As promised, here is the pattern for Abi's gnome doll. I have never written a pattern before so i hope it goes OK, its a pretty simple pattern so hopefully you'll be able to fathom it out. It was made out of the leftover wool and cotton I had lying around. (Please see previous post for further action shots!)
Tension - not crucial as long as it is tight enough to stop stuffing poking through, so use needles a couple of sizes smaller than those recommended for whatever wool you are using. I used dk/worsted weight throughout, and knitted the doll with 3.25 mm needles, although the hat is also dk/worsted and knitted on 4mms.
Foot - cast on 10 sts.
P 1 row
(K1, K twice into next stitch) repeat to end of row (15 stitches)
Work 7 rows stocking stitch and change to main colour.
Work 2 rows stocking stitch
*Next row - knit twice into first stitch, knit accross to last stitch, knit twice into last stitch (17 sts)
Work 3 rows stocking stitch.*
Repeat from * to * until there are 23 stitches, and leave on a holder. Work a second leg in the same, and then knit accross all 46 stitches.
Body - Work about 30 rows of stocking stitch, or until the body is just a bit longer than the legs.
K2tog accross entire row (23 sts).
P 1 row, and change back to head colour.
K twice into each st, and work about 20 rows stocking stitch.
K2 tog accross next row
P 1 row
K2 tog accross to last stitch, k1 (12 sts)
Cut wool leaving a long thread the draw up remaining stitches and fasten off.
Arm - cast on 8 stitches
P 1 row
(K1, K twice into next stitch) repeat to end of row (12 sts)
Work 5 rows stocking stitch and change to main colour.
Work 2 rows stoocking stitch
*K twice into first stitch, knit to last stitch, knit twice into last stitch
Work 3 rows stocking stitch*
Repeat from * to * until there are 18 sts, then work shoulder as follows:
K2 tog, knit accross to last st, K2tog
P 1 row
Repeat the last 2 rows until 10 sts remain, cast off quite tightly. Work another arm the same.
Hat - cast on 34 stitches (don't forget to use normal size needles for this, I changed colour every 4 rows)
Work about 6 rows garter stitch
Work 4 rows stocking stitch
Decrease at each end of next row
Work 3 rows stocking stitch
Decrease at each end of every following right side row until 6 sts remain.
Work 6 rows stocking st on these 6.
Cut wool leaving a long thread to draw up sts and fasten off.
Sew up the seam down the back of the head and body, using corresponding colours to match knitting. Sew up one leg and leave the other open to turn right side out and stuff, then sew that one up too. Sew up each arm seam and stuff before attaching to body. If you attach the top of the should almost where the body meets the head, the arms will lie at a nice angle. Using the same wool as used for head, sew running stitches around neck, wrists and ankles, pull tight to shape these areas, tie the threads and hide the ends inside the doll.
Sew up the seam of the hat, and then sew neatly onto head.
Done! Please let me know if anything is unclear or wrong.
Abi seemed pretty impressed by the doll before it had a hat. But it looked too strange all bald - much cuddlier now.
This ball was originally destined for a huge sloppy jumper with a cable down the front. But somehow it never got done, like so many things. Maybe this hat is more achievable. The wool doesn't quite look like that in real life, the blue is more subtle and a bit more greeney. Maybe the camera doesn't like green, because it hasn't picked up the snot green shade of our lovely cosy sofa either.