Pocket Sized Frida Kahlo

I have now graduated! Which is terrifying so for a little bit of feminist inspiration I have made myself I tiny Frida Kahlo, enjoy! In total she is about 12cm tall.

'Feet, what do I need them for. If I have wings to fly' - Frida Kahlo

Knitting Abbreviations

K Knit

P Purl

K2tog Knit two together

M1 Make one stitch

Sts Stitches

Stocking Stitch Knit a row, purl a row

Notes

Because the work is so small I recommend using a cable cast on.

The first row of each piece is a knit row.

You will need

3mm/UK size 11 knitting needles

Toy stuffing

Needle for sewing

Scraps of acrylic DK yarn in the following colours:

Black

Skin tone

White

Dark purple

Bright pink

Light Blue

Body and Head

First Leg

In black cast on 6 stitches

Stocking stitch 2 rows

Row 3: (K1, M1) to last st, K1 [11sts]

Row 4: Purl

Row 5: (k1, K2tog) to last 2 sts, K2 [8sts]

Switch to skin tone yarn

Beginning with a purl row, stocking stitch 10 rows

Switch to white

Stocking stitch 2 rows *

Cut yarn and place knitting on a stitch holder.

Second Leg

Repeat first leg until *

Purl 1 row

Purl across first leg from holder (ensure both legs face the same way) [16sts]

Body

Stocking stitch 12 rows

Head

Switch to skin tone

Stocking stitch 8 rows

Cut yarn leaving a long end, on a sewing needle gather up all the stitches and pull tight.

Arms (make 2)

In white cast on 6 stitches

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: P1, M1, P4, M1, P1 [8sts]

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: Purl

Row 5: Purl

Switch to skin tone

Row 6: Purl

Stocking stitch 6 rows

Cut yarn, gather up all the stitches and pull tight

Skirt

In dark purple cast on 30 stitches

Stocking stitch 12 rows

Row 13: (K4, K2tog) to end [25sts]

Row 14: Purl

Row 15: (K3, K2tog) to end [20sts]

Row 16: Purl

Row 17: (K2, K2tog) to end [15sts]

Row 18: Purl

Row 19: Knit

Cast off purlwise

Shawl

In light blue cast on 24 stitches

Stocking stitch 2 rows

Row 3: K1, K2tog, K18, K2tog, K1 [22sts]

Row 4: Purl

Row 5: K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K10, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 [18sts]

Row 6: Purl

Row 7: K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K6, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 [14sts]

Row 8: Purl

Row 9: K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1 [10sts]

Row 10: Purl

Row 11: K1, K2tog, K4, K2tog, K1 [8sts]

Row 12: Purl

Cast off

Flowers (make 3)

In bright pink cast on 8 stitches, cut yarn and gather up all stitches. Twist the stitches as you pull the yarn tight helping it to form a roll.

Crown Braid

Using 4 strands of black (30cm) and 1 of pink (15cm). Fold the black in half and knot with the end of the pink strand so you have 9 strands. Divide into three parts and plait and knot at the end.

To make up

Sew down back of head and body. Stuff body and sew closed at crotch. Sew down each leg until the feet, stuff (you will only need a tiny bit) and then sew the feet ensuring that they keep their shape. For the neck, with skin toned yarn wrap around neck and pull tightly.

Sew arms to end, stuff with a tiny bit off stuffing. Attach arms to body.

Wrap skirt around body and sew seam. If you wish you can also sew a few stitches around the waist to keep it secure.

Embroider hair, eyes and (of course) eyebrows as shown in picture. I used a French knot for the eyes but you could also use beads.

Sew crown braid onto head, tuck in all ends.

Sew the 3 flowers onto the crown braid.

Sew middle of shawl together and adjust over body. The cast on edge forms the top of the shawl.

Congratulations! You now have your very own tiny Frida Kahlo!

Let me know if you have any comments or questions regarding the pattern.