von Purl - Pride and preju-knits: twelve genteel knitting projects inspired by Jane Austen

CONTENTS LYDIA
Pride and Prejudice VICAR
Pride and Prejudice MARIANNE
Sense and Sensibility CAPTAIN WENTWORTH
Persuasion FANNY
Mansfield Park CATHERINE
Northanger Abbey What a dream its been to re-create these scenes from Jane Austens finest moments! In a market swamped by movie and TV adaptations, its not until you look closely at the original text that you realize how funny and sharp that lady must have been in person. Having said that, one of the reasons those Austen adaptations are so popular is the way that they bring the wonderful costumes and locations to life. I hope, in its own humble way, that this book adds a tiny stitched visual contribution to the plethora of interpretations. This is not the average knitting book and the projects require a little more patience and attention than regular childrens dolls knitted in DK yarns, but I hope youll agree that the results make them worthwhile. The figures themselves are knitted in 4ply yarn on fine needles in the round, which helps to give them shaping and detail. The clothing and objects explore different stitches and techniques, so for those knitters who get bored easily with simple projects and who enjoy a challenge, this book is definitely for you! Inside these pages youll find lacework, colorwork, and short row shaping, among more straightforward stitches and techniques.

If youd like to check the complexity of the patterns, look at the Abbreviations () sections and read through the patterns carefully before picking up your needles. It is, of course, the hair and facial features that give the dolls their personality. The facial features are similar on every character, but its amazing what a difference a stern stitched brow, an unsmiling mouth, or different-colored eyes here and there can make. You can even suggest whether a character has enjoyed a few too many rich meals by adjusting the amount of stuffing in the doll (Im looking at you, Sir Thomas, with your portly tummy on ). The male dolls are knitted on a larger-size needle than the ladies, making them slightly biggeralthough you can choose to knit the ladies the same size by using the same needles recommended for the gents. If you do so, remember that you will need to make a similar needle-size adjustment to knit the accompanying garments.

The dolls contain wire to make them flexible. Ive used armature wire (the strong, flexible model-makers wire of choice), but you could also use florists wire or strong pipe cleaners if you prefer. Of course, you dont have to use wire at all if youre not going to pose the dolls, but it does make for endless possibilities! On .

Each pattern has a Materials section with yarn suggestions, but feel free to experiment because these projects make ideal stash-busters. If you are replacing yarns, make sure you use a yarn of the same weight as the original suggestion. Some projects use a very small amount of a particular color that doesnt necessitate buying a whole ball, in which case the pattern will read Small amount of xxx yarn, and you may be able to use yarn from your stash.

Most of the patterns have a gauge guide. If this were a life-size garment book Id tell you to stick rigidly to this and always knit a gauge swatch, but here we can afford to be a little more relaxedthe items are small, so any differences in gauge wont be obvious in the finished outcome. Where there is no gauge guide, the finished size does not have to be exact.

Some of the items use cardboard and/or foam as an interior structure to support the knitting (for instance, the Pianoforte on ). Where there is a shape involved, I have included a template for you to copy, whereas the simpler patterns will give you the dimensions to work to. All of the materials required are easy to find, either around the home or from craft and hardware stores.

So, Austen fans, go forth and knit, and may all your figures be possessed of the same wit and charm with which Jane Austen originally infused them!

Yarn in the following options: 1 x 50g ball Debbie Bliss Rialto 4ply (fingering 100% wool; 50g/196yds) in shade 034 Blush OR shade 038 Mink OR 1 x 50g ball King Cole Merino Blend 4ply (fingering 100% wool; 50g/196yds) in shade 790 Caramel OR shade 929 Fudge Small amounts of yarn in preferred color for hair, eyes, and mouth Set of 5 x US 2 dpns 6 stitch holders 8 pipe cleaners, 12" long x " thick (30cm x 6mm) Approx. 30 sts and 48 rows = 4" (10cm) over St-st. Approx. 11" (29cm) from head to heel PATTERN NOTE: The doll is knitted in rounds from the toes up. The arms and legs are made separately using 4 dpns and then joined into the torso as it is worked on 5 dpns. LEGS (MAKE 2)FOOT With 2 dpns, cast on 3 sts. Next row: Kfb into each st (6 sts). Next row: Kfb into each st (6 sts).

Slip 2 sts onto each of 3 dpns. Place a marker at beg of rnd. Work in rnds from now on. Rnd 1: K. Rnd 2: (Kfb) 3 times, k2, kfb (10 sts). Rnd 4: Kfb, k2, (kfb) twice, k4, kfb (14 sts). Rnd 5: K. Rnd 6: Kfb, k4, (kfb) twice, k6, kfb (18 sts). Rnd 6: Kfb, k4, (kfb) twice, k6, kfb (18 sts).

There should now be 8 sts on needle 1 (sole of foot), and 5 sts each on needles 2 and 3 (foot top). Rnds 716: K. SHAPE HEEL The heel is worked on 8 sts on needle 1 only (work back and forth instead of in rnds). Row 1: K7, w&t. Row 2: P6, w&t. Row 4: P4, w&t. Row 5: K3, w&t. Row 6: P2, w&t. Row 7: K3, working wrap into st, turn. Row 8: P4, turn. Row 9: K5, turn. Row 10: P6, turn. Row 11: K7, turn. Row 12: P8. ANKLE AND CALF Beg working in rnds again: Rnd 1: K8 from needle 1, pick up yarn strand lying between last st knitted and next st on needle 2, sl onto needle 2 and k tog with next st (this closes gap between heel and foot). K to end. Rnd 2: Pick up yarn strand lying between last st knitted and first st on needle 1, sl onto needle 1 and k tog with next st (this closes gap between heel and foot). K to end.