Marysol doll

Marysol Doll by Boo-Biloo

What is Being Made

The Marysol doll is a charming knitted amigurumi-style doll designed by independent designer Boo-Biloo. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating a complete doll with a detailed head, body, and colorful features. The doll is constructed using the knitting technique and is suitable for intermediate-level crafters looking to expand their skills in three-dimensional knitted toy construction.

Craft and Technique Overview

This project uses knitting as the primary craft method. The doll is constructed by knitting flat pieces and shaping them through strategic increases and stocking stitch to create dimensional forms. The pattern employs the Long-tail (Double cast on) method for establishing stitches, which is recommended for creating a secure foundation with long tails suitable for seaming pieces together.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) – the fundamental stitch used throughout the construction
• Purl stitch (P) – used for creating texture and shaping
• Make One (M1) – an increase technique used strategically to expand stitch counts and shape the doll's head and body
• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric texture created by alternating knit and purl rows

Materials and Tools

The Marysol doll pattern calls for Scheepjes Catona yarn, a 100% mercerized cotton available in 10g/25m and 25g/62m skein sizes. This 4 ply (sport weight) yarn is ideal for creating fine details in small-scale projects. The pattern specifies six colors from the Scheepjes Catona range:

• Yarn A: Beige (English Tea 404) – 26g
• Yarn B: Yellow (Yellow Gold 208) – 15g
• Yarn C: Turquoise (Cyan 397) – 15g
• Yarn D: Orange (Tangerine 281) – 10g
• Yarn E: White (Snow White 106) – 15g
• Yarn F: Red (Poppy Rose 390) – 20g

The pattern also requires scraps of black and red yarn for embroidering facial features including eyes and mouth, adding personality to the finished doll.

For needles, crafters will need 2.5mm straight needles for the majority of the construction and 3mm straight needles for specific sections. While Scheepjes Catona is recommended, the pattern notes that any 4 ply (fingering) weight yarn will work, offering flexibility for crafters who may have alternative yarn preferences or stash-busting goals.

Construction Method

The doll is constructed starting at the neck with the head section. The pattern begins by casting on 13 stitches using the Long-tail method and Yarn A with 2.5mm needles. Strategic increases using the Make One technique are employed across multiple rows to expand the stitch count from the initial 13 stitches to 25 stitches in Row 2, then to 39 stitches by Row 4, and continuing to 47 stitches by Row 8. This graduated increase method creates the three-dimensional shaping necessary for the doll's head. Stocking stitch is worked in blocks to build the fabric structure, with careful attention to stitch counts at each stage to ensure proper proportions.

The pattern recommends leaving long tails when casting on and off, which can be used for seaming pieces together during assembly, reducing the need for additional yarn and creating secure, nearly invisible seams.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to tackle shaping techniques, color changes, and three-dimensional construction. The combination of increases, stocking stitch work, and the coordination required to assemble multiple colored sections provides a satisfying challenge for developing crafters.