My dear friend Cricket from the great state of Georgia sent me the link to this interesting crocheted scarf by fiberflux (see her blog).... She calls it the "Pavement Infinity Scarf".

I haven't picked up a crochet hook in years but this looked interesting, so I gave it a go. The design is intended for a bulky weight Thick and Thin by Lion Brand and a size 9mm/N hook.

Having neither on hand, I opted to test the pattern using a worsted weight ragg wool and a size 7mm/K hook.

Once the Foundation Row is set up the pattern is a simple repeat of Row 1 for 60 inches or until your yarn holds out, or until you decide to quit! Leave enough of a tail to whip stitch the two ends together... this is the step that makes it the circular Infinity scarf. 

The pattern is intended to have a smooth edge at the sides, which is accomplished by the dc in the last space (ch 3 turning space). If you like the scalloped edge simply ignore that bit, and after the last V in the row, chain 3, turn (or turn, chain 3 if you prefer) and begin the next row. The scallops lay flat without curling and gives the scarf a nice finished edge.

Knitting for little dolls may be tedious, but I love the instant (almost) gratification! I saw this yarn in a semi-local big box store and liked the colors... I was surprised as I grew up wearing knitted garments my mom made from the local dime store variety of yarn and swore never to use it myself!! Tacky acrylics; bleh! This yarn is 70% superwash wool/30% nylon, which should wear well if made up into a pair of socks!

Seeing this sock yarn made me pick up a skein to see how it worked up. A bit thicker than most sock yarns that I use, and a bit coarser. But I DO love the color shading! The sweater is an all-over mock cable with stockinette sleeves, reverse stockinette yoke, and 2x2 rib collar. The design is technically a work in progress, as it is slightly smaller than I wanted it to be... sigh.....

But the doll is happy in the coat of many colors!

Susie #6 models the one of a kind Butterfly Dress made for Blythe. The bodice is made from a vintage handkerchief; I used the embroidered corner as an overlay. The dress has since been shipped to it's new dolly!

Note: not all Blythe clothing will fit Susie. She is thicker in the waist, and shorter in the body.

Susie #5 can't keep her hands off Susie #6's hair... I don't blame her; the mohair is incredibly soft to the touch.
Meet Apple Annie

Susie #6 gets new hairs because she arrived with such matted fried hair that it refused to clean up... besides, I was anxious to do a reroot on a Susie! I used a natural undyed mohair in a smoky brown color. It shades from light to darker at the tips. She wears an apple appliqued dress with striped tights. Annie is available on my etsy site: ssmartraggs.etsy.com

The Susie Sad Eyes doll currently living here: The two new girls have had a spa day, and are waiting to dry. The black haired Susie holding her head up high did not respond well to the best hair treatment, so I have nothing to lose... 1st Susie reroot!!

Work in Progress - Susie Sad Eyes getting a new "do.

This little Susie Sad Eyes arrived with black hair that was so matted and frizzed from years of being played with that the only thing to do was give her new hair! I still had some of the natural smoky brown mohair seft over from rerooting my Blythe doll, and it looked to be enough for this girl. Her appearance is much changed from the waif before!

Susie Sad Eyes

Susie Sad Eyes is new to our house. Vintage 1972, this little darlin' has had her toes chewed by some pet (or maybe a child) in her former life. Must have been well loved! Think her name will be Nibbles.Standing at 8", she is thicker of body than Blythe, and a bit shorter in the torso, but some of my Blythe items will fit her well. That's good; means a bit of tweaking of patterns here and there, but will be relatively easy to outfit the Susie Sad Eyes dolls for listing in ssmartraggs.etsy.com.

Argyle Sweater for Kelly doll

Just a little something I knit up for Kelly doll on 4/0 needles and lace weight misty alpaca. Traditional argyle would have separate balls of yarn for the blocks, which I did; but I stranded the background blue and then backstitched the XXXs across the blocks.. not authentic, but easier to do!

Knitting for adults is such a treat for a change! I came across this super simple design in Ravelry by Martina Behm for a little scarflette that called out to be knitted up for fall wearing. The scalloped edge was a bit tricky at first, but after watching the video (link is in the pattern) and completing one or two scallops it was a piece of cake!

So, on a road trip I knitted up the solid teal 22.5 Degree wrap using 3 balls of vintage yarn from my stash... it's a bit heavier, being a sport weight, but a yummy texture using size 9 circular needles. 50% Kid Mohair/ 50% Wool blend.

The wrap is knitted from the top down; the last two rows are the knitted shell and bind off.

The designer calls it "22.5" Degrees as it is just that! Not the normal 45 Degree scarf, or shawl, which hangs long in the back, but, rather, it is intended to sit on the shoulders, wrap around the neck and be tied or draped. Perfect to add just a bit of warmth.

If you follow the pattern using sock yarn, you will end up with a width of 165 cm (65 inches), and a depth of 35 cm (14 inches). My first effort is using Ty-Dy sock yarn, which patterns beautifully and has a wonderful soft drape knitted up on US size 3 circular needles. I used up the ball and now the project is sitting aside as a WIP until I get to the local yarn shop for another ball.