By Lina Lee Warnke

La Befana, an 18” good little witch from Italy was sweeping her house the night the wise men came by with presents for the Baby Jesus, so the legend goes.

Later, broom still in hand, La Befana set out to catch up with them, but lost her way. She has never found the wise men, Bethlehem, or the BAMBINO. Every year show goes through Italy, searching, leaving presents for the good children on her way. Italian boys and girls eagerly await La Befana, writing letters and lists for their presents. On January 6, their stockings are filled by La Befana. Excerpted from the book Festive Breads of Christmas by Norma Jost Voth.

Simplicity of design in this pattern will allow you to easily create a bewitching, cloth decorator doll steeped in the holiday folk lore of Italy.