The Civil Rights Movement began in 1955. In the sixties, Martin Luther King Jr. had a beautiful dream, and Malcolm X had an understandable grievance. The Black Panther Party was alive and snarling from 1966 to 1976. By 1978, black baby dolls were being sold right next to the white ones, and there were even “Black Barbies”.
So, surely by 1978, every North American would have agreed that these dolls, with their bright red lips, flat noses and big white-rimmed eyes, were appalling racist stereotypes.
Right?
When May, an older relative of mine, saw these dolls, she yelped, “You can’t post this pattern – you’re white!” (Thank goodness she doesn’t know about my Mammy and Pappy post!)
“But it’s history,” I argued. “And I really want to understand how these dolls could be on the cover of Crochet World in 1978. I thought the struggle for equal rights was over by then.”
“Oh, you sweet, ignorant child,” May said. “I was marching for civil rights all through the seventies!”
For the complete pattern (and more history from May):
Aw, see that? They’re in love!
If the dolls are happy, doesn’t that make them less racist?
That would be a no.MATERIALS: Bedspread-weight crochet cotton in dark brown. Size 1 metal crochet hook. Polyfill stuffing. Small amounts of felt in black and red. Small amount of white Pellon. Black K cord. (This can be found in macramé supplies. It costs around $1.80 for 50 yards and this amount will make many wigs. It is ideal for Black dolls because it can be raveled out into crinkled strands.) Small amount of white crochet cotton for shoes.
May winced. “In the States, we called those disgusting things Sambo dolls,” she said. “You could buy Sambo and his sister at every truck stop and gas station along Route 66.
“Back in the 50s?” I guessed.
“In the 50s, 60s, and even the 70s,” said May, grimly. “The local ladies would make little handcrafts to sell at the gas station, and Sambos were always popular.”
So, who was Opal Kilcrease, the designer of these racially charged toys?Directions are given for the girl doll, with adjustments for the boy doll added in parentheses. Begin at the top of the head with a chain 2, turn, and make 6 sc in the first chain. Do not join rounds, but mark the last stitch of each round with a contrasting thread.
Describing herself as a “little old grey-haired lady who plays with dolls”, Opal wrote in Crochet World:
“My interest in needlework was born out of the sheer necessity of stretching a limited income to provide an adequate wardrobe for a widowed career woman with one small boy to support. A friend, who later became my husband, gave me an old treadle sewing machine, which rather unromantic gift opened up an exciting and rewarding new world.”
Imagine that! Opal was a career woman!
May wasn’t as impressed. “That’s what any woman would have done in those days. My mother took in washing and did mending when money was tight. It’s nothing special.”
Sigh.
RND 1: 2 sc in each sc – 12 sc.
RND 2: (1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times – 18 sc.
RND 3: (1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times – 24 sc.
RND 2: (1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times – 30 sc.
RNDS 5-12: 1 sc in each sc – 30 sc.
RND 13: 1 sc in next sc, dec 1, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 7 dec (for chin area), 1 sc in each of last 8 sc – 22 sc. (To dec, draw up loop in next 2 sc, yo and through all 3 loops on hook.)
RND 14: (1 sc, dec 1) 7 times, 1 sc in last sc – 15 sc.
RNDS 15-17 (Neck): 1 sc in each sc around – 15 sc.
Opal also wrote: “I began making dolls when my work put me in contact with children with special needs. ... The time came when my husband’s illness forced me to retire from my position in a western state, and we then returned to the small Ozarks farm bought some years before. ...The sad day came when my husband made that final trip to the hospital. ... As I sat by that hospital bed, I crocheted countless costumes for the children of the staff members.”RND 18: 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, ch 6, turn, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each of last 4 ch, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, skip next (center front) sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, ch 6, turn, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each of last 4 ch, 1 sc in each of last 4 sc.
How can I criticize a woman who so effectively subliminated her pain into handcrafts? A woman who made clothes and toys for children!
“White children,” said May, pointedly.
“How can you possibly know that?” I challenged her.
