Free Doll Pattern!

My niece is turning 11 on Monday and for weeks I thought about the right gift, the best gift. I made her some butterfly hair clips (let me know if you want the pattern for these) and some ballet style slippers which I posted in the previous blog post.

At first, I thought she might not want a doll or would out grow it soon but I couldn't shake the thought that I wanted to make one for her anyway, so I did!

I found this fantastic pattern online through Pinterest.com and made some additions. It is expertly written and easy to follow so I didn't have to make any alterations. I have copied the basics below but i highly recommend going to her site on Craftster.com as she has some other amazing things to add on to the doll (the teddy bear and kitty are my favorite!).

Here is the link to the original pattern and creator:

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=174226;sa=showTopics;start=10

Here are some pictures of the doll I made for my niece with attention to the details like the jewelry and butterfly hair clip. :)

Materials:

- Yarn in various colors of your choice.
- Embroidery floss or yarn for the face.
- Sewing thread that matches the color of the yarn for the hair.
- A hook appropriate to the weight of the yarn. I personally used fingering weight yarn and

 a 2.0 mm hook, which resulted in a 8.5 inch doll.
- Yarn needle.
- Polyfill.

Note: When switching colors, the last loop you pull through the stitch before the switch 

already has to be in the new color.

Basic doll instructions

Head and body

R1: Using the skin color of your choice, make 6 sc into a ring.
R2: sc inc in next st, around (12)
R3: sc inc in next st, sc in next st, around (18)
R4: sc inc in next st, sc in next 2 st, around (24)
R5: sc inc in next st, sc in next 3 st, around (30)
R6: Work even (30)
R7: sc inc in next st, sc in next 4 st, around (36)
R8-R12: Work even (36)
R13: sc next 2 tog, sc in next 4 st, around (30)
R14: Work even (30)
R15: sc next 2 tog, sc in next 3 st, around (24)
R16: sc next 2 tog, sc in next 2 st, around (18) Stuff the head firmly. Change to the body

 color of your choice.
R17: Work even (18)
R18: sc inc in next st, sc in next 5 st, around (21)
R19-R25: Work even (21)
R26: sc next 2 tog, sc in next 5 st, around (18) Stuff firmly.
R27: sc next 2 tog, sc in next st, around (12) Stuff more.
R28: sc next 2 tog, around (6) Fasten off and weave in the end. Embroider a face 

according to your own taste, or look at the pictures for inspiration.

Legs

R1: Using the leg color of your choice, make 6 sc into a ring.
R2: sc inc in next st, around (12)
R3-R5: Work even (12)
R6: sc next 2 tog, sc in next 10 st (11)
R7: Work even (11)
R8: sc in next 5 st, sc next 2 tog, sc in next 4 st (10)
R9: Work even (10)
R10: sc in next 3 st, sc next 2 tog, sc in next 5 st (9)
R11: Work even (9)
R12: sc in next 7 st, sc next 2 tog 

R13: Work even 1 sc in each st around
R14: sc in next 2 st, sc next 2 tog, sc in next 4 st (7)
R15: Work even (7) Stuff the lower leg firmly at the bottom, and more lightly 

towards the top. The rest of the leg will be so thin, it doesn't need stuffing.
R16: sc in next 4 st, sc next 2 tog, sc in next st (6)
R17-R44: Work even (6). Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Make another leg, 

then sew both to the body.

Arms

R1: Using the skin color of your choice, make 6 sc into a ring.
R2: sc inc in next st, sc in next 2 st, around 
R3-R5: Work even  1 sc in each st around
R6: sc next 2 tog, sc in next 6 st (7)
R7: Work even (7) If neccessary, put a small amount of stuffing in the hand. The rest

 of the arm will be so thin, it doesn't need stuffing.
R8: sc in next 2 st, sc next 2 tog, sc in next 3 st (6)
R9-R22: Work even (6) Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Make another arm, 

then sew both to the body.

I really hope you like the pattern as much as I do. I think the author/creator's name on there is Wayuki.

Thanks for reading.
Love,
Mery Ann

Ballet Slipper/Heart Patterns

Hey friends!

My niece is turning 11 in less than two weeks and I wanted to make her gift something really special. I looked around for free patterns for slippers and found a great one on youtube.

Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5SBXwDPh8I&feature=relmfu

I love the chunky style and ribbon idea so I used that in a ballet slipper style and added some flare in all of my niece's favorite colors. Here is the pattern with my alterations to it. 

(All credit for the basis of the pattern goes to originator of the youtube.com video listed above. Her version of the pattern can be found on etsy.com as well.)

Hook: K/Size 10.5/6.5 MM

Use two strands of yarn from either one skein of color or two. I used two in hot pink for mine.

Tools: 
Yarn Needle
Ribbon (at least long enough to tie around the ankle)

Stitches:
SC- Single Crochet
SLST- Slip Stitch

With both strands at the same time, Chain 2.

- 9 SC in 1st chain. SLST into first chain. Chain 1 and Turn.

- 2SC in every stitch around (18 STs total)  SLST into first chain. Chain 1 and Turn.

(If you require a wider slipper, add another increase row as follows:

1SC in 1st stitch, 1SC in next stitch, 2 SC in next stitch, repeat all the way to the end.  SLST into first chain. Chain 1 and Turn. Should be 24 stitches around)

- *1SC in every stitch around then SLST into first chain. Chain 1 and Turn.*

*Repeat until the front of the slipper reaches the start of your toes (Usually 4-6 rounds)

From here until the end you will be crocheting rows but not all the way around. 

-*1SC in the next 10 stitches (you may want to increased this to 12 stitches if you want your slipper to cover more of your foot. If using the wider stitches you may need to increase this to 16 SC) then SLST into first chain. Chain 1 and Turn.*

*Repeat until the length of the slipper reaches the back of the heel. 

-Fold the slipper in half at the heel end. SLST the two halves together, tie off, and weave in ends.

At this point you may use your ribbon, woven around the edges of the slipper at the opening to create the ballet style. 

I added some stitched hearts for added adorableness! Here is a small heart pattern:

Hook: G/4.5MM

Stitches:

SC- Single Crochet

HDC- Half Double Crochet

DC- Double Crochet

SLST- Slip Stitch

Chain 4, Join with a SLST at first chain to create a loop. Chain 1

-In loop: 1HDC, 1DC, 1HDC, SLST, 1HDC, 1DC, 1HDC, 3SC, 1DC, 3SC then SLST into first chain. Tie off and leave at least a 6 inch tail for sowing.

It should look like this! I stitch it tight so the shape stands out more. :)

That's all for now friends. I hope you like the free patterns and you have a blast making your ballet slippers!

Thanks for reading.

Love,

Mery Ann

DIY Crochet Patterns

Today has been a long and productive day for me. I went to the mechanic and got a lovely bill exceeding $550.00 to fix my grinding brakes and calipers. I went to the grocery story and spent more than $250 in groceries. I called my insurance company to get it reinstated which should be another lovely monthly bill and doctor and hospital copayments. Needless to say, keeping up with the cost of living can be daunting and every little bit helps.

Since I've learned to crochet I have been making a lot of varied crocheted projects but it didn't hit me how much it could help around the house. I found some awesome patterns for household items on Pinterest and Ravelry and I would love to share them with you.

Loofa's aren't exactly expensive but it can be very annoying if the cheap store bought ones keep unraveling and breaking apart for you. Here's the answer! This pattern is not my own creation, the original creator and her awesome blog can be found here:
http://virkning-crochet.blogspot.com/2011/05/duschboll-i-bambu.html

Bath puff

Yarn: Bamboo Soft, 100m/50g, from Ullcentrum

Hook: 3½ - 4mm (crochet loosely)

Ch 5 sl st in first ch to make ring

Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as dc), 14dc in ring, join with sl st in top of beg ch-3 = 15dc

Rnd 2: ch 3 (counts as dc), 4dc in same st as joining, *5dc in next dc*, repeat, join with sl st in top of beg ch-3 = 75 dc

Rnd 3: ch 3 (counts as dc), 2dc in same st as joining, *3dc in next dc*, repeat, join with sl st in top of beg ch-3 = 225 dc

Rnd 4: ch 3 (counts as dc), 2dc in same st as joining, *3dc in next dc*, repeat, join with sl st in top of beg ch-3 = 675 dc

Fasten off. Make a twist of the remaining yarn. The finished product is about 10cm in diameter.

