Finley

Finley Knitted Doll by Boo-Biloo

What is Being Made

Finley is a knitted doll designed as a downloadable PDF pattern by independent designer Boo-Biloo. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a three-dimensional stuffed doll figure, with construction beginning at the neck and working outward to form the head and body. The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions to create a realistic doll structure suitable for display or play.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project uses knitting as the primary construction method. The doll is worked flat on straight needles using fundamental knitting techniques to build dimensional shaping. The pattern employs strategic increases and stocking stitch sections to create the doll's form, demonstrating intermediate-level skill requirements in reading pattern instructions, executing increases, and understanding garment construction principles.

Stitches and Shaping Methods Used

• Long-tail cast on (also called Double cast on) for creating the initial stitch foundation
• Knit and purl stitches for basic fabric construction
• Make one increases (M1) strategically placed throughout rows to create shaping and dimensional form
• Stocking stitch (alternating knit and purl rows) as the primary fabric texture

The pattern uses increases in specific intervals—such as "[K1, M1] 12 times" patterns—to control the rate of expansion and create the doll's proportional head shape. Purl rows are interspersed to create structure and definition in the finished piece.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern calls for Scheepjes Catona yarn, a 100% mercerized cotton yarn available in 10g/25m and 25g/62m ball sizes. The recommended yarn weight is 4 ply (sport weight), though the pattern notes that any 4 ply or fingering weight yarn will work as a suitable substitute. The specific color palette includes:

• Yarn A: Beige (English Tea 404) – 25g
• Yarn B: Brown (Root Beer 157) – 15g
• Yarn C: Cream (Old Lace 130) – 15g
• Yarn D: Pale Grey (Light Silver 172) – 20g
• Yarn E: Orange (Tangerine 281) – 20g
• Yarn F: Grey (Metal Grey 242) – 25g

Additional materials include scraps of black and red yarn for embroidering facial features (eyes and mouth), and the pattern requires 2.5mm straight needles for the initial cast on and most construction, with 3mm straight needles also needed for specific sections. The pattern recommends leaving long yarn tails during cast on and off to facilitate sewing seams during finishing.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are comfortable following multi-row pattern instructions with increases and shaping techniques.