Knit your own Queen!
YOU WILL NEED
For the doll
◆20g (¾oz), approximately 37m (40yds), of beige DK yarn.
◆ A small amount of pale grey DK yarn.
◆ Very small amounts of black, cream and red DK yarn.
◆ 10–15g (¼–½oz) polyester toy stuffi ng.
For the clothes
◆ 25g (1 oz), approximately 55m/60yds, of royal blue DK yarn.
◆ A small amount of black DK yarn.
◆ A skein of black silk rayon embroidery thread.
◆ A length of gold embroidery thread.
◆ Two tiny pale blue buttons for the coat.
◆ A 25cm (10in) length of 12mm (½in) wide, royal blue organza ribbon for the hat trim.
◆ A 3mm (1/8in) gold bead for the bag button.
◆ A pearl bead elasticated bracelet (or some beads and elastic cord to make your own) for the necklace.
◆ Two larger pearl beads for the earrings.
◆ A small sew-on diamond jewel for the brooch.
Use size 3mm knitting needles throughout, unless stated otherwise, and a size 3.25mm crochet hook.
DOLL
Head The head is knitted from the chin up to the forehead.
Make 2 pieces
◆ Cast on 8 sts in beige.
◆ 1st row: K1, inc1, K to last st, inc1, K1. [10 sts]
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Next row: K1, m1, K to last st, m1, K1. [12 sts]
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Rep last 2 rows once more. [14 sts]
◆ Work 4 rows in st st beg with a K row.
◆ Next row: K2, k2tog, K6, ssk, K2. [12 sts]
◆ Work 5 rows in st st beg with a P row.
◆ Next row: K1, k2tog, K6, ssk, K1. [10 sts]
◆ Next row: p2tog, P6, p2tog. [8 sts]
◆ Cast off.
Body The body is knitted from the lower edge to the neck edge.
Make 2 pieces
◆ Cast on 14 sts in beige.
◆ Work 6 rows in st st beg with a K row.
◆ Next row: K2, k2tog, K6, ssk, K2. [12 sts]
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Next row: K2, k2tog, K4, ssk, K2. [10 sts]
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Next row: K2, m1, K6, m1, K2. [12 sts]
◆ Work 5 rows in st st beg with a P row.
◆ Next row: Cast off 1 st, K to end. [11 sts]
◆ Next row: Cast off 1 st pwise, P to end. [10 sts]
◆ Cast off.
Legs The legs are knitted as one piece, from the sole of the foot to the top of the thigh.
Make 2
◆ Cast on 20 sts in beige.
◆ Work 4 rows in st st beg with a K row.
◆ Next row: K5, cast off 10 sts, K to end. [10 sts]
◆ Work 19 rows in st st beg with a P row.
◆ Cast off loosely. Arms The arms are knitted from the top of the shoulder to the tip of the hand. Make 2
◆ Cast on 9 sts in beige.
◆ Work 24 rows in st st beg with a K row.
◆ Next row: K2, k2tog, K1, ssk, K2. [7 sts]
◆ Next row: p2tog, P3, p2tog. [5 sts]
◆ Cast off loosely.
Making up
With the right sides of the head pieces together, oversew around the sides and chin. Turn the head right way out through the top and stuff. Seam the top of the head using mattress stitch. Working from the lower edge, join one of the side seams, the top seam, then the other side seam with mattress stitch. Stuff the body, then close the lower edge using mattress stitch. With the right sides of one leg and foot, oversew the lower, back and top seams of the foot. Turn the piece right way out and sew the main seam using mattress stitch. Stuff carefully. Repeat for the second leg. With the right side of one arm piece together, oversew around the hand. Turn the arm the right way out and sew the main seam using mattress stitch. Repeat for the second arm. Do not stuff the arms. Join the arms to the top edges of the main body and the legs to the outer edges of the body using mattress stitch. Using the same technique, fasten the head to the body at the back and under the chin. The face should overlap the top part of the body by about 1cm (3/8in).
Features
Embroider the nose in chain stitch using beige yarn. Using black yarn, embroider two French knots for the eyes. Using cream yarn, work a ring of chain stitch round each French knot. Separate a short length of red yarn lengthwise so you have two thinner lengths of yarn. Use one length to work two straight stitches for the mouth. Use a red colouring pencil to colour the cheeks.
Hair The hair is one piece, starting at the fringe.
◆ Cast on 8 sts in pale grey.
◆ Work 12 rows in st st beg with a K row.
◆ Next row: Cast on 10 sts, K to end. [18 sts]
◆ Next row: Cast on 10 sts, P to end. [28 sts]
◆ Work 4 rows in st st beg with a K row.
