1:12th scale Norwegian style sweater 2

1:12th Scale Norwegian Style Sweater 2 for Dolls House Miniatures

What Is Being Made

This is a 1:12th scale man's Norwegian style sweater designed by Frances Powell, perfectly proportioned to fit 5½ to 6-inch (14-15 cm) tall dolls house dolls. The finished sweater measures approximately 2½ inches (6 cm) tall by 1¾ inches (4 cm) wide, making it an authentic miniature garment suitable for period dolls from circa 1950 to present day. The Norwegian style indicates traditional Nordic design elements characteristic of classic Scandinavian knitwear.

Techniques and Construction Methods

This intermediate-level knitting project employs fundamental miniature knitting techniques appropriate for knitters with some experience in small-scale work. The pattern specifies that this project is not suitable as a first miniature knitting endeavor but works well as a second or third project for those building miniature knitting skills. The construction utilizes stocking stitch (also called stockinette stitch), which creates the smooth, classic knit fabric appearance by alternating knit rows and purl rows. The sweater incorporates increases (created by knitting twice into a single stitch to make two stitches) and decreases (formed using knit two together and purl two together techniques) to shape the garment to fit the doll's proportions.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch – the fundamental stitch forming the basis of the fabric
• Purl stitch – used in alternation with knit stitches to create stocking stitch
• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) – the primary fabric construction method, created by alternating one row of knit stitches with one row of purl stitches
• Increases – knitting twice into the next stitch to make two stitches from one
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a decrease technique that combines two stitches into one
• Purl two together (p2tog) – a decrease technique worked on purl rows

Materials and Specifications

This miniature sweater requires size 19 (1.00 mm/US size 5/0) knitting needles, which are extremely fine needles essential for working at 1:12th scale. The yarn is 1-ply wool in two colors: 55 yards (50 metres) in the main color and 18 yards (15 metres) in a contrast color. The use of 1-ply wool allows for the delicate, precise stitching necessary at this miniature scale. The pattern also calls for 2 stitch holders to manage active stitches during construction. The Norwegian style design incorporates color work using the main and contrast colors, typical of traditional Nordic sweater patterns.

Pattern credit: FP 144 Norwegian style sweater 2 pattern from Buttercup Miniatures, designed by Frances Powell © 2010