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

Combining Two Loves to make EPICOSITY

Once I began playing Minecraft, it quickly became a time consuming obsession. I enjoy being able to create with all of my imagination and this game definitely gives you plenty of room to build your dreams.

I normally move from one new obsession to the next, sometimes abandoning the last hobby for a new one but this time around I wanted to combine these two and create a Minecraft inspired crocheted item. Beanies are my specialty, so to speak, and so naturally I wanted to make a creeper beanie.

A creeper is a cubed, pixelated monster from the Minecraft. It's so scary! When you're playing and the game's sky rolls into night time, these creepers come out and sneak up on you. The only warning is a hissing sound followed closely by a .....POW!!!!!LARGE BOOM!!! and they blow you away.

They're always good for a scare and a laugh! That's why they are beloved and hated equally by all Minecrafters.

I created this beanie:

I played around with some felt and polyfill and made this adorable matching key chain that looks like the dirt blocks from the game. It's about 1 inch cubed.

They are for sale as a set at my etsy.com shop and I wanted to showcase it and some of the other AWESOME Minecraft inspired gear my fellow Etsy shops have for sale so I made a Treasury List.

A Treasury List is a collection of items for sale centered usually around a specific theme. For example, let's say you want to make a list of all of your favorite pink shawls you've found around etsy, or wedding dresses, or in this case, Minecraft EPICOSITY!

Here's a link to the Treasury List I made called Minecraft Mania:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MjEzMjQzMTd8MjcyMzAyOTExOA/minecraft-mania

*This picture belongs to ArtbyMark of http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtByMark?ref=seller_info

I'd have to say my absolute favorite is a square cake shaped kitty pillow with cat nip! Look how stinkin' cute!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78614018/minecraft-inspired-kitty-catnip-cake?ref=tre-2723029118-12

I definitely want to make more Minecraft inspired gear. Maybe some felt goodies like hair clips and jewelry. Do you have any suggestions?

I wanted to include free patterns for something geek and awesome that you could create for yourself or maybe a smaller person you know so here it is!

This picture of Link amigurumi and the pattern are the sole property of "Becchin" as mentioned in the pattern translation page. Please click on the link to view the pattern and enjoy!

http://tanoshimou.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/link-legend-of-zelda-amigurumi-free-pattern/

If you and/or your kids LOVE Super Mario as much as I do, you'll definitely appreciate this free crochet pattern directory for ALL things Mario!

http://freeamigurumipatterns.wordpress.com/category/mario-video-games/

Well friends, that's all for now. Thanks for reading <3

Love,

Mery Ann