“Black children wouldn’t have been in the same institutions as white children,” said May. “I don’t think you understand how segregated things were in the 50s. I didn’t know myself until I was a teenager. I thought there were only a handful of blacks in our town until the day my mother took me with her across the tracks. It was like stepping into another world, into Soweto. The roads weren’t paved, the houses were falling down, and every person was black.”
RND 19: 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 1 sc in each of 5 ch of shoulder chain, 2 sc in end of shoulder ch, 1 sc in each of 5 sc on opposite side of chain, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, dec over next 2 sc (center front), 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 1 sc in each of 5 ch of second shoulder chain, 2 sc at end of ch, 1 sc in each of 5 sc on opposite side of chain, 1 sc in each of last 4 sc – 37 sc.
RND 20: 1 sc in each of next 16 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, skip center sc, 1 sc in next sc, 3 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of last 16 sc – 40 sc.
RNDS 21-25: 1 sc in each sc around – 40 sc.
RND 26: 1 sc in each of next 18 sc, skip next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, skip next sc, 1 sc in each of last 18 sc – 38 sc.
RNDS 27-31: 1 sc in each sc around – 38 sc.
(Add 2 rnds of 38 sc for boy doll.)
RND 32: (1 sc in each of next 17 sc, dec 1) twice – 36 sc.
RND 33: (1 sc in each of next 4 sc, dec 1) 6 times – 30 sc.
RND 34: (1 sc in each of next 3 sc, dec 1) 6 times – 24 sc.
RNDS 35-37: 1 sc in each sc around – 24 sc.
RND 38: (1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times – 30 sc.
RND 39: 1 sc in each sc around – 30 sc.
RND 40: (1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times – 36 sc.
RNDS 41-49: 1 sc in each sc around – 36 sc.
RND 50: (1 sc in each of next 16 sc, 1 dec) twice – 34 sc.
RND 51: (1 sc in each of next 15 sc, 1 dec) twice – 32 sc.
RND 52: 1 sc in each sc around – 32 sc. End off.
Stuff body firmly, shaping as you go. Fasten center front and center back sc together with needle and thread. This forms the two openings for the legs.
Opal also wrote, “My latest and greatest ‘brainstorm’ for these crocheted dolls is a Dolly Parton doll. By much trial and error I have finally perfected the famous Parton bust and by using rug yarn have made a fairly satisfactory wig. ... Her glittering costume is cut from a Barbie pattern, but with some very necessary alterations in the bust area.”
It’s such a shame I couldn’t track down Opal’s Dolly Parton doll pattern. Barbie’s always been way too proud of her fake bosom, and she had nothing on Dolly’s real deal!
The description of the Dolly Parton doll made May laugh. “Your designer definitely understood her market,” she said.LEGS (Make 2): RND 1: Begin with foot. Ch 8, turn, 1 sc in each of next 5 ch, 3 sc in last ch (toe end), continue working along opposite side of chain and make 1 sc in each of last 6 chains – 15 sc. Do not join but mark last sc of each round with contrasting thread, the same as for body.
RNDS 2-3: 1 sc in each sc around – 15 sc.
RND 4: 1 sc in each of next 7 sc, skip next sc, 1 sc in each of last 7 sc – 14 sc.
RND 5: 1 sc in each sc around – 14 sc.
RND 6: 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, (1 dec over next 2 sc) twice, 1 sc in each of last 5 sc – 12 sc.
RNDS 7-23: 1 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.
(For boy doll, add 1 round of 12 sc.)
RND 24: 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of last 11 sc – 13 sc.
RNDS 25-35: 1 sc in each sc around – 13 sc.
(For boy doll, add 1 round of 13 sc.)
RND 36: 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of last 12 sc – 14 sc.
RNDS 37-39: 1 sc in each sc around – 14 sc.
RND 40: 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of last 13 sc – 15 sc.
RNDS 41-43: 1 sc in each sc around – 15 sc.
RND 44: 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 14 sc – 16 sc.
RNDS 45-47: 1 sc in each sc around – 16 sc. End off.
