Sunday, July 19, 2015

Tiny Pose-able Doll



One of my daughters asked for tiny dolls for her birthday. She's been making a tiny dollhouse out of odds and ends. I looked around and couldn't find any the size she wanted in the stores nearby. So, I decided I would try to make one for her. 
And it turned out cuter than I imagined. I used pipe cleaner to make her pose-able, and also to stuff her at the same time.
I'm working on a photo tutorial for these dolls, as well as clothes. I hope you have as much fun with these as I have. 

These are some of the early prototypes. The one on the right has a head that turns.
The pattern for that one will be coming in the future.

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Tiny Pose-able Doll
Written pattern copyright Kimberly Saunders 2015
Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share with others.
Do not sell or reproduce this written pattern. If you sell anything made from this pattern,
please give credit to me  for the design and include a link to either the free pattern or my blog.
Thank you!



Materials:

Size 10 crochet thread- about 22 feet
Size 10 (1.3mm) crochet hook
12" pipe cleaner
Cotton ball
Old scissors or wire cutters
Flat nose pliers
Needle (I use a cross-stitch needle)
Something small to use for stitch markers, (optional)
Bulky weight yarn (I used Lion Brand Yarns Hometown USA for this doll)
Glue, or needle and thread to match yarn

Gauge: First 3 rows = about 5/8"

Finished size: 2" to 2 1/4" tall

Notes:
You want the stitches to be tight and close together.
Doll is crocheted in rounds without joining.
If needed, use a small thread, or something else to mark the beginnings of the rounds.

Directions for Invisible Decrease (invdec):
Insert hook under the front loop of next sc, insert hook under the front loop of next sc, yarn over, and draw through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, and draw through 2 loops on hook.



Doll

Head
1: In magic ring, ch 1 and pull tight, 6 sc in ring, pull ring closed. -6 sc-
2: 2 sc in each sc around. -12 sc-
3: (Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6x. -18 sc-
4 - 6: Sc in each sc around. -18 sc_
7: (Sc in next sc, invdec over next 2 sc) 3x. -12 sc-  Stuff head firmly, but don't overstuff.
8: (Invdec over next 2 sc) 6x. -6 sc- Add more cotton if necessary.

Neck
9: Sc in the front loop of each sc. -6 sc-

Torso
10: (Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) 2x. -10 sc-
11 - 15: Sc in each sc around. -10 sc-

First Leg
16: Sc in each of the next 5 sc, skip next 5 sc, they will be used for the second leg. -5 sc-
17 - 27: Sc in each sc around. -5 sc-
Fasten off leaving a 4" tail.

Second Leg
16: Join with sc into first skipped sc on round 15, sc in each of next 4 sc. The next sc will go into the first sc made on this round. -5 sc-
17 - 27: Sc in each sc around. -5 sc-
Fasten off leaving a 4" tail.

Arms (Make 2)
1: In magic ring, ch 1 and pull tight, 5 sc in ring, pull ring closed. -5 sc-
2 - 9: Sc in each sc around. -5 sc-
Fasten off leaving a 4" tail.



Inserting Pipe Cleaner

Legs/Torso
Cut a 4" length of pipe cleaner. With pliers, bend each end over 1/8" and squeeze flush. Fold in half, squeezing the bend flat, and gently twist a few times.
Insert the end of your hook or a small knitting needle into leg and up to the head. This opens it up and makes it easier to insert the pipe cleaner. Carefully insert the end with two ends into the bottom of the leg and push up into the head. It helps to twist the pipe cleaner as you push. You may also find it helpful to use the pliers to push the pipe cleaner in at the last bit. Make sure the piep cleaner is all the way in.
Repeat for second leg.


Arms
Cut a 2 3/4" length of pipe cleaner. Insert from side to side through round 12 (2nd round of torso). With pliers, bend each end over 1/8" and squeeze flush. Fold each end over 1/2" and squeeze the bend flat. Gently twist arms onto pipe cleaner.

Finishing

Run a gathering stitch through the front loop of each stitch around and pull tight. Insert needle into the center and run the needle up the leg and pull. This rounds the ends of the legs. Weave in end and finish off. With flat nose pliers, gently bend the end of the leg to form the foot.
Repeat for second leg
For arms, using a ladder stitch, sew them to the body, taking care to keep the arms symetrical. Weave in ends and finish off.

For Hair:

Cut four 6" lengths of yarn. Holding 2 lengths together, tie them in an overhand knot over the center of the other 2 lengths, and pull tight. Position on the doll's head and glue, or stitch, in place. Trim ends.