#axlcrafts

Project Larp Doll Clothes

Materials used: Cling film, masking tape, pipe cleaners, duct tape, paper, card, white glue, scissors.

With the bodies done I needed to come up with an easy way of making their clothes. I opted for using fabric rather than crochet as I thought this would be cheaper and easier to get more precise patterns with.

I took inspiration for this idea from duct tape dress forms, if it works for human sized things, surely it'll work on a smaller scale too.

I started with a plain doll and wrapped it in cling film to protect the yarn. I then put masking tape over the top to secure it as the cling film wasnt behaving. The masking tape I used will only stick to very few things, meaning it was happily sticking to the cling film but not the yarn so I had an extra layer of protection.

I then taped pipe cleaners to the masking tape so I had a guide for my scissors. I placed them in places where I wanted seams. One over each arm, one at the back of each leg, one along the centre of the body, making sure to keep tight by the neck and legs so as not to distort the pattern.

Then onto the duct tape, using small pieces I covered the entire doll, taking care around the joints and curves to get an accurate mould. I ran out of the blue tape near the end, and used the green to touch up the last few places, and reinforce the bottom of the feet which I knew was a trouble area for me. 

With the doll covered I took a sharpie and drew over the pipe cleaners and then added seam lines, for example adding the edge of the hood on the head.

Then came the long task of carefully cutting the tape off. The masking tape was a good choice, the duct tape wasn't even sticking to it in many places so it was really easy to peel it back as I was cutting, and then go back and cut the masking tape itself without fear of not being able to see it.

With the tape form free, I cut it into the pieces I would need. The tape was jagged from where it had been cut the first time but once I'd traced them onto paper I took the time to smooth them out. I tested each paper piece on the doll before moving onto the card. I glued each piece toa thin piece of card and let it dry. I then cut them out and glued those to another piece of card to make the pieces more sturdy.

Finished pieces (the arms on the torso piece aren't as smooth as I’d like, but until I find my craft knife they will have to stay that way) They are now ready to use again and again. Just trace around the pieces on your fabric of choice remembering to add seam allowances if necessary.

Project Larp Doll Hair/Beard

Halfshell’s beard: Hayfield Bonus Chunky in Paprika (I think, I lost the band) 4mm Hook

Halfshell needed his beard. A big fluffy ginger beard. Having scrolled through pinterest I decided the best way to do this was to just pull a looped of the strand through a stitch and secure it with a lark heads knot.

I continued around his mouth, I know I made the strands far too long but for a first attempt I wanted to be safe. (Note I did end up undoing the top of the beard to instead sew that portion.)

I trimmed the yarn and untwisted the strands so they were fluffier. 

Once trimmed and roughly shaped, I took a fine comb and gently brushed the yarn to smooth it and give it a bit more shape. I could have smoothed and shaped it more, but I wanted him to have a rougher look as it suited the character more.

Project Larp Doll Ryshar

Hayfield Bonus Super Chunky in Grey, White and Black (Body) Hemline 15mm Jacket Buttons in Black (Eyes) King Cole Big Value 4 Ply In Graphite (Chainmail) 2mm Black Foam, Scrap leather, 3mm Elastic 

The first finished doll I’m able to share. Hes actually taken the longest as I struggled to make his chainmail. I went through 4 different yarns/threads, and different techniques before I was able to get what I wanted. It would have been nice to use a metallic thread, but I couldn't find one that worked well enough and didn't cost the earth.

Project Larp Doll Eye Comparison

Left: 12mm back plastic safety eyes Right: 15mm Black 4-hole Buttons

Project Larp Doll Pattern Adjustments

(Hayfield Super Chunky in Grey, 5mm Hook)

Project Larp Doll

Doll Size Comparison Part 2

Head One was made using Hayfield Super Chunky in Light Natural and a 6mm hook Head Two was made using Hayfield Super Chunky in Light Natural and a 5mm hook Head Three was made using Hayfield Chunky in Light Natural and a 6mm hook

Project Larp Doll

Doll size comparison (Hayfield Super Chunky - Light Natural, Hook 6mm)

Unhappy with the size of the doll as my crochet got tighter I moved from the Hayfield Chunky yarn to the Hayfield Super Chunky yarn. The previous doll was using a 5mm hook so I’m somewhat impressed from the size difference for only using a 6mm hook. However its not what I had hoped for. If I were to continue the full pattern, which I may still do, the doll would be closer to the size of a newborn rather than the first doll.

So options moving forward:

Use a smaller hook with the super chunky yarn

Use a larger hook with the chunky yarn

Find a new pattern

Adjust pattern myself

So I had an idea. An idea which is either brilliant or terrible, as most of my craft based ideas are. While thinking of things I could do for my partners for valentines I came across some crochet doll patterns. An hour later I had multiple designs sketched out and began my hunt for beginner patterns that would suit my ideas. 

I found this free doll pattern by Supergurumi, for a no sew all in one doll. Having never crocheted before (though an avid knitter) I set to work really hoping the partner I live with wouldn't figure out what I was doing (spoiler alert: he did)

So dolls I need to do:

Ryshar (CP): Pallas cat based beastkin, wears leather kilt and chainmail shirt, seriously fluffy hair, kite shield.

Halfshell (GC): Human medic with a missing eye, wears flecktarn jacket over chainmail shirt, black combat trousers and boots. Has a rune stone chain on waist and hood with the names of the dead.