I loved Swiffer products when they first came out on the market, then after some time, the refill cost piled up. If like me, you're ready to upgrade to a more permanent and less costly solution, why not crochet dusters and mops? I found this pattern on ravelry.com. Check out this Swiffer Duster by Krysten L. & Gherkin’s Bucket :

copyright Krysten L. & Gherkin’s Bucket 2007. Don't steal my stuff y'all. It's for personal use only, to bring joy to others.

Give credit where credit is due. Selling the finished product for non-profit charity uses is OK.

Materials

Size H (US 8) crochet hook 1⁄4 oz worsted weight kitchen cotton (I used Sugar n Cream) 1 1⁄4 oz machine-washable novelty yarn (dependent upon type ~35 yards)

Abbreviations

Ch – chain Sc – single crochet Ea – each Dc – double crochet Tfl – through the front loops Hdc – half double crochet Sl st – slip stitch St - stitch Rep - repeat

Pattern

Ch 21 Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across, turn (20 sc)

Create Round: Ch2,*dctfloffirst5sc,hdctflinnext10sc,dctflinlastfivesc,ch2*,turnwork and rep from * to * working in remaining loops from the row of sc you just worked into (i.e., what was the back loop of each stitch), join with sl st to first dc of the round

Close Round: ch 1, sc tbl of both sides of previous round all the way across (this will create a pocket, and leave a ridge to attach the novelty yarn to later), turn (20 sc)

Repeat last two lines once more, fasten off and weave in ends.

Attach novelty yarn to one loop of an edge stitch on the long side with a sl st, ch 10 loosely, sl st into loop of next st. (SEE NOTE BELOW)

* Sl st in loop of next stitch, ch 10 loosely, sl st in loop of next st *, rep from * to * across.

At the end of the row, ch 2 and turn, continue back in the same manner through the “ridge” of loops you created when you closed the round. Repeat for 2nd ridge and the other side edge; you will have four ridges of novelty yarn loops. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Slip prongs of Swiffer Duster into the two pockets and get dusting! Note that the first time you put it on it will be snug and may require some “scooching” to get the handle prongs all the way in.

NOTE – Use my directions for the fringe as a guide, if you have particularly bulky novelty, you may need to adjust these directions. Try making your chain length a little longer and slip stitching into every other loop, etc. It all just depends on how loose or compact you want the dusty part to be: looser and longer fringe will allow for more corner and small places dusting; compact and shorter fringe will make for a more “scrubby” duster.

You can also purchase these pre-made through my etsy shop, for those of you who are less than crochet-inclined. www.gherkinsbucket.etsy.com

For this Reversible Swiffer mop, please click this link:

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/03/craft_pattern_crocheted_revers.html

Last but not least is all cotton scrub pad's for washing your face and removing make up:

http://barbarabradford.blogspot.com/2009/01/butterfly-facial-scrubbie-gift-set.html

I'm going to keep searching for more ways to put my skills to the test and I'll be sure to share my findings with you, my friends.

Thanks for reading.
Love,
Mery Ann

Mod Podge Wonders!

I don't know about you guys, but I'm a Pinterest fanatic. The funny thing is, I'm pretty damn lazy...and usually strapped for bucks so as much as I want to DIY the crap out of everything, I never actually get around to creating those awesome crafts. I first heard about Mod Podge when I started pinning and pretty much every one kept saying how expensive it was. In some cases it can be up to 8 dollars a bottle. I don't know about you but eight bucks is a lot at my house. 

When I saw all the cool things you can do with it, I really wanted to try it. I'm especially interested in the yarn related crafts that float around Pinterest. As a result, I went on a search for the makings of this wondrous device. As it turns out, it's a lot simpler than I thought it would be. I wanted to share it with you, so here's the recipe:

Mod Podge in a Pint Jar (matte)

Fill jar half way up with white glue (like Elmers)

Then fill jar up with water.

Shake Well.

This is a 50-50 mixture glue/water.

It will have a Matte finish.

If you would like a Glossy finish, add 1 TBS of clear varnish.

Shake it!

Now that you know how to make it, check out this amazing blog on how to use Mod Podge for fun crafty projects 

http://www.modpodgerocksblog.com/

That's all for now friends but let me know if you liked this info and share any and all crafts you make from it. I'd love to see what you come up with. :)

Thanks for reading.

Love,

Mery Ann