after long and very hot summer, I have returned with Ella The rainbow Doll.
Las week I had friend over for a visit, who came with her 6 year old daughter Ella. After I showed Ella my crocheted dolls collection she had hard time deciding which one was her favorite. So I offered her a deal.
I told her I would make her the most special off all dolls, doll she dreams of. In order to make her wish come true, I asked I gave her colored pencils and markers and asked her to draw such doll. Told her to take her time, to take some time thinking and when completely sure to draw her dream doll.
After a while Ella came with this drawingOn the left side of the drawing you can see tarantula, while on the right side, giant African millipede is crawling. I keep few of such lovely creatures (many of you will have goosebumps hearing this 🙂 ) as pets, and Ella loved seeing them. She was specially fascinated by giant African millipedes and their size, as well as hissing Madagascar cockroaches who hissed at her every time she came near.
Now I had the drawing and next day had to start making this lovely doll we named Rainbow Princess.
As with starting any other doll, important is to know which shapes to use, where to start, and to prepare your material in advance.
I finished this lovely princess in one day. It was wonderful experience and so much fun to return to childhood and create something so simple and something so extraordinary and beautiful as Rainbow Princess Ella had drawn. Colors she has chosen, the way she put them together. High heel boots in orange color that were must have…. and so many other details that were so much fun to make.
I remember, when I saw the drawing for the first time, my first thought was “oh, nooooo”… for the open mouth with tongue showing. I was so worried and thought of ways making such mouth without many complications while crocheting.
At the end decided to simply draw the mouth using textile paints and apply them as more as drawing than to fill each stitch with color trying to make them as perfect as possible. At the end it worked nice (so I think).
On what I came up and how I crocheted doll after 6 year old Ella’s drawing is here:
thaa-dhaaa….
At the end Ella was thrilled with her doll. Do you know what amazed her the most?
Those criss-crosses you can see in front of her dress, and off course, high heels on doll’s boots 😀
If you have a little child or grand child and you don’t know what doll to crochet for them. Ask them to draw doll they’d like to have, and simply make one.
Same as your child has drawn in simple way, you crochet that simple. Keep an eye on details and colors. Those are important. If you make or fail the shape of head, or body, or make legs little shorter or even longer, child won’t notice that. On another hand, don’t forget to add details as fingers, use exact colors on locations your child drawn them, if doll has eyelashes, add them, if there is one single polka dot on drawn dress, don’t forget to make it on your doll too. Those little things are what children won’t forget and will check your work to see if it matches their drawing. I warmly recommend you try this, making a doll or toy based on your child’s drawing. Happiness when they see their dream doll come to life, is priceless.
Really hope you like little Ella The Rainbow Doll. If you wish to make doll based on your child’s drawing but not sure where to start, feel free to write and I will try to help you.
This is not the only project I’ve done this summer. I was not near PC and internet each day, but whenever I had little bit of time (and when it was not hell hot), I did work a little.
In the following weeks there will be several patterns I’ll share for free and sale.
Some of them are:
Flower Fairies
Liz the Goth dollOne piece dolls work in details( project)…general information will be shared here, but on actual project we will work through FB group.
Will be exciting with lots of news coming up. If you had hot summer, cool down in the following two weeks, gather your yarn, sharpen your hooks and get ready to start the new adventures with AmigurumiBB 😀
Thank you all for your time stopping by and reading this post. Hope you’ve enjoyed Ella the Rainbow Princess.
After almost one moth of break from new posts, returning with, I hope, lovable gift to you all.
New crochet addition to all Waldorf admirers.
Simple testing the head for this pattern has taken our little Facebook group into wonderful doll making adventure. Many new ideas opened and new patterns were created. 25 wonderful and kind ladies have applied to test the pattern. Those that finished came up with the most adorable little princess dolls 🙂 Some we still wait to finish their projects. If ladies agree I will post their photos for all of you to see.
What I am specially satisfied that not matter which weight yarn or size hook was used, the pattern worked well for all.
For the first time we have tried joining limbs with cotter pins, and making joints with whatever we could find at home. Instead of original discs, washers and cotter pins, we mounted cotter pins over buttons, and if cotter pins were not available, wire or paper clips were used. Please feel free to check on home made options on joints. Few photos and how the joints are done I have added HERE
My baby grew to little girl very fast. It is amazing how fast the kids grow these days!!! 🙂 Like mushrooms after the rain. One day I saw her bald and crying and the next one she asked for her hair to be done!
The next day her friend showed ….
Kids!!!
🙂
The pattern is pretty long.
Pattern has several additions. I will try to explain what each of them will bring and you cna choose from.
