Sven & Solveig Modifications: Kit Guide & Head/Face Tips
Hi, Knitters,
First, here is the Sven & Solveig Kit Guide I wrote up and included in our kit. I thought I would also include it here on the Journal for future reference and for people just knitting their own Sven & Solveig on their own without the kit. The kit guide provides a color guide for each of the dolls and a few extra tips like how to make Solveig's scarf and to add her hair, and how to add Sven's beard using locks.
So as far as my other modifications are concerned, you need to own the original pattern in order to apply the following modifications. I am just adding some things in and altering other things slightly but I am not giving away any pertinent information from the pattern.
I'm going to work my way down and write out my modifications in case some of you are interested. I reduced the lengths on many of the doll parts because I knit at a smaller gauge.
Gauge mods: The original gauge is 6 stitches per inch on a US size 2 needle with a sport weight yarn. I used fingering weight on a US size 2 needle at a gauge of 7.5 stitches per inch. This made the fabric much tighter and the doll is much smaller.
Size: The original doll measures in at 14-inches in height. My version is 10-inches in height not including the stocking cap.
Head Modifications:
The original pattern has you cast on a larger number of stitches and leave the hole open to stuff from the top. I prefer to cast on a small number of stitches and do a rapid increase sequence, close up that hole and stuff the toy as you work down. I also reduced the length of the head significantly.
Top of head:
Cast on 9 sts using the long-tail cast-on method. Place 3 sts on each of 3 double-pointed needles. Join to work in the round being careful not to twist the stitches. Place a stitch marker on the first stitch to indicate the beginning of the round.
Rnd 1: Knit.
Rnd 2: Kfb in each stitch. 6 sts per needle; 18 sts total.
Rnd 3: Knit.
Rnd 4: (K1, kfb) repeat to the end of the round. 9 sts per needle; 27 sts total.
Rnd 5: (Kfb, knit to the end of the needle) repeat on each needle. 10 sts per needle; 30 sts total.
On pg. 10 of the original pattern begin on Rnd 2 under Head.
Work Rounds 2-10.
Take the end from the cast on stitches and place it on a yarn needle. Take some stitches around the hole and gather it tightly closed. Pull the end to the inside, weave in and trim.
Rearrange the stitches as follows:
Needle 1: 30 sts; Needles 2 and 3: 15 sts each
Needle 1 is the front of the face.
Eye and Nose Placement:
On the next round, place the Eyes as follows:
Needle 1: K11, add eye as directed, k6, add eye as directed, k11.
Needles 2 and 3: Knit.
After the eyes are worked in as directed knit 3 rounds. On the next Round you will work the nose.
Page 11; Nose
Place the NOSE as follows:
On Needle 1 the center 2 stitches are the 15th and 16 sts.
Work the nose instructions as written in the pattern.
The original pattern has you work to 4-inches. I worked even until the head measures 3 1/4-inches from the cast on stitches.
Chin and Neck:
No mods, work as directed in the pattern.
Nose Finishing:
The only modification I made here is that I did not add any stuffing to the nose.
Next up, length modifications for the sleeves and body, and a quick mitten mod!
I'll be back soon with more....
xo ~ susan
Thanks for you modifications. I am always successful with any project you design. I am a BIG fan of yours.
Meridith, Yes, I just knit rounds 2-10 and placed the eyes on the next round and carried on as I directed in the blog post. The entire head measured 3 1/4 inches from the cast on stitches. The head it still a little long with my mods but it fits right into the hat.
Anxiously awaiting the yarn kits for Sven and Solveig to be available.
Thank you Susan! I wasn’t in time to get a kit, but I bought the pattern and I’m going to knit my own Sven. This is so generous of you to share!
Thanks for adding your notes on the pattern. I am super excited to knit these little friends, and my children are enchanted. After knitting the heads with your modifications, then moving to the pattern to knit rounds 2-10, I am assuming that you did NOT continue knitting even for 3 inches, but rather started the eye placement and making of the eyes? Otherwise, the “forehead” of the doll is very long. But, I guess the hat would cover this…Can you clarify?
Thanks! Happy Holidays.