Isabella Doll

Isabella Doll by Boo-Biloo

What is Being Made

The Isabella Doll is a charming knitted doll design created by independent designer Boo-Biloo. This intermediate-level knitting project produces a complete doll featuring a detailed head constructed from the neck upward, with multiple color sections that create visual interest and character definition.

Craft and Technique Overview

This pattern uses knitting as the primary construction method. The doll is worked primarily in the round and flat sections, beginning at the neck and building upward toward the crown of the head. The pattern employs strategic increases to shape the doll's head structure, creating dimension and form as the knitter progresses through the rows.

Stitches and Construction Methods

The Isabella Doll utilizes several fundamental knitting techniques:

• Long-tail cast on (also called Double cast on) to begin the project, with instructions to leave long tails for seaming
• Make One (M1) increases distributed strategically throughout rows to shape the head and create fullness
• Stocking stitch (alternating knit and purl rows) as the primary fabric texture
• Purl rows for shaping and construction detail
• Knit rows for building the main fabric

The pattern demonstrates intermediate-level shaping techniques, with multiple increase rounds spaced throughout to gradually expand the head from a narrow neck opening (13 stitches) to a fuller head section (47 stitches by row 8).

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Isabella Doll is designed using 4 ply (sport weight) yarn, specifically Scheepjes Catona, which is 100% mercerized cotton. This yarn choice provides a smooth, defined stitch definition ideal for doll making, with yardage of 25 meters per 10 grams.

The pattern calls for seven distinct yarn colors to create the doll's features and segments:

• Yarn A: Beige (Scheepjes Catona Champagne 248) – 20g
• Yarn B: Brown (Scheepjes Catona Chocolate 507) – 25g
• Yarn C: Pink (Scheepjes Catona Coral Rose 398) – 35g
• Yarn D: Mustard (Scheepjes Catona Saffron 249) – 25g
• Yarn E: Pale Pink (Scheepjes Catona Powder Pink 238) – 15g
• Yarn F: Red (Scheepjes Catona Amethyst 240) – 40g
• Yarn G: Blue/Grey (Scheepjes Catona Charcoal 393) – 10g

The pattern notes that while Scheepjes Catona is recommended, any 4 ply (fingering) weight yarn will work as a suitable substitute, providing flexibility for crafters with different yarn stashes.

Tools and Notions

Construction requires a pair of 2.5mm straight needles for working the doll pieces. Additional materials include scraps of black yarn for eyes and red yarn for the mouth, allowing customization of the doll's facial expression. The pattern recommends leaving long yarn tails during cast on and off specifically for use in seaming the doll together.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The combination of color changes, strategic shaping increases, and multi-piece construction requires attention to detail and familiarity with fundamental knitting methods.