Sunday, July 11, 2010

We have opened an Etsy Gift shop

Please go to
www.etsy.com/shop/KnittingBehindBars
Donate $25 and receive a Comfort Doll while supporting our project. We are self financed and purchase yarn so that only clean, unused yarn is used. We also purchase the needles and fiberfill so that we get a consistent doll to give away to traumatized children
 
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A prison in NY state has asked to join our project.

We've sent the Comfort Doll pattern and will love having them join us in this project.
Below is the pattern:

Comfort Doll Pattern - adapted from Ravelry.com

Materials: Dark brown worsted weight, assorted bright colors for clothing
Needles- size 7 or 8-
Yarn needle
Fiberfill for stuffing

To begin: The basic method for making each doll is the same. Begin at the feet and knit a rectangle with a decrease at the top for a hat, (stockinette stitch- knit 1 row, purl 1 row), changing colors for each body segment. The head is stuffed and the neck formed by pulling in with a gathering thread. When the body is stuffed, the feet are formed by pulling in a gathering thread at the ankles. The arms and legs are defined by stitching through all layers after the doll is stuffed. The number of rows in each section can be increased or decreased depending on the individual design. The finished height as written is about 5 inches.

To make: Work in stockinette stitch throughout. Cast on 32 sts.
Work 4 rows for feet. Change yarn.
Work 14 rows for pants. Change yarn.
Work 12 rows for shirt. Change yarn
Work 8 rows for face. Change yarn.
Work 11 rows for hat as follows:
Rows 1-4: Work evenly.
Row 5: Decrease 5 sts evenly across row (27 sts). Row 6 P across row.
Row 7: Dec 5 sts evenly across row (22 sts). Row 8: P across row.
Row 9: Dec 5 sts evenly across row (17 sts). Row 10: p across row.
Row 11: (K1, K2tog), k last 2 sts.
Cut yarn leaving long tail to sew up back. Draw yarn thru remaining stitches on needle and gather.

To finish:
1. Fold inside out and sew down back to form center back seam. Turn right side out.
2. Stuff head. Weave a strand of matching yarn thru first row of face. Gather in to form neck and secure ends.
3. Repeat for body, drawing in at the ankles.
4. Stuff feet and sew up bottom, gathering is as much as possible.
5. With matching yarn, form arms with small stitches thru all layers from waist to 2 rows below neck. Define legs the same way, from bottom to just below waistline.
6. Embroider hair and face as desired.