Doll clothes: traditional costume for Theodóra KIT

DESIGNER: Hélène Magnússon

When I designed the doll’s costume, I never meant to make an accurate replica of the peysuföt but to recreate the principal features for an overall realistic look. I also tried to keep sewing to a minimum and make the clothes as fun to knit as they are to play with!

The peysuföt

Like most Icelandic women of her time, Theodóra Thóroddsen, who’s poem inspired the doll in the first place, was wearing the peysuföt everyday. It is one of the traditional Icelandic costumes. In the 19th century, the peysuföt* consisted of a black knitted jacket that was closed at the front but left a gap through which the shirt underneath could be seen. It was knitted on very fine needles in a rather intricate manner and was shaped after its owner’s body. It had a pleated knitted piece at the hem; the cuffs and front edges were trimmed with black velvet. A woven apron, chequered or vertically striped, was worn over the skirt. A neckerchief made of silk and a black tasselled cap completed the costume. The cap was knitted and the tassel decorated with a sleeve made of silver or latten-brass. Women also wore black or red socks and traditional soft shoes made of skin with knitted inserts inside.

*Main source: the National Costume Board: http://www.buningurinn.is

Size: height of doll 37 cm / 14.5 inches.

Gauges: 10×10 cm / 4×4” = 19 sts x 26 rows in stocking st on 3,5 mm/US 4 needle with Léttlopi; 26 sts x 42 rows in stocking st on 3 mm/US 3 needle with Einband

Yarn and material: Léttlopi from Ístex 100% pure Icelandic wool, light spun, medium weight, 50g/skein, 50g = ca.100m/109 yds: shade 0059, 55g (skirt and jacket); shade 9420, 7g and 1409, 5g (apron).
Einband from Ístex, 70% Icelandic wool, 30% wool, fine lace-weight, 1-ply worsted, 50gr/skein, 50g = ca. 225m/246 yds:
– shade 0851, 30 cm/ 12″ (shoes);
– shade 0885: 4 m/4.5 yds (inserts);
– shade 0059, 4 g (cap and shoes);
– shade 9009 (socks);

Metallic thread 30 cm/ 12″ (cap); 3 pairs of little black eyes and hooks (costume).

Needles and notions: circular needles 2 mm/US 0, 2,5 mm/US 1, 4 mm/US 6, 5 mm/US; crochet hook 3 mm/US D3; markers, safety pins, measuring tape, tapestry needle.

Techniques: knitting in the round, one stitch below technique, i-cord.

Errata: a mistake was found in this pattern, please check the errata.

Kit: the kit contains the wool but not the needles or the other material. The kit doesn’t include the pattern that must be purchased separately. Shipping costs are not included.

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