Sweaters To Keep The Spring Chill Away

Once again the days have flown by.  I've been able to post things to my Facebook page, but a post to my website has eluded me.

So, what have I been doing the last few weeks?  I have been thoroughly distracted with knitting tiny sweaters.  I found a great free pattern on Ravelry that I just keep knitting.  Pretty soon I'll have it memorized!

I've been knitting using mostly laceweight yarn on size US 1 double pointed needles.  I've also used fingering weight yarn for two, but don't have handy pics of those.  I also just finished a lovely lilac purple sweater in laceweight yarn on size US 0.

The laceweight yarn has all been from my favorite reclaimed yarn seller on Etsy, Penelope's Fine Yarns.  She has such a great variety of colors, and such good prices!

I'm now onto a birthday project this week, an Einstein Doll, but I know I will be right back to more doll sweaters after that.  The end results fit well on 12" fashion dolls like Tonner's Tiny Kitty, and Fashion Royalty's Poppy Parker, and also on 10" dolls lke Tonner's Patsy, and Bambicrony Lottie.  But I'm thrilled with how great they fit on the 8" Pocket Poppet dolls I've been making!

So here's a ton of photos of what I've been spending my time on the last few weeks.  :)

This sweater was knit on size US 0 DPNs.

Tiny Kitty Collier models this one knit on US 1 DPNs, in a fingering weight turquoise merino.

Knit on size US 1 DPNs, modelled on a Pocket Poppet doll.

Size US 1 DPNs.

Another Pocket Poppet doll models.

A Racoon, And A Mini Binky Boo

I finally got my Parkland Racoon finished!  The next one I make will probably be more colorful/fantasy, but I still like the natural/neutral tones on this first little guy.  Using the fusible fleece on the back of the fabric worked out well, but I'm going to watch and see how he stands up to a little wear and tear.  The black fabric was more polyester than cotton, so the next Racoon I make I will definitely be pickier going through my scrap fabrics for his body, inner ears, eye mask, soles, and tail rings.

I also sold one of the little Binky Boos I recently made, to a fantastic doll photographer (if you're on Facebook and are a fan of doll photography, you need to be following her!).  She asked a question about making them even smaller, and I figured, what the heck?  Let's start trying to miniaturize!

I was going to wait until the weekend to start trying, but the bug bit me yesterday evening as I looked at my smaller felt scraps.  Here is the first result, which turned out pretty cute.  I hand embroidered the eyes, but next version I think I will use seed beeds, or see if I can find even smaller safety eyes. The pic below shows the mini guy in orange next to a "regular" sized gray bear.  The mini isn't quite half the size.

The mini Binky Boo's little arms move, too.

Little guy next to a U.S. quarter for scale.

Closeup on the face. 

The next version I may try to make a little smaller, too.  Plus, I'm eyeing the pony pattern, and picturing it a bit smaller, too.  :D

Some Mornings You Just Don't Want To Get Out Of Bed

Tiny, Doll Sized Socks!

Even dolls need a pair of luxury socks.  This first attempt turned out to be green reclaimed cashmere socks.

These were knit on size 0 US needles, with a laceweight yarn once again provided by Penelope's Fine Yarns.  It's a nice shade of green, more blue undertones than yellow.  They are simple socks with ribbing at the top, but they aren't tube socks.  Oh no, these have a tiny little heel!

The socks are knit from the toe up, so I can gauge how long I want to make each one before I will run out of yarn.  I have a lot of little skeins that are perfect for doll items, so I envision a lot more socks in the near future.  The pattern being easy to memorize makes this a great project for tv watching, or to have in my purse if I suspect I'm going to be waiting around for anything for any reason.

This pair of socks is up on eBay.  Hopefully this will be another item I can make to help offset the cost of living in general, and doll collecting specifically.  :D

Now I need to get to work and try to ignore the indignant glances I keep getting from Ellowyne and Sydney.  They got a taste of cashmere socks, and now they want their own.  They've already pointed out that it would be impractical for me to knit myself a pair, and that they have been modelling for free, so, you know, some kind of compensation is in order.  Soon.  :D

Comfy Chair-Spoiled Doll

Essential Ellowyne Wilde reclines in a comfy chair that I only wish I could have made in my size.  It's covered in white and black paisley fabric, and has that "favorite chair" faded look to it.

Alas, my Ellowyne is going to be disappointed because I am listing this on eBay as another "test" to see if there's interest.  It has a low starting price of $4.99, but if you like it (or your dolls are telling you that they like it), you can get it before anyone else with the Buy It Now price of $12.99 plus shipping.  :D

The auction is at the following link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300758710412&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Oh, and her outfit (slim jacket and slacks) is also up for bid:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300758703942&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT