rose, and dusty pink for variation.

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Leaf Motif Method

• Use olive yarn.
• Make each leaf with satin stitch, fishbone stitch, or tiny duplicate-stitch leaf shapes.
• Keep each leaf about 3 to 5 stitches long.

Suggested Floral Placement

• Center cream front panel: one cluster of 5 roses near hem, one smaller cluster above, small olive leaves between
• Left rose overskirt front: one large pale rose near lower side, one medium pink rose above, one small bud near edge, scattered leaves
• Right rose overskirt front: mirror left side with similar spacing
• Bodice lower front: small rose accents near waist point
• Sleeves: one tiny rose at outer shoulder-lower sleeve area on each side

After embroidery, steam lightly from a distance without crushing the texture.

Hair

The doll has long cool-gray hair with a center-front fringe section and long side lengths flowing below the shoulders.

The hair is smoother than curly and falls in separate soft knitted strands.

Back Hair Cap

• Using gray yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 12 sts.
• Row 1 RS: kfb in each st. 24 sts.
• Row 2: p all.
• Row 3: k1, kfb across. 36 sts.
• Row 4: p all.
• Row 5: k2, kfb across. 48 sts.
• Rows 6 to 18: stockinette.
• BO.

This cap covers the back crown only.

Long Hair Strips

Make 16 to 22 strips depending on fullness.

• Using gray yarn, CO 4 sts.
• Work 28 rows in stockinette.
• BO.

Make 4 slightly shorter strips of 18 rows for front sides.

Make 5 short bangs strips of 10 rows each.

Attach Hair

• Sew hair cap to back upper head.
• Attach long strips around cap edge and top center, layering from lower back upward.
• Place 2 or 3 strips over each shoulder front area.
• Sew short bangs vertically at center forehead to create the blunt front fringe seen in the image.
• Leave side lengths loose and gently curve them inward at ends.

The hairstyle should not be bulky over the face.

Most volume sits behind the hat and along the sides.

Hat

The hat is large, softly sloped, and decorated with roses around the crown.

Its outer brim is blush pink, the inner crown band appears mint or pale green, and flowers sit across the front and side.

Hat Crown Top

• Using pale mint or cream-mint yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 8 sts across 3 needles.
• Round 1: kfb all sts. 16 sts.
• Round 2: k all.
• Round 3: k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
• Round 4: k all.
• Round 5: k2, kfb around. 32 sts.
• Round 6: k all.
• Round 7: k3, kfb around. 40 sts.
• Rounds 8 to 20: k all.

Hat Side Wall and Brim Join

• Switch to blush pink.
• Round 21: k all through back loop to create turning ridge.
• Round 22: k all.
• Round 23: k3, M1R around. 50 sts.
• Round 24: k all.
• Round 25: k4, M1R around. 60 sts.
• Round 26: k all.
• Round 27: k5, M1R around. 70 sts.
• Round 28: k all.
• Round 29: k6, M1R around. 80 sts.
• Rounds 30 to 36: k all.
• BO loosely.

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If desired, slip a thin ring of plastic canvas or millinery wire inside the brim edge to keep the elegant wave shape.

Hat Underside Facing Optional

For a polished result, knit a second brim ring in pale cream and sew underneath lightly.

This helps the brim sit neatly and gives the soft two-tone interior look seen in the image.

Hat Flowers

Make 5 large roses and 2 small roses.

• Small rose strip: CO 18 sts, work 2 rows stockinette, BO, roll tightly
• Large rose strip: CO 24 sts, work 3 rows stockinette, BO, roll loosely

Make colors as follows:

• 2 dusty rose
• 2 pale blush
• 1 butter yellow
• 2 optional small accent roses

Make 8 to 10 leaves by CO 3 sts, then kfb at each edge on RS rows until 7 sts, work 2 rows straight, then decrease back to 3 sts and BO.

Sew flowers to front and upper side of hat crown, not on the outer brim edge.

Cluster them asymmetrically but balanced, like the reference image.

Bag

The bag is a small cream shoulder bag with pink roses on the flap.

• Using cream yarn, CO 16 sts.
• Rows 1 to 18: garter stitch.
• Row 19 RS: k all.
• Row 20 WS: p all.
• Rows 21 to 24: stockinette.
• BO.

