Hugging dolls- free (untested) pattern!

Hugging dolls

I made these for two of my lovely friends who had their civil partnership ceremony at the weekend.






Finished size approx 5 inches from bum to head
You will need:
Small amounts of DK yarn (less than 50g each colour) of flesh colour, trouser and sweater colour, smaller amounts for shoes, hair anf facial features
3mm DPNs
crochet hook for attaching hair
Darning needle
2 press studs, needle and thread to attach them.
Body
Cast on 6 sts in trouser colour and divide across 3 DPNs. Join, taking care not to twist, and place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round.
Row 1: inc 1 in every st (12 sts)
Row 2: K
Row 3: Inc 1 in every st (24 sts)
Row 4: K
Row 5: (inc 1, K1) to end (36 sts)
K 3 rounds
Row 9: (inc 1. K2) to end (48 sts)
K 3 rounds
Switch to sweater colour and (K1, P1) to end.
Cont in rib for 3 rows
Start cable pattern:
Row 1 (K4, P4) to end
Repeat 3 times
Row 4 (C2F, P4) to end
Row 5&6 (k4,P4) to end.
Repeat these 6 rows twice
(K4, P2tog, P2) to end (40 sts)
(K4, P3)to end
(K4, P2tog, P1) to end (32 sts)
(K4, P2) to end
now is probably a good time to get some stuffing in…

(K2tog, K2tog, P2tog) to end (16sts)
K
(k2tog) to end (8sts)
Draw up tightly and fasten off

Head
Cast on 6 sts in flesh colour and divide across 3 DPNs. Join, taking care not to twist, and place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round.
Row 1: inc 1 in every st (12 sts)
Row 2: K
Row 3: Inc 1 in every st (24 sts)
Row 4: K
Row 5: (inc 1, K1) to end (36 sts)
K 7 rounds for a very round head, 9 for a longer one
(K2tog, K1) to end (24 sts)
K
K2 tog to end (12 sts)
K
K2tog to end (6 sts)
Draw up tightly and fasten off.

Arms
Pick up 9 sts on 3 DPNs at shoulder- just above the last twist of cable for my version.
K 35 rounds, stuffing lightly as you go if you want more rigid arms- I left mine unstuffed.
Next 4 rows K1 P1 rib.
Switch to flesh colour and K 6 rounds, then draw up and fasten off.

Legs
Pick up 9 sts as for arms, at the bottom of the sweater.
K 30 (ish) rounds, or until legs are as long as you want them. Stuff as you go for more rigid legs.

Shoes

Using two needles, cast on 11 sts
Inc 1 in every st (22)
K 3rows for sole of shoe
Starting with a P row, ss 5 rows
K5, (K3tog) 4 times (14 sts)
P4, P3tog twice, P4 (10sts)
Cast off.
Fold in half and stitch together along cast-on edge then continue stitching up row ends, leaving top open.
Stuff firmly and attach to bottom of legs.

Attach head to top of body, embroider eyes and mouth. Hair was attached in individual strands using a crochet hook.

Sew press studs to hands so dolls can hug, hold hands, or swing from the light fittings!