CHAPTER XXI

A TEDDY BEAR SUIT

“I DO wonder what the Crochet People have planned for the next lesson,” thought Mary Frances as she went upstairs after breakfast the next morning.

When she went into the playroom she was surprised to find Mary Marie sitting on the side of her bed, trying to put on her little slippers.

“What!” exclaimed Mary Frances. “Awake so early—and trying to dress yourself?”

“’Es, Mamma,” answered Mary Marie. “I’se detting weady to doe to tool.”

“Bless your little heart!” cried Mary Frances. “Here, let me help you!” and she soon put on Mary Marie’s little shoes and stockings, and dressed her.

“What shall I wear wound me, Mamma?” asked the dolly. “It’s too warm for a toat, and too told to doe wifout somet’ing wound me.”

“Let me see,” said Mary Frances, thinking hard.

“If Mary M’rie only had a twetter!” sighed the wise young lady.

Mary Frances caught her up in her arms. “The very thing!” she cried. “Let us go see the Crochet People.”

Just as she sat Mary Marie on the table, Crow Shay began:

“For young or old, When it is cold, Nothing is better Than a sweater.”

“Oh!” exclaimed Mary Frances. “Oh, Crow Shay, how did you ever guess what we want so much?”

“Every doll in the world ought to have a sweater,” he declared. “And the sooner Fairly Flew comes, the sooner Mary Marie will get one.”

So Mary Frances said the magic rhyme:

“Fairy Fairly Flew, Please come, for I need you;”

and the fairy helper came.

“What do you wish for?” she asked, seating herself in the doll’s rocking-chair.

“A sweater for Mary Marie, dear Fairly Flew,” Mary Frances answered.

“A twetter! A twetter!” laughed the little doll, looking up. “Doe to tool.”

“Bless her heart—and yours, too, little girl,” said Fairly Flew; “she shall have not only a sweater, but a whole outfit to keep her warm when she goes to school, for I myself will give you directions for making a—

TEDDY BEAR SUIT

Consisting of Sweater, Tam, and Long Leggings

(See picture opposite page 168—color plate.)

Material: “Old blue” or peacock blue knitting worsted.

Bone crochet hook No. 5.

DOLL’S CROCHETED SWEATER

(Be sure to make the articles already described in this story before attempting to make the Teddy Bear Outfit.)

Directions:

This work is begun with the front.

1. Make 26 chain stitches.

2. Make 25 single crochet stitches.

3. Make 1 chain to turn. Always make 1 chain stitch to use in turning, unless told to do otherwise.

4. Make 12 rows (in all) of 25 single crochet stitches, taking up both loops of stitches below.

5. On the thirteenth row, make only 15 single crochets. Make only 15 single crochets for 6 rows (in all). These rows come under the arm of the doll. You will then have made 18 rows.

6. On the nineteenth row, make 15 single crochets and 11 chain stitches.

7. On the twentieth row, make 25 single crochets.

8. Make 21 rows of 25 single crochets for the back of the sweater. This makes 39 rows from the beginning.

9. On the fortieth row make 15 single crochets for 6 rows, under arm.

10. On the forty-seventh row, add 11 chains, and crochet 12 rows of 25 single crochet stitches.

_To Make Armholes_

Thread a zephyr needle with the worsted, and sew 6 rows of the front to 6 rows of the back (A to A, B to B. See picture, page 130). Do the same to the other side.

_To Make Border on Edge around Sweater_

1. Hold the outside of the sweater toward you. Starting at the left side of the neck, take up both loops of each stitch with single crochet all around sweater to right side of neck.

NOTE.—In turning corners at bottom use 3 single crochets in 1 stitch.

2. Make 1 chain stitch to use in turning, and make another row of single crochet in the same way all around sweater. This will bring you back to the starting stitch of border.

3. Make 1 chain to use in turning, and make third row, putting only 2 single crochet stitches in corners at the bottom.

_To Make Collar Band_

1. Hold right side of front of sweater toward you, and take up each stitch across the neck with single crochet.

2. Make 5 rows of single crochet, using 1 chain stitch to turn.

Make slip stitches all around sweater taking up back thread only of the stitches.

_To Fasten Sweater_

The sweater is fastened with loops and buttons.

_To Make Loops_

1. On the right-hand side of the sweater, commencing at the bottom, make 4 slip stitches.

2. Make 2 chain stitches.

3. Skip 2 stitches in the row below, and make 4 more slip stitches. The chain stitches form the loops.

4. Continue doing this until the neck is reached.

5. Make 1 loop on the end of the collar. Sew buttons on the left side opposite the loops.

_To Make the Sleeves_

1. Make 9 chain stitches.

2. Make 8 single crochet stitches.

3. Always make 1 chain stitch to use in turning single crochet.

4. Second row: Taking up both threads of the row of single crochets just made, make 2 single crochets in the first stitch, and 1 in each stitch to the end of the row. This will make 9 stitches.

5. Make 3 chains, and turn the work.

6. Third row: Make 1 single crochet in each of the two chain stitches, and single crochets to the end of the row, making 11 stitches in all. Make 1 chain to turn.

