Bring the spirit of the nativity to life with the Amigurumi Shepherd Joseph, a heartfelt crochet character that adds warmth and tradition to your holiday crafting. 🧶🐑 With his humble robes, gentle expression, and staff in hand, Joseph stands as a quiet guardian in your handmade nativity scene. Whether he’s nestled beside Mary and baby Jesus or watching over a flock of tiny sheep, this shepherd brings a sense of peace and storytelling to your festive décor.
This pattern is perfect for crocheters who love meaningful projects with timeless charm. You can personalize Joseph’s outfit with earthy tones, add embroidered details, or even craft a matching backdrop to complete the scene. Whether you’re creating a full nativity set or stitching a standalone figure, the Shepherd Joseph is a beautiful way to honor tradition—one thoughtful stitch at a time. 🌟🧵
🧶 Amigurumi Shepherd Joseph Crochet Pattern
This Shepherd Joseph amigurumi will be the perfect addition to your nativity set. With his layered robes, sandals, beard, staff, and traditional head covering, he is designed to match the photo as closely as possible.
✨ Skill Level
Intermediate – shaping, layering, sewing, and optional wire armature.
📏 Finished Size
~26–28 cm (10–11 in) tall (with staff), using worsted yarn and a 3.5–4 mm hook.
🧶 Materials
- Worsted yarn:
- Beige/skin tone (head, ears, nose, hands, feet)
- Dark brown (hair, beard, mustache, sandals)
- Light brown (outer robe, staff)
- Cream (inner robe, head covering)
- Medium brown (sleeves, robe accents)
- Crochet hook: 3.5–4 mm
- Safety eyes: 10–12 mm
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Yarn/tapestry needle
- Thin wire (optional for staff/arms)
- Floral tape (for wrapping wire ends)
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
🪡 Abbreviations (US Terms)
MR = Magic Ring
sc = single crochet
inc = increase (2 sc in one st)
dec = decrease (sc2tog)
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
FLO = front loop only
BLO = back loop only
👤 Head
Head (skin tone)
- MR 6 (6)
- inc ×6 (12)
- (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
- (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
6–12. sc around (30)
👉 Insert safety eyes between R9–10, ~6 sts apart. - (3 sc, dec) ×6 (24)
- (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
- (sc, dec) ×6 (12). Stuff firmly.
- dec ×6 (6). FO.
Nose (skin tone)
- MR 4 (4)
- inc ×4 (8)
- sc around (8)
- (sc, dec) ×4 (4)
FO. Sew between eyes, above beard line.
Ears (make 2, skin tone)
- MR 6 (6)
- sc around (6)
FO, flatten slightly. Sew to sides of head at eye level, peeking out from under hair/head covering.
💇 Hair, Beard & Mustache
Hair Cap (dark brown)
- MR 6 (6)
- inc ×6 (12)
- (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
- (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
6–8. sc around (30). FO.
Sew to head.
Beard (half-moon, dark brown)
- Ch 16.
- In 2nd ch from hook: sc 14, 3 sc in last ch.
- Continue opposite side: sc 14 (31).
- Ch 1, turn. sc across (31). FO.
Sew around chin, curving up toward ears.
Mustache
- Ch 12.
- sc across (11). FO.
Sew above beard, just under nose, curving slightly downward at ends.
Details:
- Embroider eyebrows above eyes.
- Add light blush with pink yarn or fabric paint.
👕 Body & Robes
Inner Robe (cream)
- MR 6 (6)
- inc ×6 (12)
- (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
- (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
6–12. sc around (30) - (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
14–22. sc around (36) - (4 sc, dec) ×6 (30)
24–26. sc around (30). FO. Stuff.
Outer Robe (light brown, open front)
- Ch 36, join to ring.
2–20. sc around (36). - sl st in 18 sts → split for front opening.
22–26. sc rows back and forth for coat flaps. FO.
Sleeves (make 2, medium brown):
- MR 6 (6)
- inc ×6 (12)
3–8. sc around (12). FO.
Rope Belt (tan): ch 50–60, tie around waist.
👋 Arms & Hands
Arms (red/brown with beige hands, make 2)
Hands (skin tone):
- MR 6 (6)
2–4. sc around (6)
Switch to medium brown (sleeves):
5–12. sc around (6).
FO, stuff lightly.
Attach hands to sleeve openings before sewing sleeves to robe.
👞 Feet & Sandals
Feet (skin tone, make 2)
- MR 6 (6)
- inc ×6 (12)
- (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
4–5. sc around (18). FO. Stuff.
Sandals (dark brown)
Soles (make 2):
- Ch 6.
- sc in 2nd ch, 3 sc, 3 sc in last ch. Continue other side: 3 sc, inc. (12)
- sc around (12). FO.
Sew soles under feet.
Straps: ch 12, sew across tops of feet.
🧣 Head Covering (cream)
- Ch 36, join to ring.
2–10. sc around (36). FO.
Wear loosely over head.
Headband Cord (tan): ch 50, tie across forehead to secure covering.
🪵 Shepherd’s Staff (light brown)
Wire Version (recommended):
- Cut wire ~25 cm, bend top into crook, wrap ends in floral tape.
- Crochet around: MR 6, sc in spiral to cover entire wire. FO.
Non-Wire Version:
- MR 6, sc spiral until ~25 cm.
- Lightly stuff, curve top into crook shape.
🧩 Assembly
- Attach head to body.
- Dress body with outer robe, sew sleeves and arms with hands attached.
- Tie rope belt.
- Sew feet with sandals to base.
- Place head covering, secure with tan cord.
- Sew beard, then mustache, then nose. Attach ears to sides of head.
- Embroider smile + eyebrows.
- Place staff into one hand; sew hand around staff for grip. If wire is inside, insert slightly into palm/body for stability.
🎉 Final Look
Your Amigurumi Shepherd Joseph is now complete! With his layered robes, braided rope belt, sandals, beard and mustache, and shepherd’s staff. Add him to your nativity set alongside Mary, Baby Jesus, and the Wise Men for a handmade heirloom that will bring warmth and joy every Christmas season.