Basic Waldorf Inspired Baby includes instructions on how to crochet baby’s body from head to toe.
This is what you will get with the basic Walsdorf Inspired Baby pattern:
During testing the pattern, one of tester ladies and my dear friend wanted to make baby with open mouth, or the mouth baby can place her finger in, pacifier or baby bottle. Based on Waldorf’s baby head she made adjustments and came up with open mouth head which is absolute must have. I warmly recommend everyone to try this technique not just for this baby head, but for any of your baby heads in the future. Thanks to wonderful friend and generous and kind TB Cess, this pattern we can share as addition to basic Waldorf Baby.
This head required more bent arms, so the hand and sucking finger can reach the mouth easily. For that reason I adjusted and added one more pattern for arms. Called it Sucking finger arms. You can make each arm different and still keep the same size and proportion of your baby. Rounds on both arms (one you can find in basic pattern and this one) are equal. The only difference is thumb crocheted separately and added later to position you prefer and position that matches baby’s mouth the best, and this arm is bent little bit more in the elbow.
Hair for Waldorf doll’s I made and I always make following Beth Webber’s photo tutorial. This is the best one on the web I have encountered so far and all of you who are following me for long time by now, know that I keep repeating myself and suggesting By Hook By Hand blog any time I can, because Beth always inspires me with her doll creations. Her patterns and tutorials are easy to follow and yet all are masterly made.
Photo tutorial on how to make wig for your doll you can find HERE
Following this tutorial I have made simple wig cap, and here are few details.
What I have said to the ladies who tested the pattern, when working on the wig, so will tell you too. Same as with crochet work, in wig making and waving the hairs on, you have right and wrong side. While following Beth’s tutorial, pay attention on how the hairs are waved to the wig. It makes huge difference later. If you will need more help regarding this, please feel free to ask and I will make a short post, showing you through photos what exactly to pay attention to.
At the end what is left are the clothes.
Clothes are crocheted in No.5 thread and still using 2 mm hook. Writing pattern for babies clothes and making it perfect to fit everyone, if you ask me, is the hardest part for most of us who write patterns wishing the pattern will work the same for all.
For that reason I tried to make pattern(s) easy enough so each and every one of you can adjust the stitch count based on yarn and hook used. Important is to work with lighter yarn and adjust the stitch count accordingly. By any chance don’t try crocheting clothes with same weight yarn as doll was made of, or even worse, using heavier one. Clothes needs to be light and fluffy. For this doll I have tried to keep clothes old fashioned.
Created little girlish top,
Nice little pants that can fit the baby even if she wears diapers on,and sock looking booties. All are very, very easy to make. You can view them or download them HERE
Little by little we came to the end 🙂 I hope I haven’t missed anything.
Hope you have enjoyed seeing this new baby pattern, and even more I hope you will enjoy every second while making one.
For any questions, please feel free to write and ask.
Wishing you all happy, relaxing and blessed weekend.
It is never late to start preparing for the winter season and by season I mean Christmas! Have many ideas for new patterns this year and hope I will have time to make and share all of them with you.
Starting with my new Winter Dolls. Elf on the shelf and his mischief girlfriends are coming next and then if time, will show you little smiling snowflakes and this year’s additions to Christmas ornaments.
Let us start with little Winter Dolls!
Materials needed:
double knit cotton in desired colors (body, clothes, hair)
white yarn that fuzz well when brushed
2 mm crochet hook
pair of 5 mm round black beads or same size safety eyes
darning needle (for sewing the parts together)
stuffing of your choice
slicker brush
textile glue (for hair)
cardboard pieces or anything else you can use for extra support in the soles of doll’s shoes.
Old pencils or wire (for extra support inside the legs)
Work in continuous rounds unless specified different. Try to make tough and firm stitches. Stuff firm!
When worked in DK yarn and 2 mm hook, finished doll measures 20 cm (7.9 inches)
Abbreviations used:
st(s) – stitch(es)
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
blo – back loop only
bpsc – back post single crochet
R – round/row
inc – increase (make 2 stitches in one stitch)
dec – decrease (make 1 stitch out of 2 stitches)
** repeat what in between by X times that follow right after
Pattern instructions:
Head
R1 sc6 in magic ring
R2 inc6 (12 sts)
R3 *inc1, sc1 * x6 (18 sts)
R4 *inc1, sc2 * x6 (24 sts)
R5 *inc1, sc3 * x6 (30 sts)
R6 *inc1, sc4 * x6 (36 sts)
R7 *inc1, sc5 * x6 (42 sts)
R8 to R13 sc42 sts (each round)
if you are using safety eyes, your eyes will come in the middle of these two rounds (R13-R14). Make sure to mark the middle of the face (round below you will embroider tiny doll’s nose around 2-3 horizontal stitches). Leave 4-5 stitches between eyes.