7. Fourth row: Make 2 single crochets in the first stitch and single crochets to the end of row, making 12 stitches in all.

8. Fifth row: Make 5 chain stitches. Make 4 single crochets in the chain stitches, and single crochets to the end of row, making 16 stitches.

9. Sixth row: Make 2 single crochet stitches in the first stitch and single crochets to the end, making 17 stitches.

10. Seventh row: Make 17 single crochets.

11. Eighth row: Make 2 single crochets in first stitch and single crochets to the end of row, making 18 stitches.

12. Make 6 rows of 18 single crochet stitches.

13. On the fifteenth row, make single crochets, but skip next to the last stitch, making 17 single crochet stitches.

14. Sixteenth row: Make 17 single crochet stitches.

15. Seventeenth row: Make single crochets across row, but skip next to the last stitch, making 16 stitches.

16. Eighteenth row: Make 16 single crochet stitches.

17. Nineteenth row: Make slip stitches in the first four stitches. Single crochet to the end, skipping next to the last stitch, making 11 stitches.

18. Twentieth row: Make 11 single crochet stitches.

19. Twenty-first row: Make 2 slip stitches, and single crochet to the end of row, skipping next to the last stitch, making 8 stitches.

20. Twenty-second row: Make 8 single crochets. Break off and fasten the yarn.

Make another sleeve like this one.

21. Sew up the sleeves.

22. Pin seam to the front corner of the armhole (A) and sew in place. (See picture, page 131.)

23. Put 2 rows of single crochet around the end of sleeve at wrist.

Add one row of slip stitches below these. Do not make this row of slip stitches very tight.

_To Make the Pockets_

1. Make 7 chain stitches.

2. Make 7 rows of 6 single crochets.

3. Put 1 row of single crochet across the top of pocket.

4. Put 1 row of slip stitches across top of pocket.

Make another pocket in same way.

Sew pockets on the sweater, about 1 inch from bottom and 1 inch from sides.

DOLL’S CROCHETED TAM

(See picture on page 136)

Material: Old blue or peacock blue knitting worsted. Bone crochet hook No. 5.

Directions:

1. Make 4 chain stitches.

2. Join the chain in a ring with slip stitch.

3. Make 10 single crochets into the center of the ring.

4. Tie a piece of white sewing thread to the tenth single crochet stitch, to mark the beginning of the next row around.

5. Second round. Make 2 single crochets in each stitch, taking up back loop of thread in each stitch of row just finished.

6. Third row: Make 2 single crochets in the first stitch, 1 single crochet in the next stitch, and continue making 2 single crochets in the next stitch and 1 single crochet in the next stitch to the end of the round.

7. Fourth round. “Increase,” or put 2 single crochet stitches in every third stitch. Make 1 single crochet in the other stitches.

8. Fifth round. Increase in every fifth stitch.

9. Sixth round. Make 1 single crochet in each stitch.

10. Repeat fifth and sixth rounds until there are 11 full rows.

The work should measure about 5 inches across.

11. Twelfth round. Begin to “decrease,” or narrow, the tam to fit the head of doll.

_How to “Decrease” in Crocheting_

Pull a loop through of each of 2 stitches, and take them off the crochet needle as if they were one loop, thus forming a single crochet; that is, pull a loop through the 3 loops then on the needle. (See picture below.)

On the twelfth round of the tam, decrease on the first 2 stitches, then make 5 single crochet stitches. Then decrease on next 2 stitches and make 5 single crochets. Continue decreasing in this way until tam fits doll’s head.

About 4 rows of decreasing will be needed, which makes 15 full rows from starting place. Do not break off yarn, but learn how—

_To Make the Head Band_

Make 4 rows of single crochet, taking up both threads of stitches in rounds just finished. Break off the yarn and fasten the end by making a slip stitch and pulling end all the way through the last loop.

_To Make the Tassel_

1. Cut a strip of cardboard, making it 1½ inches wide and about 2 inches long.

2. Cut off 2 pieces of yarn, each measuring 1 yard, lay them together, side by side.

3. Wind the 2 pieces of yarn over the narrower part of the cardboard.

4. Tie as in making tassels for doll’s slippers. (See Plate 3.)

5. Make 18 chain stitches, and fasten tassel to the chain as on runner for doll’s slippers. Put the other end of the chain through the hole in the center of the top of the tam, and sew it down in place on the wrong side.

CROCHETED TEDDY BEAR LEGGINGS

(See pictures on pages 139 and 140.)

Material: Old blue or peacock blue knitting worsted.

Bone or celluloid crochet hook No. 5.

Directions:

This work is begun at the waist line.

1. Make 50 chain stitches.

2. Join chain with slip stitch and make 1 chain stitch to use in turning.

3. Make 1 single crochet in each stitch of the chain, making 50 single crochets. Join last single crochet stitch to first single crochet with slip stitch. Make 1 chain stitch to use in turning.

4. Make 5 rows of single crochet stitches, taking up both loops of each stitch in row below. Join end stitch with first as explained in direction No. 3.

