The one where she makes a Matryoshka

I love little Russian nesting dolls.

 

 

How can anyone resist taking them apart to find the tiny baby and then putting them back together (after carefully matching the patterns on their dresses of course)

Picture from here

 

At home we have three traditional sets; one which actually comes from Russia and is very good quality, so my Russian house-buyer informed me many years ago, and a few bonkers Christmas ones too.

And so, I fancied making one.

 

 

Not in amigurumi style, as is my norm, but flat. It took quite a bit of faffing around to get the pattern right, let me tell you, but it is actually very simple to make.

Wanna try?

You'll need:

3 different colours of yarn and hook to match. (I used Rico Creative Cotton and 4 mm hook)

Polyester toy stuffing

Felt for the face, hair and cheeks

Fabric for the skirt

Fabric marker pen for the eyes (or you could stitch them)

Ribbon

Stitches and Abbreviations:

I use US terms, so single crochet= same as UK double crochet here.

Chain (ch)

Single crochet (sc)

Stitches (sts)

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

To single crochet 2 together:

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop. (2 loops on hook)

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)

Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

Pattern (make 2)

[Starting from bottom and working up]

At the end of each row you need to turn and ch 1

1. Sc 9

2. Sc 8, 2scs in next st (10)

3. Sc 9, 2scs in next st (11)

4. Sc 10, 2scs in next st (12)

5. Sc 11, 2scs in next st (13)

6. Sc 12, 2scs in next st (14)

7. Sc 13, 2scs in next st (15)

8. Sc 14, 2scs in next st (16)

9. Sc 15, 2scs in next st (17)

10-12. Sc 17

13. Sc 15, sc2tog (16)

14. Sc 16

15. Sc2tog, sc 14 (15)

16. Sc 15

17. Sc2tog, sc 13 (14)

18. Sc2tog, sc 12 (13)

19. Sc 13

Change colour

20. Sc2tog, sc 11 (12)

21. Sc2tog, sc 10 (11)

22. 2scs in next st, sc 10 (12)

23. 2scs in next st, sc 11 (13)

24-26. Sc 13

27. Sc2tog, sc 11 (12)

28. Sc2tog, sc 10 (11)

29. Sc2tog, sc 9 (10)

30. Sc2tog, sc 8 (9)

31. Sc2tog, sc 5, Sc2tog (7)

32. Sc2tog, sc 3, Sc2tog (5)

Fasten off

Now to decorate the front of your Matryoshka:

 

Choose one of your pieces of crochet and ensure that the tail from the beginning chain is hanging to the bottom right. Sew in all the tails, except this tail so you know which is the 'right' way round.

Cut a circle of felt for the face (I found a spice jar lid to be the perfect template) and cut hair and cheek shapes. Use PVA glue to stick the pieces together and to stick the face onto your crochet.

I added the eyes using a fabric marker pen (the one I use to label the kid's school uniforms).

Now cut the shape for the skirt using pinking shears. This took me a few goes to get right. You could stick this onto the crochet, or like me, you could stitch it on. Up to you.

Let the glue dry.

Put the two pieces of crochet together so that both the tails from your starting chain hang down at the right side. This means that the stitches will match exactly and make life easier when crocheting together.

Now use your third colour and single crochet around both pieces to join together. Make sure you work in anti-clockwise direction so your stitches face forwards.

 

 

 

Before you completely close, stuff with toy stuffing, sew in the remaining ends and then complete your stitching and fasten off.

Attach a ribbon to the back.

Tadaaaaah!

Did you know?

Matryoshka derives from the Russian for 'maternity' and the dolls within them are a symbol of fertility.

They are sometimes wrongly referred to as Baboushka (which means 'grandmother'

Happy making everyone!

 

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Japanese Kokeshi Crochet

Am trying to get back to normal. Whatever that is.

Child number one has returned to school and routines are being re-established.

My crochet cushion is coming on a-nicely, too.

But I love the little projects in-between; you know, the small, quick-fixes. The 'only-takes-an-hour-ish' instant fix.

And so, as many of you know, I love the little Korknisse or Norwegian cork-gnomes.

Traditionally these little fellas sport pointed hats. Other versions are adorned with witches hats, or dressed as knights or blacked out as ninjas.

And so my deviations lead me here:

A Japanese Kokeshi cork creation (adapted from Lucy Ravenscar's knight pattern). [Kokeshi are wooden Japanese dolls. Their history is a little ambiguous, but they were essentially sold to tourists as souvenirs.]

Here's my original doll. Found in a charity shop if I remember correctly:

And so followed this:

 

And this:

 

The best bit was decorating them. Such fun!!

 

Right, back to the cushion for me.

Have a great weekend!

Xx

 

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Back to it

Cor it feels right weird being back here, writing a 'normal' post, after all the tutorial instructions and photos.
What do I usually write about, I wonder as I sit here in the glorious British summertime (tumble dryer on, heating on, jumper on etc)?

I can't for the life of me remember. 

I'll show you what I've been making for a craft fair at the end of the month [there's the usual guff I won't bore you with; crochet flower hairbands and clips which were a good seller for me before and of course, a couple of Monks commissioned by a friend]

So instead, a new venture for me: Some simple jewellery.

Rings.







Pendants.



And a gratuitous crochet pic of a doll I've just made for my mate Kate.



Have a great week.
Xx 

Crochet-A-Long Episode 1: Kit List

Joining us for the CAL?
Glad to hear it.

