Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Crochet Doll Basket and SanyDoll Reborn Baby Doll Review


Disclosure: This is not a paid or sponsored review. I was not in any way compensated for writing it. I purchased the doll and I post this review because I solely want to share my own opinion. 




This little precious thing is going to be my new model for crohcet newborn and doll outfits. 

I purchased this doll through Amazon for $89.99
Quite pricey, but well worth it!

Some of the dolls there look incredibly realistic, which to me is unsettling. So I chose a doll that cannot be mistaken for a baby.

The doll measures 18 inches in length, about the size of a small newborn. 

The doll came in a lovely knitted sweater and hat outfit, cute onesie and adorable socks. It has a magnetic pasifier, a small bottle, and a cute elephant pillow. 

I was surprised how much interest my sons (who are 7 and 5) showed towards the doll. They actually like giving it its pacifier and bottle. They hold the doll very carefully and give it soft kisses. So cute!


And here is the first crochet item I made for my doll. I made this basket with super soft and chunky Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn and size K/10.5 (6.5 mm) hook. 

This basket measures 18 inches long and 11 inches wide. I don't think this is a suitable item for a real baby (perhaps only as a photography prompt), but it's perfect for a doll or perhaps a kitten. 

It's very easy and quick to crochet. 







Monday, July 25, 2016

Mint Pineapples Doily, Free Vintage Doily Pattern




I used 1.25 mm steel hook and Aunt Lydia's crochet thread size 10. 

My doily came out 16 inches across. When I was making it, after the 11th round it began to ruffle quite a bit. But once I finished the doily and blocked it, it turned out perfectly flat and beautiful. 

The vintage pattern is from Hand Crochet by Roayl Society, Crisp New Doilies Book No 9, 1948.




Starting at center, ch 12. Join with sl st to form ring.

1st rnd: Ch 3, 23 dc in ring. Join with sl st to 3rd st of ch-3.

2nd rnd: Sc in same place as sl st, (ch 6, skip 3 dc, sc in next dc) 6 times; sl st in first sc.

3rd rnd: In each sp around make sc, half dc, dc, 4 tr, dc, half dc and sc. Join to first sc (6 petals).

4th rnd: Ch 6, dc in same place as sl st, * ch 5, between next 2 petals make dc, ch 3 and dc. Repeat from * around, ending with ch 5. Join to 3rd ch of ch-6.

5th rnd: Ch 3, make * 6 dc in ch-3 sp, dc in next dc, ch 5, dc in next dc. Repeat from * around. Join.

6th rnd: Ch 3, holding back on hook the last loop of each dc, make dc in next 7 dc, thread over and draw through all loops on hook (cluster made), * ch 7, sc in next sp, ch 7, make a cluster as before over next 8 dc. Repeat from * around. Join.

7th rnd: Sl st to center of loop, sc in same loop, * ch 7, sc in next loop. Repeat from * around. Join.

8th rnd: Ch 4, holding back on hook the last loop of each tr make a 3-tr cluster in same place as sl st, ch 4, make another 3-tr cluster in same place as last cluster was made, * ch 7, in next sc make cluster, ch 4 and cluster. Repeat from * around. Join.

9th rnd: Sl st to center of next sp, sc in same sp, * ch 5, in center st of next chain make dc, ch 3 and dc (shell made); ch 5, sc in next sp. Repeat from * around. Join.

10th rnd: Sl st in next 2 ch, sc in next ch, * ch 3, shell in sp of next shell (shell made over shell); (ch 3, sc in center st of next ch-5) twice. Repeat from * around. Join.

11th rnd: Sl st in next 3 ch, in next dc and in sp of shell, ch 6, dc in same sp (starting shell made over shell), * ch 3, skip ch-3 sp, 8 tr in next sp, ch 3, shell over shell. Repeat from * around. Join.

12th rnd: Sl st in next sp, * shell over shell, ch 3, (tr in next tr, ch 1) 7 times; tr in next tr, ch 3. Repeat from * around. Join.

13th rnd: * Shell over shell, ch 3, sc in next tr, (ch 4, sc in next tr) 7 times; ch 3. Repeat from * around. Join.

14th rnd: * Shell over shell, ch 3, sc in ch-4 loop, (ch 4, sc in next loop) 6 times; ch 3. Repeat from * around. Join.

15th rnd: * Shell over shell, ch 3, sc in ch-4 loop, (ch 4, sc in next loop) 5 times; ch 3. Repeat from * around. Join.

16th rnd: Sl st in next sp, ch 6, in sp of same shell make dc, ch 3 and dc (2 shells made); * ch 3, sc in ch-4 loop, (ch 4, sc in next loop) 4 times; ch 3, in sp of next shell make (dc, ch 3) twice and dc (2 shells made). Repeat from * around. Join.

17th rnd: * Shell over shell, ch 3, shell over next shell, ch 3, sc in next loop, (ch 4, sc in next loop) 3 times; ch 3. Repeat from * around. Join.

18th rnd: * Shell over shell, ch 1, shell in next sp, ch 1, shell over shell, ch 3, sc in next ch-4 loop, (ch 4, sc in next loop) twice; ch 3. Repeat from * around. Join.

19th rnd: * (Shell over shell, ch 3) 3 times; sc in ch-4 loop, ch 4, sc in next loop, ch 3. Repeat from * around. Join.

20th rnd: * (Shell over shell, ch 3, dc in next sp, ch 3) twice; shell over shell, ch 3, sc in next ch-4 loop, ch 3. Repeat from * around. Join.

21st rnd: * Shell over shell, ** (ch 3, dc in next sp) twice; ch 3. Repeat from * once more, (shell over shell) twice. Repeat from ** around. Join.

22nd rnd: Sl st in next sp, ch 4 (to count as tr), and complete a 3-tr cluster in same sp, * ch 6, skip next sp, (make 3-tr cluster in next dc) twice; ch 6, shell over shell, ch 6, skip next sp, (cluster in next dc) twice; ch 6, (cluster in sp of next shell) twice. Repeat from * around. Join.

23rd rnd: Ch 4, and complete a cluster in same place as sl st, (ch 5, cluster in tip of next cluster) twice; * ch 5, shell over shell, (ch 5, cluster in tip of next cluster) 6 times. Repeat from * around. Join.

24th rnd: Sl st to center of next sp, sc in same sp, * ch 4, in next sp make dc, ch 3 and dc; ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 4, shell over shell, ch 4, sc in next sp. Repeat from * around. Join.


25th rnd: Sl st in next 2 ch, sc in same loop, * ch 4, shell over shell, ch 4, sc in next sp, ch 3, sc in next sp. Repeat from * around. Join and break off.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Pink Clusters Crochet Baby Set




A couple of months ago I designed and wrote the pattern for this clusters baby blanket. And since then it's been on my mind to make a matching baby hat. Finally, here it is.  


Quite simple clusters hat in size 0-3 months. The finished size is approximately 14 inches in circumference and 5.5 inches in height. 

The pattern is available in my Etsy shop together with the blanket, or separately

Also available on Ravelry 

and 


Friday, July 15, 2016

Star Stitch Baby Blanket with Scalloped Trim











I love green color, but I think this blanket would look much prettier in white. 

The star stitch is quite simple, only one row is repeated for the pattern. But the trim is quite complicated. So I made a very detailed, step-by-step tutorial explaining how to make the trim. 

The yarn I used for this blanket is Snuggly Wuggly by Threads and Loops, but lots of other yarns would work too. I used size G crochet hook. 

The pattern is available in my Etsy and Craftsy Shops.