Free Pattern - Doll Outfit

So here's my pattern for a doll's set - I've knitted it up as a smock top with bell sleeves, with capri pants and a headband, but the smock top could easily become a sleeveless top or a dress. Capri pants can also be lengthened/shortened to make shorts or long trousers.

It's "modelled" by a Zapf Soft Bodied Baby Born doll.

Apologies for half the pattern being in capitals - Catalpa had happily sat on my laptop while I was making notes :p

Requirements -

3.25mm US3 UK10 needles

4.00mm US6 UK8 needles

DK weight yarn

couple of small buttons, elastic/ribbon/icord for capri pants waist.

Abbreviations -

k - knit

p - purl

stocking stitch - one row knit, one row purl.

kfb - knit front and back of one stitch to make two stitches.

yfwd - yarn forward

Smock Top -

CAST ON 42 STITCHES USING 3.25mm NEEDLES

ROW 1 - (K1,P1), REPEAT TO END

ROW 2 - (P1,K1), REPEAT TO END

ROW 3 - (K1,P1), REPEAT TO END

CHANGE TO 4.00mm NEEDLES

WORK 18 ROWS OF STOCKING STITCH, ENDING WITH A PURL ROW

NEXT ROW - K9,(K2TOG)X12,K9 (30 STITCHES)

WORK K1,P1 MOSS STITCH FOR 10 ROWS

NEXT ROW - (K1,P1)X3,K1 CAST OFF NEXT 16 STITCHES IN MOSS STITCH, (K1,P1)X3, K1

WORKING ON 7 STITCHES ON RIGHT HAND SIDE, MOSS STITCH 5 ROWS

LEAVE STITCHES ON A STITCH HOLDER

JOIN YARN TO NECK EDGE OF LEFT HAND SIDE AND WORK 5 ROWS OF MOSS STITCH. LEAVE STITCHES ON A STITCH HOLDER.

BACK

CAST ON 42 STITCHES USING 3.25MM NEEDLES

ROW 1 - (K1,P1), REPEAT TO END

ROW 2 - (P1,K1), REPEAT TO END

ROW 3 - (K1,P1), REPEAT TO END

CHANGE TO 4MM NEEDLES

WORK 18 ROWS OF STOCKING STITCH, ENDING WITH A PURL ROW

K9,(K2TOG)X12,K9 (30STITCHES)

(K1,P1)X7,K1 TURN WORK.

WORKING ON THESE 15 STITCHES, WORK 8 ROWS OF K1,P1 MOSS STITCH

NEXT ROW - CAST ON 4 STITCHES, (K1,P1), REPEAT TO END (19 STITCHES)

WORK ANOTHER 3 ROWS OF MOSS STITCH

CAST OFF 12 STITCHES, PATTERN TO END OF ROW.(7 STITCHES)

WORK A FURTHER 3 ROWS OF MOSS STITCH AND LEAVE STITCHES ON A STITCHHOLDER.

REJOIN YARN TO CENTRE BACK AND WORK 9 ROWS OF K1,P1 MOSS STITCH.

ROW 10 - (K1,P1)X5,K1,K2TOG,YFWD,K1,P1

WORK 2 MORE ROWS OF MOSS STITCH

CAST OFF 8 STITCHES, PATTERN TO END OF ROW (7 STITCHES)

MOSS STITCH 3 MORE ROWS AND LEAVE STITCHES ON A STITCH HOLDER.

WITH RIGHT SIDES FACING, GRAFT TOGETHER SHOULDER SEAMS USING KITCHENER STITCH (IF YOU'VE NEVER WORKED KITCHENER STITCH BEFORE, THERE ARE SOME EXCELLENT TUTORIALS ON YOUTUBE THAT TAKE YOU THROUGH STEP BY STEP - IT'S EASY, HONEST).

SLEEVES -

WITH RIGHT SIDE FACE, PICK UP AND KNIT 34 STITCHES ALONG MOSS STITCH BODICE USING 4.00MM NEEDLES.

WORK 5 ROWS OF STOCKING STITCH

CHANGE TO 3.25MM NEEDLES

WORK 3 ROWS OF MOSS STITCH, CAST OFF.

