I've finished the hair now - but it's too late and too dark to take a picture!
This is definitely a more time consuming method, and it takes about 6 times more hair than the method I used to use.... but the result is a very full head of hair that can be played with - plaited, tied up, unplaited, styled without limit. Though it takes several hours.
Anyway, this is a new technique to me, I'm not really a crocheter (new word...) more of a knitter, so I had to look up the stitch names before I could start. Fortunately when I was googling crochet hook sizes to convert the American sizes given to the European metric sizes I'm familiar with I also found out then the names for American and British stitches vary too. This cap was crochet with a 5 mm hook (American 'h') and double knitting wool using a half treble stitch (American half double).
With this method a skull cap is crocheted first, then each strand of yarn attached individually. I found very useful information, very kindly, and freely available at www.dancingraindolls.com As my doll is differently shaped I had to adapt the instructions a little to make a cap that fitted, the first one was a little bit too big, and didn't curve around the head well enough, but a little unravelling and the second attempt seems to be pretty good.
Pattern (for my memory):
Make 4ch. Join with a ss to top of turning ch.
1st round. Work 8 htr into centre of ring. Join with a ss to top of turning ch.
2nd round. Work turning ch as necessary (htr = 2ch) and once more into st at base of turning ch and then twice into every st to end (16 st). Join with a ss to top of turning ch.
3rd round. Work turning ch and one more htr into same place (work once into next st, twice into next st) to end (24 st). Join with a ss to top of turning ch.
4th round. (Beginning to shape). Work turning ch and one more st into same place. (work once into next three sts, twice into next (4th) st) repeat to end. Join with a ss to top of turning ch.
5th round. (Beginning to shape). Work turning ch and one more st into same place. (work once into next four sts, twice into next (5th) st) repeat to end. Join with a ss to top of turning ch.
6th round. (Beginning to shape). Work turning ch and one more st into same place. (work once into next five sts, twice into next (6th) st) repeat to end. Join with a ss to top of turning ch.
7th round. (Beginning to shape). Work turning ch and one more st into same place. (work once into next six sts, twice into next (7th) st) repeat to end. Join with a ss to top of turning ch.
Cast off.
I shaped this cap onto the head, pulling it in or out to make a hairline, then sewed it on with cotton thread before starting to latch on the individual lengths of yarn. Another time I may add the 'hairs' before attaching the cap to the head so that it will be easier to attach the yarn to the outside edge of the cap. This has resulted in a very full head of hair - I like the look of it. Now I can understand why those waldorf dolls are expensive - they are very time consuming to make. Still, it was an enjoyable type of make, rather than one of those frustrating, wanting to throw the project out the window type of ones.... ;-)
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