R14 inc12, sc30 (54 sts)
R15 to R17 sc54 sts (each round)
R18 *dec1, sc7 * x6 (48 sts)
R19 sc48 sts
R20 *dec1, sc4 * x8 (40 sts)
R21 *dec1, sc2 * x10 (30 sts)
R22 *dec1, sc1 * x10 (20 sts)
start stuffing. Stuff the head nice and firm
R23 *dec2, sc1 * x4 (12 sts)
tie off leaving long end for sewing the nose and to do face sculpting if desired. Finish stuffing.
On how to needle sculpt doll’s face you can find here.
Legs (make 2)
ch6
we will work around the chain in order to create oval shape for the foot.
R1 sc4, 3sc in the last chain stitch, continue working around the chain, sc3, 2sc in the last chain st (12 sts)
R5 working back post single crochet, sc30 (30 sts)
R6 to R8 sc30 (each round)
Using some scrap cardboard, create the sole for the shoe and place it inside. For additional firmness you can glue it to inside, on the bottom of the shoe.
R9 sc6, *dec1, sc2 * x4, dec1, sc6 (25 sts)
R10 sc4, *dec1, sc1 * x5 dec1, sc4 (19 sts)
R11 sc8, dec1, sc9 (18 sts)
R12 BLO 18 sts
R13 to R21 sc18 sts (each round)
stuff the bottom of the shoe very firm.
R22 BLO this round dec9 sts (9 sts)
R23 to R34 sc9 sts (each round)
Tie off. Before stuffing decide if extra support (wire or similar) will be added. Measure, cut and add together with stuffing.
Body
R1 Bring both legs together. Both pointing same direction. Mark three stitches on each leg, those that you will touching each other when legs brought together.
Slip stitch to the first stitch facing you (on either one of the legs, or either side), and chain 3 sts.
Bring the next leg close and slip stitch to the opposite stitch on the second leg, one that is closest and matching stitch you started the chain.
Slip stitch to the next stitch of the same leg. Chain one stitch, turn your work and single crochet 3 stitches on the chain you previously made).
Once done with 3sc, slip stitch to the middle stitch on the first leg. Slip stitch to the last stitch, chain 1 st, turn.
One more time, make 3 single crochet stitches (2 row on your chain, connecting legs).
Slip stitch to the remaining, third stitch on the opposite leg, chain one turn.
What we just did, we increased the gap between the legs, but we haven’t change the stitch count.
Now, stitch around making 18 stitches. (3 over space between legs, 6sc one leg, 3 space between legs, 6 sc second leg) (18 sts)
R2 *inc1, sc2 * x6 (24 sts)
R3 *inc1, sc3 * x6 (30 sts)
R4 *inc1, sc4 * x6 (36 sts)
R5 *inc1, sc5 * x6 (42 sts)
R6 *inc1, sc6 * x6 (48 sts)
T7 *inc1, sc7 * x6 (54 sts)
R8 *inc1, sc8 * x6 (60 sts)
R9-R12 sc60 sts (each round)
R13 blo 60 sc
R14-R15 sc60 sts (each round)
R16 *dec1, sc8 * x6 (54 sts)
R17 sc 54 sts
R19 *dec1, sc7 * x6 (48 sts)
R20 sc48 sts
R21 *dec1, sc6 * x6 (42 sts)
R22 sc42 sts
R23 *dec1, sc5 * x6 (36 sts)
R24 sc36 sts
R25 *dec1, sc4 * x6 (30 sts)
R26 sc30 sts
R27 *dec1, sc3 * x6 (24 sts)
begin stuffing and continue as you go. Stuff the body as firm as you can.
R28 sc24
R29 *dec1, sc2 * x6 (18 sts)
R30 sc18
R31 *dec1, sc1 * x6 (12 sts)
R32 sc12 sts
finish stuffing the body, tie off leaving long end for sewing body to the head later.
Arms (make 2)
thumb (make thumb before starting the mitten)
R1 sc5 in the magic ring (5 sts)
R2-R3 sc5
tie off
mittens
R1 sc5 in the magic ring (5 sts)
R2 inc5 (10 sts)
R3-R4 sc10
R5 bring thumb, start stitching on the thumb first, sc5, continue stitching the mitten, sc10 (15 sts)
R6 blo sc15
R7-R10 sc15
From round 11 to round 20 decrease 1 each round. Stuff the arm as you go. Leave the top of the arm empty or stuffed very light.
