Thursday, February 26, 2015

Simply Amis

 Mignonette, 7 inches tall; Violette, 8.5 inches tall

Back to my first love, crochet dolls!  Did you know, ami is not only short for amigurumi, but is also French for friend;  Migonette and Violette are simply amis and simply friends :-)

The pattern for these two dolls borrows from crochet dolls I've made in the past.  I love the move-able head on a neck stub joint, and the swing legs that attach to the body as you are crocheting, instead of being sewn on later.

I was also inspired by the amazing crochet dolls that you can find on Pinterest.  If ever you find yourself in a creative slump, look at what the world is creating by searching Pinterest.  Lots and lots of visual inspiration.

This doll has simple limbs, and a simple face.  The pattern includes many construction images to help you.

Simply Ami's

Crochet works up so fast!  It is almost instant gratification, and these dolls really are simple.  And sweet.  And friends :-)


Coming soon, some clothing!  In the mean time, enjoy the crochet :-)

***Update 8:00pm***

A small wardrobe for Violette is now available.  Her trousseau is crocheted of Knit Picks Palette (a fingering weight wool yarn)  with a D hook

Violettes dress and cloche

Violette's Trouseau

51 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for your wonderful tutorial! The dolls are so sweet. And your tutorial has all one need! I hope to find some time to try them soon (why have I so many other projects???).

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    1. I hope you do; you will find dollmaking to be addictive :-)

      Warmly,

      Beth

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  2. I love crochet dolls and your dolls are beautiful. Your work is amazing

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  3. These dolls look so lovely, your work is such an inspiration, I can't wait to see the clothing! A big thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thank you so much! There is a clothing pattern now available. Look on the left sidebar for Simply Amis and you will see it :-)

      Warmly,

      Beth

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  4. Beth, they are adorable. I have been looking for a simple doll that could have extra clothes. Thank you

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    1. Thanks so much, Sandra! I have a simple wardrobe pattern now available; check out the left sidebar for Simply Ami's and you will see it there.

      Warmly,

      Beth

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  5. I tried to stay away from Pinterest, but just can't! And it amazes me all the images of all the amazing crochet talent out there.

    And thank you for your wonderful words. These little dolls make up fast, and are very satisfying (well, I think so!)

    Warmly,

    Beth

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  6. She is so sweet love the clothes had better get the hook and yarn out!

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    1. Typs, I LOVE your Waldorf doll, and can't wait to see what you do with this pattern :-)

      Warmly,

      Beth

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  7. Adorable dolls! Thank you for sharing your patterns, I can't wait to crochet these!

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    1. Can't wait to see what you create!!

      Warmly,

      Beth

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  8. Fabulous Violette + Migonette! Fabulous dolls, as always: fabulous you, Beth! Thanks ever so much.

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    1. Thanks so much for your good words, Ellisen!

      Warmly,

      Beth

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  9. Hello, again a beautiful little doll. I'd love to watch you go, what's new. She also crochets and knits dolls and so you seeking inspiration. I'll try them according to your instructions knit, but I have to translate it. Unfortunately I can not write in English, so using a compiler. Therefore, we apologize for any errors. I invite you for viewing my blog. Růža







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  10. These are just adorable. Thanks for sharing the pattern with us.

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  11. Have just finished a doll from your pattern and made her a dress and shoes. She is lovely, thank you so much for the great pattern.

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    1. Thank you so much for your good words :-)

      Warmly,

      Beth

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  12. I am having trouble understanding how the head is made. You start out with a chain and not a circle and every time I try it doesn't work. Is it possible to show a picture of the head in progress? The heads shown in the pattern are from bluette and her head is constructed completely different.

    Any help would be appreciated!....thanks so much!

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  13. Never mind! I think I have it now. I've never made a doll's head that began at the neck rather than at the top of the head, which is what was throwing me off. I have it going now and don't anticipate any more confusion....hopefully! LOL

    I love all your dolls! Thanks so much for sharing the patterns!

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  14. I finished Mignonette today and she's so sweet. I love her ears! I ended up gluing in the plastic eyes instead of using the backs....much easier on my fingers. They seem to be very solid. I'm working on a little crocheted sundress for her and hope to play around with a sewn fabric dress as well. Thank you so much for the lovely pattern! I hope to make her friend Violette soon!

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    1. Linda, I'm glad to see you figured it out! And delighted that you finished your Mignonette :-) Enjoy the crochet :-)

      Warmly,

      Beth

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    2. Hi Beth, you have amazing talent. I am stumped on starting the head for simply amis? How do I make the beginning to go in rounds? Thanks for sharing this adorable pattern.

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    3. After you chain and work the sc's into the chain, you begin the next row by joining to the first sc of the first row to create a ring of 10 sc's. Now you work in round, and you have the hole in the bottom of the head for the neck stub to fit up into.

      Does this make more sense? If not, we'll have another go at it!

      Beth

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  15. I absolutely love this pattern. The movable head is great!

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    1. Thanks so much! She is my current favorite for crocheting dolls :-)

      Warmly,

      Beth

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  16. Hello,
    I just made the Simple Amis doll and it came out beautiful. I was wondering if you could show me how to make this doll in an 11 inch? I know you have other dolls that are 11 inches, but I prefer this style. Thank you. I love your site!

