Gifting Dolls

Since my collection of dolls is way too large, I decided to gift a couple of ladies at our small church with some little purse companions.

 The first lady was so thrilled. I gave her two Strawberry Shortcakes and a Ty teeny bopper. She brings the Ty doll to church each Sunday and I bring different dolls from my collection to show her.  She has also bought a few thrift store dolls for herself.  What's interesting about this is that I would not have "normally" chosen her to be a good friend.  However, after finding that we both love dolls, she and I have become closer and now I consider her a great buddy. (scroll down to the G's (Glitzy Gabby)

 http://world.ty.com/images/tfi/11/9c3f7ab635b9e43b65a98ac1106fc55a_lg.gif

The next lady received a doll and some clothes.  I think she sometimes carries her SSC clone but mostly I haven't heard her mention it.  She's a lovely elderly woman and giving her a doll was mostly for me to show her I cared about her.

The third lady is someone I don't know very well at all, and haven't had the chance to talk to very much.  She has had a run-in with cancer and is in remission.  I had to leave early one Sunday after "big church" and asked the lady from paragraph one to deliver the little SSC clone.  This was a couple of months ago.

Just last week, I was told by the church secretary in an "Oh, by the way" comment, something that I wanted to share here.

The lady still has to go in for checkups every month, sometimes more often.  She always without fail keeps her little gifted doll in her purse.  During times at the Dr's office when she is nervous about what procedure or result or prognosis she will undergo, she holds the doll in her hand and prays.  She calls the little $2 gift her "prayer doll".  It calms and soothes her as she remembers her church friends and how much they love her, and especially the Lord's love for her.  She lifts up her fears and anxieties to God while holding the tiny plastic token of human affection in her hand. 

I was very moved by this report.  There was no way to predict how much a small doll would affect a woman going through one of life's most severe trials.

All this makes me want to share and gift so many more of my dolls.  Gifts of toys are pure luxury: not one of the necessities.  I stand amazed at how God has used these trinkets to help a couple of women in ways I never would have imagined.  He can use the least thing to show His love through us to others, can't he?

I am humbled.

The Sweet Underrated Doll

Something about this little one has captured my heart.  This is Ideal's Little Miss Marker Sara Stimpson doll. On the back of her head is a date of (get the old bifocals out) 1978 or 1979. Sorry, I still couldn't read it well.  She is sculpted by Vincent J. DeFilippo.  He also sculpted a Shirley Temple the same size but it was never produced.

Her head is on a ball on her neck, like Penny Brite and Susie Sad Eyes.  It allows all kinds of poses.  Her head is oversized and I think she looks so cute in short little dresses. 

For some reason I see lots of sale photos of her online but very few active play pictures of her.  So here is one.  She's in a very simple handmade crocheted dress.  Isn't she so sweet?

I also think she's very underrated.  I think she has so much potential for cuteness.  If you have a Sara I'd love to hear from you. 

Free Knitting Pattern: Tiny Doll Shoes

I gifted a couple of friends with Strawberry Shortcake dolls and clones.  There was a problem:  I am a doll shoe hoarder and the dolls were delivered without shoes....but they had handmade dresses and hats.

I felt kind of bad (read guilty but quite selfish, as shoes this size are hard to come by) about the nekkid doll feet.  Is any girl's outfit complete without shoes?

After an extensive search for free knitted doll shoe patterns, I found only one or two.  Out there are some slipper patterns, some bootie and boot patterns, a couple for larger dolls, but none that I needed.

So, I created my own.  I began with Mary Janes and went on to Ballerina Slippers and Ankle Strap shoes.  The following pattern is the result of several hours of fun.

You're welcome to make these for your own use.  If you decide to sell them, you really should give credit to "Dollwear by Miss Connie".  This benefits you and me both. It advertises my doll clothes reputation and it makes a bit of cash for you.

Tiny Knitted Doll Shoes

A “Dollwear by Miss Connie” original design

Knit Mary Jane Style, Ballet Slipper Style or Ankle Strap Style for your smaller dolls

Fits doll feet that measure about ½” wide and 7/8” long such as:

Vintage Strawberry Shortcake and clones, Vintage Ginny (a bit tight), Susie Sad Eyes, Penny Brite and others

You will need:

     Size 0 (USA) knitting needles

     Size 7 (USA) crochet hook

     Size 10 Crochet thread or equivalent yarn

     Fray check or white glue

     Scissors, darning needle,

     Sewing needle and thread for ballet slippers.

