Letter from Paris
Finny Girl
Dear friends,
Since I last wrote, Marianne and Thaïs have taken up their posts in the holiday windows at Les Tricoteurs Volants.
Marianne
Thaïs
I want to thank you for all the support that followed my letters about the creation of this display. My nerves are delicate these days–whose aren’t?–and I was dreading the wave of negativity that has followed almost any post I’ve made elsewhere about knitting for dolls.
Of course I should have known that readers of Modern Daily Knitting are a cut above. Kind, thoughtful, intelligent, startlingly attractive, and possessing uncommonly good taste.
You emboldened me to pick up the needles to dress yet another doll.
When my friend and colleague Melissa Leapman announced a virtual knitting retreat with an “Under the Sea” theme, I offered to present a knitted mermaid.
I first thought I would knit the entire mermaid, head to tail. Then I remembered Louisa, a 10″ (25 centimeter) antique doll whose clothes were in bad shape, leading to her sad sequestration in a workroom drawer.
Poor Louisa.
Why not kit her out as a mermaid?
There wasn’t much time to make it happen. This would be deadline knitting. Deadline knitting is seldom a pleasure.
I started (as I often do) by collecting images, shuffling and re-shuffling them, immersing myself in the idea, becoming even a bit obsessed by it. I re-read Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid (a story I frankly do not enjoy) to refresh my memory of his physical descriptions of mermaids. I even dipped into the lore of mermaid-adjacent figures like Mélusine the serpent woman, Rusalka the water sprite, and the sirens of The Odyssey. (The Sirens were of course part bird, not part fish, but there is enough confusion about this that the French word for mermaid is sirène.)
A Multitude of Mermaids
I also started swatching, pulling book after book off the shelf in search of patterns suited to fish scales, netting, flowers, seaweed, pearls.
Bird’s Eye mesh from Barbara Walker’s A Treasury of Knitting Patterns (Schoolhouse Press)
The deadline was shrieking closer. Louisa was still undressed. So how was I smiling to myself as I swatched all through a grey afternoon, listening to a compilation of watery hits like the “Song to the Moon” from Dvořák’s Rusalka?
Who smiles while they swatch? I mean, Clara Parkes does, probably. But not me.
I didn’t truly understand until I was putting the finishing touches on Louisa’s ensemble. In the end, I’d decided it ought to be a weird-yet-elegant travesti like the ones Worth used to cook up for society costume parties. (I loved the idea of her little shoes peeking out from the tail.)
Making clothes for this doll had allowed me to do something I hadn’t been allowed to do much for quite a long time: play.
This was a wholly unserious piece of knitting. Not only was it for a doll, but the concept itself was fantastical. I wasn’t attempting to create (or re-create) real-world clothing, so there was no need for even the semblance of practicality.
I was free to use whatever colors I liked, whatever yarns, whatever stitches–and that gave me permission to try out fantasies from Barbara Walker, Mary Thomas, and whoever else without considering for an instant whether the result would be fashionable or sensible.
I could, and did, mess around like a child who follows instructions to a point, then starts to ask, “What if…?,” pursuing curiosity without worrying about the outcome.
I came away from this project not only feeling proud, but refreshed. Inspired. Ready for more.
Play, I firmly believe, is essential in learning how to do anything. And since we never know everything about anything, we really ought never to stop playing. Lately my outlook on knitting had become terribly serious and goal-oriented, and I think that as a result my knitting had suffered.
In the time it took to dress three silly dolls, I could have made several useful, practical, manly sweaters. But I doubt that I’d have learned more from them. And I doubt they could have made me this happy.
Cordialement,
Franklin
You knocked it out of the park! Joyeax Noel.
Along the lines of playing with knitting, I keep going back to Franklin’s pineapple purse. I think about it quite often. It’s just too fun and silly not to try, although I’ll probably never use it. It might be fun as part of my grand daughter’s dress up attire, though!
Thank you, Franklin! It brightens my day whenever we have a Letter From Paris. It doesn’t matter if you’re making sweaters or doll clothes or scarves. All your work is outstanding. The dolls & mermaid are gorgeous!
What fun! Love it!
Thank you Franklin, for this post! I actually teared up a bit reading the joy in your words.
