Now, THIS is a good fit! But in needed something to set them off, so I knitted up a pretty straightforward shrug. I so love this yarn! The shrug can be worn either way, depending upon which colors you want to have at the shoulders, which show mostly at the front of the doll.

These are the mini stockings that I spoke of earlier. I actually began making them early in July.. but most of the yarn is self-striping that I have, and really isn't suited to "pairs" of socks for dolls. These will likely end up as tree ornaments... again.. they're addictive! The pattern was purchased; but adapted to suit my knitting. I didn't like the ribbed top as shown on the green stocking. Why? Because it is so small it is difficult to open it up; I envision them on a miniature tree with mini candy canes... so, modified the top for a purled top; subsequent stockings are a bit different, with two rows of purls separated by two rows of knit stitches.

Note: The stockings are shown on What's Her Face; she has much bigger feet than Blythe or the other 1/6 scale dolls, so I modified the pattern again to fit Blythe.
Did I say I knitted mini stockings while on the PCT? ... my brain must have fried in the sun.... The yarn I took with me was a skein of self-striping sock yarn, and I made these little Topknot Hats. They are sized for Skipper, which means they will fit most 1/6 scale dolls, such as Barbie, Licca, Momoko, Jenny, and What's Her Face. They will definitely NOT fit Blythe! I have another pattern for her.
The hats are like popcorn... addicting! You must keep knitting to see how the next one will shape up!

So... advancing in age as we are... we figured that there would be no better time to hike a bit of the Pacific Crest Trail.... it won't be easier next year, after all!!
Gathering up the newest equipment was the fun part! Lots of new lightweight things to get... I treated myself to the newest lightweight thermarest sleeping pad, coming in at 14 oz..... good thing! My pack weighed over 40 lbs, even after ditching some stuff the night before heading out. However, I must confess that some of the ditched items found their way back into my pack before we left. :D
We chose the section of the PCT nearest as we were shuttled back and forth.... beginning at Grouse Gap, about 10 miles east of Mt Ashland, and hiking to Wrangle Gap... about 10 miles or so. Didn't seem like so much, but it took us all day! When we thought we should be almost there we realized we had to go around Red Mtn... more uphill!! But the campsite at Wrangle Gap was great! So great, in fact, that we decided to stay put for 4 days; then hiked back out the way we came. Next year: lighter packs, and another section. At this rate, we will be hiking for 170 years to finish the 1700 mile PCT!!
While camping I knitted until I ran out of yarn.. I had taken only one ball of sock yarn, and knitted up some mini stockings with it. (It was worth its weight in the pack, believe me!)
:D

The hat Clair is wearing is made with a green/gold/tan sock yarn that self-stripes. My pattern is shaped for a nice rolled brim for wearing as a Beret, but in this photo she wears it pulled to the back to cover her hair. The first few hats I made with this new pattern didn't have the topknot... but I added one to a hat for a test and like it so much that it is now standard! Easily done over 6 stitches on dp needles.


You know you are hooked on Blythe when you begin buying accessories and toys for your doll..... I found this adorable little Felted Teddy Bear in a Frog suit on ETSY.... see other treats in her shop: http://www.madebylaura.etsy.com/


The colors inspired the use of the green dotted fabric for the new dress. I was going for a Lolita style... with lace, ruffles and satin lacing in the front and back. Shown here with the green thigh high stockings I make with stretchy lace at the tops.

Here you can see the patterning on the top of the beret, also the color blocking of the sweater. I found a perfect fabric for the leggings in my stash; I would have preferred a bit of lycra in it; but cotton jersey is good too! I listed the pieces separately on etsy; and have already sent a pair of the leggings out to a customer. I will make more of them!


I found this interesting yarn that is self-striping in shades of lavender... I love how it worked up! The hat is actually a beret with the classic roll at the brim, however shown here pulled down to frame Blythe's face... the better to show the yarn's patterning.
After making the hat, I moved on to a sweater... it ended up more of a "color block" sweater with different colors showing up on each piece. I will post another photo showing the whole outfit momentarily.

A little dolling for a customer in Texas... the Lolita Dress was designed and made to fit her Momoko doll, which is somewhat smaller than Barbie. The dress is adjustible via lacing at the back and also at the front waist with ties. There is an underskirt for extra fullness; and the accessory pieces were too fun to make! I added a bit of bling to several of the pieces.
Now... I need to adjust my pattern to fit Blythe!

Custom dress made for Blythe. Clair poses with the dress prior to shipping standing in front of a stack of fat quarters on my cutting table. Judicious layout of the pattern on the fabric resulted in a little sunflower at the neck. The customer wanted sunflower fabric, but not "heavy with sunflowers".

Busy, busy, busy!

I got a note from flickr admin insisting that I delete all references to my etsy shop... it took me an hour! Not all photos had references, but you have to review each one which takes a bit of time!
The good news is: I will likely be posting more photos here! Yay!