Learning To Swim

Learning to Swim Knitted Toy by Andrew Lucas

Project Overview

Learning to Swim is a beginner-friendly knitted doll design created by independent designer Andrew Lucas. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating a charming 14 centimeter toy figure, perfect for crafters new to doll-making or those seeking a quick, satisfying knitting project.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a small stuffed knitted doll approximately 14 centimeters in height. The doll features a structured body with distinct sections including a torso, shoulders, and a proportionally sized head, creating a recognizable humanoid form suitable for play or display.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Casting On: Foundation technique to create the initial stitches for the body
• Increasing (inc): Used to expand stitch count, particularly for shaping the head and creating fullness in the body
• Decreasing (dec and K2tog): Applied to shape shoulders and taper the head, creating definition and structure
• Bind and Tie (B and T): Finishing technique where yarn ends are threaded through stitches using a tapestry needle, drawn up, and secured to close openings
• Color Changes: The pattern incorporates multiple yarn colors (blue, beige, yellow, brown, orange, and black) to create different sections and details of the doll

Stitches Used

• Stocking Stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the pattern, created by alternating knit rows and purl rows to produce a smooth, finished fabric appearance
• Garter Stitch (gs): Knit stitch used for textured sections
• Knit (k) and Purl (p): Fundamental stitches that form the basis of all stocking stitch work in the pattern

Construction Details

The doll is constructed in distinct sections. The body begins with 25 cast-on stitches that are immediately increased to 50 stitches in the first row, creating a wider base. After 5 rows of stocking stitch, the fabric transitions to beige wool for 16 rows, establishing the main body color. Shoulders are shaped by knitting two stitches together across the row, reducing the stitch count back to 25. The head section begins with increases to reach 37 stitches, then continues in stocking stitch for 17 rows before being decreased back down, creating a rounded head shape.

Materials Required

• Needles: 3.25mm knitting needles
• Yarn: Double knitting weight wool in multiple colors—blue (for body base), beige (for body), and oddments of yellow, brown, orange, and black (for details and features)
• Stuffing: A small amount of fiberfill or toy stuffing to give the doll dimension and structure
• Additional Tools: Tapestry needle for binding off and sewing seams

Skill Level

Rated as a beginner project, Learning to Swim requires only fundamental knitting knowledge. Crafters need to be comfortable with basic stitches, increasing and decreasing, and simple color changes. The straightforward construction and small scale make it an ideal first doll-making project.