Nathalie Amiel - Crochet You!: Crochet patterns for dolls, clothes and accessories as unique as you are

Crochet You

Crochet patterns for dolls,
clothes and accessories as
unique as you are

Nathalie Amiel

www.davidandcharles.com

Once upon a time in a land close to you, there was a child with skin the hues of sunlight, hair the colours of a rainbow, twinkly eyes and a smile in their heart. But the child felt lonely, so grandad decided on a special gift: a doll as unique as his precious grandchild.

He searched in faraway lands but could not find what he was looking for, so he returned home, sad and discouraged. One night, while sitting in his old rocking chair, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He picked up some yarn and a crochet hook and taught himself the art of crochet. In no time he had made his beautiful grandchild a precious and wonderful doll. The child loved the doll very much and took it along everywhere and very soon there was a long line of children waiting next to grandads chair for their very own doll. And grandad patiently created their dolls, each one of them different.

In this book you will find everything you need to make special dolls for those who deserve to have a doll as beautiful, unique and diverse as they are. Here you will find detailed instructions, tips, tricks and lots of useful pictures to help create your own beautiful, handcrafted heirloom dolls. You will be able to create dolls that are a little different. Maybe they have a missing limb, wear a hearing aid or glasses, use a wheelchair or crutches, need a little help breathing or feeding, or have some warrior scars. Maybe you want to make a doll that has Down Syndrome or vitiligo, or the cutest little assistance dog friend. Im sure the special dolls you create will be loved, cherished and hugged to pieces!

Nathalie

You just need basic crochet skills to use this special doll-making book and create your very own precious dolls. This book is divided into separate sections that can be mixed and matched to make your dream doll.

So pick up your hook and yarn to create your basic doll body. Then go to the clothes section to make the cutest outfits and shoes for your doll. Style your doll with lots of accessories and goodies, and dont forget to give them a special friend to hold on to as well.

Important: Make sure your gauge/tension is correct and change to a larger or smaller hook if needed!

The gauge/tension for the dolls, clothing and accessories is 4 sts and 4 rounds to measure 1.25cm (1/2in).

I have worked to the above gauge/tension using the hook sizes given in the patterns. However, it is important to crochet tightly to avoid holes so toy stuffing wont show through the stitches. If you tend to crochet loosely, you may need to use a smaller hook than recommended in the pattern.

The finished dolls measure 27.5cm (103/4in). However, please keep in mind that sizes may vary if you use different yarns or hooks to those mentioned in this book.

beg:beginning

BLO:back loop only

chain

ch sp:chain space

centimetre

double crochet

dc2tog:double crochet 2 stitches together

dc3tog:double crochet 3 stitches together

dec1:decrease by 1 stitch

FLO:front loop only

gram

hdc:half double crochet

hdc2tog:half double crochet 2 stitches together

inch

inc1:increase by 1 stitch

invdec:invisible decrease

millimetre

right side

single crochet

sc2tog:single crochet 2 stitches together

sc3tog:single crochet 3 stitches together

slst:slip stitch

space

st(s):stitch(es)

SW1:switch to colour 1

SW2:switch to colour 2

SW3:switch to colour 3

SW4:switch to colour 4

treble

yoh:yarn over hook

work instructions within brackets as many times as directed

repeat instructions following the asterisk as directed

All the patterns in this book are written using US crochet terms. See the table below for the equivalent UK stitch names.

• Shape your doll while stuffing.
• When pattern says BLO or FLO at the beginning of the round, it counts for the entire round.
• Always use a piece of scrap yarn (or a removable stitch marker) to indicate the beginning of the round and move it up as you crochet.
• Try to secure your ends while crocheting; just carry those ends along your work and crochet over them for about 2.5cm (1in), then you can just cut them off. Much less weaving in later!
• Always crochet your chain stitches very loosely so it will be easy to work into them.
• When stuffing, insert small bits of stuffing at a time, this will help shape your dolls nicely and avoid overstuffing.
• Plan your magnets in advance so you dont forget to insert them while stuffing your doll.