Comfort Dolls-knit for children in DR and Haiti

Summer Dominican Republic dolls

2009-09-28T13:26:00.008-04:00

To all the many many students, women, men, grandparents, teachers and workers who worked on the Comfort dolls that we brought to La Romana this summer a huge and heartfelt thank you! From those who knitted and crocheted, to those who put the dolls together and gave them their own personalities to those who helped support the project by buying yarn and needles we thank you. It was a gift to hand these out to children that we cannot wait to do again. Please keep them coming!!! As you can see the children loved them, as did the parents!

Crochet Directions for Comfort Dolls

2009-01-25T09:44:00.003-05:00

Materials/Tools:
-G hook
-Brown or black plus at least three other colors of easy care yarn, whatever weight fits gauge
-Fiberfill for stuffing
-Yarn needle

Gauge: 1 inch = 7 single crochet (sc) and 7 rows.

To Begin:
-With brown or black (dark) yarn, chain (ch) 37. Last 2 ch are first stitch (st) in first row. Slip stitch in first st of same row, ch 1 and start next row in a round..

To Make:
-Row 1: Continuing with black, sc in second st from hook and in each of remaining ch (should be 35.) Ch 1 and Slip stitch in first st of same row, ch 1 and start next row in a round.
-Rows 2-3: Continue with dark, sc in each st across. Finish off dark. This is the "shoes".
-Rows 4-14: * With color A, sc in each st across. Slip stitch in first st of same row, ch 1 and start next row in a round. Continue from * until you have 10 rows of Color A. Finish off Color A. These are the "pants".
-Rows 15-25: ** With Color B, sc in each st across. Slip stitch in first st of same row, ch 1 and start next row in a round. Continue from ** until you have 10 rows of Color B. Finish off Color B. This is the "shirt".
-Rows 26-34: *** With dark yarn, sc in each st across. Slip stitch in first st of same row, ch 1 and start next row in a round. Continue from *** until you have 8 rows of dark. Finish off dark. This is the "head".
-Rows 35-42: **** With Color C, sc in each st across. Slip stitch in first st of same row, ch 1 and start next row in a round. Continue from **** until you have 8 rows of Color C. Finish off Color C. This is the "hat".
You should have a cylinder 32 rows.

To Finish:
1.Flatten cylinder lengthwise and slip stitch bottom (original chain) with black yarn to make an "envelope. Weave in ends.
2.Stuff lightly with stuffing. Enough stuffing to pad but not stretch the stitches.
3.At top of "hat" sew same color yarn as the top row through all sc and pull tight to make a point.
4.Do the same, with either color, between Color B and the first row of the "head". Pull tight enough to form the "neck".
5.About 5 rows down from the neck and 3 to 5 sc in from sides on both sides sew with Color B down in a straight line to bottom of "shirt" to simulate arms.
6.About 3-4 rows down from the top of Color A sew with same color yarn down to bottom of "pants" to form legs. Do the same with dark on the "shoes".
7.Embroider face with eyes and smiling mouth or whatever suits you.

Please avoid the use of red as much as possible.
Make sure to use brown hues of yarn for the faces.

Knitted Directions for Comfort Dolls

2009-01-24T11:43:00.002-05:00

Materials Needed:

Small quantities of Sayelle, or similar-weight yarn
1 pair of 2.25, 3, 4 or 5 mm needles
Tapestry needle
Polyester fiberfill

To begin:
The basic method for making each doll is the same. Begin at the feet and knit a rectangle, changing yarn color 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 with a thread. The arms and legs are defined by stitching through all layers after the doll is stuffed. The number of rows in each part of the doll can be increased or decreased depending on the individual design. Finished height of each doll is approximately 13cm (5 inches).

To make:
Work in stockinette stitch throughout - which is knit one row, purl the next. Cast on 32 sts. Work 4 rows for feet. Change yarn. Work 14 rows for pants. Change yarn. Work 12 rows for sweater. Change yarn. Work 8 rows for face. Change yarn. Work 11 rows for hat as follows: Rows 1–4: Work evenly in stockinette stitch. Row 5: Decrease (dec) 5 sts evenly across row (27 sts) To decrease, knit two stitches together. 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. K2 tog) 9 times. Draw yarn through remaining sts and pull up.

To finish:
1. Sew sides together to form a center back seam. 2. Stuff head. Weave a single strand of matching yarn across the first face row. Draw up to form neck and secure ends. 3. Repeat for body, drawing in at ankles. 4. Stuff feet and sew up bottom, pulling in as much as possible. 5. With matching yarn, form arms with tiny back stitches through all layers from waist to 2 rows beneath the neck. Define legs in same way, from bottom to just below waistline. 6. Embroider hair and facial features as desired.

Please avoid the use of red as much as possible.
Make sure to use brown hues of yarn for the faces