Poppy, a modified Lily Sugar&Cream doll

Poppy, a crochet doll based on the Lily Sugar&Cream free doll pattern.  I used Vanna's Choice for her body, and wool single ply yarn to embroider her short hair; reminiscent of a young Audrey Hepburn :-)

Leg joint technique is courtesy Dutzie, and she (the doll) also has a move-able head.  You can find tutorials for  both these techniques on the left sidebar of this blog, under "Tutorials by Joyce," and 'Tutorials."

I didn't like the directions for the jacket in the Sugar&Cream instructions, so I made up one as I went along.  And, I knit her a sleeveless blouse, instead of crocheting the blouse on her; I've always loved dolls with remove-able clothes :-)

This is a great basic pattern to make as is, or to modify with your own special techniques.  Enjoy the day, and enjoy the crochet!

Primrose joins the Lily Gang :-)

If you think these dolls are fun to make, you're right!  They will make delightful Christmas gifts for the little girls on my list.  Primrose is the latest of the Lily Gang, with her move-able head and nifty knee joints.  Tutorials for both of these techniques are on the blog; look for 'Tutorials,' and 'Tutorials by Joyce.'  The basic doll pattern can be found on the Lily Sugar&Cream website:

Lilly Yarnspiration doll

Enjoy the crochet!

Pepper!

Pepper is another doll created from the free Lily Sugar&Cream pattern, with some modifications :-)  She has Joyce's great knee joints, and her head is move-able.  You can find both of these techniques on the blog...look along the left sidebar for "Tutorials," and "Tutorials by Joyce."

I used Vanna's Choice yarn in beige for most of her body.  I really like the way this yarn works up for crochet (and knit) dolls.  Her lower legs and her clothing are Sugar&Cream yarn.  Her hair is a dreamy tencel/wool blend from Berroco called Lustra.  It made heavenly ringlets :-)

Enjoy the crochet!

Petunia, another Lily Sugar&Cream doll

Petunia says welcome to summer!  Even though summer is still a week away, it is hot and dry like a perfect summer day.

Petunia is another doll based on the free Lily Sugar&Cream pattern, with jointed neck, and jointed legs courtesy of Joyce (aka Dutzie).  The vivid magenta and lime green of my petunias and sweet-potato vine suggested the colors, and the mis-matched style was inspired by a doll I recently saw (at Michaels) called Little MissMatch. 

There is nothing easier or sweeter than to sit down with a ball of yarn and a hook, and find that a few hours later you've created a companion of your very own. 

Inspiration

Larry and I were riding our bicycles in the park a few days ago, and I saw the cutest little girl, on her way to the library (which shares space in our local park).  Her skin was the color of dark chocolate, and her hair was braided into two French braid pigtails.  She was about five, so someone took a loving amount of time to carefully braid the hair of an active and no doubt fidgety little girl :-)

I really wanted to capture this child in a doll!  My creative muse has been on an extended vacation, and I've been a bit aimless without it.  Seeing this child was the spark I've been waiting for, apparently.  That, and a look through Joyce's (that's Dutzie to those of you in the Flickrverse) Lily dolls.  She has taken this free pattern offered by Lily Sugar&Cream and created the most wonderful crochet dolls.  Take a look here:

Joyce's Lily Doll photostream

Thus Kenya was born, from a child glimpsed in the park and the inspiration of a friend.  Kenya has a jointed head, based on this tutorial:

Simple Move-able Neck Jointing

And knee joints based on this tutorial by Joyce:

Ball Jointed Arms and Legs

The basic body is from the Lily Sugar&Cream site, which requires you to register, but this is free.

Lilly Yarnspiration doll

Kenya is a nice size, just under 12 inches tall, and the Lily site has a number of outfits for this doll, crocheted from Lily Sugar&Cream cotton yarn.  I used Vanna's Choice in chocolate for the doll, and Sugar&Cream for her dress and sweater.

You can see what a sweet handful she is, and how pose-able :-)

Enjoy the day, and enjoy the crochet!