Fold lower section up to form pouch, leaving upper section as flap.

Sew side seams.

For strap, make an i-cord 22 to 24 inches long or a crocheted chain using the same yarn.

Sew strap to sides.

Add 3 pink rosettes and 2 or 3 olive leaves on front flap.

Shoes Make 2

• Using cream yarn, CO 8 sts.
• Rows 1 to 4: garter stitch.
• Row 5: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
• Rows 6 to 10: stockinette.
• Row 11: k2tog, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
• Rows 12 to 14: garter stitch.
• BO.

Fold and seam into a tiny slipper shape.

Add a rose on top center of each shoe.

If making them freestanding for display, insert a tiny sole cut from felt or plastic canvas.

Tea Cup and Saucer

Saucer

• Using cream yarn, CO 6 sts in round.
• Round 1: kfb all. 12 sts.
• Round 2: k all.
• Round 3: k1, kfb around. 18 sts.
• Round 4: p all.
• BO loosely.

Cup

• CO 10 sts in round.
• Rounds 1 to 4: k all.
• Round 5: p all for decorative ridge.
• Round 6: k all.
• BO.

Flatten base lightly and stitch onto saucer.

Add a tiny handle with a short cord loop.

Embroider a small pink dot or miniature flower if desired.

Berry Bowl

• Using basket tan yarn, CO 8 sts in round.
• Round 1: k all.
• Round 2: kfb every other st. 12 sts.
• Rounds 3 to 5: k all.
• Round 6: p all.
• Round 7: k all.
• BO loosely.

Stuff very lightly or line with felt to keep open.

Make 6 to 8 tiny strawberries by wrapping red yarn around a needle tip and tying off into tiny berry knots.

Add one small green stitch on each berry top.

Optional Neck Stability Insert

If the head feels heavy from the hat and hair, insert a short rolled fabric tube or slim craft dowel inside the neck before closing the torso-to-head transition.

This is optional but very helpful for a display doll with a large hat.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

• Sew arms to the upper torso just below neck, angled slightly downward and outward.
• Sew puff sleeves over arm tops.
• Attach bodice wrap and ensure center front stays aligned with cream skirt panel.
• Sew inner skirt first, then overskirt.
• Attach hair, then place hat slightly tilted but still centered enough to show the bangs.
• Embroider eyes using black thread as small oval satin stitches.
• Add fine upward lashes at outer corners.
• Embroider a tiny horizontal nose in pale skin thread.
• Add soft pink blush with very light embroidery or fabric-safe blush.
• Keep the mouth absent or extremely subtle to match the image’s delicate face.

Care Notes

• Display indoors away from strong direct sunlight.
• Do not machine wash.
• Avoid rough handling of hat flowers, bag strap, and embroidered roses.
• Lift the doll from the body, not from the hat brim or hair strands.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is evenly stuffed and round
• Hair falls smoothly at both sides
• Hat brim curves softly and flowers are balanced
• Bodice has gold lines and rose buttons
• Skirt shows cream center panel and rose outer layers
• Embroidery is symmetrical and neatly placed
• Accessories match the tea party theme

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

• Use a clean dry makeup brush or soft artist brush to remove dust.
• Spot clean only with a barely damp cloth and mild soap if necessary.
• Never soak the doll, as stuffing and structured shaping may distort.
• Store with acid-free tissue around the hat brim and skirt if packing away.
• Keep in a breathable box, never sealed plastic for long periods.

Display Styling Tips

To recreate the look from the image, place the doll seated or standing against a natural garden, tea table, cottage, or wooden bench display.

Arrange the bag and shoes beside the doll rather than attaching everything permanently.

The teacup and berry bowl add scale and storytelling, so keeping them close to the skirt hem gives the same tea party mood shown in the reference.

Design Accuracy Notes

For the closest visual match, the most important features are the oversized floral hat, the cool gray long hair, the smooth rounded face, the dusty rose and cream layered gown, the gold outlines, the embroidered roses, and the tiny matching accessories.

Do not simplify the skirt into one plain dress piece.

Do not omit the gold trim lines.

Do not make the hat too small.

Those three details are what most strongly create the same silhouette and styling as the original image.