Letter from Paris
Just One More and I’ll Stop
Dear friends,
I swear to you that this has not become a full-time Knitting for Dolls space. My intent was to tell you in two letters about working up the vintage (and then vintage-inspired) outfit for the 1950s Raynal “Nadine” model who’s going into the holiday windows at Les Tricoteurs Volants. And move on.
Then it dawned on me that Les Tricoteurs Volants has more than one window, so perhaps it would be wise to have more than one doll. Yes, wise. That’s the word I’m going with. Wise.
I didn’t know when I bought bedraggled old Marianne what a bargain she was. She cost less than 20 euros, with shipping. But when I went looking for a sister of the same age and quality, every specimen–including some in shockingly bad condition–cost at least 70 euros before shipping.
I had just about decided Marianne would remain a fille unique* when a dealer in Amsterdam posted a picture of a doll, a generation older, who bore an excellent sisterly resemblance and was wonderfully cheap.
I bought her.
She arrived a week later, in a large box. A quite large box. My goodness, I thought, the dealer must have padded her extremely well for shipping. Otherwise, why would the box be so large?
She was well packed, yes, but the box was large mainly because the doll is large. The size of an actual toddler.
Oh, dear.
Part of her wrapping was, and I am not making this up, an adult diaper taped over her face and around her head like that squishy egg-laying monster in Alien. I removed the diaper, and her hair fell off. As well it might, because it was no longer attached to her head.
I screamed, she stared. Not the most auspicious arrival.
Then I thought to myself, come now. Pull yourself together. Were you expecting mint condition for what you paid? If so, more fool you. Of course it will take work to make her presentable. You knew it would.
We have come a long way since that night. I have named this new doll Thaïs, after the legendary Greek courtesan who is supposed to have encouraged Alexander the Great to burn the city of Persepolis to the ground for her amusement.
It took three baths to clean her wig, which twice made the washbasin look like the lower Mississippi. It has been reattached and combed out, but not styled. She still looks like a character from a horror movie, only now the movie has a bigger budget.
Meanwhile, I’ve been working on her knitwear. This time I’m designing it myself, drawing inspiration from vintage knitwear.
She’s going to have a matching stranded color work sweater and beanie.
Les Tricoteurs Volants proposed using the same three shades of Woolia that went into Marianne’s outfit, and I agreed. Red, pink, and white isn’t a palette I’d usually assemble, but it will certainly read as “holiday” in the window. Also, I believe it’s a fine idea every now and again to play with colors that aren’t your colors. Good for the eyes, the brain, and the design faculties, if you ask me.
The pullover is well under way. In fact, the three main pieces (body, sleeves) are complete. I’m following the drop shoulder method from dear Elizabeth Zimmermann’s classic Knitting Workshop (the revised edition), and will cut steeks to open the armscyes and also the back of the sweater.** Then it all gets sewn together; and the neckline, cuffs, and hem knitted on.
I started by swatching in the round to figure out how many stitches I’d have to play with in the body of the sweater. Once I knew that, I designed the (very simple) motif to fit into that number of stitches. It’s been enormous fun. Work knitting that feels like a vacation.
However, this is–I promise you and me–the last doll. There’s just not space in the atelier for more, and also last night Thaïs slipped a note under the bedroom door that said NO OTHERS ONLY ME.
Cordialement,
Franklin
*Only daughter.
**Like babies, dolls often have very large heads in proportion to the size of their bodies. The back opening (which won’t be seen in the display) will allow me to put the sweater on without having to create a comically oversized neckline. I could give the sweater shoulders that open and close, with buttons, but I don’t want to.
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So glad Thais has a good home. Your plans sound wonderful and the pattern is delightfully retro. I personally am delighted to hear of your doll knitting. My mom knit barbie ski sweaters on 00 needles in the 60’s, for which I am very grateful! Wishing you joy in “les jeune filles.”
Very entertaining I should like to read more.0
“I could…but I don’t want to” is my new mantra. Thank you, Franklin!
That is a motivational comment
The wig is a paid actor. I vote you take her to a wig shop and have her properly fitted for one that is not possessed.
Hilarious I had to keep from laughing out loud on the train when I read that the wig fell off and you screamed. Merci beaucoup for brightening up my day as always.
Thank you ,I love her and your description of her and her sister x.
Thank you my waking humor! I can’t wait to see the sisters finished! Both at home and in their windows!
But I do wonder, will they both come home? Or just one?
Thais is beautiful! I am looking forward to seeing her dressed in the new knitwear.
I love your doll tales. Can’t wait to see these darlings all dolled up for the window.
Your doll stories are riveting! Thank you for sharing. I zoomed in on the body of the doll and lo and behold, the name inscribed on the torso is definitely Czech. Greetings from Czechia! Adéla
Thank you. I was wondering about that tattoo on her body.
Ah Dear Franklin!
This was a laughter I needed this morning. Let’s be clear, it was a very serious matter.
Un grand merci,
The red, white and pink will do nicely for Valentine’s Day, too.
Looking forward to seeing all the windows!
I look forward to the next installment of Thaïs going from “B” level horror movie to her reveal as a superstar.
Oh, you have made Thais lovely again and given her new life! Wonderful!
Your sly humor is the BEST!!
