Joy Amigurumi Crochet Doll Pattern


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Joy is one of the most beloved characters from Pixar's Inside Out, and now you can make your very own amigurumi Joy doll! She's bright, energetic, and constantly reminds us to look for the good, even when life doesn't go according to plan.

Joy Amigurumi Doll Crochet Pattern from Pixar's Inside Out

After crocheting my Sadness amigurumi doll, I knew I couldn't stop there. Every emotion deserves a place in the collection, and Joy was the perfect next addition. Whether you're making her for yourself, a fellow Inside Out fan, or a child who loves the movies, she's a fun project that's sure to brighten someone's day.

If you're collecting all the emotions, be sure to check out my other free Inside Out crochet patterns too. Together, they make a colorful set that's perfect for display, imaginative play, or even helping little ones talk about their feelings.

Table of Contents

What You Need / Materials

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Yarns Substitutions

Finished Size

  • Finished amigurumi measures approximately 12 cm (4.7 inches) in height.
  • Consider using a different yarn weight or category and an appropriate hook size to make this project larger or smaller.

Level of Difficulty

  • ★★☆☆☆ Beginner / Easy
  • Requires familiarity with stitches used (below), attaching plastic safety eyes, changing yarn colors, and basic sewing and embroidery skills.
Joy Amigurumi Doll Crochet Pattern from Pixar's Inside Out

Stitches & Abbreviations

  • st/sts - stitch/stitches
  • ch - chain
  • slst - slip stitch
  • sc - single crochet
  • sc inc - single crochet increase, 2 single crochets in one stitch
  • sc dec - single crochet decrease, single crochet 2 stitches together
  • hdc - half double crochet
  • BLO - back loops only

Pattern Notes

  • This pattern is written using US crochet terms.
  • Complete the pieces in the specified order to ensure proper assembly later.
  • I used the underside of the amigurumi hairpiece as the visible side, allowing the strands to naturally curl toward the face.
  • Use the yarn under single crochet technique to achieve tighter, more aligned stitches.
  • Learn how to seamlessly change color in crochet mid-row or mid-round to create clean color transitions.
  • Crochet in continuous spiral rounds. Do not join at the end of each round unless otherwise stated.
  • Use a running stitch marker to keep your place when crocheting in rounds.
  • Use the invisible fasten-off method to create a smooth, knot-free edge that blends perfectly with your stitches.
  • Optional: Use the invisible decrease to enhance the appearance of your amigurumi.

Free Amigurumi Joy Crochet Pattern

Head

Using a 3.0 mm crochet hook with yellow yarn...
Round 1: Magic Circle with a base of 6 sc (6 sts)
Round 2: Sc inc in each st around (12 sts)
Round 3: [Sc, sc inc] x 6 times (18 sts)
Round 4: [Sc, sc inc, sc] x 6 times (24 sts)
Round 5: [3 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (30 sts)

Round 6: [2 sc, sc inc, 2 sc] x 6 times (36 sts)
Round 7: [5 sc, sc inc] x 6 times (42 sts)

Round 8-14: Sc in each st around (42 sts)

Round 15: [5 sc, sc dec] x 6 times (36 sts)
Round 16: [2 sc, sc dec, 2 sc] x 6 times (30 sts)
Round 17: [3 sc, sc dec] x 6 times (24 sts)

Put in your safety eyes. I put mine between rows 10 and 11, about 7 stitches apart. Stuff the amigurumi doll head with polyester stuffing as you decrease.

Round 18: [Sc, sc dec, sc] x 6 times (18 sts)
Round 19: [Sc, sc dec] x 6 times (12 sts)
Round 20: Sc BLO in each st around (12 sts)
Round 21-23: Sc in each st around (12 sts)

Cut and fasten off. Stuff firmly and push rows 20-23 inside the head to create a tunnel and a hole for the neck to go into later.

Arms (make 2)

Using a 3.0 mm crochet hook with yellow yarn...
Round 1: Magic Ring with a base of 6 sc (6 sts)
Round 2-5: Sc in each st around (6 sts)
Cut and fasten off.

Legs and Body

Using a 3.0 mm crochet hook with yellow yarn...
Round 1: Magic Ring with a base of 6 sc (6 sts)
Round 2: [2 Sc, sc inc] x 2 times (8 sts)
Round 3-7: Sc in each st around (8 sts)
Cut and fasten off the first leg.

Repeat rounds 1-7 to make a second leg. Do not cut or fasten off; instead, finish off with a Ch 2.

Round 8: Join the second leg with the first leg. 8 sc around the first leg, 2 sc along the ch, 8 sc around the second leg, 2 sc along the other side of the ch (20 sts)

Change to green yarn...
Round 9-10: Sc in each st around (20 sts)
Round 11: Sc BLO in each st around (20 sts)
Round 12: Sc in each st around (20)

Watch out for multiple color changes in this upcoming round...
Round 13: 4 sc (in Green), 6 sc around the first arm (in Yellow), 10 sc (in Green), 6 sc around the second arm (in Yellow), 6 sc (in Green) (32 sts)

Stuff the amigurumi doll body as you decrease.

Using only green yarn...
Round 14: Sc dec in each st around (16 sts)
Round 15: Sc dec in each st around (8 sts)

Change to yellow yarn...
Round 16-20: Sc in each st around (8 sts)

Cut and leave a long tail to attach the body to the head by threading the yarn tail through the hole on the bottom of the head. Then sew it to the top of the head, and then sew it to the neck again to secure it. Do this a few times to make sure your head is secured.

Skirt

Work on the front loops from round 11 with the doll legs facing away from you. Using a 3.0 mm crochet hook and green yarn...
Round 1: Sc join to the front loops from round 11 using green yarn, sc in each st around (20 sts)
Round 2-4: Sc in each st around (20 sts)
Cut and fasten off invisibly.