Here's your kit list:



Stitch marker (a piece of coloured yarn will do the job).
Crochet hook to suit your yarn (I used a 4mm).
Yarn of choice (now, my first Blue Monk used 1 skein of Rico Cotton, BUT subsequent Monks have needed a squidge more- be on the safe side and make sure you have more than you'll need).
Eyes. You can use buttons or proper safety eyes. I used 12mm buttons (size 18L).
Embroidery thread (for attaching buttons/ felt etc).
Felt/ fabrics (for face/ dress etc).
Polyester fibre-fill/ toy stuffing.
Sewing needle and tapestry needle.

[Cup of tea and left-over Easter egg optional]

I'll be back after the weekend with the first part of the CAL.


If you're a beginner, then  your homework is to practise your single crochet (US)/ double crochet (UK) stitches. Don't worry about increasing and deceasing stitches yet - I'll show you as we go along.
Oh, and as we'll be crocheting in the round, it might be worth having a look at the magic ring method of starting a circle (again, don't worry if this is too tricky, I've got an easier option too).

And don't forget to join our Flickr group- just click on the CAL picture over there on the right and get ready to share your CAL progress- it will be great to see what everyone's up to.
[NB Flickr is free to sign up]

Any questions? Do ask.

I look forward to seeing you next week...

.... I hope this rain stops, I've got my stall at the village Duck Race on Sunday..!


Enjoy the rest of your week,
Xx

Long Tall Sally (2)

Dressed.



Reversible-dressed.

This little number was inspired by the free tutorial over at Molly Chicken's place. Cute, and very quick 'n' easy to knock up. 

Would highly recommend for any doll or softie who is in need of clothes.

xx

  

Long tall Sally

I've been making crochet dolls for a little while now, since finding Beth's amazing tutorials here.
They change a bit each time I make one, and I make notes about how to improve the next.
So for this next doll I wanted different hands and feet, longer arms and legs and a shorter torso to make her more like a rag doll. 



I love making the little wig cap. 



Here she is with wig attached. 



The great thing about her is that her hair can be styled in different ways!



Oh, and I used buttons for eyes because firstly I have run out of safety eyes and secondly I was inspired by the wabbits I made previously. I think they're ok, but am not sure if she looks a bit freaky.. What say you?



All in all I'm vey pleased with how she's turned out. I just need to make her some clothes. Must engage brain and oik out the old sewing machine for that one.



Enjoy your weekend, all.
Xx

P.S. I have actually sold lots of things in my real life shop to real, actual real people! Am thrilled to bits!
P.P.S. am now a tweety-bird. Do follow me on Twitter, if you like that sort of thing (link somewhere in top left corner).

Xx

Bits n bobs

This is one of those funny little posts where I have some odds and ends to show.

Like this crochet pin cushion/ upcycled jam jar combo.



Inspiration here
Rainbow colours to brighten a dismal day.

Here's another WIP. Another doll. [See the first here]

[And actually, I think my dolls are little Elves (not the sort that Father Christmas might employ, I might add). I like their pointy ears.]



She's using the same, modified pattern of Beth's (do see here)

Now I know that many of you wonderful ladies were a tad envious of my little Noro-wool-extravaganza-charity shop-find in my last post.

Well I didn't want to disappoint you today -
Here's my latest haul: 10 balls of mohair for 6 quid. Hmmm one ball missing from the photo. Must be camera-shy



Look at that old BHS logo on the label- it's got to be from the 80's (showing my age, now).
And here's what I made with some of it .. Can you guess what it is ...?



No?
Well they are leeeeetle wig caps for my Elf (can't decide on a colour yet- will be asking you clever ladies for some advice in my next post when the wigs are completed)
And can I say- crocheting with black mohair? Suicidal. I could not see where the stiches were and so 'used the force'. Luckily, it's turned out ok. Must be some sort of Jedi luck.

Still with me? Well I also thought you might like to see how I work. I've read a few posts by other bloggers who have shown their sketches/ drawing boards and I think it's interesting to see the process. Here's my messy notebook: anyone do something similar?


(note to self: must make copies to a 21st century computerised device to prevent getting burnt in fire/ lost in transit/ scribbled on by toddler.)

Often, I wish there were more hours in the day- mine are spent with the little'uns (priceless) and then I get some quality time to mull over the day with the Mister (sanity), and then I might just get a bit of time to crochet in the evening (restorative).
I dream about crochet/crafty projects at the moment, I guess because I don't have the time during the day, but I have to say, I am the happiest I think I have ever been.

Thank you to all who find the time to follow, read and comment on my blog.
You make this all worthwhile.

Enjoy the weekend. Xxxx

Ta-daaaaaaaaaaa !

So, I am ready to reveal my little doll, now complete!

Well, complete-ish. She still needs clothes.

Anyhoo, before I get there, I just had to share this pic, taken on the walk to pre-school, along a pretty, residential road.
So Number 2 is in the buggy, saying 'Mooooooo', and I'm like 'Moo? No, darlin' there's no cows here.' And then I see what she is pointing at...



Yes, a cow. A full-sized model cow. In a front garden. As you do.

Back to the doll. But just to keep you hanging on a bit longer, thought I'd show you how I made her wig..
Many thanks, AGAIN to the wonderful Beth for her brilliant tutorials on how to make these gorgeous dolls. (do go see her blog, it's fab)

This is my thrifted mohair. I crocheted a wig cap.



This made a little furry swimming hat!
Next, I made a chain. And wound lengths of yarn.



Next, I pinned the chain down and threaded the yarn onto each side of the chain. This creates a centre parting (I want my doll to have little bunches)



Now for stitching it along the middle of her head. And a view from the back..



... and now for my Ta-daaaaaaaaaaa!



This is the moment in doll-making when Beth says that the doll tells you their name ...
And it's true.
Mine is called Chloe.

Xx