Please do yourself a favor and make this doll. I just can't help but laugh when I see her hair, and I hope it makes you smile too. :)
Materials:
Skin- Loops and Threads Impeccable (aran)
Blue- Big Twist (varsity navy)
Brown- Red Heart Super Saver (coffee)
Hair- Red Heart Super Saver (carrot, I think. I lost the label years ago)
A small amount of cream 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 optional quiver 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 sleeves. Merida 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- sc in each stitch around (12 st)
R15- *sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in same stitch* rep to end (15 st)
R16- change to blue, *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 in each stitch around (18 st)
R22- sc BLO 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- sc in each stitch around (12 st). Make sure to end R27 in the middle of the back of the leg.
R28- change to brown, 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 blue, 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- 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- change to brown, 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 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 2 stitches* rep to end, slip to join (24 st)
R2- ch 2, *dc in next 3 stitches, 2 dc in same stitch* rep to end, slip to join (30 st)
R3- ch 2, *2 dc in same stitch, dc in next 4 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 (45 st)
Edge- crab stitch in each stitch to end, BO
Hair
The hair is made in three separate pieces. There is a lower piece, a top piece, and a middle piece.
Lower
ch 12. This is your base chain. Chain 21 and 2 sc in each chain back to the base chain. This makes one strand. Sc in the next chain in the base chain. Repeat until you get to the end.
Upper
make exactly as the lower piece
Middle
ch 9. This is the base chain length for the middle. Chain 21 and 2 sc in each chain back to the base chain. Repeat to the end.
Quiver
R1- using brown, 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 to R8- repeat R3 until the quiver is the length you want, BO
Using brown, make a chain long enough to wrap around the skirt/waist. This is the quiver strap.
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.
Embroider the small bits of "shift" peeking through Merida's dress. Make a couple stitches at the neckline of the dress. Make a couple stitches where her elbows would be.
Sew the quiver and strap to her skirt.
Sew the hair piece to her head. I sewed the top piece off to the side a little and used the middle piece to fill in the gap on the opposite side. Try to sew it down in a way that doesn't leave any bald spots.
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.
Now run your fingers through all the curly hair! And please reach out to me if you have any questions.
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