5. On the sixth row, in order to form the fullness in the seat, make 38 single crochet stitches. Turn without making a chain stitch. Make 26 single crochets. Turn again without a chain stitch, and continue making single crochet to end of row, or joining point.

6. Make the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth rows of single crochet stitches.

7. Make the eleventh row in the same way as you made the sixth row. (See direction No. 5.)

8. Make the twelfth row of single crochet.

9. On the thirteenth row begin to decrease the stitches, or to narrow the work. When you reach the twelfth stitch, take off 2 stitches as one. Do the rest of the row in single crochet except when you reach the thirty-eighth stitch, when you take off 2 stitches as one. There should be 48 single crochet stitches in the thirteenth row.

10. Continue to make 48 stitches in each row until there are 18 rows in front. Do not break off the yarn. You will have a loop on the crochet needle.

You will use this loop in making the separation for the leg part of the Teddy Bear Leggings.

11. With the loop on the crochet needle, put the hook through the twenty-fourth single crochet stitch, on the opposite side, throw the yarn over the hook, and pull it through both stitches. Now you will work in a circle around the leg.

12. Make 24 single crochet stitches, and join the twenty-fourth to the first stitch in the leg part, with a slip stitch. Make 1 chain to turn. This is the nineteenth row of the garment.

13. Make the twentieth row of single crochet and join last and first stitches.

On the twenty-first row, begin to narrow the leg. Make single crochet stitches until you reach the eleventh stitch. Then take off 2 stitches as one. Continue with single crochet to end of row and join stitches.

14. The twenty-second, twenty-third and twenty-fourth rows are of single crochet.

15. The twenty-fifth row is like the twenty-first row.

16. The twenty-sixth, twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth rows are of single crochet.

17. The twenty-ninth row is like the twenty-first row. There should be 21 single crochet stitches in the twenty-ninth row.

18. Continue to make 21 single crochet stitches in each row until you have 47 rows from the waist line in front.

19. Next you will make the strap underneath the doll’s foot.

Make 5 chain stitches, and join the last one to the ninth single crochet stitch with a slip stitch.

20. Put 1 slip stitch in each stitch of chain for the strap. Do not break off the yarn. Next you will make the toe part of legging.

21. Make 3 slip stitches, putting them into the single crochet stitches nearest the strap toward the front of the legging.

22. Make 4 single crochet stitches and 1 chain stitch to use in turning.

23. Make 4 rows of single crochets.

24. Now make slip stitches all around the bottom of the legging to make a neat finish.

25. Make another leg like this one. Begin the work at the inside seam or joining point of the leg just made. Start this row at the back of the legging.

Next you will make spaces for a runner at the waist.

At the top of leggings at the joining point, or seam, fasten yarn ready to begin new work.

_To Join New Thread_

Put the hook through the stitch at the place where you need the new thread. Throw thread over hook, and pull the end of the thread through the stitch and tie in a single knot. Thread end into a zephyr needle, and run it into the work.

See also page 231.

_To Make Runner Spaces_

1. Make 3 chain stitches.

2. Put a double crochet in each of the next 14 stitches.

3. Make 20 treble crochet stitches. (See picture of treble crochet, page 228.)

4. Make 14 double crochets.

5. Join with a slip stitch the last double crochet stitch to the third chain stitch. See direction No. 1, above.

_To Make the Runner_

Make a chain of 75 stitches, and thread through the runner spaces as in making the doll’s petticoat. (See page 90.)

Fairly Flew gave the directions so rapidly that Mary Frances scarcely realized when she finished one piece of the little Teddy Bear suit and commenced on another.

When the three pieces were finished, “Good!” exclaimed the fairy. “The reason that I talked so fast was that I was so anxious to see how your baby would look when dressed like a Teddy Bear.”

“Come here, dear,” said Mary Frances, holding out her arms, and Mary Marie ran to her.

“Twick, Mamma! Twick!” she cried, trying to get into the sweater by herself.

Mary Frances helped her and soon she was dressed.

“Doesn’t she look dear!” exclaimed Mary Frances, kissing her.

“She looks too cunning for anything!” said the Yarn Baby.

“I could roll yarn for her all my life,” declared Wooley Ball.

“Isn’t it wonderful to make such a beautiful thing out of a string?” asked Crow Shay. “I should think that everybody would learn to know us nice Crochet People.”

“I should, too,” said Mary Frances. “I wish all my friends——”

“Hush!” exclaimed Fairly Flew. “I think I hear a step!” And she melted out of sight.

“Tate Mary M’rie for a walk, Mamma?” the little doll asked as Mary Frances took her up in her arms; but when they reached the foot of the stairs, Mary Marie began to look like a doll again, and stared at things just as dolls do.

“She is afraid some one will see her, and the fairy has told her not to talk,” thought Mary Frances. “I guess I’ll take her upstairs again so as to be safe.” And she went to the playroom.

“Nice walk,” said Mary Marie, leaning her head on Mary Frances’ neck sleepily. So Mary Frances undressed her and put her to bed and then went out to play.