But what market was that? In 1978 black fashion dolls were made from the same molds as white dolls, just with darker features. This may have reflected the seventies ideal that all people should be the same, regardless of race and gender, but these days it's come to be viewed as devaluing the uniqueness of black people.
As a result, Mattel’s just released a new line of dolls with non-White features. They claim these dolls reflect the true racial diversity of the United States.
RND 2: 2 sc in each sc around – 10 sc.
RNDS 3-4: 1 sc in each sc around – 10 sc.
RND 5: (Dec 1 over next 2 sc, 1 sc in each of the next 3 sc) twice – 8 sc.
RND 6: Dec over next 2 sc, 1 sc in each of the last 6 sc – 7 sc.
RND 7: 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of last 2 sc – 9 sc.
RND 8: 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of last 8 sc – 10 sc.
RNDS 9 – 19: 1 sc in each sc around – 10 sc.
(For boy doll, add 1 round of 10 sc.)
RND 20: 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of the last 9 sc – 11 sc.
RNDS 21-23: 1 sc in each sc around – 11 sc.
RND 24: 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of last 5 sc – 12 sc.
RNDS 25-27: 1 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.
RND 28: 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of last 6 sc – 13 sc.
RNDS 29-37: 1 sc in each sc around – 13 sc.
(For boy doll, add 1 round of 13 sc.) End off.
FINISHING ARMS & LEGS: Insert pipe cleaner or chenille stick in each arm and leg. Stuff and shape. Stuff feet rather loosely so that shoes will slip on easily. The pipe cleaners or chenille sticks may be omitted, but they do make the bodies more poseable. Sew arms at shoulder edges. Attach legs to leg openings and sew to body, adding stuffing as needed, for proper shaping.
I must confess, I do like those bendy limbs!
With brown crochet cotton and size 1 hook, follow rounds 1 through 6 of body, then make one round of slip stitch around. End off. This will be your wig base and will be covered with the K cord to make realistic looking hair.
As opposed to the completely unrealistic looking lips. Dear, sweet Opal. Why couldn’t she have just embroidered a nice little smile onto their faces?Find the end of the K cord and pull to unravel. thread this in a tapestry or other large-eyed needle. Simply sew around and around the wig base in short loops until base is completely covered. Apply Elmer’s glue generously to inside of wig, then affix to doll’s head and allow to dry.
“Because that’s not what people wanted,” May reminded me. “She was elderly, white, and living in the Ozarks in 1978. The civil rights movement might as well have never happened as far as she was concerned.”
FEATURES: Glue small black circles of felt to white Pellon for eyes. Mark around the Pellon for desired size and shape, cut out, and glue to face in proper position. Cut mouth in desired size and shape from red felt...
No! Seriously, don’t....making a small slit in center, glue to white Pellon, and affix to face. The slit allows the white Pellon to show through to simulate teeth. Make two tiny nostrils with red embroidery thread.
Red? Who’s got red nostrils? Opal paid so much attention to detail that she made tiny white teeth for her dolls. So why not use something more realistic for the nostrils?Glue a tiny piece of K cord to position for each eyebrow.
“I just don’t understand this woman,” I grumbled.
“I know,” said May. “And you can’t possibly understand how happy that makes me.”
Use white thread doubled and a size 1 hook. Work the same as for foot in rounds 1 through 4. Add one round of sl st and end off. Tack shoes to feet.
EARS: Ch 5, turn, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 3 ch.
NEXT ROW: Ch 1, turn, 1 sc in each sc. End off. Sew to position, shaping in a curve to represent an ear.
This doll really couldn’t be any more wall-eyed, poor thing.
Use beadspread-weight crochet cotton and size 1 hook.
ROW 1: Begin with chain 25, turn, 1 sc in each sc, ch 1, turn.
ROW 2: 1 sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn – 24 sc.
ROW 3: (1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times – 30 sc.
ROW 4: (1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times – 36 sc.
ROW 5: 1 sc in each sc across – 36 sc. Do not chain for turn but join in a ring by making 1 sc in beginning sc of this row. Work remainder of panties in round, until crotch area is made.
RNDS 6-13: 1 sc in each sc across – 36 sc.
