[NipomoNan]

In my former life, I designed and knit stockings for doll makers or collectors of Victorian dolls. I preferred to knit them rather than crochet them, but found that crochet thread was the most authentic-looking thread to use. Most were lace patterns I found in Barbara Walker's Treasuriy books. I liked DMC's Cebelia 20 and Inox needles sizes 00 to 0000, depending on the size of doll and the particular stitch pattern. It was a little awkward at first, but as it is with other needles, you soon adapt and soon it is no different than larger needles. For larger items, crochet thread like -#10 can be carried double and knit with #4 needles and looks great.

 

[NipomoNan]

Shrinking was never high on the list of things to consider in making doll clothes, mainly because I didn't think much about their being washed or coming in contact with really hot water! I think the idea of 2 swatches...1 of the blanket yarn and 1of the lace border thread is a very good one. You will want to make the swatches as close as perfectly equal as possible, or even better, knit a piece of blanket WITH the border lace attached as it would be in the real thing. My money is on the side of it shrinking so little as to be un-noticeable. Nancy L.