STUFFING
I recommend a synthetic high-loft polyester toy filling for stuffing these dolls. It is lovely and soft, holds its shape well and is hand or machine washable on a cool delicate cycle.
When stuffing your doll use small pieces, roll and manipulate the body parts in your hands to spread the stuffing evenly and ensure a smooth shape. Tease out any lumps using a blunt tapestry needle carefully inserted through the knitting in the gap between stitches.
YOU WILL ALSO NEED
White felt
Small circles of white felt (roughly 15mm (1⁄2in) diameter) are used to strengthen the knitted fabric behind the facial features and prevent the knotted ends showing through to the right side.
Basic kit and embellishments
The other items you need to complete each doll are listed at the beginning of each project. The following is a basic guide:
Tapestry needle
Stitch holder
Stitch markers
Small buttons, 6mm (1⁄4in) diameter
Sewing needle and thread
Ribbon, small lengths 5mm (3⁄16in) wide
Scissors
Safety note
DO NOT USE SAFETY EYES, BUTTONS, BEADS OR GLASS EYES ON TOYS INTENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER THREE YEARS OLD AS THEY ARE A POTENTIAL CHOKING HAZARD.
WASHING
If made in 100% cotton yarn and stuffed with synthetic toy filling, these dolls can either be washed by hand or on a gentle cool machine cycle. I would recommend reshaping the dolls and their clothing whilst still damp.
MAKING THE DOLLS
Naomi
She’s reached the sweet shop, but Naomi’s sure she’s forgotten something. Whatever it is, perhaps it’s in her little flower bag, or maybe she dropped it when she was admiring the fact that the paper bags are striped like her tights? Naomi’s a bit of a daydreamer. She wears her bobble hat all year round, otherwise she might lose that too.
You Will Need
Yarn
Yarn A Beige
Yarn B Pale Yellow
Yarn C Navy
Yarn D Pink
Yarn E Cerise
Yarn F Cream
Yarn G Moss Green
Yarn H Burgundy
Scraps of black and red for eyes and mouth
Finished size
28cm (11in) tall
You will also need
3mm (US 21⁄2) straight needles
2.5mm (US 11⁄2) straight needles
2.5mm (US 11⁄2) double-pointed needles
Stitch holder
Tapestry needle
3 x 15mm (1⁄2in) circles of white felt
Toy stuffing
5 x 6mm (1⁄4in) buttons
1 x 6.5cm (21⁄2in) long piece of card
Pattern
Cast on using the Long-tail (double cast on) method (see Techniques) unless otherwise indicated. Where possible leave long tails when you cast on and cast off and use these for the sewing up.
Head
Using Yarn A and 2.5mm needles cast on 13 sts.
Starting at neck:
Row 1 (ws): Purl.
Row 2: [K1, M1] 12 times, K1. (25 sts)
Row 3: Purl.
Row 4: K3, [K1, M1] 7 times, K4, [K1, M1] 7 times, K4. (39 sts)
Rows 5–7: Stocking stitch 3 rows.
Row 8: K3, [K3, M1] 4 times, K6, [K3, M1] 4 times, K6. (47 sts)
Cut yarn
Rows 9–31: Using intarsia technique (see Techniques) and working in stocking stitch work hair chart. Start with a purl row (ws) at the bottom left hand corner of chart, read purl rows (ws) from left to right and knit rows (rs) from right to left.
For top of head continue in Yarn B.
Row 32: K8, K2tog, K4, SSK, K15, K2tog, K4, SSK, K8. (43 sts)
Row 33: Purl.
Row 34: K8, K2tog, K2, SSK, K15, K2tog, K2, SSK, K8. (39 sts)
Row 35: Purl.
Row 36: K8, K2tog, SSK, K15, K2tog, SSK, K8. (35 sts)
Cut yarn, transfer the stitches on to a stitch holder.
Body
T-SHIRT
Using Yarn D and 2.5mm needles cast on 9 sts.
Starting at neck:
Row 1 (ws): Purl.
Row 2: K1, [K1, M1] 6 times, K2. (15 sts)
Row 3: Purl.
Row 4: K2, [K1, M1] 3 times, K4, [K1, M1] 3 times, K3. (21 sts)
Row 5: Purl.
Row 6: K3, [K1, M1] 4 times, K6, [K1, M1] 4 times, K4. (29 sts)
Rows 7–9: Stocking stitch 3 rows.
Row 10: K4, [K1, M1] 6 times, K8, [K1, M1] 6 times, K5. (41 sts)
Rows 11–15: Stocking stitch 5 rows.
Row 16: K3, [K3, M1] 4 times, K8, [K3, M1] 4 times, K6. (49 sts)
Rows 17–25: Stocking stitch 9 rows.
Rows 26–27: Knit 2 rows.
TOP OF TIGHTS