Put on the finishing touches by using some blue yarn to embroider the stars/fireworks pattern onto Joy's dress.

Joy Amigurumi Doll Crochet Pattern from Pixar's Inside Out

Hairpiece / Wig

Using a 3.0 mm crochet hook and bright blue yarn...
Round 1: Magic Circle with a base of 6 sc (6 sts)
Round 2: Sc inc in each st around (12 sts)
Round 3: [Sc, sc inc] x 3 times, [ch 4, sc into the 2nd ch from the hook, 2 sc], [sc, sc inc] x 3 times (18 sts)
Round 4: [Sc, sc inc, sc] x6 times (24 sts)

Strand 1: Ch 9, sc into the 2nd ch from the hook and up the ch, then slst into the next st on round 4 (8 sts)
Strand 2: Ch 7, sc into the 2nd ch from the hook and up the ch, then slst into the next st on round 4 (6 sts)
Strand 3: Ch 6, sc into the 2nd ch from the hook and up the ch, then slst into the next st on round 4 (6 sts)
Strand 4: Ch 6, sc into the 2nd ch from the hook and up the ch, then slst into the next st on round 4 (5 sts)
Strand 5: Ch 9, sc into the 2nd ch from the hook and up the ch, then slst into the next st on round 4 (8 sts)

Strand 6: Ch 10, hdc into the 3rd ch from the hook and up the ch, skip 1, then slst into the next st on round 4 (8 sts)
Strand 7: Ch 11, hdc into the 3rd ch from the hook and up the ch, skip 1, then slst into the next st on round 4 (9 sts)
Strand 8: Ch 12, hdc into the 3rd ch from the hook and up the ch, skip 1, then slst into the next st on round 4 (10 sts)

Strand 9-12: Ch 12, hdc into the 3rd ch from the hook and up the ch, skip 1, then slst into the next st on round 4 (10 sts)
Strand 13: Ch 11, hdc into the 3rd ch from the hook and up the ch, skip 1, then slst into the next st on round 4 (9 sts)
Strand 14: Ch 10, hdc into the 3rd ch from the hook and up the ch, skip 1, then slst into the next st on round 4 (8 sts)

Cut and fasten off with a long strand to sew the hairpiece onto the head. Alternatively, you can use some glue to fix it on the head.

Joy Amigurumi Doll Crochet Pattern from Pixar's Inside Out

You should have a little nub from round 3 (as shown with the arrow in the photo). The nub is on the back of the head and off to the side.

Joy Amigurumi Doll Crochet Pattern from Pixar's Inside Out

The Story Behind the Stitches

After sharing my Sadness amigurumi doll, I knew I couldn't stop there. Joy was the obvious next character to crochet. After all, every collection needs a little happiness!

Around that time, my daughter had become completely obsessed with collecting the Disney Pixar Minis. She already had Sadness, but Joy was nowhere to be found. Every weekend, she'd wake me up bright and early, convinced that this would be the day we'd finally track one down. We searched store after store, but she always came home empty-handed.

Joy Amigurumi Doll Crochet Pattern from Pixar's Inside Out

As a crocheter, my solution was simple: If we couldn't find Joy, I'd make one myself (just like my crochet Forky amigurumi)! I hoped a handmade version would be enough to satisfy her while we continued our hunt.

Well... it turns out nothing could replace the tiny toy she had her heart set on. She still asked to go searching EVERY weekend! Thankfully, after what felt like forever, we finally found the elusive Joy Mini. And now, she has both the store-bought version and a handmade one made with lots of love.

Joy Amigurumi Doll Crochet Pattern from Pixar's Inside Out

Looking back, this pattern reminds me that some of the best crochet projects come from the little moments with our kids. Even if my amigurumi didn't end the great Joy hunt, it became a special keepsake from a memory I'll always smile about.

Crochet Pixar's Inside Out Amigurumi Dolls

Creative Uses and Ideas

  • Inside Out Amigurumi Collection: Crochet all of your favorite emotions to create a colorful Inside Out amigurumi collection.
  • Disney Crochet Display: Add your finished Inside Out crochet dolls to a shelf or display alongside your favorite Disney and Pixar collectibles.
  • Handmade Gift: Make a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member as a fun little reminder that all of our emotions are important and deserve to be acknowledged.
  • Emotions and Feelings Activity: Use the different characters as a fun way to talk about emotions and help children recognize and express their feelings.
  • Pretend Play: Add these emotion amigurumi dolls to a child's toy collection for imaginative play and to recreate favorite scenes from the movie Inside Out.
  • Emotional Reminder: Keep this tiny crochet doll on your desk or workspace as a reminder that every emotion has an important place in our lives.
  • Handmade Birthday Gift: Crochet Joy makes a unique birthday gift for anyone who loves Disney movies, Pixar characters, or amigurumi.
  • Therapy and Counselling: Crochet the complete set of Inside Out emotion dolls to use as a visual aid during counseling or therapy sessions, giving children a fun and familiar way to identify and talk about feelings.

More Inside Out Crochet Patterns to Love...

Share Your Creation with Me!

Did you make this project? I'd love to see it! Please share it with me on Instagram and/or use the #onceuponacheerio hashtag.

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This is an original crochet pattern created by Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio. Please do not claim this crochet pattern as your own. If you would like to share this pattern, please link to this blog post rather than reposting it on your own website. You may save or keep a copy for personal use only. Selling, redistributing, or sharing this crochet pattern, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.

Disclaimer: This crochet pattern is an unofficial fan-created design and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the respective copyright and trademark holders. All character names, images, and related intellectual property belong to their respective owners. This crochet pattern does not grant permission to reproduce, sell, or distribute copyrighted characters or related designs.

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