I am a very beginning knotter, but play this way in the kitchen, and you described the thrill and enjoyment perfectly!
‘Tis the season for merry and bright!
Let your joy be uncontained!
By the way, I LOVE the pink!
Happy Christmas
Beautiful, Franklin! I love those fish scales. Play on!
Louisa looks positively smug in her new outfit. And kudos for slipping in that swatching comment about Clara! 😉
She is perfect! I love her expression: she is just daring us to elevate a querying brow! She is classic and modern at the same time – I picture her ending her work day developing AI code (for shipping perhaps?) and heading out to rescue and seduce a foundering sailor at her favorite watering hole. Truly another masterpiece!!
Yes, that smug aloof expression won me over. Love Ami’s backstory. Never been a doll fan but do like Louisa. Great outfit! I knitted a rabbit once and later a toad and knit clothes for them on occasion so to each their own! Definitely fun playing w/sm knitted outfits! Anything you write about & share w/us is okay by me, Franklin, you are a treasure.
I simply love Louisa in her stunning sea green ensemble and shawl xx.
Merci merci du fond du coeur de toujours me mettre le sourire aux lèvres! 2025 is a year I’m happy to leave behind, but when I think of the bright spots, your letters from Paris truly light up my days. Little snippets of them often pop back into my mind. Your recent creations are playful and light, and I love the little brooch on Marianne’s top. I do wonder what customers of Les Tricots Volants are saying about them? And then there’s Sirène… her eyes are a little creepy — I’m grateful her wildly creative outfit distracts from them!
Bon tricot, je me réjouis de ta prochaine lettre de Paris, and I hope you have wonderful end-of-year celebrations wherever you may be. May 2026 bring you continued health and creative inspiration. Thank you, as always.
Brilliant. Keep playing. I am deadline knitting a sweater for Christmas. Ugh!
I LOVE HER!
This is great! I especially love the scales and netting!
Oh my! I love the echo of fishtail and shawl closure! Tres elegant! ( I never remember quite where the accents go. Sorry.) And tres elegant your letters on the dolls. Our responses mirror your vulnerability. These girls inspired me to make tiny sweaters…so much easier….for a tree and for gifts Very merry Christmas!
Louisa is a beautiful doll, and she looks very pleased with her new costume. She was waiting in that drawer for this moment! Perhaps she needs to add to her wardrobe? Be on the lookout for one of those little doll steamer trunks–so much fun! So nice that you found some fun when you needed it most.
I love the fish scales!
Never stop playing! I am 66 and still adorn my doll house with new trinkets. I love the mermaid!!!!! You inspire me to knit things for the doll house, as well. Why did I never think of that before?
How delightful! Thank you for the reminder to goof around sometimes.
Absolutely beautiful! You rock! I love them all Hopeful about learning the netting
Thank you Franklin, for this post! I actually teared up a bit reading the joy in your words.
I am a very beginning knotter, but play this way in the kitchen, and you described the thrill and enjoyment perfectly!
All 3 are completely adorable!
I LOVE HER!
Wow she went from sulky to sultry!
Are the fish scales bamboo stitch?
% fabulous!!!
Oops 100%!!!
My very first knitted garment was a hot pink sweater for my Barbie doll in the 1960’s. Now in my 70’s, over the past few years I have been enjoying knitting (in between knitting larger projects) the little gnomes from Sarah Shira of Imagined Landscapes. Small doable projects where I learn some new technique. I especially love the mystery knitalongs, which bring a delightful clue every few days that require about 1/2 hour of knitting. These are small projects and I love discovering and supporting the small and indie dyers who make up kits for these play projects! Thank you for reminding us to keep the joy in our knitting!
The dolls are beautiful as is the reminder to play with our knitting!
Thank you Franklin for the inspiration.
Lovely knitting and preserving a niche of history.
The fish scale stitches are perfect, what stitch was used?
When I was a young knitter my mother gave me a Mon Tricot Knitting Dictionary and I just played for hours trying different stitches. It taught me a lot and is still my treasured book.
Nailed it. Your hard work paid off. Happy holidays.
She is so beautiful! I love the fins and the shoe peeking out is masterful.
She’s lovely.
Beautiful!
