This is a machine knit pattern for a sock doll. It was originally made on a standard gauge knitting machine, using scraps of fingering/sock yarn. It could easily be adapted for any machine, using thicker yarns. The doll will then be larger, depending on the yarn and gauge. Less than half a ball of hand knitting fingering weight yarn will be plenty for the body, and probably less than one fourth of a ball for the clothes. If using a coned yarn, less than one ounce of each color is enough.

This is a great pattern to use up scraps. I have found that children like really wild colors for hair; and really wild hair-dos. The most popular style for me is created by steaming a gauge swatch to set the yarn, then raveling it out and making a shaggy pom pom from it. With all of the bright colors currently so popular for human hair, I have even used neon blue, purple, and green, and the kids love them. You could also embroider the head with french knots to simulate short curls. or add fringe all over the head for a shaggy “do”. So why not get creative and make one of these little dolls to look like a copy of a human (perhaps your grandchild). Match the skin, eye, and hair colors, and make a similar hairstyle. How fun!

NOTE: the quickest way to assemble these is with a hot glue gun. But DO NOT hot glue anything that will be used by a baby or toddler. Young children put everything in their mouths. So please take the time to sew on the hair and embroider the features if this will be a young child’s toy.