More Than Chain: How I Make Patterns

So, I'm really board so I've decided to make a doll. I was going to sew one but I couldn't find a pattern I like and I was wasting fabric trying to figure one out so I'm going to crochet one.

So first off it's always good to start off with a sketch or picture. If you have an idea in your head try to get it out on paper so you can refer back to it as you work on the pattern.

Also you'll need to decided on a hoof size. Normally when working with worsted or medium weight yarn I use an E hook, but I lost both my E hooks, so I'm going to use F (It works just as well). Oh, one more thing, this pattern has not been tested, it was only made once before it was posted. If there are any problems or something is not clear please tell me and I will fix it.

Now we're ready to start making our pattern. Let's start with the head.

Ok, a couple more very important decisions you are going to have to make are, how may stitches you're going to start with and weather or not your're going to work in a continuous round*. I prefer the continuous round for most patterns though there are some where a non-continuous round works very well. As for the amount of stitches, that is an interesting choice, because there are a several of stitch counts you can use, but I recommend using 5 or 6 stitches, because they are the easy to count by. : ) Now you're ready to go.

(*In a non-continuous round you chain a maximum of two stitches {for single crochet}, at the beginning of each row and join with a slip stitch at the end.
In a continuous row you don't chain or join. All you do is crochet around. {This method requires a stitch marker, while the other doesn't as long as you make sure you don't crochet into the join and chains})

Head: I've decided to use a continuous round, with a starting count of 6 stitches. (For abbreviation decoding see "Stitch Abbreviations ") Remember to count your stitches and move your stitch-marker after every row.
Row 1: ch 2, sk1st (or make a magic loop {If you don't know how to make a magic loop that's ok it's not important}), sc 6
Row 2: sc 12 (inc in every st)
Row 3: sc 18 ({inc sc} repeat 6 times)
Row 4: sc 24 ({inc sc 2} repeat 6 times)
Row 5: sc 30 ({inc sc 3} repeat 6 times)
Row 6-11: sc 30
(Attach 6mm eyes between rows 6-7, 6 stitches apart {8 counting the ones the eyes are in}. Also please note that I did not put a mouth in, if you want to this is the easiest time to do so. I like to leave the mouth off for some of my creations because it gives them a neutral expressing.)
Row 12: sc 24 ({dec sc 3} repeat 6 times)
Row 13: sc 18 ({dec sc 2} repeat 6 times)
Row 14: sc 12 ({dec sc} repeat 6 times) [Stuff]
Row 15: sc 9 ({dec sc 2} repeat 3 times) [Finish stuffing in needed]
Fasten off. Close hole*. Weave in end.

(*To close the hole all you have to do is weave the end through the front loops and pull tight.)

Body: I'm going to start the body the same way I did the head. With numbers dividable by six it will make the body easier to attach.
Row 1: ch 2, sk1st (or magic loop), sc 6
Row 2: sc 12 (inc in every st)
Row 3: sc 18 ({inc sc} repeat 6 times)
Row 4: sc 24 ({inc sc 2} repeat 6 times)
Row 5-11: sc 24
Row 12: sc 21 ({dec sc 6} repeat 3 times)
Row 13: sc 21
Row 14: sc 18 ({dec sc 5} repeat 3 times)
Row 15: sc 18
Row 16: sc 15 ({dec sc 4} repeat 3 times)
Row 17: sc 15
Row 18: ch 1, sc 12 ({dec sc 3} repeat 3 times) join with a slst* [Stuff]
Fasten off. Leave long tail. Sew to head.

(*I use a non-continuous round on the last row to make it flat.)

Arms: Like to body the arms are stated the same way as the head. Also don't forget that a doll needs two arms (Most of the time).
Row 1: ch 2, sk1st (or magic loop), sc 6
Row 2: sc 9 ({inc sc} repeat 3 times)
Row 3-4: sc 9
Row 5: inc5in1st, sc 8 (13 st in all)
Row 6: 5stdec, sc 8 (9 st in all)
Row 7: Left: sc 3, dec 3 (6 st in all) [Stuff]
Right: sc , dec 3, sc 2 (6 st in all) [Stuff]
Row 8-13: sc 6
Row 14: (Left arm only) sc 3
Fasten off. Leave long tail. Sew to body (Around rows 17)

Legs: Ok, so legs are a little tricky. But don't worry, I'll try to explain them in a way you can understand. Also don't forget to make two, unless you got other plans (If so I'd love to hear about them).
Row 1: ch 5, sk1st, hdc 3, hdcinc3in1st, (in other side of chain*) hdc 2, hdcinc (8 st in all)
(*If this makes no sense tell me I'll try to explain.)
Row 2: in bl* only (sc 10)
(*Note: hdc's have three loop instead of two so when working in the bl's you use the middle and the back loops.)
Row 3: sc, dec, 3sthdcdec, dec, sc 2 (6 in all) [Stuff]
Row 4-12: sc 6
Row 13: (Right leg only) sc 3
Fasten off. Leave long tail. Sew to body (Around row 4)

Yeah!!! Now you have all the pieces. Let's start putting it together. (This is just in case you haven't already done this. If you have then you don't have to read this part, but why not scan through to look at the pictures.)

First: Sew the body to the head.