The Black Doll

A crochet pattern for The Black Doll, as it appeared in Edward Gorey stories such as The Willowdale Handcart, The Raging Tide and The West Wing.



Worsted weight yarn in black
G hook
Yarn needle

Head

1) sc 6 in magic loop
2) inc around (12)
3) [sc in next st; 2 sc in next st] x 6 (18)
4) [sc in next 2 sts; 2 sc in next st] x 6 (24)
5) [sc in next 3 sts; 2 sc in next st] x 6 (30)
6) [sc in next 4 sts; 2 sc in next st] x 6 (36)
7-10) work even
11) [sc in next 4 sts; sc2tog] x 6 (30)
12) [sc in next 3 sts; sc2tog] x 6 (24)
13) [sc in next 2 sts; sc2tog] x 6 (18)
14-15) work even

I found it easier to stuff the head here before proceeding on to the body.

Body

1) [sc in next 5 sts; 2 sc in next st] x 3 (21)
2-3) work even
4) [sc in next 6 sts; 2 sc in next st] x 3 (24)
5) work even
6) [sc in next 7 sts; 2 sc in next st] x 3 (27)
7) work even
8) sc in next 8 sts; 2 sc in next st] x 3 (30)
9) work even
10) [sc in next 4 sts; 2 sc in next st] x 6 (36)
11) work even
12) [sc in next 5 sts; 2 sc in next st] x 6 (42)
13-20) work even
21) [sc in next 5 sts; sc2tog] x 6 (36)
22) [sc in next 4 sts; sc2tog] x 6 (30)
23) [ sc in next 3 sts; sc2tog] x 6 (24)
24) [sc in next 2 sts; sc2tog] x 6 (18)

Stuff the rest of the body firmly.

25) [sc in next st; sc2tog] x 6 (12)
26) [sc2tog] x 6 (6)

Finish off.

Legs (make two)

1) sc 6 in magic loop
2) inc around (12)
3) [sc in next st; 2 sc in next st] x 6 (18)
4-21) work even
22) [sc in next st; sc2tog] x 6 (12)
23-25) work even

Finish off, leaving a long tail to sew the leg to the body and stuff.