ROW 14: Begin crotch. 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROW 15: 1 sc in next 5 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROW 16: 1 sc in next 5 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROW 17: 1 sc in next 5 sc; do not chain or turn. Remove hook from work. Skip next 13 sc on last long round, insert hook in next sc, draw loop through and sl st. Sl st remaining 4 sc of crotch to corresponding sc on last long row. End off.
For ties, ch 10 and join with sc to 1st sc at left back opening of panties. 1 sc in each of last 23 sc across waist, ch 10 for 2nd tie. End off.
With her extensive wardrobe and bendy limbs, this is definitely a doll a child could love. But I still don’t understand why Opal made her a “Black Fashion Doll” if she was for a white child.
“I told you, people back then thought the Sambo look was cute,” said May. “They were afraid, so they made black people into something harmless and foolish.”
Use bedspread-weight crochet cotton and size 1 metal hook.
RND 1: Begin at top of crown with ch 4, join with sl st to form ring.
RND 2: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring. Do not join rounds but mark end of round with contrasting thread.
RND 3: 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.
RND 4: (1 sc in next sc, ch 3, skip next sc) 6 times.
RND 5: (2 sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3) 6 times.
RND 6: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next loop, ch 3) 6 times.
RND 7: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in next 2 sc, 1 sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3) 6 times.
RND 8-12: Repeat round 7 (there should be 3 sc in each “fan”).
RND 13: Begin brim. (Skip next sc, 2 sc in each of the next 2 sc, 2 sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3) 6 times. There should be 6 sc in each fan.
RND 14: (Skip next sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next ch-3 loop) 6 times. There should be 10 sc in fan.
RND 15: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in each of next 9 sc, 2 sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3) 6 times. 11 sc in each fan.
RND 16: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in each of next 10 sc, 2 sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3) 6 times. 12 sc in fan.
RND 17: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in each of next 11 sc, 2 sc in ch-3 loop, ch 3) 6 times. 13 sc in fan.
RND 18: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in each of next 12 sc, 2 sc in ch-3 loop, ch 3) 6 times. 14 sc in fan.
RND 19: (1 sc in each of next 14 sc, 3 sc in ch-3 loop) 6 times. End off.
FLOWER FOR HAT: RND 1: Ch 2, 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join.
RND 2: (Ch 2, sl st in next sc) 5 times.
RND 3: (Sl st, hdc, sl st in next ch-2 loop) 5 times. End off.
Fasten flower to hat in desired position.
Use bedspread-weight crochet cotton and size 1 metal hook.
RND 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 1st ch. Do not join but work in continuing rounds.
RND 2: 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.
RND 3: (1 sc in next sc, ch 2, skip next sc) 6 times.
RND 4: (2 sc in next loop, ch 2) 6 times.
RND 5: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next ch-2 loop, ch 2) 6 times. 3 sc in fan.
RND 6: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next ch-2 loop, ch 2) 6 times. 4 sc in fan.
RND 7: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next ch-2 loop, ch 2) 6 times. 5 sc in each fan.
RND 8: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next ch-2 loop, ch 2) 6 times. 6 sc in each fan. You should have 6 fans around. End.
Make another section exactly the same way. Do not end off at the end of round 8 but begin to fasten the two sections together. Place wrong sides together with fans matching and join around in sc, leaving opening the width of one fan. Make a handle of 10 ch stitches and fasten to each edge of opening. Attach to doll’s arm.
So, I’ve learned that in the 1970s ugly, hurtful stereotypes were perpetrated by sweet, little old ladies.
However, modern society isn’t perfect, either. Remember those new ethnically diverse Barbies from Mattel? Five out of six of them have straight hair. Mattel claims that little girls don’t want to play with short curly hair, even if their own happens to be short and curly.
Use bedspread-weight crochet cotton in desired color and size 1 metal hook.
ROW 1: Begin at waistline of skirt. Ch 25, turn, 1 sc in each ch across, ch 1, turn – 24 sc.
ROW 2: (1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. Do not turn but join in beginning sc of row to form circle. All following work of skirt is done in rounds.
