EDIT: These designs were created with beginner knitters in mind. They are knitted flat and are sewn together. For a more experienced knitter, I have created directions for knitting the dolls in the round, using double pointed needles, thus eliminating the seams. Also, directions are giving for adding a face and hair. Those expanded directions for a Basic Knit In the Round Doll can be found HERE.
If you would like to add a Gnome Hat, the pattern can be found HERE.
Few things bring more joy to a child than snuggling with their special doll. We have created a basic doll pattern in 6 sizes: 12", 10", 8", 5", 4", and 3", enough to create a whole family or village. THIS IS OUR BASIC KNIT DOLL PATTERN. Over time we will be using this basic pattern to make many different dolls. When we do, we will refer you back to this pattern, and share alterations, embellishments, and perhaps a story or two :)
Below are the general directions for making knit dolls. As time goes on we will share many different projects that begin with this basic doll pattern. The directions are for 6 sizes. First, there are directions for the four larger dolls:
5" toddler
8" child
10" mother
12" father
Then, there is another set of directions for making:
4" baby
3" dolly
Stitches:
You can chose to knit the bodies and arms in a garter stitch (knit every row) or a stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row). The garter stitch produces horizontal lines and creates a nubbier surface.
The stockinette stitch creates vertical lines and a smoother surface.
Just like clothing, the horizontal lines of the garter stitch tends to make the dolls look plumper, whereas the stockinette stitch with its vertical lines, makes the dolls appear thinner. It is all a matter of choice. ALL FACES should be knit in the stockinette stitch.
Materials:
These dolls should be knit using worsted weight yarn. I prefer to use 100% wool because it stands up to play better than acrylics which tend to ball up over time. Because dolls will be played with by children, they will need cleaning from time to time. Wool will felt and shrink but I found if you stuff the dolls with an acrylic fiberfill instead of wool roving, they will not flatten out, and they will maintain their shape. I found I could wash a doll in with my normal wash (cold wash, cold rinse) and even tumble dry on warm, with minimal shrinkage. Note: The stockinette stitch will felt and shrink a bit more than the garter stitch.
Needles:
Size 6 needles or needles that fit the gauge.
Gauge:
22 stitches and 28 rows = 4" square in stockinette stitch
IMPORTANT: Leave long yarn tails (12" - 18" depending on the size of the doll) when you cast on or when you cut yarns. These will be used for sewing up the dolls.
DIRECTIONS FOR TODDLER, CHILD, MOTHER AND FATHER DOLLS
Directions are written for the 5" doll. Additional sizes are in parentheses as follows: 5" (8", 10", 12")
Leg 1:
Loosely cast on 10 (15, 20, 25) stitches.
Work in garter stitch or stockinette stitch for 10 (16, 20, 26) rows.
Do not bind off but cut the yarn.
Leg 2:
Slide the first leg to the back of the needle, and loosely cast on 10 (15, 20, 25) stitches.
Complete as you did for the first leg but DO NOT cut the yarn.
Body:
Slide the two legs together. You will now have 20 (30, 40, 50) stitches.
Knit across the row, treating the 2 separate legs as one. This will create the body.
Continue working in your pattern for 16 (24, 32, 40) rows.
Cut yarn.
Head:
Switch to head color.
Work in stockinette stitch for 10 (16, 20, 26) rows.
DO NOT bind off.
Cut thread.
Thread the end through a yarn needle. Slide the needle through each stitch as you remove them from the knitting needle. Later, this will be pulled tight to gather the stitches.
Sew Doll Together:
Thread a yarn tail at the bottom of a leg and sew a close running stitch across the bottom of a leg.
Pull the thread tight, gathering the leg edge. Tie off but do not cut yarn.
With right sides together, sew up the inseam. Tie off this yarn tail with the yarn tail that is at the crotch. DO NOT CUT THIS YARN. Weave in the yarn tail that you used to sew the inseam and clip.Do the same for the other leg.
Use the yarn tail at the crotch to sew up the back of the body. Tie it off with the matching yarn tail where the body meets the head. Weave in this yarn tail and clip. Leave the other body yarn tail long.
Using the head yarn tail at the base of the neck, sew up the back of the head. Tie off this yarn and weave in the tail and clip. Turn the doll right side out. Using a yarn needle, pass the remaining long body yarn tail that is at the neckline from in inside of the doll to the outside. This will be used later to form the head.
Stuff the doll.
