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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

 Knitting for tiny ball jointed dolls is like eating popcorn! These little dresses, rompers and hats each takes less than 25 yards of sock weight yarn and about 45 minutes to knit.  My Romper pattern is an adaptation of a Strawberry Shortcake romper designed by Polly... RealPuki would swim in a SSC outfit!! The dress is a further adaptation. The hat is my own design.
Polly's pattern can be found on Ravelry, or on her website.

 RealPuki Soso from Fairyland.... a day at the beach.. she quickly got rid of her dress, but kept on her hat rather than risk sunburn on her bald head!
Happy Spring! Dress and Romper pinwheel!
 I have already listed some of these in my etsy shop... love the surprise of orange that shows up in this ball of yarn!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

PukiPuki.... Cupid
This tiny bjd reminds me of my sister; you knew she was in a high level of concentration because her tongue was sticking out!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

New doll in the house.. she's SoSo tiny!! (BJD from Fairyland.)

I found a romper pattern on Ravelry by Polly that nearly works for her. Thank you Polly! Several trials and changes later I am Lovin' it!!
The primary change was to knit circular rather than flat; I hate seaming in knitting, and I disliked the bulk created by the seams in this tiny garment. Also, I want to use the pattern for a bit of fair isle, which is easier for me knitting in the round.

I use the loop over the thumb method of adding stitches rather than the "Knit in the front and back (Kfb) because I think it causes less distortion of the knitting.

The original pattern uses sock yarn and (US size 0) 2.00 mm needles; the first try was too stiff for my liking, so I went to larger (US size 1) for the body. I'm working with Ty-DY Socks, by Knit One, Crochet too. It is 436 yards/100 grams. It has a softer feel and finer hand than most of the other sock yarns I started with. Reminder to self: Go to LYS to get another ball in another color range!

Note: I had posted my changes to Polly's pattern, but looking back at it made it confusing, even to me! So I have removed the changes and will later post my complete version of the romper pattern, rather than just the changes.


You can find Polly's pattern for sale on Ravelry.  Happy Knitting!

Monday, January 7, 2013


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.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

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!

Saturday, March 17, 2012

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

Saturday, February 25, 2012

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!