Saturday, February 27, 2010

From my Archives

This is a pattern I designed back in 2008, and made many dolls from. In fact, my flickr Avatar is a doll from this pattern. Anyway, one of my flickr friends wanted to make this doll, with cat ears, for her grandkids and their friends, so I'm putting the pattern up here for her and anyone else who is interested. It has been a while since I've made a doll from this pattern, so the pattern may not be perfect. It does include instructions for Human, Cat, and Bear ears, and there are some pictures on my flickr site of dolls made up with these.

Like most Amigurumi, this doll is very simple to make, consisting of single crochet in worsted weight yarn. The pattern calls for 'soft' yarns, but any worsted acrylic will work. My problem with most 'soft' yarns is that they split and can be a pain to crochet. These dolls are about 10 inches tall, I think. Unfortunately I don't have any of them anymore; they have all found homes :-)

One of the nice things is that the clothing patterns are also made from worsted yarn, so they make up fast, and they are simple.

Here are the links to the patterns, which can also be found on the left sidebar under Basic Amigurumi Doll:

Basic Doll: 

Basic Aran Sweater: 

Basic Jeans: 

Basic Skirt: 

Basic Cardigan Sweater: 

Basic Tank Top: 


Becky, I hope you enjoy making the dolls :-)


48 comments:

  1. Oh, I love these dolls! :) Yours are so cute! I love the eyes and the hair! I made my daughter a doll, but wasnt too sure how to do the hair. I'll have to read your instuctions on how to make the hair. And the eyes, too. I think I used beads for my eyes...I'd have to go look in her room for the doll (and that might take all day!). ha! :) And the clothes are wonderful! You did a VERY nice job! :) Thank you so much for sharing! Very nice. :)

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  2. Your welcome, Cheryl :-) If you need help making hair there is a link to my hair tutorial on the left sidebar of the blogpage.

    Enjoy!

    Beth

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  3. Beth, bless your heart! I so appreciate your generosity. I just ran across this little group of original dolls last weekend and fell in love, they have such personality. I love the Free Spirits too, mind you, my first will be finished when I decide what I want to do about her hair.
    Thanks so much,
    Becky

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  4. Thank you, Beth. I'll watch the tutorial, and I'm going to try your patterns. Thank you SO much for sharing your talents. I love crochet! :)

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  5. WOW! I just discovered your site this morning, after searching for weeks for the perfect crochet doll to make for my grandniece, and I feel like I've won the lottery! Thank you for sharing all your wonderful patterns. I hear my yarn stash calling for me to get started! I can't tell you enough how perfectly all your creations match the vision I had, or how grateful I am that you are kind enough to make them available. I have never favorited any site so fast! You are a true artist, and I shall be visiting often. (Did I remember to thank you?);)

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  6. Okay, Beth, I bite! As soon as my wrist heals properly, I'm going to make a doll, probably while I'm waiting for my son in the hospital. I didn't think I would be making dolls, but this is irresistible! :) Thanks for sharing it. :)

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  7. Thank-you both, Auntmissjenni and River Glorious. I hope you both enjoy the crochet. I'd love to cover the planet with crochet dolls :-) If you have questions regarding the patterns, don't hesitate to email me: dollmaker46203 at gmail.com

    River...what happened to your wrist?? I ask not to be nosy, but that I broke my wrist last winter falling on the ice, and the weeks of no crochet were such a drag. I started crocheting again while I still had a cast on...I still have the washcloth I made. Not my best work, but definitely the hardest :-)

    Take care and heal well!

    Beth

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  8. Hi Beth, I love your blog. I'm new to crochet, I've been teaching myself, with help from youtube.(I'm having trouble with the "link". (Link = ch3, dc in third ch from hook)I can't get it to come out right. Can you give me a hand? I've tried everything I know, even yourtube doesn't know it, LOL. I'm waiting for the eyes to come to complete my first doll. If I had that "link" stitch it would be great. I know that it can't always be 3rd ch from hook? I also can't find the ladder stitch you refer to to join the head to the body. I have a million questions, but these would help a lot!! Thanks, Kathleen

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  9. Hi, Beth! I've got the head and body done (though not stuffed or attached yet) working on legs now, and have come across no questions so far; your patterns are very well-written. I'm working in Peaches&Cream worsted cotton, and I'm well pleased with the results thus far. I hope to send pix when I'm done! Thanks again! :)
    amj

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  10. Wups! Meant to mention I'm working the Basic doll, will do the Free Spirit next. Can't wait!
    amj

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  11. Thank-you for the good words; can't wait to see your doll, AMJ :-)

    Hi Kathleen. Believe it or not, it really is as simple as: chain three, double crochet in the third chain from the hook, then chain three more, make a double crochet in the third chain from the hook, and so on. You end up with a string of links, basically, with chains on one side, and your double crochet stitches on the other. I'll take some pictures of the stitch in process and put them on my flickr site. Hopefully this will help.

