April 11, 2008 UPDATE As much as we hated to see them go, the first batch of the Duduza Dolls is on the way to Africa! We will continue to collect them throughout the summer and send the second batch off in the fall so please feel free to continue to knit the little darlings up and drop them off at the store! Again, we sincerely thank each and every one of you for your time and love for this charity project!
The Knitting Studio Staff
This year, we are knitting up adorable "Duduza" Comfort Dolls. Use up that scrap yarn (like we all have!) and knit a doll to be given to children in need around the world. A local organization is our liaison for this project. The dolls are easy to make and will give great pleasure to some little boy or girl. The free pattern is below or you may wish to pick up one at the store. March 15th is the deadline for returning the dolls but feel free to drop yours off as soon as they are completed as we will have a special home for them at the shop until they are ready to be sent to their new homes!
Jean with some of the collected Duduza Dolls in the Times Argus on Tues march 11, 2008
Duduza Comfort Doll
Materials:Scraps of worsted weight yarn (5 or 6 colors) on size 8 or 9 straight needles OR scraps of DK weight yarn (5 or 6 colors) on size 5 or 6 straight needles Small amount of fiberfil for stuffing Note:Doll is knit in stockinette stitch unless where noted. Directions:Cast on 32 sts.Knit 4 rows, leaving about an 8” tail to gather for feet when completing doll. Change color for trousers or skirt.Knit 16 rows. Change color for belt if desired and knit 2 rows in garter stitch. Change color for sweater.Knit 14 rows, decreasing 4 sts evenly across the last row, leaving an 8” tail. Change color for face (preferably a shade of brown).Knit 10 rows. Change color for cap (or hair) and knit 2 rows in garter stitch for border. Next, decrease as follows: Row 1:(K4, k2 tog) x 4 , knit 4 sts (24 sts) Row 2:purl Row 3:(K3, k2 tog) x 4, knit 4 sts (20 sts) Row 4:purl Row 5:(K2, k2 tog) x 4, knit 4 sts (16 sts) Row 6:purl Row 7:(K1, k2 tog) x 4, knit 4 sts (12 sts) Row 8:purl Row 9:K2 tog across row Thread remaining sts onto sewing needle and sew up cap. Note:you can either embroider facial features on now or wait until doll is finished. Sew up face.Stuff head loosely with fiberfil.Run the gathering thread through the last row of sweater sts and pull up tightly for neck, finishing off securely. Sew up center back to feet.Fill loosely.Run the gathering thread through the first row of feet and pull up tightly and secure. Complete feet by sewing up center seam through both thicknesses of knitting and sew up bottoms. If making a doll with trousers, define legs by sewing through all thicknesses from feet towards belt, finishing off 2 rows from belt. Define arms by sewing through all thicknesses from 2 stitches below neck to waist evenly on both sides. Add facial features and detail to hat/hair as desired. All dolls must be received atThe Knitting Studio by Saturday, March 15, 2008! Thank you in advance for giving comfort to children who really need it!