Abbreviations:  PM = Place Marker,

 Inc.=knit into the front and back of stitch, whether it’s a knit or purl row.

Mary Jane Style:

Cast on 11 stitches

Row 1:  P5, PM, P1, PM, P5

Row 2:  Inc in 1^st st, K to last st before marker, inc, K1, inc in 1^st st after marker, K to last st, inc in last st. Use the diagram if it makes more sense.  Bold X = increase stitches. \ = marker.  Of course each row will have more small X/s between the increases.

XXXXX \ X \ XXXXX

Row 3:  Repeat row 2 but purl between the increase stitches.

Row 4:  Repeat row 2

Row 5:  Purl across

Row 6:  Knit across

Row 7:  P5, (P2tog) 3 times, P1, (P2tog)3 times, P5

______________________________________________________________________________________

The following instructions may look complicated, but once you do it, you will see it make sense and is really very easy.

Row 8:  Bind off all st but DON’T CUT THE THREAD.  Leave a loop on the knitting needle at the last bind off.

1. Replace the knitting needle with the crochet hook in this last loop. 
2. You are at the top of the heel.  With right side facing out, slip stitch in the first stitch opposite the vent.  This connects the back seam at the top of the heel.
3. With right side facing you, sc in next 4 bound off knitted stitches.
4. Chain 5.  Try to not twist the chain.
5. Find the 5^th  knitted stitch from the back on the opposite side.  Sc in this stitch and the next 4 stitches.
6. Join with a sl st to the previous sl st.

Finishing:  Cut thread about 8”  from the shoe.  Pull thread through the last sl st.  Turn shoe right sides together and sew the heel and sole seam.

Tie a knot, place a tiny drop of fray check or white glue on the knot.  Weave in a bit of the leftover thread, cut, and apply fray check or glue on the end to permanently fasten. 

Ballet Slipper Variation

Follow rows 1-7 of the Mary Jane shoe.

Row 8:  Bind off all stitches at the top of the shoe.  Join with a sl stitch at back as in 8 - A and B.

              Finish as in 8 - G.

To the center back seam at the top, sew a ribbon or crocheted chain long enough to wrap around the ankle and tie a bow. 

It’s very interesting to research how ballerinas tie their pointe shoes. Search “Tie pointe shoe ribbons”

Ankle Strap Variation

Follow rows 1-7 of the Mary Jane Shoes.

Row 8:  K4, Bind off 9, K4

Row 9:  P4, cast on 4, p4

Row 10:  K across

Row 11:  Bind off all stitches.  Finish as Mary Janes instruction 8 – G

Examples of Other Doll Foot Sizes:

For a doll foot that measures about 1 3/8” long by 3/8” wide, use size 2 needles and sock yarn.

For a doll foot that measures about 2” long by 1” wide, use size 4 needles and DK yarn (or lightweight worsted)

Larger and smaller thread/yarn and needles can be used for smaller and larger doll feet.

For Fun, decorate the shoes with pearls, ribbons, buttons, sequins, beads and embroidery. 

Two New Patterns for Kidz n Cats Dolls

I have finished two new patterns for Kidz n Cats dolls.  The first is a very well fitted bodice (so I've been told).  The pattern includes a front, back and long sleeve and instructions for a skirt.  You can make it as is or use it to compare to other patterns for adjustments. Besides instructions, I've included a tutorial sheet to show you how to make the easiest facing I've ever used.

Here's a cotton print example.

The second pattern is for fitted pants.  Again, fit is the most important thing for me to share.  The tutorial for this pattern is how to lengthen or shorten a pants pattern to make capris, bermuda or shorter shorts.  These directions can be used for basic length adjustments for sleeves, bodices, skirts, and other pattern pieces. The patterns acts as a design sloper if you cut off the seam allowances. I suggest you print several copies of the actual pattern pieces so you can play with design.

Here is a photo of  finished pants paired with the free camisole pattern here on my blog.

Each pattern is $4 PDF email or $5 paper mailed to you.  Contact me via email if you are interested.