TO MAKE UP - JOIN SIDE AND SLEEVE SEAMS AND WEAVE IN ENDS.

STITCH A BUTTON ONTO TAB AT CENTRE BACK.

CAPRI PANTS

CAST ON 40 STITCHES WITH 3.25MM NEEDLES

ROW 1 - (K1,P1) REPEAT TO END

ROW 2 - (P1,K1) REPEAT TO END

ROW 3 - (K1,P1) REPEAT TO END

Change to 4.00MM needles

Work 24 rows in stocking stitch

Next row - cast off 2, knit to end of row

Next row - cast off 2,purl to last 3 stitches, p2tog, p1

Next row - knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1 (34 stitches)

Stocking stitch 15 rows, ending with a purl row.

Change to 3.25mm needles

Next row - (k1,p1) repeat to end

Next row - (k1,p1) repeat to end

Next row - k1,p1 (yfwd,k2tog,k1,p1)repeat to end of row.

Next 2 rows - k1,p1 rib

cast off in rib.

To make up - stitch seams on both inside legs and then join pieces by stitching centre front and back seams.

Thread ribbon/elastic or icord through eyelets at waist.

Headband - cast on 6 stitches

Row 1 - K1,P1

Row 2 - P1, K1

Continue until work measures 27cm.

Buttonhole row - k1,p1,cast off next 2 stitches,k1,p1

Next row - p1,k1,cast on 2 stitches,p1,k1

Next - k1,p1

Next - kfb,k4,kfb (8 stitches)

Next - kfb repeat to end of row (16 stitches)

Next - k

Next - k

Next - kfb repeat to end of row (32 stitches)

Next -k

join contrast yarn and kfb into every stitch (64 stitches)

cast off

To make up - tease ruffle edge with your fingers to make a flower. Sew on button.

Dolls Clothes

Last week, I offered to fulfil a ravelry RAK and knit doll clothes for a raveler's neice. I knew I had several vintage patterns that I inherited from my Nana.

I happily knitted up a set in 4ply sock yarn, thinking to myself at the time that it wasn't the fastest project in the world because of the thinner yarn. One set complete, I returned to rummage for a different pattern to use. I found another one in 4 ply...and then a set in 3 ply...and then one using 2 ply yarn...what the heck?! These are to dress a doll, not a baby! Impatient, I bought a modern pattern, and coupled the cardigan with a free (lovely) pinafore dress pattern on ravelry. I spent a morning knitting up the t-shirt vest from said pattern to discover it wouldn't fit over my dolls head - and not just a little tight, this was way out.

So another pattern started to form in my mind - something versatile, in double knit, quick and cute. Initially I thought this could be offered on ravelry as a pay-to-download, but I'm not quite confident enough to do that yet, so it's another freebie and hopefully it'll be enjoyed :)

Pattern coming up in next post :)

Liquid Soap and Wash Cloth/Dish Cloth Set

Simple, but pretty pattern for a Liquid Soap Sleeve and matching cloth. Would make an ideal Mother's Day present, or housewarming. I used cheapish hand soap - I was really going for shape of the bottle, rather than breaking the bank. Try to pick ones up that you can soak the labels off of, rather than bottles that have printing on. When I gift mine, I'll add a handmade tag - "moisturising hand soap", rather than "Sainsbury's Bargainous Soap" ;)

For the beige kitchen set, I used Anchor Magicline, 100% cotton in Beige Block. It took over one ball to make the pair, but I did get the tawashi out of the second ball too. The tawashi is not my pattern, but is wonderful, simple and available free on ravelry here.

For the Beige Soap Sleeve -

Needles - one pair of 4.00mm, UK8, US6.

Cast on 18 stitches.

Row 1 - (K1, P1), repeat to end.

