Catherine 1546 - A Tudor Doll Knitting Pattern by Edith Grace Designs

This is Catherine, a Tudor Lady 1546. Catherine is a knitted Tudor doll and is 28cm tall, knitted in double knitting wool & worked flat. The legs, body & head are knitted all in one.

This pattern would suit an Advanced knitter.

This pattern can be bought as a PDF Digital Download from - Etsy, Love Crafts & Ravelry.
I have based this doll on the portrait of Princess Elizabeth, 1546, who later became Queen Elizabeth I of England. This portrait is currently part of Queen Elizabeth II's royal collection at Windsor Castle, England. Elizabeth is about 13years old in the portrait, but didn't become queen until she was 25 years old after the death of her father, Henry VIII. Elizabeth had plenty of suitors but never married and reigned for 44 years.
During the reign of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I there was a Chart of Tudor Sumptuary Laws for Tudor dress. This explained what was allowed to be worn in terms of colour, fabric, trims & furs in different social classes in England.

Women's court fashion was varied. The bodice was tightly fitted and the skirt was triangular in shape. I have tried to keep to this dress shape. My design includes a French hood which was shaped around the head and decorated with pearls or jewels. I have also included trumpet sleeves.

I have used a moss stitch pattern for the outer skirt, top of sleeves & head piece. A lattice pattern has been used for the inner skirt & stocking stitch for the remainder of the work. D.K wool was used for the whole piece. 

The moss stitch & dark plum colour help to recreate a heavy dress.  

I have used 4mm cream pearl beads & knitted them into the lattice pattern of the inner skirt. This gives the skirt depth & a Tudor feel. I have used beads for the cream part of the sleeve & head piece. 

I have also used 3mm & 4mm gold pearl beads for jewellery & oval drop beads for the necklace & waistband ends. 

I would suggest that this knitting pattern would suit experienced knitters.

Queen Victoria Peg Doll Knitting Pattern by Edith Grace Designs

The doll is 12cm tall, knitted in double knitting wool & worked flat.

This pattern can be bought as a PDF Digital Download from - Etsy, Love Crafts & Ravelry.

As a child Queen Victoria had a collection of peg dolls, which she made clothes for. She based her dolls on the gentry & Royalty she met whilst growing up. 
This design contains a knitted dress, arms & bonnet for a 12cm peg doll. The design is based on a Victorian dress & bonnet. 

The dress is knitted all in one, so construction is minimum. Toy stuffing is not used. I have used fine liner pens to decorate the face & hair. 

I have found knitting clothes for a peg doll much easier than trying to use fabric & glue, plus the pattern can be knitted really quickly. I always found fabric & glue very frustrating as a child. 

The pattern is simple to follow & photos are included to help with construction. 

Pansy Winter Rag Doll Knitting Pattern by Edith Grace Designs

This is Pansy Rag Doll. Pansy is 34cm tall, knitted in double knitting wool & worked flat. 

This pattern can be bought as a PDF Digital Download from - Etsy, Love Crafts & Ravelry.

Pansy is named after a winter flower which is grown in Britain. The flowers originated from France, as violas. The name pansy is thought to come from the French word 'pensee - thought'. It was imported in the 15th century to Britain as a viola. Lady Mary Elizabeth Bennett (1785–1861) from Surrey, Britain, was an avid collector of violas and through cross breeding introduced pansies in 1812.

I have used colours associated with winter: blues, light pinks & white. I have used Sirdar Snuggly DK for the turquoise & light blue and Sirdar Snuggly Pearls DK for the pink, as this adds a little sparkle!

Pansy has stripy tights with a stripy top to match. Her skirt is flared and her belt has a bow attached.  Ice Blue 4mm beads have been knitted into her hat and scarf, which are detachable.

Pansy wears her hair in bunches.