R11 will make 14 sts
R12 13 sts
R13 12 sts
R14 11 sts
R15 10 sts
R17 9 sts
R18 8 sts
R19 7 sts
R20 6 sts
Tie off leaving long end for sewing arm to the body.
Here is how your doll should look before sewing her upHair
starting from the magic ring
Each chain we make (4 of them) will start and return to this magic ring. Do not close the ring until the hair is done completely.
*sc1 in magic ring, ch31 – starting from the second chain stitch inc20, sc10* x4
R1 sc5 sts in magic ring, ch1, turn
R2 inc5 (10 sts) ch1, turn
R3 *inc1, sc1 * x5 (15 sts) ch1, turn
R4 *inc1, sc2 * x5 (20 sts) ch1, turn
R5 *inc1, sc3 * x5 (25 sts) ch1, turn
R6 *inc1, sc4 * x5 (30 sts) ch1, turn
R7-R12 sc30 each row (ch1 and turn)
R13 *ch21, starting from second chain from the hook inc20, slip stitch to the next st, sc to next st* repeat until you make 15 curls.
Tie off. Close the magic ring. Hide ends.
Glue the hair to the head. Arrange fringes the way you like them to be.
Hat
R1 sc6 in magic ring
R2 inc6 (12 sts)
R3 *inc1, sc1 * x6 (18 sts)
R4 *inc1, sc2 * x6 (24 sts)
R5 *inc1, sc3 * x6 (30 sts)
R6 *inc1, sc4 * x6 (36 sts)
R7 *inc1, sc5 * x6 (42 sts)
R8 *inc1, sc6 * x6 (48 sts)
R9 blo48 sts
R10-R13 sc 48 sts
Fuzzy edgings:
dress
boots
hat
sleeves
Edgings can be done many ways.
Crochet fuzzy ends directly on doll
I used mixture of mohair and acrylic yarn (that I brushed later), and crocheted it directly to doll, using front loops we left free on some rounds.
If you are going to do this, make sure yarn is similar weight to yarn you made your doll with, so your stitches don’t stretch to much being too small or they don’t end up bulky and much heavier than coat or hat or boots.
My yarn was much thinner and lighter that cotton I used for the doll, so I worked with two treads to reach desired thickness. I crocheted directly on the doll, making same stitch count of those front loops left and stitched each piece for 5 rounds. Brushed after I was finished.
2. Crochet stripes and sew them on the doll later
What you can do instead is to make stripes. Use the width of those 5 rounds we left on top of the boots, hat or sleeves.
Make the chain, measure it so the length fits your piece all around and make few rounds with single crochet stitch until you reach the width that suits your piece. If you are going to brush it. Brush it now, before sewing it on the doll. Then sew the stripe using front loops as your guide to position them evenly and sew nicely.
Using this method, what will be the easiest one for many of you, you can add any yarn you have available.
Use scraps and pieces of wool leftovers (you can add them with glue or you can felt them on)
Use scraps and pieces of some fuzzy fabrics you have
Suggestion: add the fuzzy yarn to your doll before sewing the parts together and if possible brush them before sewing as well. On the photo below you can see I brushed arms. Believe me that brushing legs was difficult with both of them stuffed firm and connected to the body. Try to avoid my mistake and brush legs before making body.
And that is it! Your Winter Doll is done. Hope you will enjoy this pattern and this Christmas surprise someone with one of these little cuties. For any help or questions you might have regarding this pattern, please feel free to contact me.
Wishing you all wonderful rest of the week! See you soon with something new!
It is time when most of us are preparing for the end of the month and Halloween. Time of pumpkins and bats, ghosts and walking skeletons; flying witches and black cats. For those brave enough to try something more, I have created voodoo dolls 🙂
Not just plain and simple voodoo dolls! These are very special! They are lovable, huggable, kissable, simple irresistible voodoo dolls that will melt your heart on first sight. And above all they are dolls with feelings, so please take it easy when using pins on them!
These simple voodoo dolls are simple and easy to make and will make great addition to your doll collection or as fun companion for your little ones.
Materials needed to make your voodoo doll:
any yarn of of your choice (any color and any weight), in addition to basic yarn for yoru doll you will need scraps of different color yarns to sew the parts together, scraps for hair, and some black for eyes and stitches lips
crochet hook to go well with your yarn (usually size or size and a half smaller from what yarn recommendation is)
darning needle or any other needle that will make your sewing easy
stuffing of your choice
Abbreviations:
In the pattern US terminology is used
St(s) – stitches
Ch – chain stitch
Sl st – slip stitch
Sc – single crochet stitch
Inc – increasing stitch (two stitches made in one stitch)
Dec – decreasing stitch (one stitch made out of two stitches – invisible decrease used in the pattern)
Pop-corn – pop corn stitch used to make a thumb on dolls hands (I used pop corn stitch made out f three double crochet stitches; you can also use cluster stitch here-whichever you find easier to make this little thumb popping out, will be fine).
