A New Doll!

My friend Janet has, again,

introduced me to a doll that really

caught my interest.

a MARY HOYER doll!

The Mary Hoyer company started in 

1925 as a yarn and craft shop 

in Reading, Pennsylvania. 

Designer Mary Hoyer created knit 

and crochet patterns for

children's clothing. Eventually 

in 1936 she added a 14" slim doll

for modeling her knit creations.

You could order a Mary Hoyer 

doll using this mail order coupon.

Mary Hoyer dolls are frequently

seen in knit or crochet outfits like 

this blue outfit above.

Or this skiing outfit in red and white.

The dolls were originally composition.

During WWII Mary Hoyer dolls had painted 

eyes due to shortages in many supplies.

After WWII the dolls were made

 from hard plastic.  

The doll I just acquired is hard plastic

from the 1950s.

AND HERE SHE IS!

Still in her shipping box!

All wrapped up! But not for long.

Definitely a sleeping beauty.

She is dressed as a ballerina.

She appears to be all original.

She is in amazing condition, just

needs a little freshening up.

Her ballerina outfit is in great shape.

I did not find a tag, but I found

several images of other Mary Hoyer dolls

wearing this same outfit.

Here is the same ballerina outfit in blue.

Here is her maker's mark.

She still has this little hair decoration.

But her hair was crunchy and kind of

flattened on her head.

I did a gentle wash and conditioner.

Then I brushed it out and re-rolled it.

Here is the front of her hair.  

Before and After.

And, here is the back.

I think this is an improvement.

Oh yes! I also found these silky PJs

that fit her perfectly!

She has lovely blue eyes!

While I was waiting for my doll to arrive

I saw this ADORABLE illustration for a 

skating outfit from a Mary Hoyer pattern.

I used my 14" Shirley Temple as a

 model, hoping it would fit, 

and started crocheting...

Here she is in her crochet skaters outfit! 

It fit perfectly.

Close-up of her hat.

Here is the back.

I must say I love this outfit!!

Besides needing her hair restyled, she

had this painted spot under her left ear.

Looks like she had an abrasion and

someone tried to cover it up.

I matched her skin color and gently dabbed 

over it until it is a lot less noticeable.

As soon as I knew she was on her way

I also ordered this pattern to do some sewing.

SO, stay tuned and hopefully soon I 

will have some sewing projects to share.

OH WAIT!!

Did I mention her name?

Let me formally introduce you to....

Linda, 

whose nickname is,

Nina!