I am a lover of dolls, having played with my Ginny dolls in the 1950’s, then with my daughter and her dolls, and then with my
two granddaughters and their American Girl dolls. It is play that leads to narrative and character invention, appreciation of clothing, and wonderful fantasies.
She has such a pretty face! She’ll be glad of her new clothes. Thank you for doing this and keeping us posted. I think your grandmother would be pleased.
Love the color work! Very inspiring.
I am enjoying this project!
What, pray tell, will happen when Dolores and Thaïs meet and learn of their cohabitation? Fleece and hair may fly!
❤️❤️
You leave me with smiles this AM. Diane
Please please write a Letter From Paris with pictures of the final displays!
She also goes perfectly (in her initial state, she’s improving from her spa treaty) with all the horror movies which seem to air on this side of the pond every October.
My childhood Tiny Tears doll’s entire head crown came off and I had tied a rag around it like she’s a survivor from a medieval tooth pulling.
Lovely sweaters for the jeune filles.
As always you write a very entertaining and an interesting article… I loved it and hope we get to see the new enhanced Thais… and remember to “ never say never”
Great post. “I could…..but I don’t want to” is a keeper!
How fun! Thank you for rescuing her face from the diaper! Can’t wait to see what you do with all that hair! What a labor of love! I am hoping to see the finished windows at Christmas time. Greetings to you from Colorado Franklin!
Now I’m wondering if the dolls may start making regular appearances in the windows, with different outfits to suit the seasons.
Oh that’s would be great!!
Exactly! And as an added bonus, they live in the windows, and not in Franklin’s work room!
The size doll you are describing is unusual. The shipping of the doll with a disposable diaper on her head is also common. It’s an easy way to protect the head from damage. My mom was a doll collector, so I used to help her sell them on eBay. Your doll is delightful!
Ok so you’re making a sweater and hat. But what will you make to cover her charming sous-vetements?
Diapers are a common way of protecting the doll’s head by sellers who know what they are doing. I am always glad to get a diaper-headed doll! Thaïs looks faboo with her hair all cleaned and combed.
The sweater is fabulous! Love the colors and pattern. Will love to see the ensemble, sweater and hat. Her face is so cute, especially with the hair slightly curly and mussed.
You ALWAYS make me laugh out loud !!! Thank you I really need it these days ….
OMG, love the doll stories! Can’t wait to see a photo of the shop window.
I hope you’ll share a picture of the holiday window when it’s all assembled for the holidays! Love the stories of your “girls”❤️
Never promise not to get another doll. Like parents that sometimes get a surprise baby, a new doll may steal your heart.
Based on that note from Thaïs, I think Marianne should be VERY careful!
“I could, but I don’t want to” would be fun to have on a button…it’s a great motto. Thank you for another enjoyable post, Franklin…looking forward to seeing the finished holiday windows!
Always love your writing, Franklin… as well as the invariably amusing comments which always follow!
“I could…, but I don’t want to.” The most excellent reason for saving your sanity and doing something your way. Eagerly anticipating the finished window reveal.
Awesome! You are amazing! I laugh almost the whole time I am reading your ‘letters’.
I so admire your creative ingenuity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Really enjoy the doll “updates”. Brings a smile to my face, and goodness knows we need lots and lots of smiles these days.
Big hugs from Calgary.
Really enjoying watching this project. Thank you for sharing with us.
Loved this post. I have my mother’s doll from the early 20’s whose hair she cut one day when she had nothing else to do. I have my baby doll which I received when I was 7 from my dad, and another sweet doll from the WW2 era when we lived in California and folks in Illinois sent me gifts because they knew of shortages in the western US. Would be glad to donate them to you if you ever again have the urge to dress for any holiday.
Can’t wait to see the finished product! And the next doll I wager you will work on.
Lovely pattern!
Now you understand why most of us had beds covered in dolls when we were growing up. You can never have enough dolls.
Yep, I concur. Straight out of a horror movie. May that it end well
I laughed so hard at this essay, dear Mr. Habit, that I had to stop reading to mop up tears of mirth! Sentences you never thought you’d read: ‘I took off the diaper and her hair fell off’ and ‘twice it (the dirty wig) made the washbasin look like the lower Mississippi.’ I so wish I had written them myself.
Congratulations on your perseverance and your ingenuity! I look forward to photos of the finished product.
Anne – The sentences you cite in Franklin’s post are funny in context, but, out of context, in your post, they are hilarious! I laughed for five minutes after reading your post, and my poor dog doesn’t have any idea why I’m giggling so much.
Thank you for a (much-needed) giggle session,
Miriam
So Thais is the toddler child and Marianne is Her walk-with-me dolly! Lovely pair.
She is a wonderful antique and thank goodness for the seller. If her wig had not been taken off and I assume the head stuffed to hold the eyes in place You may of been quite horrified to have found the eyes had fallen out what would you have done then I wonder. The size of the doll will make patterns easier for you although there really not her style I like the jumper and I think she will enjoy being played with once again. You probably know but the marks on the back of her head would tell you what she is . Some clever people can tell from her face who she is but I like the name you gave her .Again look at bleuettes patterns she has a lot of knitted patterns I’m sure you could adapt. I do hope you will post some photos of the windows when you finish Australia is a little far to visit from. Personally I hope you keep doing the knitting for your now 2 dolls . One more and you will have a collection.