Product Description
This is a knitted version of an island made ragdoll called Cobo Alice that was popular in Guernsey during the Victorian era. She was made by the Guille family who lived on the West coast of the island at Cobo, hence her name. The whole family including the children, were engaged in making these dolls, they became so popular. The original dolls had cloth bodies and clothing made from oddments of material in a variety of colours and a stockinette head. The doll was filled with sawdust and the head features painted on later, often rather crudely! This knitted version is an attempt to capture as many of the doll's original features as possible so that she will be instantly recognisable to the Islanders of Guernsey and beyond, but with a slight softening of her occasional startling features. She wears the traditional Guernseywomen's dress of the time, including the distinctive and elaborate sun bonnet (pronounced "bonnay"). The original dolls have mostly been lost, having been rotted a
Cobo Alice: A Knitted Traditional Rag Doll
What Is Being Made
Cobo Alice is a knitted doll inspired by traditional rag dolls that were popular in Guernsey during the 19th century. This design recreates a historic doll originally made locally by the Guille family, who lived at Cobo on the west coast of the island. The pattern provides instructions for creating a complete knitted doll using basic knitting techniques and DK weight yarn.
Craft and Technique Overview
This is a knitting project suitable for beginners, using straightforward construction methods. The pattern is designed with counted rows rather than strict gauge requirements, making it accessible to knitters at various skill levels. However, maintaining a firmer knitted fabric is recommended to ensure the doll holds its shape properly and prevents stuffing from showing through the finished fabric.
Stitches Used
- Stocking stitch - The primary stitch used throughout the doll, created by alternating knit and purl rows
- Moss stitch - A textured stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches within each row, then reversing the pattern on subsequent rows
- Knit and purl stitches - Fundamental stitches that form the basis of the construction
- Increases - Created by knitting into the front and back of the next stitch to add stitches
- Decreases - Worked using SKPO (slip one, knit one, pass the slipped stitch over) and working two stitches together to shape the doll
- Yarn overs - Used to create decorative holes for lace details
Materials and Specifications
The pattern calls for Double Knitting (DK) weight yarn in the following colors and quantities:
- Black - 50 grams
- White - 50 grams
- Pale pink or flesh tone - 25 grams
- Dark brown - 25 grams
The recommended needle size is 3mm, which produces a gauge of approximately 26 stitches and 36 rows in stocking stitch over a 10-centimeter square. While gauge is not critical to the project's success, maintaining a consistent, moderately firm tension ensures the best results and helps the doll maintain its intended shape.
Pattern Format
Cobo Alice is provided as a downloadable PDF pattern designed by Sara Hall. The pattern includes detailed abbreviations and instructions for constructing this beginner-friendly knitted doll project.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | DK |
| Designer: | Sara Hall |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
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