This reveal has to be one of the most fun projects I have EVER undertaken, certainly the most enjoyable crochet project I have ever had the pleasure to immerse myself in – even more than a blanket!
Anyone who crochets will know how deeply satisfying the process of blanket-making is, especially during the Winter months. Long, dark nights curled up on the sofa watching TV, all the while plodding steadfastly through the labour of love that is a crocheted blanket. Whilst always ecstatic to finally finish such an epic task, there’s invariably a sense of “What do I do now?”.
Summer is different. Less time spent indoors, more holidays, car journeys, time in the garden, means a large, cumbersome WIP is out of the question. A small, portable piece is what’s needed, something you can pop in your handbag and get on with anytime, anywhere.
When I came across the book “Crochet Your Own Dolls And Accessories” published by Annie’s Attic, I let out a silent squeal of delight. Here was such a project and, not only that, it could double up as being both my Minerva Crafts Blogger Network post for October and the perfect Christmas present for a little girl!
I don’t know about you, but my idea of crochet dolls has always been, well….
Link omitted so as not to hurt anyone’s feelings:)
With images like this deeply ingrained in my subconscious, I was surprised and thrilled to find a thoroughly modern version which any twenty-first century youngster would find hard to resist falling in love with.
This huge sack of double knitting yarn arrived from Minerva Crafts way back in July with a tight, three-month deadline of October in mind.
Oh, I forget to tell you – my plan was to make every single thing in the entire book!
With such a lot to do, I got cracking immediately, starting on page one with “Bella Ann”.
The bodies of all four dolls are constructed the same way – in one piece from the feet up to the head, then attaching the separately crocheted arms at the end.
The hair is created using a darning needle and 135 strands of yarn, each one individually knotted onto a single stitch on the head!
The facial features are basic – two French knots for the eyes and a dab of blusher for the cheeks.
Simple, but effective, just enough to resemble a face.
“Bella Ann” is an outdoorsy type who loves to get dressed up in a macintosh with matching hat.
She even has wellies and her own umbrella!
So here’s my “Bella Ann” – TADAH!
Next up was “Ginger Blue”, a college girl wearing trendy tights and a denim mini-skirt.
Remember I said you could chuck them in your handbag and crochet almost anywhere? This is Ginger’s skirt in process whilst sat in the car in a field for five hours while The Boys played in a football tournament on the way to Cornwall…..
My favourite part of the whole process was definitely making the hair. Each doll had a different method which were all very imaginative and extremely effective.
Ginger’s seemed to be based on an Afro and was worked in five curly layers plus a crown.
The finished layers were sewn horizontally upwards from the base of the head.
The whole was topped off with a cute little flower headband.
The cardigan pattern called for tiny buttons to be used for the flower heads, but I embroidered a series of chain stitches instead to form a Lazy Daisy.
Two tiny blue shirt buttons reclaimed from the Child’s Play Tent are a brightly coloured addition.
Being a college girl, the obligatory accompanying rucksack even has tiny crocheted textbooks that fit inside!
Mary-Jane shoes are adorned with more reclaimed shirt buttons, this time in Cherry Red.
And now for the “Ginger Blue” – TADAH!
And so, on to “Dani Rae”, a sun-worshipper who loves nothing more than a day at the seaside and whose outfit of choice is a one-piece swimsuit.
Dani Rae’s hair was the most fun to make and was crocheted in wig format before being stitched on to the head in its entirety. I love the way the hair curls out at the ends – such great design detail.
Just look at those flip-flops and flippers!
Of course, every girl needs a sun hat to prevent sun stroke and, if it has a flower on it, so much the better.
A ‘rubber’ ring is the essential remaining accessory for fun in the waves.
Here is “Dani Rae” in all her finery ready for her “TADAH!” moment.
Finally, we move on to “Nurse Deb”, a midwife of the highest distinction, dressed in theatre scrubs.
She wears the typical clogs/’Crocs’ that appear to be the footwear favoured by so many hospital staff nowadays.
Nurse Deb’s hair was made in the same way as Bella Ann – each of 135 strands knotted on individually to single stitches on the head in rows…..
……and then trimmed into a neat graduated bob shape to ring the changes.
A stethoscope was made from thin wire and seed beads, adding pearls for the eartips and a button for the chestpiece. Quite fiddly to put together, but it looks ace!
She cradles a newborn baby in her arms…..
…..and a medical chart in her other hand.
The instructions were to sew both of these permanently in place but, as half the fun is undressing the doll and putting baby in a crib, this would have been impossible, so I used hook and loop fastener instead to make them removable.
This is “Nurse Deb” posing for her “TADAH”!
Would you like to see them all together?
T A D A H ! ! !
Well, that’s it, all done and dusted and I have to admit that I’m a little bit sad.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the process and seeing all the elements emerge successfully from the unfamiliar-to-me instructions. I can only imagine the fun that this little girl is going to have when she opens these on Christmas morning, and all the adventures the dolls are going to be involved in coming from the imagination of a child.
If you know a little girl who would love these dolls, or you just want the fun of making them yourself, head on over to Minerva Crafts where you can buy the book and all the yarn needed to make all four dolls.
