Very often people like a design which is made in 1:6th scale and ask if it can be adapted for smaller scales, such as 1:12th scale or 1:24th scale or if a man’s jumper can be adapted to fit a lady doll.
Some adaptations are fairly simple, for example if the 1:6th scale pattern calls for 2.00 mm (UK size 14/US size 0) and 3-ply or 4-ply yarn (US Light Fingering or Fingering yarn) then for 1:12th scale use 1.00mm (UK size 19/US size 00000) knitting needles and 1-ply yarn or for 1:24th scale use 0.50 mm (UK size 24/US size 00000000) and No 80 crochet cotton or No 70 Tatting thread.
As you can see the metric needle size is halved for each size smaller, the same applies to the yarn thickness.
Halving the needle size will work on other 1:6th scale patterns using 1.50 mm needles and 2-ply yarn/No 10 or 12 crochet cotton (it will not work for thinner crochet cotton) – use UK size 22/0.70 mm/US 000000 and No 80 crochet cotton or No 70 Tatting thread for 1:12th scale and UK size 28/0.38 mm and No 100 crochet thread or standard cotton sewing thread for 1:24th scale.
Things to be aware of if scaling down patterns
1. Some fashion dolls (1:6th scale) do not have true human body proportions and have slightly longer arms and bodies so you may need to work a few less rows on the sleeves and upper body of the garment.
2. We are not able to advise how much yarn you will require to knit items in smaller scales, this will have to be determined by trial and error.
3. Remember like humans, dolls house dolls come in all shapes and sizes, so if your knitting doesn’t fit one doll, it may well fit another
Adapting patterns to fit different genders
In the same way patterns designed for male dolls may be adapted to fit female dolls by knitting the garment as shown in the pattern, using the SAME yarn stated in the pattern, but using needles one to two sizes SMALLER. Patterns designed for female dolls can be enlarged by using the SAME yarn stated in the pattern, but using needles one to two sizes LARGER.