RND 3: 1 sc in each sc around – 30 sc.
RND 4: (1 sc, ch 2, skip next sc, 1 sc in next sc) around, join with sl st to beginning sc. You should have 15 ch-2 loops.
RND 5: Sl st into next ch-2 loop, 2 sc in same loop, (ch 2, 2 sc in next loop) around, end with ch 2.
RND 6: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next loop, ch 2) around.
RND 7-11: Repeat round 6.
RND 12: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next loop, ch 2) around.
RND 13: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in next 2 sc, 1 sc in next loop, ch 2) around.
RNDS 14-18: Repeat round 13.
RND 19: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next loop, ch 2) around.
RND 20: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc, 1 sc in next loop, ch 2) around.
RNDS 21-25: Repeat round 20.
RND 26: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next loop, ch 2) around.
RND 27: (Skip next sc, 1 sc in next 4 sc, 1 sc in next loop, ch 2) around.
RNDS 28-33: Repeat round 27. End off. 5 sc in each fan – 15 fans.
Thankfully, others are busting black stereotypes in spectacular ways. Like Loanne Hizo Ostlie, who takes Barbies and makes them into Afrocentric works of art.
I can’t imagine any child complaining that this Barbie’s hair isn’t brushable!BODICE: ROW 1: Attach thread to left back edge of skirt, 1 sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn each row – 24 sc.
ROW 2: (1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times – 30 sc.
ROW 3: (1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times – 36 sc.
ROW 4: (1 sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 4 times – 40 sc.
ROW 5-9: 1 sc in each sc across – 40 sc. End off.
TIES AND BELT: Make 2 ties to be fastened to neck edges in back. Ch 10 for each tie (or sew on snap fasteners if preferred). For belt, make 100 chain stitches. Thread this chain through waist-line. Wrap around doll’s waist and tie as desired.
At least he’s not as wall-eyed as his girlfriend. I’m not sure about the Po’ Boy hat, though. Was it a racist stereotype? Or just late 70s trendy?
Use bedspread-weight crochet cotton and size 1 hook.
ROW 1: Begin at waist. Ch 26, turn, 1 sc in each ch, ch 1, turn – 25 sc.
ROWS 2-4: 1 sc in each sc, ch 1, turn – 25 sc.
ROW 5: (1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times, ch 1, turn – 30 sc.
ROW 6: 1 sc in each sc, ch 1, turn – 30 sc.
ROW 7: (1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times, ch 1, turn – 36 sc.
ROW 8: 1 sc in each sc, ch 1, turn – 36 sc.
ROW 9: (1 sc in each of next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 4 times, ch1, turn – 40 sc.
ROW 10: 1 sc in each sc, ch 1, turn – 40 sc.
ROW 11: 1 sc in each sc; do not ch or turn at end of row but join with sl st in 1st sc of row, thereby forming a circle.
RND 12: Ch 1, 1 sc in same st with sl st, 1 sc in each of remaining 39 sc – 40 sc.
RNDS 13-16: 1 sc in each sc around – 40 sc.
Begin crotch and right leg: Ch 5, remove hook from stitch, skip next 19 sc and insert hook in next sc, draw loop through.
RND 1 (Right Leg): 1 sc in next 19 sc, 1 sc in each of 5 chains of crotch – 24 sc.
NEXT 53 RNDS: 1 sc in each sc around – 24 sc. NOTE: The number of rows may vary, so check the length. When the correct length is reached, end off.
LEFT LEG: Attach thread to 1st free sc and complete the same as for right leg. End off. Sew snap fasteners to waist.
Or is this male doll intended to resemble Huggy Bear from the classic 70s TV series, Starsky and Hutch?
But was Huggy Bear a racist stereotype? Or just late 70s trendy?
Or both?
Materials are the same as for trousers.
ROW 1: Begin at bottom with ch 31, turn 1 sc in each ch – 30 sc. Ch 1, turn.
ROWS 2-5: 1 sc in each sc – 30 sc. Ch 1, turn.
ROW 6: (1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times, ch 1, turn – 36 sc.