    The ladder stitch is a sewing stitch that is used frequently to close a seam, like on a pillow, invisibly. Here is a tutorial that shows how the stitch is made:

    http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/04/how-to_close_a_seam_with_the_l.html

    The example is a stuffed pillow, and the person is closing the opening that she used to stuff the pillow. Simply apply this back and forth technique to attaching the head to the body. Actually, any stitch that you are comfortable with should do the trick.

    I hope this helps.

    Beth

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  12. Kathleen, I've added a tutorial to the left sidebar of the blog page under 'Tutorials' for the link stitch. Hope this helps!

    Beth

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  13. Thanks for sharing these lovely patterns and pics! (I found your site through LJ)

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  14. Hi Lauracruz, I'm glad you found me :-) What is LJ?

    Beth

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  15. Hi Beth I love all of your dolls right now I'm working on some vingettesof some of your dolls and animals plus a few more I could find and and if I couldn't find them I made them up,but I have a question ,on your links ,the one for cat eyes I tryed it but it wouldn't go through,any sugestions,thanks for everything...Diane

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  16. Hi Diane,

    I just tried the link and it worked (10:05am EST, March 5). Maybe the site was down temporarily for maintenance or something like that. Try it again and see if it works.

    Also CR's Crafts (http://www.crscraft.com/) carries both animal and cat eyes, so you might try them as well.

    Beth

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  17. She is really cute! I'm going to make her for my Operation Christmas Child box this year! :D

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  18. Hi Beth!

    I'm so glad I found this pattern! I'm really excited to make it for my niece :) I have finished the head and I've been trying to make the body, but I just can't seem to get it started. I've gotten as far as the 16 stitches. Now the next step says to work in the round at 2 sc per sc and it says that I'll end up with 32...the thing is that if I'm working in the round at 16 stitches long that alone is 32 and if I follow the pattern and do 2 sc per sc then I would end up with 64 or only half the round done if I only do 32...I'm sure I'm making this more complicated then it should be...lol. Could you please help?

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  19. Lets see, so to begin the body, you chain 17, then sc in the second chain from the hook and each chain across. Join to the first sc, so now you have 16 sc in a ring.

    For the next row, which is really a round, you will work two sc in each of the 16 sc of row one. You should end up with 32 sc at the end of round 2. Does this make some sense? I hope so :-)

    You could if you want chain 16 and join to form a ring, then sc in each chain for the first row (really a round), but I always have trouble twisting the chain doing this, so that is why I just sc back along the chain and join after the first row of sc's are stitched.

    Hope this helps.

    Beth

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  20. Hello! I've been searching high and low for a doll pattern that has removeable clothes. All the dolls I've run across (even on a paying for patterns website) the clothes were made on the doll with no way to remove. I've wanted to make a doll for the two little girls in my life and just wanted to THANK YOU so much on your creative patterns! I am a beginner (eek), but will be looking forward to creating a cute doll of my own!
    Thanks so much for your generousity!

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  21. Paige, when I was a kid, the first thing I wanted to do with any doll I received was...take her clothes off! As a kid, I felt short-changed if I couldn't :-) I still feel that way!

    Hope you enjoy making any of these dolls; all with removable clothes :-)

    Beth

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  22. I love these dolls and I am so happy to have found your site! I started with the Basic Amigurumi doll, but I have a question about a line in the pattern. Should I email it, or post it somewhere specific? Thanks....Susan

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  23. Hi Susan,

    If you like, you can email me your question:

    dollmaker46203 [at] gmail.com

    Beth

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  24. I want to thank you so much for posting the pattern for your basic doll. I was looking for something to make for a little girl who is having heart surgery. After looking at all the patterns out there for dolls, I thought this one would be the most appropriate. Your wig tutorial was very helpful as well.
    I've never made anything so personalized before, and, I am very pleased with my finished doll. I am excited about this pattern.
    I will be making at least 4 more by Christmas.