October 21, 2015 at 7:13 am
You did an amazing work! I love your dolls!! And can’t stop admiring the accessories you made for them!!! Chapeau!!
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October 21, 2015 at 10:56 am
The accessories are great, aren’t they? They should make the dolls even more fun to play with:)
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October 21, 2015 at 7:27 am
oh… wow… these are amazing! Such gorgeous little dolls. I’m in awe at all of these – great work 😀
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October 21, 2015 at 10:58 am
So kind of you, thanks – the book is so well written and easy to follow, even for a first-time toy maker like me!
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October 23, 2015 at 2:15 pm
I have too many things on the list to make… but these are being added! 🙂
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October 23, 2015 at 2:51 pm
Ha ha, I know that feeling!
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October 21, 2015 at 7:33 am
Wow, love them all! 😊
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October 21, 2015 at 10:59 am
They turned out just like in the book too, as the instructions were so good:)
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October 21, 2015 at 7:56 am
These are adorable! I love all the accessories! I’d be reluctant to give them away!
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October 21, 2015 at 11:01 am
They were always destined to be given away and I know they’ll be played with lots, so that makes it easier after all that hard work:)
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October 21, 2015 at 8:12 am
These are just great, the little girl will be thrilled! Doll patterns have definitely improved!! I love the thought that has gone into all of the accessories too. Ginger’s hair is my favourite. The individually stranded hair looks great too, definitely something to do when you have great company to stop you getting bored 🙂 You must be thrilled with them. x
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October 21, 2015 at 11:02 am
VERY pleased with them and they turned out pretty close to the ones in the book too, which is always nice:)
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October 21, 2015 at 8:17 am
They are all so adorable, lucky little girl.
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October 21, 2015 at 11:03 am
I can remember loving to play with my dolls as a child, so I’m sure they’re going to a good home:)
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October 21, 2015 at 8:34 am
FAB-U-LOUS!!! What a wonderful project – and now you know how to make them and can recreate your entire family as dolls! Go on – do it. It will be fun and so amazing to see!!
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October 21, 2015 at 11:04 am
Now there’s a thought! What would I do with them though??
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October 21, 2015 at 5:42 pm
I just have the brilliant ideas Sheila don’t ask me to be practical 🙂 But maybe bring them out every Christmas as a tableau? Something for the grandkids – ‘when Daddy was young ……’
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October 21, 2015 at 6:09 pm
Maybe I will, but not this year – too much still to make:)
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October 21, 2015 at 8:48 am
These are super cute! Love them and I wouldn’t want to part with them. It was a great goal to make everything in the book – well done for thinking of it and achieving it. Guess you’ll be working your way through that camping book now 🙂
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October 21, 2015 at 11:06 am
I was never going to keep them – what would I do with them? Same with the camping book, I guess, although The Boys love playing with the teepee/picnic scene that I’ve made so far. It’s the process I love so much and it’s a bonus if I can find someone to give them to:)
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October 22, 2015 at 8:37 am
I know, and it’s so much more pleasurable to give, and you wouldn’t do anything with them, but they are so adorable 🙂
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October 21, 2015 at 9:04 am
What can I say! These are brilliant – I love anything tiny so that rucksack and books are just perfect. I do hope you are going to be getting to work on the caravan because I really want to see that!!
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October 21, 2015 at 11:08 am
The miniature accessories really make it, don’t they? Fear not – the caravan will be on the hooks any moment. All the yarn has arrived and I’m raring to go:)
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October 21, 2015 at 9:09 am
Beautiful, I love Ginger Blue ready for college
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October 21, 2015 at 11:09 am
She’s my favourite too, I just love everything about her, especially her hair:)
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October 21, 2015 at 9:50 am
Oh wow they’re amazing and your amazing! I love their little accessories, their hair and all the sweet little touches. I think my fave accessories are the backpack and books, oh and the stethoscope! So clever!
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October 21, 2015 at 11:11 am
Thanks Beth, can you imagine playing make-believe with all of it? The little girl will have so much fun dressing and undressing the dolls if my memory of doing similar serves me well:)
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October 21, 2015 at 12:13 pm
These are fantastic, you have done a great job!! Those details are the best.
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October 21, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Thank you, although all credit to the designer – the instructions were pretty foolproof:)
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October 21, 2015 at 12:21 pm
WOW!!! All of your dolls turned out spectacular. I love all of them. Ginger the college girl is sweet. The colors make her stand out. You rock my friend as always your talent is superb.
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October 21, 2015 at 12:50 pm
Thanks Robin, they came out better than I expected. I’ve never crocheted toys before so I was amazed that they looked so like the ones in the book!
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October 21, 2015 at 1:31 pm
Superb work!! Fabulous, fabulous designs! I find this type of work so satisfying. What I love about crochet is that we know that it is actually rather simple but others (who don’t crochet) think is AMAZING!!!
