Patsy Joan's history - in her own words

December 1946

The first time I opened my eyes I was in a wondrous place surrounded
by toys of every kind.

I was surrounded by lots of other dolls and toys, 

but they all disappeared from the window, one by one.

I was dressed in a beautiful outfit and waiting for someone to choose me.
I waited and waited until Christmas Eve.

Then, after it seemed I had been standing in that
window for a lifetime, a very nice man stopped and
looked RIGHT AT ME!
He smiled at me and said I was perfect!
He came inside and took me away with him.

The nice man said we had to hurry or we'd miss the train home.

I was going to have a home!

The man also had a small trunk that he carried the whole way.

It was early morning when we finally got off the train 

and took a cab to the prettiest house on the  prettiest street.

And when we walked inside...

IT WAS CHRISTMAS MORNING!

The man, who was named Kent Freeman, had just come home from the war.

He was a fighter pilot and a hero - especially to his little girl, Shawna!

I was a Christmas gift for her.

Here I am on Christmas morning under the tree!

And the little trunk Mr. Freeman carried all that way?

It was a trunk of beautiful dresses for me!

Well, Shawna and I were very happy for many years.

But, all little girls grow up, and Shawna wanted to

go to college and be a Doctor.

Shawna went away to college and I didn't see her for

years and years.

Eventually Mrs. Freeman, Shawna's mamma, put me in my trunk

and carried me up to the attic.

I must have slept for a very long time;

for when I awoke again...

 I was here!

 But, I didn't feel well.  Something was wrong.

When I came out of my trunk I was broken!

But this nice lady fixed my arm and gave me some new paint and a new dress!

She spoke to me about how I would soon be adopted by a new girl.

I stood in the shop for a long time, but then someone came.

She was not a little girl at all.

She was quite grown.  Maybe she wanted me for her little girl?

She didn't look like Shawna, but she had a kind face.

She held me very carefully and looked in my eyes.

She said I was beautiful!

It was a long drive home, but eventually we arrived.

And here I am with all my sisters and all our toys.

This is a happy place and I love it here.

My new forever home!

Crochet Doll Sweater and Bonnet Tutorial

Let me begin by saying I have never learned how to crochet properly.

I don't know how to read a pattern and I may get the names of stitches wrong!

What I do have is a way to make a sweater and bonnet for any size doll

or stuffed animal.

This is a sweater and bonnet I made for

my 9" Patsyette doll.

Here she is looking very warm and cozy.

I start all my sweaters with a single chain that

fits the neck of the doll.

Then I go back over my chain with a single crochet.

After that I double crochet increasing slightly

(I add an extra crochet here and there) until I have

this arc that fits the shoulders of my doll.

Next I continue double crochet back again 

until I reach the front of the doll's arm.

At this point I crochet a chain and reattach it making 

an opening for the doll's arm.

Here is the beginning of the second arm hole.

I keep my doll near and fit the sweater as I work.

Both arm holes complete.

(Ignore my hook position in this photo)

Now I start doing 2 double crochets, 

Then skip a stitch. 

On the next row, I crochet into the 

openings I have created.

I do this until the sweater length is right.

On larger dolls I may do 3 double crochets

to make a scallop pattern.

OK, I know, same picture.

But now I am starting the sleeve.

I begin single crochet around the arm opening.

I continue this until I reach the right arm length.

Here is the completed sleeve.

I like to do a scallop stitch to finish all my edges.

My friend Janet asked for more clarity regarding the scallop stitch

so I took some pictures .

There are 2 double crochets put into a single chain... 

Then a slip stitch by itself. in the next.

This is a very basic scallop.

I hope this helps.

Here is the whole sweater.

I added the collar first then a scallop stitch all around.

My scallop on this small sweater is 2 double crochets in one stitch.

Then a basic crochet in the next stitch and repeat.

OK! Now I'll show you how I make a doll bonnet.

This is the bonnet I will be making.

I chain a length, cheek to cheek,

 just above the doll's cheek line.

Then I crochet a rectangle shape from 

my starting chain length.

I fold the rectangle over and close one side

with a basic chain stitch. 

I flip my bonnet so the stitch is inside.

You should end up with this.

Next I scallop stitch around all the edges.

For the string I cut 3 long lengths of yarn.

Then I separate them into pairs like this.

I braid my yarn pairs into the chin tie.

I tie a knot and leave a tassel.

Last, I make a tassel on the top.

VOILA! Super easy doll bonnet.

Here are some of my dolls 

wearing sweaters sets I made.

This bonnet I closed flat across the back to make 

two ear points.

I hope you enjoyed my sweater and bonnet tutorial.

It is so much fun making cute clothes for dolls.