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  25. Elizabeth, thank you so much for the good words; I'm delighted that you found this pattern to be just what you were looking for.

    Beth

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  26. I love your basic doll. I had so much fun making her and all the clothes. Do you have any other clothes patterns for her?

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  27. Dear Beth,
    A couple of days ago I found your site and I totally love your dolls! I wasn't expecting to find any nice crochet dolls, but here they all are.
    I'm really looking forward to making the basic doll and free spirit, so far, they are my favorites.
    I'm from Holland and so I'd like to ask you if it's OK to translate your dolls patterns and add them to my blog. Ofcourse I'll only do this if you agree, plus I'll use your name and blog as a source.
    Thanks for sharing,
    Amigullyza

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  28. Hi Amiguilyza!

    I'm delighted you've found me here, and that you like the site :-) I'm fine with you translating the patterns and sharing them on your blog if you will link back to this blog as the original source.

    Here is another great site for some really good free Amigurumi patterns; these are all links, over 1500!

    http://greatamigurumi.blogspot.co.uk/

    A Flickr friend brought this site to my attention.

    Enjoy the crochet!

    Beth

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  29. Dear Beth,
    Thank you for allowing my request. Is it correct if I say that the clothes for the Manga Spirits will fitt the Basic Crochet Doll?
    I looked up the site you mentioned and it great! Thank you very much.
    Best wishes,
    Amigullyza.

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  30. Hi Amiguilyza,

    I think the Manga Spirit clothing would be a little small for the Basic Ami doll, but the basic doll has a pretty extensive crochet wardrobe, and with the basic pieces you can make a lot of different things.

    Enjoy!

    Beth

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  31. Thank you for posting this patterns. I enjoyed making dolls. Thanks a lot :)

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  32. I have used your pattern for this doll and made it using size 10 crochet thread. I would like to send you a picture but am not sure how to do it. How do I go about sending pictures to you so you can see how they turned out???

    Love you patterns...I want to make several of the other ones but keep coming back to this one.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Ivy; I'm glad you've enjoyed making this doll; she must be a real sweeting in size 10 crochet cotton! If you like, you can email me a picture at: dollmaker46203 [at] gmail.com. use an '*' sign in place of the [at].

      Beth

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  33. Hey!
    Can you tell me how much yarn I need for such a doll?
    Plese sent me an e-Mail (gwenni@hotmail.de) or write a comment on my blog! :)

    Thanks!

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  34. Beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely patterns. :-)

    Love Joan

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  35. Am I missing a pattern for the cute little panties?

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    Replies
    1. No, the doll in the picture has her underwear stitched as a part of the body.

      Beth

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  36. I just taught myself how to crochet a month or so ago. I am so excited to have found this website, my 3 year old daughter has been begging to make her a doll. I decided to make this doll for her 4th birthday along with a cradle purse. I struck gold when I found this website. Thank you so much for sharing this pattern .

    Krystal :)

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    1. Bravo for you, Krystal, in teaching yourself to crochet! It is amazing what you can do with a hook and some yarn. Enjoy making the doll; your daughter will love her :-)

      Beth

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  37. Beth

    Thanks for the great pattern. It allowed me to make my first crocheted doll for my little granddaughter. She was 6 months old when I gave it to her so I did not bother with hair or clothes. She still loved it and the doll's foot went right in her mouth :)
    You have started an obsession and I have made alterations and started designing clothes.

    Bev

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    1. This is wonderful to hear, Bev! Anytime I can get someone 'hooked' on crochet makes me happy :-)

      Beth

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  38. Thank you for sharing all that marvellous homemade dolls. I'd like to try to make one of them but I'm just a poor beginner. I admire your expertise. Congratulations !

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  39. Everyone starts as a beginner! Plunge in and give it a try :-)

    Warmly,

    Beth

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  40. Thank you for sharing your patterns for the doll and clothes. I downloaded them and will make them for my grandaughters. They are so adorable!

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    Replies
    1. It is my pleasure to share, Diana! Enjoy :-)

      warmly,

      Beth

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  41. Pattern links no longer work. I keep getting an error. Is there another way to get them? Thank you

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    Replies
    1. email me at the address above and I will send them to you.

      Beth

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