Little Comfort Dolls

I just found these tiny dolls hiding at the bottom of my work basket!

 

I made them quite some time ago as a 'trial'. I thought they might make cute little presents. These mini dolls are only about 3" high.

mini dolls

The basic method for making each doll is the same. Begin at the feet and knit a rectangle, and change yarn colours for each body segment. Shape the hair/hat at the top by decreasing. Sew on a face. Sew up and stuff. Then give definition to the face by running a gathering thread around between the head & the body. Define the feet,  legs & arms with a hidden running stitch. Add a scarf if desired.

They are based on the Duduza Comfort Dolls made for Africa. I knitted lots of these a few years ago. “Duduza” is a Zulu word for “comfort”. These knitted dolls are given in the hope that they bring comfort to AIDS/HIV-affected children in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Now that I have found them again I am inspired to make more..........

Little Comfort Dolls

 

Requirements:

DK yarn

3.25mm or 3.5mm needles

Polyester stuffing

                                       

Instructions:

Cast on 17sts

Knit 4 rows (shoes)

Stocking stitch 8 rows (trousers)

Stocking stitch 6 rows (sweater)

Stocking stitch 4 rows (face)

Rib, or garter stitch 2 rows (hat)

(K2, k2tog) 4 times, k1                       13sts    

Purl 1 row

(K1, k2tog) 4 times, k1 

Purl 1 row                                           9sts

K2tog across row, k1                          5sts    

P2tog across row, p1                          3sts      

S1, k2tog, psso

Fasten off

Starting from the hat, join the back seam using the appropriate colours, ending at the cast on edge

With right side out - lightly stuff the head with polyester stuffing

Thread a length of yarn the colour of the face, around the bottom of the face stripe and pull tightly to gather up. Fasten off tightly (this forms the neck)

Stuff the body of the doll

Join the bottom edge of the shoes (it is OK to do this on the right side)

Stitching right through the front and the back, make a divide through the centre of the shoes with a few running stitches

Stitching right through the front and the back of the trousers, make a divide with a few running stitches for the legs

Make an arm on each side of the sweater with a few running stitches

Fasten off tightly

Using a length of dark yarn – sew on 2 eyes and a mouth in the centre of the face

Darn away all the ends securely

A crochet chain makes a cute scarf - but please ensure it is attached securely.