The knitting lesson

Jane Ann, from a free knit pattern from Jean Greenhowe

When I was a kid, I asked an Aunt of mine to teach me to knit.  She tried, but gave up in exasperation, telling me it was 'just too hard for you to learn.'

Well, those words stayed with me for 45 years, until a good friend of mine, Tomi Jane, became interested (this is putting it mildly)  in Helen Kish's dolls, including the delightful knits that you talented knitters create for these sweet dolls.   I too have been in awe of tiny, perfectly knit sweaters, and yet felt this skill way beyond me.

Until now.  Tomi and I decided we would learn to knit.  This was suppose to be a New Years resolution, but I got the itch (to knit), and picked up 'Teach Yourself Visually: Knitting' from the library.   Cast on, knit, purl, increase and decrease.  All I needed to know to have a go at one of Jean Greenhowe's free doll patterns; another craving of mine.  I have loved her knit dolls for ages.  Now I have made one of my very own!

I am ecstatic with my little doll, well beyond just the making of a sweet doll.  Jane Ann is a symbol of empowerment.  We can do, we can learn, and we can create at any age.

Christmas Bazaar 2011 and a new Group!

The dolls I donated to this years High Street United Methodist Christmas bazaar, to be held tomorrow.   I hope they all find good homes :-)

I also want to share with you a new Flickr group that three of us, who love crochet dolls, have created.  It is Hooked On Dolls! and we would love to have you come and visit :-)  It is a group created especially for crochet and knit dolls, and we already have over 200 great photos.  

As always, enjoy the crochet!

Urban Trails

This week has been the most perfect of weeks.  Clear blue skies over brilliant autumn colors.  Larry and I took a 22 mile bike ride today and never left the city.  There were places along the way where it was easy to forget we were in the 14th largest city in the US.

These are days to savor and enjoy.  Life is good.

Another great Lionbrand cowl

There she is again!   Here is another great cowl pattern from Lionbrand.  This is the Supernova Cowl, crocheted from Vanna's Choice Glamour.  Glamour is a light sportweight yarn with a fine strand of metallic wrapped around the core yarn. 

This cowl made up beautifully; I wish you could see the subtle sparkle the metallic gives this look.   The cowl is 60 inches long, with the short ends crocheted or sewn together.  This yields a lot of versatility.  You can wear it long like a shawl, wrapped once or twice around your neck, or pulled up to cover your hair.   The v-stitch gives a lot of drape.  Simple and lovely to make, this will be a great Christmas gift :-)

BellaDonna Pocket Spirit

BellaDonna, a Pocket Spirit, is a commission for a friend.  It has been a bit since I've made a Pocket Spirit doll; coming back to them is like returning to an old friend.  I really love to make these little dolls :-)

She is Nightshade's sister; you can see Nightshade here.

Enjoy the crochet!

Quick for Christmas

I've been playing dolls so much, I'm way behind on my Christmas crocheting.  Thank goodness Lionbrand has 3000 free crochet and knit patterns!  This is their 'Fast and Easy Cowl,' and it is just that, and beautiful as well.  It is crocheted of Lionbrand Amazing, a light worsted weight yarn that is 53% wool, 47% acrylic. 

It was heavenly to crochet with, light and soft, and self stripes beautifully.  The cowl took 2 skeins, so it is also fairly easy on the budget. 

The reason there are four of me (one is more than enough!) is to demonstrate the different ways this can be worn.  A lovely, versatile, warm bit of wearable art :-)

Enjoy the crochet!

EEEK! A Bedbug!

Look who arrived in the mail yesterday...Bliss the Bedbug!!  From the talented April Ross; thank you so much :-)  You can follow the Bedbug antics at Martha and Jane; you will be amazed at what they get up to! 

Bliss scrambled out of that envelope and made herself right at home in my jar of wooden flowers.

I just hope she doesn't bite....

Sundress and Rompers for Kate and Nell

From the basic camisole bodice, I made a pair of rompers for Kate (aka Riley) and a sundress for Nell (aka Tulah).   Simple trim for these outfits is a (slip stitch, chain 1) in unworked loops at the waist and across the top of the bodice.  Nell's dress has three rows of these worked at the bottom of the skirt.






You can embroider on single crochet fairly easily.  I made a single spider web rose on Kate's rompers, and surrounded it with lazy daisy leaves and some  French knots.







The socks are crocheted from size 12 perle, which is pretty fine (for me, anyway) to crochet with; but the pattern is a simple one, and I used light colored thread, which helps a bunch!

The sundress/rompers pattern is here:  Sundress/Rompers and the socks are here:  Socks for Riley

One last picture I would like to share with you is from Ann, who made a set of underwear for her dear doll from the Riley camisole and pantaloons pattern.

 delightful crochet from Ann

Ann modified the bodice a bit to get a better fit.  She did a lovely job :-)

I hope you all enjoy the crochet!

My latest obsession: crochet for Kish!

These little dolls, Helen Kish's Riley (known to me as Kate), and Tulah (I call her Nell) are delightful to crochet for.   Small, but not so small that you'll go blind trying to see your crochet stitches; nicely shaped, and made of vinyl, so you don't have to worry about breaking off a finger.  Kate and Nell now have some dainty crochet underthings, always a great place to start.

Camisole Pattern

Pantaloon pattern

These sweet little dainties are crocheted with size 8 perle cotton and a size 7 steel hook.  There are three variations of pantaloons, and three variations of camisole.  Each of the camisole bodices could be the basis of a dress, sundress, rompers, t-shirt, you get the idea :-)

I have a feeling these girls are going to get a new sister, and a much bigger wardrobe!

Enjoy the crochet.