Purla the doll

Purla the Doll by Browneyedbabs

What is Being Made

Purla is a handmade knitted doll pattern designed by Browneyedbabs. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating a finished doll measuring 28 centimeters (10.5 inches) from head to toes. The doll features a complete body with a head, torso, limbs, and coordinating knitted clothing, making it a charming handmade toy or decorative piece suitable for intermediate knitters.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several intermediate-level techniques to achieve a professional, finished appearance. The doll body is constructed using yarn held doubled, a technique that creates a firmer gauge and prevents stuffing from showing through the fabric. This doubling method is essential for achieving the specified gauge of 18 stitches by 27 rows over a 4-inch square in stockinette stitch worked flat.

The pattern utilizes short rows, indicated by wrap and turn (W&T) instructions, which allow the knitter to shape three-dimensional features and contours on the doll's body. Additionally, the pattern incorporates stitch holders or waste yarn for managing stitches during construction, enabling seamless assembly of different body sections.

The clothing components are knitted with a single strand of DK yarn, creating a lighter fabric that contrasts with the doubled yarn used for the body. This technique variation allows for more drape and flexibility in the garment pieces while maintaining visual cohesion with the overall design.

Stitches Used

Purla the doll pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with shaping techniques:

• Stockinette stitch — the primary stitch used throughout the doll body and clothing, created by alternating knit rows and purl rows when working flat
• Knit (K) — basic knit stitch
• Purl (P) — basic purl stitch
• Knit two together (K2Tog) — a right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Slip, slip, knit (SSK) — a left-leaning decrease for balanced shaping
• Slip, slip, purl (SSP) — purl-side decrease for shaping on reverse stockinette sections
• Knit front and back (KFB) — an increase that creates new stitches for expanding sections
• Left lifted increase (LLI) — a decorative increase worked from the row below
• Right lifted increase (RLI) — a decorative increase worked from the row below
• Slip stitch (Sl) — used in various shaping techniques
• Wrap and turn (W&T) — short-row shaping technique for creating three-dimensional contours

Materials Required

The Purla pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended finished doll:

• DK weight yarn in a skin tone color — 50 grams for the doll body, worked with yarn held doubled
• DK weight yarn oddments in various colors for clothing and hair details, worked with single strands
• Stuffing for filling the completed doll body
• US 6 / 4mm double point needles or circular needles for knitting the doll components
• Stitch holders or waste yarn for managing stitches during construction
• 4mm crochet hook or smaller for finishing details and possibly hair application
• Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction points

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle more complex construction techniques. The combination of short-row shaping, yarn doubling, and multi-component assembly requires experience with basic increases and decreases, as well as comfort reading detailed pattern instructions and managing multiple stitches simultaneously.