ROWS 7-10: 1 sc in each sc – 36 sc.
ROW 11: (1 sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 4 times, ch 1, turn – 40 sc.
ROWS 12-14: 1 sc in each sc, ch 1, turn – 40 sc.
ROW 15: Begin upper back sections. 1 sc in 1st 8 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROWS 16-19: 1 sc in each of 8 sc, ch 1, turn – 8 sc.
ROW 20: Begin back shoulder. 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROWS 21-22: 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROW 23: 1 sc in each of next 5 sc. End off.
Begin second upper back section. Join with sc to 1st sc of row 14 and work the same as for rows 15-23 of first back section. End off.
Upper front and shoulder sections:
ROW 1: With right side of row 14 facing you, skip the first four free sc on this row and join thread to next sc with a sc, 2 sc in next 15 sc of row 14, ch 1, turn.
ROWS 2-6: 1 sc in each of 16 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROW 7: Begin first front shoulder section. 1 sc in 1st 5 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROWS 8-9: 1 sc in each of 5 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROW 10: q sc in each of 5 sc. End off.
I have another confession to make. When I was a kid growing up in the 70s, Huggy Bear was the very epitome of cool. I’d have loved a Huggy Bear doll.Begin second front shoulder section:
Just so long as he wasn’t wearing bright red lipstick. Huggy wasn’t down with the cross-dressing scene, man.
ROW 1: With right side of row 6 of upper front section facing you, join with sc in 1st sc of this row, 1 sc in next 4 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROWS 2-3: 1 sc in each of 5 sc, ch 1, turn.
ROW 4: 1 sc in each of 5 sc. End off.
SLEEVES: RND 1: Join with sc at bottom of sleeve opening and make 23 sc evenly spaced around.
RNDS 2-6: 1 sc in each sc around – 23 sc.
RND 7: Dec 3 sc evenly spaced around, 1 sc in other sc – 20 sc.
RND 8: 1 sc in each sc around – 20 sc.
RND 9: (1 sc in 3 sc, dec 1) 4 times – 16 sc.
RND 10: 1 sc in each sc around – 16 sc. End off.
FINISHING EDGES OF SHIRT: Join with sc to top of one back edge, make sc evenly spaced down this side, across bottom edge, up other back edge, around neck edge to beginning, ch 1, turn. 1 sc in each sc of neck edge, decreasing 2 sc across front edge of neck evenly spaced, ch 1, turn, and in each sc make 1 sc across neck edge but dec 1 at each back edge and 2 dec across front neck edge evenly spaced. End off. Sew snap fasteners to back opening edges to fasten.
Check it out! Huggy Bear actually had his own action figure! It even looks a little bit like Antonio Fargas.
If he gained about 20 pounds. Mostly in his face.
Use bedspread-weight crochet cotton in desired color, size 1 hook.
RNDS 1-4: Same as for head.
RND 5: (1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times – 36 sc.
RND 6: (1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times – 42 sc.
RND 7: (1 sc in each of next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times – 48 sc.
RND 8: Working in outer loops of stitches (for this round only), 1 sc in each sc around – 48 sc.
RND 9: (1 sc in each of next 6 sc, dec 1) 6 times – 42 sc.
RND 10: (1 sc in each of next 5 sc, dec 1) 6 times – 36 sc.
ROW 11: Begin bill of cap. Sl st in next sc, ch 1, turn, working in inner loops (for this row only), (1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc) twice, sl st in next sc, ch 1, turn.
ROW 12: Dec 1, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc, dec 1, ch 1, turn – 14 sc.
ROW 13: 2 dec, 1 sc in each of next 6 sc, 2 dec, ch 1, turn – 10 sc.
ROW 14: 2 dec, 2 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 dec – 10 sc.
LAST RND: Do not end off at end of row 14 but make a row of sc around entire edge of cap. There should be 24 sc around the back of cap and about 15 sc evenly spaced around edge of bill. End off.
Just don’t let this new wardrobe attack your naked dolls!