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October 21, 2015 at 1:40 pm
Ssshhh, don’t tell everyone otherwise they won’t be impressed! You’re right, of course – I’ve never crocheted toys before and still found them straightforward to make. These dolls were an absolute joy to make from start to finish:)
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October 21, 2015 at 1:56 pm
My DD1 crochets (I don’t), and she would so love these! Off to to get the book for her.
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October 21, 2015 at 4:52 pm
If she likes to crochet then she’ll LOVE this book – what a nice mother you are:)
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October 21, 2015 at 7:31 pm
Makes me want to be a little girl again! They are just the cutest dolls ever. I hope the lucky little girl how hours of fun, treasures them and they become family heirlooms 😃
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October 23, 2015 at 9:06 am
If the dolls are loved enough they’ll fall to bits before they get chance to become heirlooms – or was that just me as a child?!
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October 23, 2015 at 12:15 pm
Haha…made me proper chuckle! I’m sure they won’t! 😂
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October 21, 2015 at 11:34 pm
This is sooo lovely! I want my own doll.. That’s my new obsession:-)
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October 23, 2015 at 9:07 am
And how old are you???? Ha ha, they are cute, I must admit:)
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October 21, 2015 at 11:50 pm
What a lucky little girl – these are beautiful!!! One Christmas my mom made my sister and me dolls (sewn, not crochet) with a wardrobe for each. I didn’t know then what a labor of love that was but we LOVED them. A wonderful gift. 🙂
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October 23, 2015 at 9:09 am
Ooh, my mum did too – my sister had a white doll and I had an Asian doll. Mum spent the Winter evenings making LOTS of sewn and knitted clothes for both dolls. I still remember how excited we were Christmas morning when we opened them:)
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October 21, 2015 at 11:51 pm
What an absolutely fabulous job you made of all your 21st century crochet dolls….no wonder you had such a great time making them…. they are sooo brilliant. 🙂
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October 23, 2015 at 9:11 am
Thanks Caren, I’m really pleased with them and am sad that they’re finished. Having said that, the caravan is already proving to be almost as much fun:)
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October 26, 2015 at 10:14 am
Can’t wait to see it ! 🙂
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October 22, 2015 at 8:04 am
A graduated bob!! That will make me smile all day. Genius.
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October 23, 2015 at 9:12 am
Ha ha, I suppose ‘a graduated bob’ is a bit of a fancy description for a crocheted hairstyle!!
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October 22, 2015 at 2:40 pm
Wow – these are amazing! I just received the book ‘Amigurumi Sprookjes’ (in Dutch – it means Amigurumi Fairytales) with instructions to crochet famous fairytale dolls & other charachters (like Snowwhite and her seven dwarves), and I’m equally excited to start crocheting them. Only… I have some other projects that need to be finished first. Blah! 😉
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October 22, 2015 at 2:42 pm
Ooh, thanks for the info – that sounds like it could be the next book to reach my bookcase:)
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October 22, 2015 at 4:16 pm
I absolutely love every little bit of this post and am amazed at your patience too Sheila! Such a gorgeous project, would love to be able to do this, but know my patience levels are quite a lot lower (oh, and I can’t crochet…). Beautiful!
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October 23, 2015 at 9:15 am
My patience levels are actually quite low, but each element of these dolls is so small and quick to make that they keep your interest and , before you know it, you’re on to the next item. Did you say you can’t crochet??? You must learn – everyone deserves to experience the joy that crochet brings:)
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October 23, 2015 at 10:43 am
I know, I have tried to learn several times, but don’t find it as intuitive as knitting and never get very far 😦 And when I even look at crochet patterns, my mind just boggles, whereas knitting patterns just make sense… Not sure if you need to be slightly more mathematically-minded to crochet?
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October 22, 2015 at 10:52 pm
Adorable! Amazing detail and sweet, sweet faces on all of them. Such an accomplishment!
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October 23, 2015 at 9:17 am
Thank you so much – three months on and off was plenty of time really, it just meant the pressure was eased a little if I gave myself some breathing space. I could have done them all in three weeks if pushed:)
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October 23, 2015 at 9:31 pm
What lovely dolls! 🙂
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October 26, 2015 at 12:36 pm
Thank you, as a collection they’re great aren’t they? Such a good book – I’d recommend it:)
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October 25, 2015 at 1:28 am
Wow! What a stunning project! I can’t believe the attention to detail on each doll, they are just lovely and I am sure will be treasured. Gorgeous.
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October 26, 2015 at 12:37 pm
The little details were definitely what sold the book to me and they were such a joy to make I can’t tell you!
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October 26, 2015 at 3:41 pm
Such cute, detailed little dolls. Great job!
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October 27, 2015 at 4:18 pm
Thanks so much – I was thrilled with the way they turned out. It’s a brilliant book with easy to follow instructions which made them a pleasure to make.
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October 27, 2015 at 9:23 am
Absolutely FA-BU-LOUS!! Love them all – what a work of art! Hats off! Marianne xx
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October 27, 2015 at 4:19 pm
Thank you so much, I’m pretty chuffed with them, I have to say. All credit to the designer for doing a brilliant job:)
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November 21, 2015 at 12:45 pm
What fun!
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