Every couple of years Shepherds Talk does some charity knitting. Two years ago we knitted little hand held comfort bunnies. Many of you participated and we sent out over 50 bunny rabbits to Yale New Haven social work department. The bunnies were handed out to comfort small children in need.

This year we are doing another charity knitting event by knitting these small handheld comfort dolls which only take about two hours to complete. We hope to have some of you participate and knit one or two (or more!). Mail your completed dolls to Pam Blasko 23 Pastors Walk, Monroe CT 06468 by September 1. No pressure no hurry.  This is an extremely easy pattern and woks up quick. Great way to use up some scrap yard and help comfort a small child in need. We will post the little dolls as they arrive to us.

PLEASE only use this pattern for charity, it was given freely to share and make a difference in the lives of those in need.

Begin at the foot and knit a rectangle, (some use 4 needles which does away having to sew up the back when you have completed your doll) and change yarn colors for each body segment. The head is stuffed and the neck formed by pulling in a thread. The arms and legs are defined by stitching through all layers after the doll is stuffed. The number of rows in each part of the doll can be increased or decreased depending on the individual design. Finished, the height of each doll is approx. 5 inches.
YOU NEED:
Yarn and needles: 

• small quantities of a sport weight yarn on 3 mm needles OR
• small quantities of a DK weight yarn on 3.5 mm needles OR
• small quantities of a worsted weight yarn (for a larger doll) on 4 mm or 4.5 mm needles

Other supplies: 

• Tapestry needle
• Polyester fiberfill
• Embroidery floss for face

TO MAKE:

• Work in stocking stitch throughout
• Cast on 32 Sts (if using four needles, cast on 33 stitches 3 X 11)
• Work four rows for feet – change yarn
• Work 14 rows for pants – change yarn
• Work 12 rows for sweater – change yarn
• Work 8 rows for face – change yarn
• Work 11 rows for hat as follows:
  • Row 1 – 4: Work evenly in stocking stitch
  • Row 5: K3, K2tog; (K4, K2tog) 4 times, K3 (27 stitches)
  • Rows 6, 8 and 10: Knit across row in stocking stitch
  • Row 7: K 2, K2tog; (K3, K2tog) 4 times, K3 (22 stitches)
  • Row 9: (K2, K2tog) across the row, ending with K2 (17 stitches)
  • Row 11: (K1, K2 together) 5 times, K2tog
  • Draw yarn through remaining Sts and pull up.

TO FINISH:

• Sew sides together to form a centre back seam (if using two needles).
• Stuff head. Weave a strand of matching yarn across the first face row.
• Draw up to form neck and secure ends.
• Repeat for body, drawing in at the ankles – Stuff.
• Stuff feet and sew up bottom.
• With matching yarn, form arms with tiny backstitches through all layers
• from waist to 2 rows beneath the neck.
• Define the legs in same way from bottom to a little below the waistline.
• Embroider hair and facial features as desired.

Use your imagination to finish 


This pattern has been created for charity knitting. Or to give to a small child in need. No selling of this pattern please. 




Optional; Add ears to make it into a cute little 
bear 
Use any size yarn just choose the appropriate needle size