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!

Dainty Doll Undies

My Christmas gift to myself this year was this adorable, affordable, collectible doll sculpted by Dianna Effner.

Her name is Mari, and she is 8 1/4 inches tall.  She is quality vinyl with a beautifully painted face and lovely  body shape.  Mari had been borrowing outfits from my Kish dolls, but now I've made her her very own undies!   Here is the pattern, for camisole, long pantaloons, and shorter undies:

Heartstring Undies

The camisole top would make a wonderful bodice for a dress, with either a crochet or fabric skirt (my next project!), and the camisole could be attached to the pantaloons to make a romper type outfit.  The pantaloons could be lengthened for pants, shortened for capris; there really is a lot you can do with this simple pattern and your imagination.

Jo has just announced her 2013 dolls, which are just outstanding.  I am seriously challenged to not buy them all!

Have a lovely day, and as always, enjoy the crochet :-)

Knit sweater for Bleuette

I have been working on a commission doll for a dear friend, and in the process made up this knit raglan sleeve cardigan sweater pattern for Bleuette.  The sleeves are knit on double point (dpn) needles, then set aside as the body of of the sweater is knit on straight needles.  I used a light worsted yarn for this (Berroco Vintage) and size 2 and 3 double and  single point needles.  I found it easier, for me, to place the body and sleeves on a pair of circular needles to finish off the sweater, but straight needles will also work.

Bleuette Raglan Sweater

And here is the commission complete!

Enjoy the crochet!

New Year, New Doll, New Hope

A new doll, and a new technique, for the New Year :-)  Rory Elizabeth, a commission doll for a dear friend, is a crochet Bleuette that is also sporting move-able wrist and ankle joints, in addition to her move-able neck, knee, and elbow joints :-)

The patterns:

Move-able wrist and ankle joints

Crochet Bleuette


A New Year, a New Hope.  Maybe we can all try to be the change we would like to see in the world.  A quote often attributed to Gandhi; a paraphrase of his exact words, but something nonetheless to strive for.  More kindness, more compassion, less me-ism.

I hope you all have a New Year filled with good health and creativity!

The gift of handmade love

Three years ago my good friend Bev asked me to make three Free Spirit dolls for her Grandgirls.  It was a fun project, and even now the girls still play with their Free Spirit dolls (which is the very highest complement a dollmaker can get!).

This year, Bev asked me to make some tops for the girl's Free Spirit dolls, that she could pair up with some skirts that she would make, to give them for Christmas.  Pictured above is the wonderful gift that Bev will give her Grandgirls this year.  The skirts are all separate, so they can be mixed and matched with the tops.  And then, Bev knit each doll a sweater/cap/mitten set! 

I love everything about this gift, and I wanted to share it with you.

 The Grandgirls Free Spirit dolls

If you are interested in making the mittens for your own dolls, the pattern is a freebie from the WEB's yarn site.  Here is a link:  doll size mittens

One last picture to share.   One of my little Bleue's went to live with Bev, and what a lucky little Bleue she is!  Bev has knit her several sweaters, caps, mittens, and the sweetest little bear muff.

 Bev's Bleue, little Beth Jane, with her snuggly knits made by Bev

Make some magic on Black Friday!

After I finish this blog post, I am going to fix myself a cup of coffee, get out my hooks, and make a little mouse (Neville the Nibbler) for one of my nephews for Christmas.   You can see him up in the left hand corner of the collage above; his pattern is under "Crochet an Outdoor Setting."  

Patterns for all of the dolls and toys pictured here are freely available on this blog.    Along the top are a mouse and turtle, a Free Spirit doll, a Crochet Bleuette, and a Basic Amigurumi Doll.  Next row is a Beagle from " Links to my Animal Patterns," and a Knit Waldorf Style Doll.  Next row is a Prairie Flower Cloth Doll and a Pocket Spirit with a simple bed made from a picture frame and wood turnings.  Along the bottom row is a Free Spirit, Mini Free Spirit, and Labrador puppy (around the Christmas tree), two Teacup Spirits, a Prairie Flower cloth doll, and a littler of Kitties.

You can find all the patterns by scrolling down the left sidebar, looking for the header, or a picture of the type of doll or toy you want to make.  Links to all of the patterns are listed there.

We can all make this Friday a creative Black Friday, and give the gift of handmade love.  It just takes a little time, and a little yarn.

However your day, have a good one!

UPDATE: Saturday 11/24/2012

Meet Neville, Ernie, and Trevor :-)

 My Black Friday Mice!

Delightful Cloth Dolls

Here is an enchanting book by Jill Hamor, filled with wonderful cloth dolls and toys.  I made Virginia about a year ago, testing Jill's pattern, which made up beautifully.  The doll has a baseball-style head, which was very popular back in the 40's and 50's, and gives a lovely shape to the face; she is 16 inches tall.  The instructions are easy to follow, and you can see the results; a perfect companion for any child.  You can find Jill's book at Amazon.

Jill's book has several patterns for both dolls and toys.  She has a simpler doll pattern, that is really dear, and a pattern for marionettes and topsy/turvey dolls.  For toys, there is a perfect Velveteen rabbit, a precious pony, and a sleepy puppy.  Something here for every child in your life (including yourself!).

Jill has a unique way of making hair for her dolls.  I've never tried it, but always loved the result she gets.  You can find Jill on her blog Bybido.  Check it out! 

Here is another great dollmaking book, available through Dover Publications, for a 14 inch storybook doll

I have to admit, I have not made a doll from this book, but the patterns look simple, and there are lots of pictures of the doll construction.  And, several color plates of finished dolls, like this:

 The author includes many accessories for this doll, including the sweet pets you see pictured here.  

So, come Black Friday, turn it into a White Friday and make the child in your life a handmade gift that they will cherish forever.