Christmas Crochet

This darling gang of Owlishly patterns (and a small snail from Ana Paula Rimoli) are Christmas gifts for my nieces and nephews. I usually start crocheting for Christmas in July, so I don't have to rush at the end of the year. Kids get toys, and adults get scarves and ponchos. Of course, if I'm in the mood, adults get toys too :-)




Almost all of the Christmas crocheting is done, which means that now I can turn my attention back to making more Free Spirit dolls.

My next project is two Free Spirits from Edwardian times. The plan is to create a basic dress pattern, then see how many different looks can be created from this. I will share the pattern, then hope for some neat variations from all of you.

Helene's Free Spirit

Helene has made a wonderful Free Spirit doll; I love her pink combinations and blue hair. Helene did not have any acrylic eyes, so she embroidered hers; lovely work :-)

Enid and her Snail

Joyce has done it again. I think Enid is irresistible, especially with her escargot!

Wonderful Fabric-Covered Boxes

My dear friend Bev commissioned these three dolls for her Granddaughters for Christmas. After she received them, she went to work making each doll a wonderful box in which to keep all her gear, and the doll as well.

With bright fabrics and pockets for flowers or little owls, these fabric covered boxes are an absolute delight. The child in me (never far from the surface) claps her hands with joy :-)

The girls are, from left to right, Rose, Iris, and Lavender. Such lucky dolls, and such lucky Granddaughters!

A Better Bear

I have a crochet pattern I would like to share with you; it is my 'Better Bear' pattern, because it took so many iterations to get it just the way I wanted it. In the picture above, the larger bears are about 3 1/2" tall; the smaller bears are about 1 1/4 " tall. I've had this pattern around for several years. I love to make these little bears as gifts, or as toys for other dolls, as with Lavender to the rigtht here :-)

The tiny bears may make you go blind trying to crochet them; they are made from size 10 crochet cotton and a size 7 hook. I only made three...that was enough for me! The larger bears are from sportweight, and are really quite easy. Of course, you can use any weight yarn with the appropriate hook. Crochet nice and tight so none of the stuffing shows.

Enjoy the bears! The pattern is here:

A Better Bear

Annabelle

Here is another wonderful Free Spirit, made by Diane, named Annabelle. Diane designed her dress, and even made little slippers to go with it. I love the yarn she used for hair, and the colors are great!

And check out her wonderful underwear; isn't this just lovely?!

You can see more pictures of Annabelle, and her neat slippers, and other lovely crochet work, at Diane's photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23868323@N06/

More Free Spirits!

Aren't they wonderful?! This trio of Free Spirits were made by Joyce, and I just love them. Showing off their bendy legs and sassy attitudes, and their terrific hairstyles :-)

I am so loving seeing this pattern interpreted by other wonderful dollmakers. If you make a doll from the pattern, please let me know and, as you can tell, I will happily post her (or them!) here.

You can see more pictures of the girls, and other great crochet and embroidery, at Joyce's photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41627508@N06/

Look What You Can Do!

This wonderful interpretation of the Free Spirit was done by Ellen Haytas. She crocheted the doll with size 3 crochet cotton and a size 1 steel hook. Azure by name, turned out to be about 7 inches tall. Her hair is Tibetan lambswool, isn't it simply amazing!

This demonstrates the wonderful versatility of any doll pattern. Free Spirit can be just about any doll you want her to be. A little boy, a fairy, a Raggedy Ann (I've seen one of those!), a crochet Blythe, whatever! With yarn and a hook you can soon have a roomful of inspiration.

Another Free Spirit!

Here is another darling doll made from the free Free Spirit Amigurumi doll pattern. The pattern is available on this site; scroll down or find in it July posts.

This lovely girl was made by Cathy (Marycat at Crochetville). Don't you love the ponytails?! I think she is just precious. Thank-you Cathy, for letting me share her with everyone.