This is one of the first princesses I tried to design and make. It was a lot of fun, but it left me with some wonky notes. Luckily I've since gotten a little more organized and precise in my note-taking. Here it is, a little more polished and ready to go.
Materials
Skin- Loops and Threads Impeccable (aran)
Yellow- Red Heart Super Saver (lemon)
Gold- Caron Simply Soft (sunshine)
Brown- Red Heart Super Saver (coffee)
White Embroidery Floss
Black Embroidery Floss
Crochet Hook Size C (2.75 mm)
Thick 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 apron 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. Belle 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 gold, *sc in next 4 stitches, 2 sc in same stitch* rep to end (18 st)
R17 to R20- sc in each stitch around (18 st)
R20- 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 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 gold, 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 gold, 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 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 gold, 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 gold, 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 to R5- sc in each stitch around (8 st)
R6- change to aran, sc in each stitch around BLO (8 st)
R7 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, stuff
Hair
R1- Using brown, 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 R6- sc in each stitch around (24 st)
R7- *sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in same stitch* rep to end (30 st)
Now we are going to make all the little strands.
*Slip in next stitch, ch 6, starting in second chain from the hook 2 sc in each ch until you get back to main hair piece* Repeat this 5 more times for a total of 6 short strands.
Sc around the hair piece until you get to the middle of the front. For me this was 12 sc.
Now we are going to make the two 'bangs' pieces.
Ch 14, starting in the second chain from the hook do the following:
2 sc in each of the next five, *3sc in same stitch, 2 sc in same stitch* twice, 2 sc in each stitch to the end
Do that whole thing again to create the second strand.
Now sc back along the hair piece until you get to the first short strand. BO, leaving a 10 inch tail
Bun
R1- Using brown, 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 each stitch around (18 st)
R5- *sc in next 7 stitches, sc2tog* rep to end (16 st), BO leaving a 6 inch tail
Skirt
The skirt is crocheted directly onto Belle'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 yellow yarn, join at the back middle, ch 2.
R1- *dc 2 in the next two stitches, dc in the next stitch* rep to end, slip st (30 st)
R2- ch 2, *dc 2 in the next stitch, dc in the next 6 stitches, dc 2 in the next stitch, dc in the next 7 stitches* rep to end, slip st (34 st)
R3- ch 2, *dc in the next two stitches, dc 2 in the next stitch* rep to end, skipping one of the increases, slip st (44 st)
R4- ch 2, *dc in the next 10 stitches, dc 2 in the next stitch* rep to end, slip st (48 st)
R5- *dc 2 in the next stitch, dc in the next 23 stitches* rep once more time, slip st (50 st)
Edge- change to gold, do this entire round BLO. ch 1, skip one st, 5 hdc in next stitch, skip one st, slip st, *skip one st, 5 hdc in next stitch, skip one st, slip st* rep to end, BO leaving about a four inch tail
Sleeves
Using yellow yarn, chain as many as you need to go around the neckline and shoulders. For me, this was 28. Leave your cast on tail long, maybe six to eight inches. I use that tail so that I can add more chains if I need to. I don't bind off until it is all sewn down, and I know I don't need to chain any more.
Skirt Swoops
Using gold yarn, chain as many as you need to add the decorative swoops around the skirt. I did about 50. Leave your cast on tail long, maybe 15 inches or so. I use that tail so that I can add more chains if I need to. I don't bind off until it is all sewn down, and I know I don't need to chain any more.
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 Belle:
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 sleeves to the neckline and around her shoulders.
Sew the swoopy gold chain to the skirt. I sewed it on R4. My swoops are about 7 chains long each. I have 7 swoops.
Stuff and sew the bun to the hair piece. Add a strand of gold yarn to make it look like it's tied up with a ribbon.
Sew the hair piece to her head. Fold back the two long strands to make her bangs and sew them down well.
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 your Belle is ready for her dance with the Beast! As always, please reach out or comment if you have any questions. I initially wrote these notes just for myself, so something that is obvious to me may not come across clearly to others.
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