Row 2 - (P1, K1), repeat to end

Row 3 - as Row 1

Row 4 - as Row 2

Row 5 - K1,P1,K1, k2, (yo, sl1, k2, psso the 2k sts), repeat to last 4 stitches, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1

Row 6 - P1, K1, P1, purl to last 3 stitches, K1, P1, K1

Row 7 - K1, P1, K1, K1, (sl1, k2, psso the 2k sts, yo), repeat to last 5 stitches, K2, P1, K1, P1

Row 8 - P1, K1, P1, purl to last 3 stitches, K1, P1, K1

Repeat Rows 5-8 until work will fit around liquid soap, ending with a wrong side (purl) row, then finish off with the buttonhole band as follows -

Row 1 - (K1, P1), repeat to end.

Row 2 - P1, K1, P1, cast off 2 stitches, continue in moss stitch to last 5 stitches, cast off 2 stitches, K1, P1, K1

Row 3 - K1, P1, K1, cast on 2 stitches, (P1, K1) x4, cast on 2 stitches, P1, K1, P1

Row 4 - (P1, K1), Repeat to end

Cast off in moss stitch.

To finish - weave in ends and sew 2 buttons to correspond with button holes.

Cloth -

Needles - one pair of 4.00mm, UK8, US6.

Cast on 54 stitches.

Row 1 (K1,P1) repeat to end.

Row 2 (P1, K1) repeat to end.

Row 3 - as row 1

Row 4 - as row 2

Row 5: k1,p1,k3,*yo, sl1, k2, psso the 2k sts* K1,p1,k1,p1

Row 6: p1,k1,p1,p to last 3 stitches, k1,p1,k1

Row 7: k1, p1, k2 *sl1, k2, psso the 2k sts, yo* K2, p1,k1,p1

Row 8: p1,k1,purl to last 3 stitches,k1,p1,k1

Repeat rows 5-8 12 more times

Repeat rows 1-4, cast off in moss stitch and weave in ends.

Block pieces if necessary.

My cloths measure around 7" square, because I prefer a smaller cloth. If you'd like to make yours larger, increase number of stitches cast on in multiples of 3, and adjust the number of rows accordingly.

The green set has a slimmer sleeve on the soap - 15 stitch cast on. I was experimenting, but prefer the sleeve to be larger - might try a 21 stitch cast on next time. The Green Set is destined for my bathroom, rather than kitchen and therefore the cloth will be used on my face. With that in mind, I used Rowan Luxury Cotton DK - 50% cotton, 50% viscose and 5% silk - it's wonderfully soft and kind to my skin.

Finally, I used Regia 4ply bamboo sock yarn to make a sleeve for a candle jar (I think I just spent a few days totally addicted to the lace mesh pattern to be honest)

Holler at me if there are any glaring errors - there shouldn't be, I've checked it carefully...but if there are, yell. Loudly. Edited to add that there was an error, that has now been corrected...many thanks to SouthernComfortKC on Ravelry for pointing it out :)

x

I'm so bad at blogging! Lots of knitting has been cast on and completed since my last post. All of them are little projects and spurred by Ravelympics 2010.

I set a personal challenge to myself to complete 20 projects and enter 10 different events (without entering a project in more than one category). I'm getting there, I think!

Must work out how to make a photo mosaic on flickr of progress so far.

In the meantime, have a picture of liquid soap, both cheap and cheerful - I think the Sainsbury's one was 50p and the Baylis & Harding one set me back a whole pound :p -

New knitting pattern coming soon to posh them up a bit! I'm determined that all gifts this year will be handmade, and will not tax my bank balance, but instead have love and thought in them.

Stripey bunnies! Another half a dozen bunnies for the Cats Protection centre, this time in stripes. Same pattern as below, but I changed colour every 4 rows (apart from the green stripey bunny, which changed ever 2 rows). Pictured with an itty bitty heart for Valentine's Day :)

This kicked off Ravelympics 2010 for me beautifully.

Started and finished a few more projects - a cupcake pincushion, a little grey rabbit and a new blanket for Catalpa, which is made of the sort of yarn you're embarrassed to admit you've bought but is perfect for a kitty blanket...

It's Wendy Velvet Flake, bought in Kemp's sale for......79p a ball. Catalpa loves it. Such a manly colour for him too *snigger*

I'm just in the process of knitting a baby hat and all-in-one and then I might have a go at writing another pattern that's forming in my mind (and will be another category to enter for the ravelympics :p)

Thank you so much for the lovely comments on the bunnies - I can't tell you how thrilled I am :) First picture from someone else was posted on Ravelry yesterday - I literally bounced!