Pull the yarn tail at the top of the head that was slipped through the stitches. By pulling it tightly, you will gather the top of the doll's head. The knit head should be wrinkle free. If you have wrinkles around the top of the head, try adding a little more stuffing. When satisfied, tie it off. Note: On the larger dolls you might create a "hole" in the top of the head. If so, simply sew the hole closed by making little stitches across the hole.
Tie off the thread, and work it into the doll. Clip.
Forming head:
To form the head, thread the body yarn tail remaining at the nape of the neck. Using a running stitch, go in and out of every stitch all around the neck.
When you've gone all around, pull the thread firmly to create a neck. When you are pleased with the shape of the head and neck, tie off the yarn, and work the thread into the doll and clip the thread.
Arms:
Using the body yarn, loosely cast on 8 (12, 16, 20) stitches.
Work in garter stitch or stockinette stitch for 12 (18, 24, 30) rows.
DO NOT bind off.
Cut thread.
Thread the end through a yarn needle. Slide the needle through each stitch as you remove them from the knitting needle.
Pull the thread tight, gathering the arm edge. Tie off but do not cut yarn.
With right sides together, sew up the inseam of the arm. Tie off this yarn tail with the yarn tail at the top of the arm. DO NOT cut the arm tail at the top of the arm. Weave in the yarn tail that you sewed the seam with and clip.
Stuff the arm.
Position the arm 1 or 2 rows below the neckline, with the arm seam against the body. The arms should be at the dolls sides but slightly towards the front of the doll.
Stitch the arm to the doll. Since young children might decide to chew on an arm, I always double sew an arm on for extra safety.
Make the second arm in the manner described above and attach.
DIRECTIONS FOR DOLLY AND INFANT DOLLS Note: Read all the general directions at the top of the page concerning materials, needles, gauge, stitches and yarn tail lengths. Because these are knit and sewn together in the same fashion as the larger dolls, refer to those pictures if you need clarification.
Directions are written for the 3" doll. Additional size is in parentheses: 3" (4")
Body:
Loosely cast on 10 (15) stitches.
Work in garter stitch or stockinette stitch for 14 (18) rows.
Cut the yarn.
Head:
Switch to head color.
Work in stockinette stitch for 6 (10) rows.
DO NOT bind off.
Cut thread.
Thread the end of the yarn tail through a yarn needle. Slide the needle through each stitch as you remove them from the knitting needle. Later, this will be pulled tight to gather the stitches.
Sew Doll Together:
Thread a yarn tail at the bottom of the body and sew a close running stitch across the bottom edge.
Pull the thread tight, gathering the bottom edge. Tie off but do not cut yarn.
With right sides together, sew the seam until you reach the head. Tie off this yarn tail with the yarn tail that is at the neck. DO NOT CUT THIS YARN. Weave in the yarn tail that you used to sew the seam and clip.
Using the head yarn tail at the base of the neck, sew up the back of the head. Tie off this yarn and weave in the tail and clip. Turn the doll right side out. Using a yarn needle, pass the remaining long body yarn tail that is at the neckline from in inside of the doll to the outside. This will be used later to form the head.
Stuff the doll.
Pull the yarn tail at the top of the head that was slipped through the stitches. By pulling it tightly, you will gather the top of the doll's head. The knit head should be wrinkle free. If you have wrinkles around the top of the head, try adding a little more stuffing. When satisfied, tie it off. Note: On the larger dolls you might create a "hole" in the top of the head. If so, simply sew the hole closed by making little stitches across the hole.
Tie off the thread, and work it into the doll. Clip.
Forming head:
To form the head, thread the body yarn tail remaining at the nape of the neck. Using a running stitch, go in and out of every stitch all around the neck.
When you've gone all around, pull the thread firmly to create a neck. When you are pleased with the shape of the head and neck, tie off the yarn, and work the thread into the doll and clip the thread.
No Arms - I made the infant and dolly without arms to look like they are swaddled.
OUR "DISCLAIMER"! We are sharing patterns we have designed and made for our own children, families and friends. Every effort is made to share information in a clear and accurate manner. But we are only human, although I often long for superhuman powers, and as humans, mistakes will be made. We offer preemptive apologies for any aforementioned mistakes. Please let us know via comments or emails if you stumble upon a mistake or if you encounter directions that leave you scratching your head! We will rectify the situation as soon as humanly possible! Before beginning any of our patterns, think of yourself as a Beta Tester. We do not have a staff, editors or even volunteers that are crafting our projects before we share them. YOU are the first to have a go at them. As such, other than a heartfelt apology, we accept no responsibility for mistakes made, or in an extreme circumstance, for time or supplies wasted. Please tackle our projects in the same manner that we are sharing them, with a spirit of goodwill and global friendship!
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