I will not be providing a printable pattern for these dolls. However, unlike the Mammy and Pappy dolls, I think this pattern could be rehabilitated, and that these fashion dolls still have the potential to be terrific toys. Just don’t give them big red lips and white rolling eyes! Opal thought these features were cute, but they’re just plain hurtful.
On a more practical note, I suggest skipping their noses entirely, because tiny red nostrils just don’t make any sense at all.
Unless these dolls were breathing fire, which would be completely understandable under the circumstances.
Posts
aah, Crochet World (they certainly had some weird patterns) --check out the cover you posted and the listed item "Scalloped *Boarder* Table Mats." haha
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm hot on the trail of typos, what's a "pope cleaner?" (in the instructions). I don't even want to imagine (and, I suspect, neither does His Holiness) ;p
I have to admit that as a child, I hated the black dolls, because their faces and coloring didn't match, nor did their coloring resemble anything vaguely natural. They were more purplish-brown than anything else. It wasn't until I was about 19 that they started making dolls with skin tones that resembled my own, and then my now-husband bought me my first ever black barbie :) She looked like me, and I loved her.
ReplyDeleteSpeckled Hen - you've just got to love Crochet World, don't you? Oh, and thanks for the heads up on "pope cleaner"! I've now got hilarious visions of a poor downtrodden pope cleaner, along the same lines as the piss boy in Mel Brooks "History of the World".
ReplyDelete"Oh, pope cleaner!" ;-)
Cambria - I used to hate both clowns and mimes for much the same reason. Their faces were too white and unnatural. It's definitely unsettling to see something so weird, and even more so when everyone is telling you you're supposed to like it. So I can completely understand your reaction to the black dolls!
Wow - I'm with you about those dolls being a bit stereotypical - my goodness!
ReplyDeleteFunny though, I thought the same thing you did about the male doll the second I saw it. I also thought of Huggy Bear !
Disneypal - I'm seriously considering making myself some cool Starsky, Hutch and Huggy Bear dolls. I think the leggy look would really suit both Huggy and Hutch.
ReplyDeleteHi-
ReplyDeleteI am newly discovering your blog. I especially think your entries are funny, witty and highly interesting. I am an African -American woman and I believe that talking about history, even art in a social context, is so important. Talking about it is important. You are very open-minded and I enjoyed your entries.
I also want to say that I did not even know about the pretty Mattel So In Style Dolls. I immediately checked them out and they are a classy bunch. I think it's great! I plan on ordering some for my daughters. Progress is not for dreamers alone!
Hi, Tonya!
ReplyDeleteSorry for being so tardy in replying. I get tunnel vision every time the 3-Day Novel contest approaches.
I'm thrilled to read that you enjoyed this post, and even more thrilled that I could help find some new dolls for your daughters. I hope they enjoy playing with them!
Opal Kicrease is my Grandmother. I think you're way off base. The flat nose and wide lips were just the limitations of working in yarn, not a very detailed medium.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to argue that black dolls shouldn't have had negroid features in the 70's, but they should now.
Nevertheless, your characterization that "bright red lips, flat noses and big white-rimmed eyes, were appalling racist stereotypes." is simply not true. In fact, I believe I probably still have some dolls Grandma gave my children in the 70's (black and white) with the same pattern.
The eyes, the lips, and the nose were just the limitations of crochet, as opposed to, for example, a pen and ink drawing.
I'm surprised you didn't get all huffy that these dolls don't have fingers. Is that somehow racist?
Grandad died in the hospital in Springfield, Missouri shortly before this article appeared.
Your "no blacks in the hospital" scenario is pure fantasy. There were plenty of blacks there. I was there.
Grandma was never a racist. She is still living in Springfield in her 90's. She remarried and goes by a new name now.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I can certainly understand why you're upset by this post. It may be that we don't agree regarding what constitutes racist stereotypes, and whether or not they can be perpetuated unknowingly. However, I am very glad to hear your experience of hospitals in the U.S. during that time was different from my relative May. I'm also glad to hear that Opal is alive and happily married in her 90s! That's wonderful to hear, especially as the original article made it clear that she's a generous, creative and savvy lady.
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