Last week led to some tough decisions, resulting in us returning Juniper to the shelter. He had a few personal hygiene problems (refusing to wash himself, rubbing his feet in the litter tray and then decorating the house with poo paw prints...). It seems such a trivial thing, but when you catch yourself sitting on the floor in tears at 1am for the third night on the trot cleaning up kitty poo, you realise you just can't cope with that for potentially the next decade. Despite the shelter's reassurances, I am racked with guilt for returning him although I know it's the right decision for him and for us.

Catalpa continues to settle into our home with ease. In contrast, he is a darling cat. DS has always tolerated my love of cats, rather than sharing it, but Catalpa has changed all that and is currently upstairs curled up on his lap while he studies.

In other news, I have completed a few more knitty projects - the Zinnia dishcloth and my first KAL from KrisKnits. Love them both :) I've signed up for this year's Ravelympics on the Knitted Toy team, so just deciding what to knit for the duration. I'd like to make some stripey catnip bunnies, and I've a copy of Debi Birkin's new pattern, Pip to work up. Mother's Day is looming in the UK too, so a suitable project for my mum will need to be sourced too - so if anyone reading this has any ideas, please share!

Catnip Bunnies

These are the bunnies I've been knitting for Cats Protection. They're small, quick to knit, ever-so-simple 2 needle affairs with only the tinsiest bit of seaming required on the ears. Perfect for using up scrappy bits of yarn, and spreading kitty happiness :) I thought I'd offer my pattern for anyone who'd also like to give them a whirl. This is the first pattern I've written up, so apologies for it being so waffly. I've included lots of photos to help you decipher what I'm talking about!

Pattern is available as a free pdf download on ravelry right here.

This pattern can be printed for your personal use, but please don't sell or copy it. Finished pieces may be sold for charity fundraising.

Knit, knit, knit....

Busy with the knitting needles recently :) First a little notebook covered in yarn, felt and tiny buttons. Yarn is vile acrylic, but perfect for this little project. I had some red dotty felt that was ideal for the fly agaric cap, embroidered the stalk and sewed on tiny little blue and yellow flowers. Undecided yet to have this as a handbag present for me or to give it to my sister for her birthday in March...

And 3 little catnip toys knitted and presented to Catalpa and Juniper - a mouse, an egg and a heart. Here's Catalpa showing his appreciation for his new friends...

I've also been busy knitting little catnip bunnies for Cats Protection - a whole rainbow of them. Just working one more and taking pictures at each stage so I can write up the pattern and offer it on here and on ravelry.

The plan is to make and donate 50 kitty related things to the Cats Protection to use in their shelters or to sell as fundraisers - my way of helping them to keep going.

So to kick it off, here are 3 fleecy cat blankets -

The fleece was a total bargain - Asda sofa throws, £2 each...or 2 for £3! How ridiculous is that? I should get 4 blankets out of each throw! The red are backed with a cotton fabric, the white has an appliqued heart and machine blanket stitch edging. They're big enough to line blankets, cover "their" side of the sofa - kitty sized!

Then I made 8 catnip sachets -

Fleece back, Laura Ashley's mimi fronts with appliqued felt hearts. Stuffed with a little polyfibre fill and lots of catnip. :)

Total of 11 down, 39 to go!

Meet Juniper and Catalpa!

Kitties were collected at the weekend, and are settling in well :) Juniper has been on antibiotics for a stomach problem, so kitty litter tray has been vile to put it mildly. I'll be pleased when his tummy is back to normal - this has been a baptism of fire into the world of having house cats!

The pair of them are nosey, exploring everywhere they're allowed to right now. I still have them confined to the kitchen and living room but they'll be allowed free run of the house next week.

I've been busy making them more kitty toys, as well as knitting up a batch for the Cats Protection to sell or use in their fundraising - will blog about those later on.

In the meantime, my life is full of furballs and I'm loving having them around.