◆ Next row: Cast off 10 sts, K to end. [18 sts]
◆ Next row: Cast off 10 sts pwise, P to end. [8 sts]
◆ Work 10 rows in st st beg with a K row.
◆ Cast off.
To make up, seam the piece into a box shape but leave the top 1cm (3/8in) of the front part of the ‘box’ free. Roll under the fringe and secure. Roll up the sides and back of the hair. To keep Her Majesty’s hair in shape, spray with water and dry before stitching into place.
Dress The front and back of the Queen’s dress are identical.
Make 2 pieces
◆ Cast on 16 sts in royal blue.
◆ 1st row: P.
◆ K 3 rows.
◆ Work 11 rows in st st beg with a P row.
◆ Next row: K2, ssk, K8, k2tog, K2. [14 sts]
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Next row: K2, ssk, K6, k2tog, K2. [12 sts]
◆ Work 5 rows in st st beg with a K row.
◆ Next row: K2, m1, K8, m1, K2. [14 sts]
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Next row: K2, m1, K10, m1, K2. [16 sts]
◆ Work 3 rows in st st beg with a P row.
◆ Next row: k2tog, K3, cast off 6 sts, K to last 2 sts, ssk.
◆ Turn and cont on last 4 sts only, leaving other sts on the needle.
◆ Next row: p2tog, P2. [3 sts]
◆ Next row: K.
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Next row: k2tog, K1. [2 sts]
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Next row: k2tog, break yarn and pull tail through rem st. ◆
With ws facing you, join yarn to rem 4 sts.
◆ Next row: P2, p2tog. [3 sts]
◆ Next row: K.
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Next row: K1, k2tog. [2 sts]
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Next row: k2tog, break yarn and pull tail through rem st.
Making up
Sew the shoulder seams of the front and back together using mattress stitch. Join the side seams, then finally weave in and trim the loose yarn tails.
Coat The two front sides and the back of the coat are knitted as one piece, from the lower edge to the neck edge.
Make 1
◆ Cast on 40 sts in royal blue.
◆ 1st row: K2, P to last 2 sts, K2.
◆ K 3 rows.
◆ Next row: K2, P to last 2 sts, K2.
◆ Next row: K.
◆ Next row: K2, P to last 2 sts, K2.
◆ Rep last 2 rows once more.
◆ Next row: K9, ssk, K18, k2tog, K9. [38 sts]
◆ Next and every ws row: K2, P to last 2 sts, K2.
◆ Work 2 rows as set.
◆ Next rs row: K8, (ssk) twice, K14, (k2tog) twice, K8. [34 sts]
◆ Work 3 rows as set.
◆ Next rs row: K7, (ssk) twice, K12, (k2tog) twice, K7. [30 sts]
◆ Work 3 rows as set.
◆ Next rs row: K6, (ssk) twice, K10, (k2tog) twice, K6. [26 sts]
◆ Work 5 rows as set.
◆ Next rs row: K7, turn and work on these sts only, leaving rem sts on needle.
◆Next row: P to last 2 sts, K2.
◆ Next row: K.
◆ Rep last 2 rows once more.
◆ Next row: P to last 2 sts, K2.
◆ Next row: Cast off 2 sts, K to end. [5 sts]
◆ Break yarn and leave rem 5 sts on stitch holder or large safety pin.
◆ With rs facing you, join yarn to rem 19 sts on needle.
◆ Next row: K12, turn and work on these sts only, leaving rem sts on needle.
◆ Work 6 rows in st st beg with a P row.
◆ Break yarn and leave rem sts on the needle.
◆ With rs facing you, join yarn to rem 7 sts on needle.
◆ Next row: K.
◆ Next row: K2, P to end.
◆ Rep last 2 rows twice more.
◆ Next row: K.
◆ Next row: Cast off 2 sts kwise, P4 [5 sts on needle, including rem st from casting (binding) off], then P 12 sts on needle and then 5 sts on holder. [22 sts]
◆ K 4 rows.
◆ Cast off.
Sleeves
Make 2
◆ Cast on 12 sts in royal blue.
◆ K 4 rows.
◆ Work 11 rows in st st beg with a P row.
◆ Cast off loosely.
Making up
Sew the long seams that make up the sleeves, then insert the sleeves into the arm holes of the main piece and oversew from the inside. Weave in and trim the loose yarn tails. Sew on the buttons.
Hat
◆ Cast on 30 sts in royal blue.
◆ Work 4 rows in st st beg with a K row.
◆ Next row: Cast off 12 sts, K to last 12 sts, cast off last 12 sts.
