Why a knitted doll?
In recognition of all the babies born prematurely all over the world, we have a delightful first baby doll pattern for you to knit.
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We would ask that you use yarn in a variety of skin tones and a complementary colour for the hat and body suit. The head and body are knitted in one piece and it is softly filled with polyester stuffing. There should be no additional adornments such as buttons and all sewing up should be fastened off securely.
Requirements
• Please use new yarn and 100% polyester filling.
• While we appreciate that knitters have different abilities and as these are gifts for babies and families who have gone through so much, we would appreciate a high quality of knitting and sewing up.
• All sewing MUST be fastened securely.
Where to donate your knitted baby doll
Please ONLY donate if you have used our free knitting patterns and adhere to our requirements. Please enclose with your package your name, email address and/or home address with the quantity made. This will allow us to contact you with our thanks:
Simpsons Special Care Babies
PO Box 12258
North West DO
Comely Bank Road
Edinburgh
EH4 1YB
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We often receive large amounts of items, please allow several weeks for our volunteers to reply.
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Thank You
Making your dolls
Our dolls are knitted in stocking stitch and to make them you will need:
Materials
• DK yarn in a skin tone
• DK yarn for the suit and hat (You can knit 2 colours, one for contrast)
• 3.25 knitting needles
• Polyester filling
• A wool or tapestry needle
• Small amount of black and pale pink yarn for eyes and mouth
Body & Head
Using the skin tone yarn, cast on 20 sts
Knit 1 row
Next row ; increase in every stitch (40 sts)
Work 21 rows in stocking stitch (1 row knit, 1 row purl)
Change colour
Work 30 rows in stocking stitch
Next row
*K2 K2 tog repeat from * to end ( 30 sts
Next and alternate rows purl
Next row
*K1 K2 tog repeat from * to end ( 20 sts)
Next row
*K2 tog, repeat from * to end ( 10 sts)
Purl 1 row and draw up
With right sides together, sew back seam to top of head, changing colour when you get to head
Fill softly
Gather up the cast on edge and finish securely
At neck, wind yarn round 3 times and fasten securely
Arms (make 2)
Cast on 16 sts in body colour
Work 11 rows in stocking stitch
Change to skin colour
Work 6 rows
Next row *K 2tog, repeat from * ( 8 sts)
Draw up stitches and sew seam
Stretch before filling softly, gather up cast on edge, sew at side close to neck and secure at wrist to side of body
Scarf
Cast on 40 sts
Knit 2 rows in garter stitch
Cast off
Stretch to cover neck edge at front and diagonally to wrist, sew securely at both ends
Sew securely at both ends and length of scarf
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Hat
Cast on 40 sts
Work 4 rows in garter stitch
Work 14 rows in stocking stitch
Next row * K2, K2 tog repeat to end of row ( 30 sts)
Next and alt rows purl
Next row * K1,K2 tog repeat to end of row ( 20 sts)
Next row *K 2 tog, repeat from * to end of row ( 10 sts)
Work 6 rows in stocking stitch
Draw up stitches, sew seam, stuff pom-pom and wind yarn round pom-pom to secure
Do not sew hat on at this stage
Face
Put hat on. With pins, put one midway between hat and neck for nose
Put 2 pins either side of nose for eyes and one pin to mark mouth position
Remove hat
With a large length of skin tone, secure at top of head, work 3 satin stitches for nose, secure at top of head
With a large length of yarn start a top of head with a knot and a back stitch, sew through head to eye position and make one stitch, thread back through head and pull. This makes an indentation for the eye socket. Repeat for other eye.
With a pale pink yarn, sew 2 satin stitches for mouth making sure not to pull tight. Fasten at top of head.
With black yarn sew French Knots for eyes, going in through top of head.
Put hat on with a little filling and sew to head round brim.
How to Make
Watch our time lapse video or steps below
• Follow along with our detailed video with tips from Elaine
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