She looks glorious as a mermaid! (I, too, love her shoe poking out.) I also enjoyed your reference to Clara Parkes and her swatches – I’m still smiling from that!) I can’t wait to see what what the New Year will bring. Joyeux Noel, Franklin!
So beautiful! Love it!
Delightful and insightful! Thanks for sharing!
I love the green scales! Perfect choice for the mermaid!
I love to play too! Once the gift making season is over, I can get back to the play. ☺️
I love it, Franklin! All of it. You are a joy.
Agree with your philosophy, Franklin, “we really ought never to stop playing.” Otherwise where we will we find ‘ wonder!’
She’s adorable – I’m glad you had fun kitting her out!
I love the fishnet shawl and scaly “skin”! And what a snazzy outfit you gave to Doll No. 1! How right you are, Franklin, about play! As a famous Einstein poster quoted: Imagination is more important than Knowledge. You can’t find more of a testimony than that! Thanks for giving us knitters a reminder to play when we get ourselves all tied up in knots.
Shy Louisa looks rather pleased with her daring mermaid costume. She is making a splash, thanks to Mr. Habit’s fine knitting skills!
Love this . Thanks for the reminder to have fun. I’ve been working on it too the last couple of weeks. I’m loving my knitting again.
I look forward to your letters from Paris, Franklin. And the knitted outfits for dolls are lovely! Happy holidays to you.
This was absolutely beautiful, just the inspiring play I needed to focus today.
I love that you opted for a fancy dress costume – that makes so much sense! The little toe-peek is sublime. The stitch selection is perfect – the little scallop shapes definitely read as scales to me. I would love to see a couple of seaweed tendrils descend from her headdress or fringe off her netted scarf. But that could be gilding the lily.
She looks lovely – just as her two larger friends in the window.
I am not a doll person! That said, what you did with the three dolls was fantastic. Oh, to be so creative! Well done.
Love your writing (and knitting) and clearly you have found your place in Paris
Her skirt is so very cute and the stitch you used does look like scales! Impressive!
Oh, how delightful! I have a few porcelain or part porcelain dolls and it never occurred to me to make them fancy dress!
I love your final result and Louisa looks haughty enough to make a fine entrance at the bal.
Love the mermaid “tail” – and we all need more play in our lives
Oh, now that is brilliant! Your creativity knows no bounds. You are truly a wonderful inspiration for all artists.
oh wow, this is fantastic, yeah for playing, it keeps us alive, fresh, and happy
You inspire us all. What a magical talented human you are.
If it stops being fun, we stop doing it. So glad you rediscovered the joy and fun of creating!
Merveilleux ! Un très joyeux temps des fêtes, cher tricoteur
You are amazingly talented – both as a knitter and a writer!
Love, love, love the dolls and so wonderful that they refreshed your joy of knitting.
The fish scales stitch pattern could be an unusual swatch for a beautiful sweater to wear by the sea. And, after having planned a beautiful sweater, plan a beautiful seaside vacation to go with it.
Happy holidays.
Thanx for sharing! It brought up memories for me. I learned to knit making doll clothes and sucked my mother and two spinster aunts into the project. I had some seriously dressed dolls. Well, I still have them, might get them out later
You truly bring light to this very dark world. I read MDK in the mornings and when you (dear friend) show up on my phone I delight in anticipation of what adventures you are going to take us on. Today’s was truly a gift to us all. Happy, healthy and peaceful new year is what I wish for you and us all. Linda E
Louisa is gorgeous!
Your letters always make my day. Thank you.
Marvelous! I have come to depend on you as a source of inspiration, in my knitting, my need to play, and in taking the world as it is while not letting it grind me down.
I appreciate you.
What a marvelous mermaid costume for Louisa. All the dolls are wonderful Hurray for play and hurray for a return to Barbara Walker and Mary Thomas with whom I began when I years ago wanted to move beyond garter and stockinette.
Louisa looks smashing. You’re right. The toes peeking out are toot sweet!
Play is so refreshing and happyfying. The dolls all look fabulous, so thoughtfully made.
No shame should ever be handed out in light of such a wondrous gift you have, Franklin.
Playing is IMPORTANT! Thank you Franklin for reminding us.
Love your creativity! Never stop playing!