◆ Break yarn and with ws facing you, join yarn to rem 6 sts.
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Next row: K1, m1, K to last 2 sts, m1, K1. [8 sts]
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Rep last 2 rows once more. [10 sts]
◆ Work 2 rows in st st beg with a K row.
◆ Next row: K1, ssk, K to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. [8 sts]
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Next row: K1, ssk, K to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. [6 sts]
◆ Cast off pwise.
◆ With rs of top part of hat facing you, pick up and K 30 sts along cast-on edge.
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Next row: K1, (inc1, K1) 28 times, K1. [58 sts]
◆ Work 4 rows in st st beg with a P row.
◆ Cast off loosely pwise.
Making up
Join the back seam of the hat and oversew the top part to the side band. Tie the ribbon round the hat with a bow, and secure in place.
Shoes The shoes are knitted from the top edge to the bottom edge.
Make 2
◆ Using size 2.25mm needles, cast on 24 sts in black silk rayon embroidery thread.
◆ Work 5 rows in st st beg with a K row.
◆ Next row: K.
◆ Cast off.
Making up
Fold the strip widthways so that the right sides are together. Oversew the short edge and bottom seam (cast-off edge). Oversew just under 1cm (3/8in) of the top seam (cast-on) edge for the toe section. Turn the shoe the right way out.
Bag The bag is knitted as one piece, from the top of the opening of the bag to the tip of the flap.
◆ Cast on 9 sts in black.
◆ Work 4 rows in st st beg with a K row.
◆ Next row: K1, m1, K7, m1, K1. [11 sts]
◆ Work 5 rows in st st beg with a P row.
◆ Next row: K1, ssk, K5, k2tog, K1. [9 sts]
◆ Work 5 rows in st st beg with a P row.
◆ Next row: K1, ssk, K3, k2tog, K1. [7 sts]
◆ Next row: P.
◆ Next row: K1, ssk, K1, k2tog, K1. [5 sts]
◆ Cast off kwise. For the handles, crochet a 5.5cm (2¼in) chain in gold embroidery thread.
Making up
Fold the cast-on edge upwards so that it is level with what will be the top of the bag and the right sides of the bag are together. Oversew the side seams and turn the right way out. Fasten the ends of the handle to the sides of the bag, securing the ‘tails’ in the inside seams. Sew the gold bead on the top fl ap of the bag. To fi nish, double the bracelet and put it round the doll’s neck. Sew on the pearls for earrings. Fasten the diamond jewel on the doll’s right-hand lapel.
KNITTING A CORGI HAD ME IN STITCHES
A little daunted by the prospect of rendering Her Majesty in wool, Lena Dunkin decided to start with one of the Queen’s favourite pooches
There are so many commemorative objects available to buy, going to the trouble of knitting an effi gy of the Queen may seem a little strange and unnecessary. Give it some thought, though, and no other tribute is quite so appropriate.
When our Queen came to the throne 60 years ago, Britain was just emerging from the gloom of rationing. The crafts we now indulge in for pleasure were necessary skills; women could darn a sock, make their own knickers and whip up a delicious meal out of dripping, powdered egg and cabbage, all in the time it took to listen to Housewife’s Choice on the BBC Light Programme. Moreover, what they came up with had all the more value for it. That doesn’t mean to say they enjoyed it – of course not – but we women of Britain are a stoic bunch. We knuckle down and get on with it.
And that is the spirit with which I approached the assignment of knitting a Diamond Jubilee commemorative corgi. I put up with the discomfort and knitted for hours, reminding myself at each slipped stitch and baggy cast-on edge that at least I hadn’t been forced to knit the Queen.
Because I’m a committed monarchist, I couldn’t face doing Her Majesty the disservice of rendering her in wool. I had to ease myself in with a smaller project, and I am glad that I did.
I am very pleased with my corgi and have named her Susan. Buoyed by my success, I am almost tempted to try the Queen, but may warm up with Prince Philip first.
After all, in another 60 years time, what is the best response when asked, ‘What did you do in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, great-grandmamma?’
‘Well, darling, I bought a mug with a Union Jack transfer that has sadly long since been removed in the dishwasher’, or, ‘I knitted the Queen’?
I think we know the answer, women of Britain. So go on, get your needles out.
MORE ROYAL KNITS TO TRY
Our pattern for the Queen comes from Knit Your Own Royal Wedding. If we’ve inspired you, you can knit your way through the entire line-up, from William and Catherine to the footmen and, of course, the corgis.
Knit Your Own Royal Wedding by Fiona Goble (Ivy Press, £9.99).