I have to be honest. Embroidering the little details on this doll has been my favorite detailing to date. I think it takes it really elevates her design. Enjoy!
Materials:
Skin- Loops and Threads Impeccable (aran)
Black- I Love This Yarn (black)
Dark Blue- Caron Simply Soft (royal blue)
Gold- Caron Simply Soft (gold)
Light Blue- Red Heart Sport (Blue Jewel), held double
Hair- Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek (tobacco)
Pink- Hometown USA (new orleans french berry), split
Green- No idea, just use a small scrap of green worsted yarn
White Embroidery Floss
Black Embroidery Floss
Crochet Hook size C (2.75 mm)
Hefty Embroidery Needle
Stuffing
This doll is worked from the top of the head in continuous rounds down until the legs split. Then one leg is worked at a time. Arms, hair, and straps are made separately and attached afterward. The skirt is picked up at the waist and worked to the hem. Eyes are embroidered directly onto doll. Dress details are also embroidered straight onto the bodice and skirt. Anna measures about 5.5 inches tall. Using a different yarn weight, using a different crochet hook size, and personal tension will alter that.
Head and Body
R1- using aran, make magic circle with 6 sc, pull tight
R2- 2 sc in each stitch around (12 st)
R3- *sc in next stitch, 2 sc in same stitch* rep to end (18 st)
R4- *sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in same stitch* rep to end (24 st)
R5 to R11- sc in each stitch around (24 st)
R12- *sc in next 2 stitches, sc2tog* rep to end (18 st)
R13- *sc in next stitch, sc2tog* rep to end (12 st)
R14- change to light blue, sc in each stitch around (12 st)
R15- *sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in same stitch* rep to end (15 st)
R16- *sc in next 4 stitches, 2 sc in same stitch* rep to end (18 st)
R17- change to black, sc in each stitch around (18)
R18 to R20- sc in each stitch around (18 st)
R21- sc BLO in each stitch around (18 st)
R22- sc in each stitch around (18)
Next is splitting the stitches between the two legs.
R23- ch 3, skip 9 sc, sc in next 9 stitches (12 st)
R24- change to aran, sc BLO in each stitch around (12 st)
R25 to R26- sc in each stitch around (12 st)
R27- change to black, sc in each stitch around (12 st). Make sure to end R27 in the middle of the back of the leg.
R28- sc in next four stitches, 3dc puff st in next four stitches, sc in next four stitches (12 st)
R29- st in each stitch around (12 st)
R30- dec by sc2tog around (6 st)
BO, leaving a four inch tail
Using black, start the right leg. Join in the back next to the left leg, leaving a 6 inch tail at the beginning. This is used to sew up the crotch at the end.
R23- sc in next 9 stitches, ch 3 (12 st)
R24- sc in next st, change to aran, sc BLO in each stitch around (12 st)
R25 to R26- sc in each stitch around (12 st)
R27- change to black, sc in each stitch around (12 st). Again, end R27 at the middle of the back, even if it means not doing the last stitch or adding a stitch.
R 28- sc in next four stitches, 3dc puff st in next four stitches, sc in next four stitches (12 st)
R29- st in each stitch around (12 st)
R30- dec by sc2tog around (6 st)
BO, leaving a four inch tail
Arms, make 2
R1- using aran, make a magic circle with 6 sc, pull tight
R2- *2 sc in same stitch, sc in next 2 stitches* rep to end (8 st)
R3- sc in each stitch around (8 st)
R4- change to light blue, sc in each stitch around (8 st)
R5 to R8- sc in each stitch around (8 st)
R9- sc2tog, sc in next 2 stitches, sc2tog, sc in next stitch, slip in last stitch, BO leaving a 6 inch tail
Skirt
The skirt is crocheted directly onto Anna's body using the loops at her waist (there should be 18 st). These rounds are not continuous; they are joined with a slip stitch at the end of each) Hold the doll with her head down, feet up. Using the blue yarn, join at the back middle, ch 2.
R1- *2 dc in same stitch, dc in next 5 stitches* rep to end, slip to join (22 st)
R2- ch 2, *dc in next 4 stitches, 2 dc in same stitch* rep to end, slip to join (28 st)
R3- ch 2, *2 dc in same stitch, dc in next 3 stitches* rep to end, slip to join (36 st)
R4- ch 2, *2 dc in same stitch, dc in next 3 stitches* rep to end, slip to join (44 st)
Edge- *4 sc in same stitch, skip one stitch, slip stitch, skip one stitch* rep to end, ending on a slip stitch, BO
Hair
R1- using tobacco, make magic circle with 6 sc, pull tight
R2- 2 sc in each stitch around (12 st)
R3- *sc in next stitch, 2 sc in same stitch* rep to end (18 st)
R4- *sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in same stitch* rep to end (24 st)
R5- sc in each stitch around (24 st)
R6- *sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in same stitch* rep to end (30 st)
R7 to R9- sc in each stitch around (30 st)
Turn, no longer working in the round. Let's make her bangs.
Hdc, dc in next 4 stitches, tc in next 2 stitches, hdc, sc in next 4 stitches.
Now for her first braid.
Ch 15, slip stitch in each chain back to main piece, sc in next stitch to finish strand. Repeat 2 more times (3 total). Sc in next 5 stitches, then make 3 more strands.
To finish off hair, continue around. Sc, hdc in next 2 stitches, sc, BO.
Strap, make 2
Using black, make a ch long enough to start at the bodice front, go around the shoulders, and end at the bodice back.
Once all your pieces are made, it's just a matter of sewing them on and embroidering a couple details. I always try to hide my knots and tails within the doll. For the embroidery on the face I always hide it under the hair. For the tails at the feet and things on the skirt, I hide them in the body and usually tie the knot in the little hole between the legs. This is the order I followed when I made Anna:
Stuff the head, body, legs, and arms.
Sew on the arms to R15 or 16, whichever you prefer. I did R15
Embroider eyes and nose (and mouth/eyebrows if you choose) using embroidery thread and a small bit of aran yarn for nose. I do the eyes first and then the nose.
Sew the straps to the doll, pinning them in place beforehand.
Embroider the pink flowers on the skirt, the main flower on the front of the bodice, and gold lining the bodice.
Braid the three strands together on each side. Secure the ends by sewing through them. Embroider the white strands of hair on the doll's right side.
Sew the hair piece to her head.
Using the tails on the feet, sew the hole shut.
Double check that everything looks good. Add more stuffing to the body if it needs more, and sew the crotch shut. Do you best to hide the knot and draw the tail a long way through the body before snipping it.
Woohoo! You did it. Have fun!