Materials:

• Two sets #5 double point needles
• Worsted weight yarn in at least 5 different colors, approximately 6 oz. altogether. (One should be a neutral, for face, hands, and Bridget’s legs)
• Crochet hook no F or 0
• Tapestry needle
• Polyester Fill
• 4 stitch holders (optional)

Gauge: 5 sts = 1”

Size: 16” -18” tall

Skill level: Intermediate

Both Bridget and Paddy are knit using two sets of double point needles. They wear Aran Isle sweaters and cabled socks. Her plaid skirt and bloomer, his knickers and their berets make for a very handsome pair and are totally seamless.

A little bit of Bridget and Paddy history…

After Sven Scandinavian I had no plans to do another pattern. Sven was successful and I was busy with teaching and enjoying my new role as a grandmother of two. My knitting life became teaching weekly at the Yarn and Knit shop in Monona (WI), across the street where my husband taught technical education.

Elizabeth Schmidt, owner of the Yarn and Knit, a native of the United Kingdom, had become an English war bride (WWII). As a lifelong knitter, she loved being a shop owner and certainly promoted “Sven” to her knitters. She asked me to do her a favor—she wanted a British knitted friend, but in worsted, rather than sport weight wool. At first I resisted, but then thought of the rich possibilities—Aran, cables, and plaid. So a few month later…

With Bridget and Paddy, like their predecessors, knitting Sven and Solveig begins at the top of the head, increasing regularly until you’ve knit half a sphere. Eyes and nose are knitted next and chin decreases match the beginning increases.
They sport Aran Isle sweaters. She wears a plaid skirt, he dons knickers. She has bloomers and socks are a knitter’s choice, cabled or striped. They each wear berets and stand about 15” tall.

When Elizabeth completed her British “Tillie O’Toole,” she was thrilled. But she didn’t want to deal with her hair. Instead she prepped Tillie’s long strands of strawberry blond yarn, and then made an appointment with her hairdresser to complete the task. She loved telling the story to her customers.

Carol Anderson