Edwardian outfit for crochet Bleuette

With a basic crochet pattern you can do just about anything.  The Edwardian dress being modeled by Kittie Bleuette and Ruby Grace is based on the Simple Bleuette dresses you can find on this blog and right here:

Simple Bleuette Dresses

I made the drop waist dress, added long sleeves with a puffed cap, and altered the color scheme.  I needed to add an additional four rows to the bodice, which just goes to show you need to fit check whenever you crochet; or, at least I do :-)

The hat is from an Annies Attic collection of designer shoes, hats, and bags that I've had for years; Annies Miniature Shoe Society.   It is out of print, but if you do a Google search, you may be able to find a used copy.

The boots are based on crochet Bleuette's Mary Jane shoe pattern.  I added several rows to the top of the shoe, using two colors to make the boot.

See what fun you can have using the basic patterns and creating your own amazing fashions.  Enjoy the crochet!

Are you Sher-Locked?

So the question is, are you Sher-Locked??  I know I am :-)  I've fallen in love with the BBC's latest incarnation of that unparalleled detective intellect, Sherlock Holmes.

But this isn't an advert for the show (even though it sounds like one), but a sharing of my interpretation of Sherlock, in crochet and knit. 

Crochet Sherlock

I used the crochet Bleuette pattern for the basic doll, modifying it just slightly:  two extra rows in the torso, one extra row in the thigh, and remove two stitches from the buttocks.  I chose Vanna's Choice Baby in lamb for his pale skin, and purchased a wig from Antina's Doll Supply. 

Sherlock's shirt and pants are crocheted in size 10 crochet cotton, his scarf is knit in size 10 Cebelia #931 (steel blue).  His overcoat is knit in Vanna's Choice dark grey heather, and the shoes are crochet in size 3 crochet cotton.

I painted his acrylic eyes metallic silver, but left the mouth unstitched (no way to capture those amazing lips).   I like the drape that knitting gives his coat, and it was quite simple, just squares and the smallest  bit of shaping.

Heartstring goodness

One of my favorite ways to make outfits for dolls is to crochet a bodice, then attach a fabric skirt.  Here are three dresses, using a basic crochet bodice.  The fabric skirt is cut 12 inches by 3 3/4 inches.  Narrow zig-zag around all four edges.  Press under 1/4 inch on the short sides and 1/2 inch on one long edge for the hem.  A good trick:  dampen the fabric before pressing and your pressed edges will be nice and sharp.

Sew two rows of gathering stitches on the other long side and pull up to match the bottom edge of the bodice.  Hand stitch the bodice to the skirt using a loose backstitch in the bodice color.  I finish the hem by blanket stitching along the bottom, then crochet a decorative border into the blanket stitches.  This is a nice way to showcase a lovely piece of fabric, and I find crochet bodices a LOT easier to make for a small doll than a sewn one.  In fact, the fabric on the far left was a gift from Victoria, and made up into a lovely princess frock :-)

I very slightly modified my Riley knit cardigan sweater for my Heartstring Mari.  This one is knit from size 10 crochet cotton on size 1 needles; about a small as I want to get :-)

Heartstring knit cardigan

It is a cold and snowy day here; perfect for a bit of knit or crochet; enjoy!