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    1. Well, you could try making the doll by using two strands of worsted weight yarn held together, with a slightly larger hook than is called for. Or, you could make the legs and the torso longer by adding a few rows to both.

      Hope this helps!

      Beth

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    2. Hi. I just wanted to show you how my doll came out. I added a few rows to the legs and torso and arms. Then I used your pattern for the Blueette head. I croched the clothes right on it. It came out beautiful. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100565328568990&set=pcb.1020979644607245&type=3&theater

      Thanks!

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    3. Wow!! She is simply gorgeous! I love her hair, and her warm skin color, and her outfit. Beautiful work :-)

      Warmly,

      Beth

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    4. Hi . It is me again. Sorry for bothering you with questions. I just do love this doll pattern. I am having some issues with the legs turning to one side after the body is completed. Am I doing something wrong? Here is another doll I made in an Pakistani outfit: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100568370038860&set=pcb.1024642627574280&type=3&theater

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    5. No, I don't think you are doing anything wrong...sometimes this happens with me as well. I think it is kinda cute, actually :-) You know, sometimes kids stand this way, with their feet pointed in different directions.

      Your Pakistani girl is just gorgeous! I particularly love the way you made her hair. Really wonderful work!

      Warmly,

      Beth

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  17. Hi,
    I just finished my doll, it was so fun doing this sweet doll! Thank you so much for sharing your lovely pattern...

    Wish could do the knit works too... -sigh-

    Thanks :)

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    1. I am delighted you enjoyed making Simpy Amis!

      warmly,

      Beth

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  18. This pattern is beautiful! Thank you so much. I am in the process of making dolls for Operation Christmas Child, and these are a perfect size.

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    1. What a lovely way to use this pattern; I like the size too, and the dolls are fun and easy. Enjoy!

      warmly,

      Beth

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  19. Hey there Beth!

    I really appreciate you sharing this amazing pattern with pictures to boot! Believe it or not though, I'm a little confused about the first and second row of the torso... forgive me if this isn't the place to ask. It says to keep the feet pointed at me when working in loops facing me, so I ended round one with the feet pointed the other way naturally. Then for row two, it says the increases make the butt, but then the butt would be on the same side the feet are pointed on! What am I doing wrong? Many thanks :)

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    1. Hi Tee Squared,

      The important thing to do here to make sure the feet both point in the same direction, and that the butt is on the opposite side that the feet are pointed in. So, work the butt increases on the side opposite the feet...hopefully that makes some sense.

      Beth

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  20. Hello! I love your doll pattern so much. I was looking around for a base and fell in love when I saw this one. But I'm a little confused about round 2 on the torso. Hoping you might be able to clear up my confusion!

    Row 1 for the torso ends with 24 stitches. Row 2 is SC in the next two sc (2sc in the next sc) three times, sc in the next 2 sts (2sc in the next st) three times, sc in the remaining 14 sts.

    If I do the first two steps listed, I've crocheted in 18 sts and I only have 6 sts remaining, not 14. But I DO end with the 30 sts it says I should have. On the same note, if I do that, it seems like some of the increases happen at the front of the doll and it sounds like it should only be at the back to shape the butt (12 sts on the backside from the previous row, increases happen across 18 sts). I feel like an idiot for struggling with this part so much since obviously tons of people have made their dolls without issue, but hoping you might help clear it up for me if possible!

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    1. Hi Mehri,

      You have the right idea that the increases are in the back to shape the butt. If you "sc in the first two sc, then (2sc in the next sc) three times, sc in the next two stitches, then (2sc in the next sc) three times, you have actually crocheted into 10 stitches from row 1, not 18 stitches, so you really do have 14 more stitches to complete row 2.

      I hope this helps. The (2sc in the next sc) three times means you have stitched a total of six sc, but you have used up only three sc from the previous row. Does this make sense?

      Good luck! If you need more help, just comment and I will try to make it clearer :-)

      warmly,

      Beth

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    2. Hi Beth,

      Yes! It does. I now realize I was totally misreading the pattern and ignoring the parentheses. So I was attempting to repeat too many of the stitches. Not sure what I was thinking. I'm going to blame it on sleep deprivation.

      Just giving my fingers a little break before I continue on! :) Thanks!

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  21. I made a comment with a question about row two of the torso and not understanding the increases. I've realized that I was an idiot and reading the pattern wrong. I've been way too tired recently I think! Comment hasn't been approved yet so I can't edit it but feel free to delete/remove it along with this comment (or just don't worry about trying to answer my question. I'm good now!)

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    1. Hi Mehri,

      You are NOT an idiot; we all have times where the written word just doesn't quite compute. Good for you to have figured it out :-)

      warmly,

      Beth

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  22. I tried out the smaller Ami using a 4mm hook just last week and was surprised to find that she took me just 13 hours to complete. I'm going to be making loads of different Amis for my older god children and also a few for myself. Thank you for such an amazing and easy to follow pattern. PS. I've only been crocheting about a year so still a beginner :)

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    1. Thank you so much for the good words! This is one of my favorite patterns, and I am delighted it has given you joy :-)

      warmly,

      Beth

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