Jolly Dolly
Here come the Girls!!! Finally….finally I have published the long awaited, much procrastinated doll pattern. Here they are: Amelia, Ella and Holly. All slightly different, but using one very simple pattern. I do hope you like them.
It has, I think taken me three years to finally launch this idea. In design terms that is quite a long gestation period for me. I usually get an idea and then keep going until I have finished it. But some how I couldn’t quite find the design I really loved. After making ALOT of sample dolls, and doing a significant amount of craft sulking (leaving a project in a corner for about 6 months), I am now really thrilled with how the girls have turned out.
So what is important about the design process. Well firstly I have used my favourite, integrated limb design. The great thing about crochet and working in the spiral amigurumi form is that you can create the limbs with fewer seams. With fewer seams that can unraval in time the dolls can take more wear and tear. Let’s be honest they need to be robust for all the cuddles and adventures they will be going on.
The three different variations mean you can choose to create just shoes with socks, shoes with tights or even boots with tights. It is just a combination of where you swap in and out of the colours. You can have socks and bare legs, or boots and leggings that go into a long sleeve top. It is your choice to make whatever you prefer.
I like adding plastic toy safety eyes. I like the little twinkle they give. But you must choose to embroider the eyes if you are making a toy for a very young child. I have added in a pattern for a little pinafore dress – very much like the ones I have made for Emily rabbit all those years ago. But as with my very first rabbit design, I have given you the option of making a very simple material skirt instead. There really isn’t a need for a sewing machine. It would be easy enough to hand sew.
So why did the design take me so long? Mostly because I really, really wanted to get it right. Getting the right shape for the face is so important to me. I also want to ensure that when you make the Doll, it is easy for you to replicate the look. I have made 3 different prototypes for the face. Then there is the hair. Creating doll hair is not easy. In one version of my design it took me a full 3 hours to embroider the hair onto the head. Well – that wasn’t going to work. It drove me mad and I didn’t want you to have the same frustrating experience. I think I have now found a way to create the hair which is fun, understandable and a reliable technique. In comparison it is very quick and easy to understand. You can add in wispy strands if you like and alter some of the looks with ribbons and bunches at different levels.
Finally it took me a very long time to find the yarn I wanted to use for the original design. I am very keen that my patterns are at an accessible price point. I think it is great if you can use up your stash. For the fine features of the face, I have wanted to use 4ply yarn. But it wasn’t easy to find a yarn with a good choice of colours which could dip into a wide range skin tones and wasn’t too pricey. For the design I have used Drops Alpaca. I love this yarn, it has an excellent yardage and a broad range of colours without breaking the bank.
Obviously I have just made a basic dress and skirt for the first pattern. However if you have suggestions for additional clothes you would like me to design for the dolls I will get the creative juices going. The pattern is available in my shop – but if you prefer you can also get hold it though my Etsy shop.
After many false starts, trial and error I am happy with how the girls turned out. I have asked a few of my reliable makers to have a go at the pattern and I am delighted with their makes. So sweet. They have been very patient waiting for me to get my crochet hook into gear.
So there you are, Amelia, Ella and Holly – a great gang of girls just ready for hearty adventure and yarny friendship. Isn’t that what we all need?