Your Wish List and mine

I've had requests for a pattern for Princess Seam dresses, an easy starter dress, and a hoodie with capris.  What's on your wish list for patterns for Kidz n Cats?  Do you have other dolls for which you want patterns? 
Leave your suggestions in the comments box and I'll put them on The List.

Progress: Almost done with the Princess Seam dresses pattern (thanks for the idea, Pauline). 

 
On my Wish List is a tester who can commit to a 24-48 hour turnaround on trying out my sewing patterns.  The upside: free patterns.  The downside is finding the flaws (if any) and critiquing my work.

If  you want to help as a tester, you can contact me via email or in the comments.

Free Kidz n Cats Crochet Tank Top or Camisole

Here's a quick little top for your Kidz n Cats doll. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour for an experienced crocheter. I'm new at blogging, so I need to learn how to make a "Printer Friendly Version". In the meantime, I guess the only option is to highlight the pattern and print or save it.

Have fun, and if you get a chance, let me know how it worked and if you had any problems with the pattern.

Quick Tank Top / Camisole

For Kidz n Cats

And other slim 18 inch dolls

a Dollwear by Miss Connie Design

Materials: Size G (4 mm) crochet hook, DK (size 3) yarn. I used Caron’s Simply Soft for the purple example. The peach is made with British DK yarn, brand unknown.

Begin: Chain 54 (“Foundation chains”)

Row 2: Dc in 2^nd ch from hook . Dc in next 5 FC. Ch 6, skip 15 FC, Dc in next 12 FC, Ch 6, skip FC, Dc in last 6 ch.

Row 3: Ch 2 (counts as first dc in this and all following rows). Dc in each dc and chain across

Row 4: Ch 2, Dc in each dc across.

Rows 5-7: Repeat Row 4 Note: You can crochet 7, 8 or 9 rows for different lengths. Models are shown with 8 rows.

Back Vent and Straps: Working along the back vent, 2 dc in each dc-post to the top corner. 3 sc in corner FC.

Sc in top of next 5 dc. Decrease over the next 2 st (dc and FC). This makes an “inside corner” that reduces the angle for straps that stay on the shoulders better. All the Decreases will involve one dc and one FC, whichever is first.

* Sc in each stitch up to 1 st before the next inside corner. Decrease over the next 2 sts (a ch and a dc, or vice versa).* Repeat from * to* 2 more times.

Sc to last dc. 3 sc in corner. Work 2 sc in each dc post down the other back vent.

Optional: If you would like to edge the armholes, attach yarn at underarm and sc around to the first st. Join with sl st, neaten yarn ends. Make sure both armholes have the same number of stitches.

Cut yarn, weave in loose ends to neaten. Fasten tips of yarn to inside of the Tank Top with a small drop of FabriTac glue or other fabric friendly glue.

Add 3 snaps or buttons on back vent for closures. Use the dc posts as buttonholes.

Decorate as desired.

Buttons, Bows, Rhinestones, Lace, Ribbon, Glue-On fabric pieces, Felt cut-outs, Fur, Feathers, Fuzzy Yarn……

Purrr..ty Please

or

What About the Cat?

Use the same hook and yarn as for your Kidz.

Chain 27 (foundation chains = FC)

Row 1: Dc in 3^rd ch from hook and in next 3 ch (5 dc)

Ch 2, skip 4 FC, dc in next 8 FC.

Ch 2, skip 4 FC, dc in last 5 FC

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1^st dc). Dc in each dc and ch across (22 dc)

Row 3: Ch 2, dc in next 4 dc, 2 dc in next 2 dc.

Dc in next 8 dc, 2 dc in next 2 dc,

Dc in last 5 dc.

Back vent and straps: Ch 1, 2 sc in each dc post to the top corner. 3 sc in corner FC.

Sc in next 3 FC, dec in next 2 FC

Sc in next 2 FC, dec in next 2 FC

Sc in next 6 FC, dec in next 2 FC

Sc in next 2 FC, dec in next 2 FC

Sc in next 3 FC, 3 sc in corner.

2 sc in each dc post down back vent.

Finish as for the Kidz top, but use 2 snaps or buttons. Decorate to coordinate with the Kidz top.

Thank you to Anne who tested the pattern for me.