Sunday, January 31, 2016

Petite Paul, a Lalylala mini modification

I have fallen under the spell of Lydia Tresselt's, aka Lalylala's, patterns.  However, I like smaller dolls, so I took Paul the Toadstool and modified the pattern to create Petite Paul :-)  If you purchase Paul the Toadstool, you can easily make Petite Paul; the modification pattern is not a stand-alone.

Petite Paul Modifications

Petite Paul has the same sweet body shape, with a move-able head.

From this basic modification, I made Poppy, Paul's partner in mischief and best friend :-)


Poppy wears a removable pinafore, which is quite easy to make.  The bodice is worked side-to-side with fingering weight yarn and a size D crochet hook.  Chain 11, sc in the second chain from the hook and each chain across.  Work for 34 rows.   The bodice follows the same basic design as all of my crochet camisoles, so with this basic information, you can make your own for Petite Poppy.

For the skirt, I used a pattern from the Harmony Guide for Crochet.  You can use any pattern you like to make the skirt.  I crocheted some flowers to adorn the pinafore, and her simple hat, which is from on of the other Lalylala patterns.

Lydia's patterns are a wonderful platform for your own creativity.  I highly recommend them as they are well written, and have given me hours and hours of enjoyable crochet :-)

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

More Wild Things

Little foxes eyes so bright,
Little foxes prowl the night,
Little foxes softly creep
On silent feet.

Little foxes in the cold,
Little foxes brave and bold,
Little foxes run from man
Fast as you can!

Squinty Fox pattern by Genuine Mudpie5-23-2023 Sadly no longer available

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Adelaide and Little Alice

I know the Lalylala patterns by Lydia Tresselt have been around for a while, but in the last week they have completely captivated me.  Adelaide, from Lalylala's Kira pattern, is my first doll.   The pattern is extremely well written, and the doll has such an endearing quality.

I crocheted Adelaide and little Alice from Knit Picks Palette yarn with a size 1 steel hook (close to a B hook, 2.25mm).  Adelaide is 10 inches tall, and Alice is 2 1/2 inches.  I gave Adelaide some soft brown braids with worsted mohair yarn, and had fun with colors; the perfect antidote for grey winter days!

Adelaide also has a move-able head; something that is easy to do with any crochet doll that has the head made separately from the torso.  Any doll can be done this way.  Below is a quickie picture tutorial of the process:


Just modify the torso to create a neck stub, and when stuffing the head leave a cavity for this neck stub to fit up into.  It is as simple as that, and creates a charming movement to the doll, and preserves the nice round shape of the head.

I think Adelaide needs some friends!

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Wild Things


In Northern forests cold and clear
Beneath a midnight sun
There is an ancient magic near;
A race of spellbound twilight deer,
A whisper on the mind.

In human form and fair of face
They shed their deerskin self
And beckon with a fairy grace,
To follow to a primal place,
And loose your human form.

Aurora Fawn and Balin

Aurora Fawn is from my Simply Ami pattern, with borrowed antlers and ears from the pattern Rudy-the-Reindeer by Tales of Twisted Fibers.  Her companion Balin is from the pattern Sherman the Deer by Snugglme Stitches.  Both of these delightful patterns are free :-)

Aurora's dress is knit from my Knits for tiny Ami's pattern, with a simple Fair Isle tree motif.

Happy New Year!