I made this because I wanted to knit a doll for Operation Christmas Child (through Samaritan's purse-see samaritanspurse.org.) Apparently a doll, especially one made by hand, is very much appreciated by the children who receive them. Isn't it wonderful that we knitters can do this so easily!
materials
4mm / US size 6 needles worsted weight yarn in the following colors: ·shoe color · skin color .top color ·skirt color optional—seepatternfor details · shorts color optional—see pattern for details . hair color · facial details yarn (if hair color is not dark) small bit of red for mouth · stuffing material (l used cut pieces of yarn)
Notes:
I did not use any white, fearing the doll could get dirty quickly. Always leave reasonable length tails for sewing up. Extra yarn can be tucked inside for stuffing. After sewing, overhand knot all pairs of tails, and add to stuffing
right leg
With shoe color, cast on 12 stitches. Knit all stitches to 1". Cut yarn. Introduce skin color, and knit all stitches to 2". End after working a WS row. Cut yarn. Thread stitches of right leg onto tail or scrap of yarn, to hold.
left leg
Repeat as for right leg, but do not cut skin color at end of leg. Thread stitches of right leg onto end of needle and so both legs are sitting with RS facing. See photo to left. Note: If you do not plan to knit shorts, work both front and back torsos intopcolor.
front torso
Knit all stitches of left leg: turn to WS and cast on 5 stitches (for front crotch): turn to RS, and knit 6 stitches to middle of right leg: turn, and knit WS row over 6 stitches of right leg, 5 stitches of crotch, and 6 stitches to middle of left leg--17 stitches on needle, 6 stitches hanging off each end. @ Sally Melville, 2015 This pattern is for use as gift or for fundraiser. It is not to be reproduced otherwise.
basic doll
Put 6 stitches from each end onto spare needle or piece of yarn. See photo to right. Knit 17 stitches of front torso to 1.5". End after working a WS row. Cut yarn.
chest
Introduce top color. Knit until chest is 2". End after working a WS row.Cutyarn.
face
Introduce skin color. Knit until face is 1%2". Bind off and cut yarn.
back torso
Turn work to WS. Fold legs to center. Insert needle as shown in photo to right. Knit 6 stitches from right leg: turn to WS and cast on 5 stitches (for back crotch): turn to RS, and knit 6 stitches of left leg--17 stitches on needle. Knit back torso to same length as front torso. End after working a WS row. Cut yarn.
upper back, back head
Work as chest and face. Note: If you wish to make a boy doll, do not make the skirt.
front skirt
Turn doll upside down. Slip needle through 17 garter bumps at bottom of chest. See photo to right. Note: Make sure stitches on needle are not twisted. If they are, you need to switch them around before working the following row. With skirt color, knit in front and back of each stitch--34 stitches. Work in garter until skirt is 1%2". Next row (RS) \*Knit 1, yo; repeat from \* to last stitch, knit 1. Bind off in knit and WS row. Cut yarn.
back skirt
Turn piece upside down to work from upper back, and make skirt as above.
facial details
With dark yarn, work eyes and nose as shown in photo to right. (The eyes are small X's.) With small piece of red, work mouth as shown in photo to right.
Sally Melville, 2015 This pattern is for use as gift or for fundraiser. It is not to be reproduced otherwise.
basic doll
hair
cut pieces to about 2'; double yarn, then thread tapestry needle with doubled yarn; take tapestry needle through head and then through loop formed by yarn (see photo to upper right); take tapestry needle through head again, pulling about 4" of tails through and leaving long loop (see photo to right); with index finger, twist long loop as much as possible—to spiral hair; take tapestry needle through end of spiral (see photo below right) then back into head (to secure); make hair pieces across top and a little down each side (as shown in main photo, page 1); turn head inside out and make overhand knots with all pairs of tails to secure hair. Sew upper back and chest together, below arms. Sew underarms and hands together. Sew front and back torsos together. Sew shoes and legs, crotch open for stuffing. Stuff as desired, then sew crotch closed. End after working a WS row. Cut yarn. Introduce skin color (for hand), and knit to %". Bind off and cut yarn. arms (work one on each side) Sew sides and top of head together. With RS facing, slip needle through 12 garter ridges at edge of piece--6 down from head on front and back. See photo to left. Note: If stitches are twisted, knit through the back of them. With RS facing, introduce top color and knit 12 stitches for 1%2".
shorts
With shorts color, cast on 18 stitches. Knit to 1%2". Bind off 7 stitches at beginning of row, then knit to end. Bind off 7 stitches at beginning of next row, then knit to end—-4 stitches remain. Cast on 7 stitches at beginning of next row, then knit to end. Cast on 7 stitches at beginning of next row, then knit to end—18 stitches. Knit all stitches to 1%2", then bind off so tail is at opposite end from first tail. Sew sides of shorts closed.