You are an inspiration! I have one ball of black silk yarn – not enough for a whole anything – – unlessss…. lacework – look at that fishnet shawl – doll clothes . . . Franklin, I adore you!!
However, Louisa is a VERY SERIOUS mermaid.
Ah, they are all beautiful. Thank you for these lovely flights of fancy and fine work!
I love this so much! And yes, play is vital to our mental health. So glad you gave yourself permission to enjoy the process!
Thank you for your wonderfully play-filled article! I always enjoy your adventures but to begin my day with a mermaid and Rusulka’s Song to the Moon…WOW! (Renee Fleming sang that up in a tree thanks to a bit of stage magic!) You have brightened my day for many years and I appreciate not only your humor, but the knitting gems I have learned from you. Happy Holidays and I can hardly wait to see what happens next!
I acquired fabulous books of stitches as a new knitter. Like knit and purl were going to be such a lark. Years later, I realize I’ve never pulled them off the shelf except to dust. A quick peek through before they earned a new order on the shelf. I see what you’re doing and it does look like so much fun. Thanks so much for the inspiration to dive into the beautiful photos of stitches and learn more. Sounds like a resolution…that time of year. Love your letters.
This is a delightful reminder that even knitting should not be taken too seriously. I love the netting and fish scales. You always make me smile. Joyeux Noel!
I enjoy your letters from Paris so much!
Thank you!
Reading this was a great way to start my day. I’m smiling and looking forward to playing with some yarn!
I love the mermaid!! Merci beaucoup, Franklin!
Louisa’s before and after is astonishing! Before, forlorn – after, radient! Not since Charlotte’s bit of fiber art have I seen such a transformation of the recipient! Bravo! Bravo!
Franklin your creations are Wonderful! All three dolls are beautiful.
Positively fabulous! Dolls, mermaid, you!
This is fabulous and fantastic. As one who has always enjoyed knitting and crocheting toys and creatures. I so appreciate this. Your creativity shines.
Tres chic!
She looks a very stern mermaid.
You had me at her headband! Franklin, we all do need this right now, Thank You!
Oh, she’s perfect!!!
I am smiling so much reading this. Fantastical indeed!
I love this Franklin!!! When I became a quilter, quite by accident, I found that I was so much more satisfied with my life, but didn’t really understand the ‘why’ at first. My mother saw what I did not – that it allowed me to play and use my imagination in ways ‘real life’ could not… she saw that it gave me the childhood I had never been allowed to enjoy as a child.
Enjoy your play and please always allow us to enjoy watching your journey! Merry Christmas!
Love it! Love you!
Franklin,
What a pleasure it is to see a letter from you. The mermaid looks stunning. The texture of the skirt is perfect. You are an artist and we value you!
So glad you ignored the naysayers, Franklin. We all must strive to ignore the naysayers. Beautiful work, including your sultry mermaid!
I love all 3 dolls but the mermaid Louise is outstanding! You are so talented and I love the reminder that we need to play to refresh and refind our creativity. Vive la Mermaid knitting!
Perfection!
You are an inspiration and delight, dear Franklin.
Thank you for your kind compliments, too. x
In my mind, I am imagining the avant guarde challenge on Project Runway! Where practically is not the goal, but beauty and design is the goal. So much fun!!!!
Absolutely beautiful! Loved the results of your first 2 doll efforts and your mermaid did not disappoint! Such talent! Joyeux Noel!
Please keep doing what brings you joy. All of your creations in all forms are beautiful and much appreciated.
I love that you are feeding your inner child by getting to play with dolls (and the knitting for those dolls).
Wonderful Franklin! Thank you for starting my day with a smile. Diane
I applaud you for knitting for dolls!
LOVE! You always make me smile. Thank you for being you and sharing yourself.
I went to the store’s IG to see the whole display; so wonderful! I love how chic Louisa looks!
Oh my god, she is PERFECT!! I hope you continue to play, Franklin.
Delightful! Made you happy and made me smile. Thank you.
You are amazing! Love this…
Thank you, Franklin. Your posts are a joy to read. Your girls look beautiful! Thank you for brightening my day.
She looks lovely!
I always look forward to your letters. And thanks for reminding us that our knitting should be fun and not just work. Your new doll is perfect.
