Patricia Brockert Writes about Her Knitted and Adorned Doll

"My youngest granddaughter is eight years old, and her parents have seen to it that she attends schools that are socially diverse in their makeup.   She's very bright and has been raised without electronic gadgets or the latest commercial fad.  I have not only made her gifts all of her life, I've taught her how to do some simple beadwork, as well as how to knit.  I always ask for input from the grandchildren before I make their gift.   For the past two years, I have let them go through 'Toys To Knit' by Tracy Chapman, and pick out what they would like me to knit for them.   When they decide what they want, they sign the page and date it and write any yarn color ideas that they would like incorporated into the piece.   This book is a keepsake for me and an heirloom for them.   This particular doll is the eighth project that I have made using patterns from 'Toys To Knit'."  

 

 "When I called my granddaughter six months ago and asked her if she would like an African-American doll, she thought it was a wonderful idea.   So I started out by using the basic doll pattern in 'Toys To Knit.'   But, from there on, I let the doll evolve, using my own freestyle knitting and beading techniques.   I special ordered the yarns for the "dreadlocks" from "A Good Yarn," here in Prescott, Arizona.  I used two different shades and added some beads to her hair.  I designed and knitted her dress and adorned it with authentic trade beads.   Her necklace is also authentic trade beads.   Her boots are stitched with size 11 seed beads, using the peyote stitch, and attaching the beadwork to the yarnwork.  I did pico lace around the top and around the bottom of the boots.  Dolly is stuffed with old nylons."