From Storybook to Stitches: A Custom Crochet Labubu Outfit Inspired by a Wild Thing

Some custom orders begin with a long list of measurements and colour codes. This one began with a single picture.

A customer in the United States wrote to us with an image of a familiar character from a much-loved children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are — the shaggy, horned monster in a striped, furry body and scaly legs, caught mid-stomp. Her request was simple and wonderful: could we dress her Labubu like that?

We said yes before we’d even finished reading the message. Here’s how it came together.

Why This Request Made So Much Sense

If you look at a Labubu and a Wild Thing side by side, the connection is obvious. Both have that slightly mischievous grin full of pointy teeth. Both are fluffy, a little wild, and somehow completely lovable. Our customer had spotted something we hadn’t put into words: Labubu already has the spirit of a friendly monster. It just needed the outfit to match.

That’s what we love about custom work. The best ideas almost always come from the person who knows and loves the story behind them.

Step 1: Reading the Picture

We don’t copy an illustration stitch for stitch — a doll outfit has to work in three dimensions, fit a real figure, and still look good from every angle. So the first step was to pick out the details that make the character instantly recognisable and translate them into yarn.

We settled on three:

• The striped body. Soft horizontal bands in warm, sandy tones are the heart of the look.
• The scaly legs. In the drawing, the legs have a silvery, patterned texture that sets them apart from the furry body.
• The overall mood. Warm, a little rumpled, and cosy rather than scary.

Everything else — the horns, the claws, the tail — we left to Labubu’s own personality. Her fluffy hood and pointed toes already did half the work.

Step 2: Choosing the Yarn

Colour was the most important decision. We chose a soft butter yellow paired with a warm caramel brown for the sweater, alternating them in wide stripes so the pattern reads clearly even at doll scale.

For the pants, we wanted something that would catch the light the way the scales do in the illustration. We picked a silver metallic yarn and worked it in a dense, even stitch. The result has a subtle shimmer and texture that suggests scales without being literal — and it contrasts beautifully with the matte cotton of the sweater.

Step 3: Crocheting for a Labubu Fit

Labubu has a big head, short arms and a round little body, so off-the-shelf doll patterns rarely fit well. Every piece was shaped by hand:

• The sweater has a slightly boxy cut and short sleeves so Labubu’s furry arms can peek out, just like the character’s paws.
• The neckline sits low and wide enough to slip over the head without stretching out of shape.
• The pants are roomy at the hips and end just above the feet, leaving those pointed green toes on show.

We tried each piece on as we went and adjusted until the outfit sat naturally — not too tight, not sliding off.

The Finished Outfit

The final look is a striped yellow-and-caramel crochet sweater with sparkly silver pants. On its own it’s a cosy little outfit. On Labubu, it becomes something more: a small, wild, grinning monster who looks like he’s about to start a rumpus.

Our customer had a story she loved, and now she has a piece of it she can hold in her hand. That’s exactly why we do custom work.

Have a Story You’d Like to Bring to Life?

Maybe it’s a character from a book you read to your kids every night. Maybe it’s your pet, a favourite film, or a memory you want to keep close. If you can show us a picture or describe the idea, we can design a handmade piece around it.

Here’s how a Runoo custom order works:

• Send us your idea. A photo, a sketch, or just a few sentences — whatever you have.
• We plan it together. We’ll suggest colours, yarn and details, and confirm everything with you before we start.
• We make it by hand. Every piece is crocheted after you order, just for you.
• It arrives ready to love. Packed with care and shipped to you, wherever you are.

Start your custom order →

Not ready for a fully custom piece? Browse our handmade Labubu outfits — including our Halloween pumpkin and witch looks — all made to order.

Questions? Write to us at hello@runooart.com. We’d love to hear your story.