Your mermaid’s colors and textures perfectly suit “Finny Girl”. I love reading how this result came about. Happy that you enjoyed the experience. Stay happy.
Franklin, she’s perfect! I would love to have just a smidge of your creativity and knitting talent.
Who smiles while they swatch? I mean, Clara Parkes does, probably.
This made me laugh out loud at work.
Wonderful, inspirational! Just what I needed to read and see.
So nice! A pleasure to read.
She is a beautiful representation of the daring composure of the quintessential mermaid! Love her. And I must mention how much I admire and envy your research process – who wouldn’t want to delve into the murky loveliness of mermaids? I once taught a seminar as a HS English teacher on mermaids. It was so much fun, and I think that’s why it was so successful. We read everything we could find, including and beyond Anderson’s tale. We listened to sea shanties, and the students wrote poetry and short stories. I love Dvořák’s Rusalka, and you have inspired me to listen to it today! In return, I have a suggestion for you: Jenny Dalton’s Rusalka’s Umbrella. It’s the title cut on her album of the same name, and got me started on more research into that history. Enjoy! And thank you for your posts – I always look forward to hearing from you!
Franklin, I hope you can feel the love from the MDK readers and knitters!! I love the outfits you knitted for the dolls, especially the mermaid outfit with her toes sticking out!! We should all feel fun when knitting or crafting of any kind.
Blessings to you this holiday season!!
Louisa is adorable! What kind of monster criticizes knitting for dolls?? Honestly.
What a lovely outfit! It is not just knitting! Made all my own doll clothes many years ago but nothing so Chic
I utterly love this post! Obviously playing is good for your soul. Louisa, however, seems to be unsure as whether she is happy with this costume (the eye roll says it all). Be well.
Your words about the importance of play are so timely for me. I just finished my knits to gift last evening. When they’ll get their care tags and wrapping and trip to the P.O. I don’t know. Because it’s necessary to take a break, swatch and smile for something original and possibly frivolous. Thank you!
It’s wonderful!! And thank you for the reminder of the importance of play – I agree wholeheartedly (and yet all to often, forget!)!!
How very Élégante Louisa looks!
The beautiful stitch details really set it apart. The head piece is very Art Deco- Bravo!
I want such a doll now.
Oh, Franklin, I always love reading your posts. Bravo!
Absolutely beautiful knitting for dolls!
Franklin, thank you yet again. You helped me to remember a Chanel-esque suit my grandmother knitted for my Barbie doll when I was a child. I appreciate it now in so many more ways than I did when I got it as a child (it was LINED!). Now that I knit I have a deeper understanding of her act of love.
Louise’s eyes remind me of Theda Bara, a ‘vamp’ of ’20s cinema. She looks amazing in her regalia. I adore the skirt, and the touch of a seaweed-y tiara is perfect.
Play, Franklin, play! It’s the best way to learn. Thanks for sharing this delightful mermaid adventure with us.
A standing BRAVO to the dolls, your article and your articulation of the importance of play wherever we find it.
The doll looks so much happier in her mermaid costume! Thank you, Franklin, for the reminder that knitting is supposed to be fun.
I’d give you a Palme d’Or
Stunning. Please play on. Mais que veut dire “play” en francais?
Wonderful outfits for your dolls, bravo.
She’s phenomenal!
Could Louisa be the doll you had in pieces and made a body for her? Also sewn underwear and gown?
Louisa is so beautiful! I love your dolls so much and the work you have put into knitting them gorgeous outfits!
I want your dolls❤️!
You hit it out of the park!! Not the right image but absolutely the right sentiment! I love you; your creativity, your sense of humor, your knitting! My neighbor (who does not knit) loves you! I am waiting with bated breath for your next adventure, may your holidays be all that you desire.
All three ladies are fabulous, just like you! A post from you is always a treat.
Louisa should look serious, rusalkas were not made for fun!
I agree that knitting smaller things is fun and a great learning experience. I knit a number of creations from Amigurumi Knits by Hansi Singh for my youngest and I learned so much and my child cherished the critters.
I have loved following the journey of Marianne and Thais to their current status as the holiday stars in their high fashion at Les Tricoteurs Volants! And now we have Louise!! Bravo Franklin!!!
She’s lovely, looks like an Edwardian mermaid!