R – round or row
Doll is made in continuous rounds.
Body with the opening n front (if you decide to make one) has part with 10 rows (instead of continuous rounds), that will be indicated under open body part of the pattern given below.
For any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Voodoo doll pattern
Head
R1 sc6 in magic ring
R2 inc6 (12 sts)
R3 *inc1, sc1* x6 (18 sts)
R4 *inc1, sc2* x6 (24 sts)
R5 *inc1, sc3* x6 (30 sts)
R6 *inc1, sc4* x6 (36 sts)
R7 *inc1, sc5* x6 (42 sts)
R8 *inc1, sc6* x6 (48 sts)
R9 *inc1, sc7* x6 (54 sts)
R10-R19 sc54
R20 *dec1, sc7* x6 (48 sts)
R22 sc48
R23 *dec1, sc4* x8 (40 sts)
R24 *dec1, sc2* x10 (30 sts)
R25 *dec1, sc1* x10 (20 sts)
Fasten off. Stuff the head nice and firm.
Body
(closed body)
R1 sc6 in magic ring (6 sts)
R2 inc6 (12 sts)
R3 *inc1, sc1* x6 (18 sts)
R4 *inc1, sc2* x6 (24 sts)
R5 *inc1, sc3* x6 (30 sts)
R6 *inc1, sc4* x6 (36 sts)
R7 *inc1, sc5* x6 (42 sts)
R8 *inc1, sc6* x6 (48 sts)
R9-R18 sc48
R19 *dec1, sc4* x8 (40 sts)
R20 sc 40
R21 *dec1, sc2* x10 (30 sts)
R22 sc30
R23 *dec1, sc1* x10 (20 sts)
R24sc20
Fasten off and stuff the body.
Open type body (will try to add photo, describing the whole process on how it is done soon)
Repeat R1 to R9 as from the above, for the closed body type
R10 ch1, turn (starting to work rows here (each row finish with ch1 and turn) sc47 (47 sts)
R11-R19 sc47
As you have finished R19, ch1 and single crochet the side of rows. When reaching bottom or single crochet left on R9 slip stitch that one and continue single crocheting other side of your rows.
R20 ch1, do not turn but continue crocheting as you would in any other round. Sc47, ch1 and sl st to chain made when starting this round. From now on continue working in spiral as we sis with the bottom part of the body.
R21 *dec1, sc4* x8 (40 sts)
R22 sc40
R23 *dec1, sc2* x10 (30 sts)
R25 sc30
R26 *dec1, sc1* x10 (20 sts)
R27 sc20
Fasten off , hide end, On the opening we made at the belly part you can lace as lacing the shoe, or you can sew little zipper on. You can add one or two buttons to it. My idea was making little treasures keeping doll out of one of my voodoos and think children will like this idea too.
Arms (make2)
R1 sc6 in magic ring (6 sts)
R2 inc6 (12 sts)
R3 *inc1, sc1* x6 (18 sts)
R4-R5 sc18
R6 pop-corn 1st sts, sc17 (18 sts)
R7-R8 sc18
R9 *dec1, sc1* x6 (12 sts)
R10-R24 sc12
Fasten off, hide end. Stuff the arm nicely, leaving top part of the arm empty or stuffed very light (so the arms can fall over the body nice way).
Legs (make2)
R1 sc6 in magic ring (6 sts)
R2 inc6 (12 sts)
R3 *inc1, sc1* x6 (18 sts)
R4 *inc1, sc2* x6 (24 sts)
R5 bpsc24
R6 sc24
R7 dec1, sc1, dec1, sc1, dec1, sc16 (21 sts)
R8 dec3, sc15 (18 sts)
R9-18 sc18
R19 *dec1, sc1* x6 (12 sts)
R20 sc12
Fasten off hide end
Before sewing the parts together you might want to add some decorative stitches on the legs and arms. Use colors of your choice. When it comes to decorating your voodoo doll it has to be something you like or your children would like you to add. If your children are big enough you can add buttons, beads, sequins…. The rule, less is more is not a rule to follow for your voodoo, so go crazy on this one
When adding hair to your dolls:
For boy I added few strings of yarn I attached on the very first round of the head. For the girls used two strings I waved around several stitches and then tided them together in little pig tails.
For your girl dolls you can ad braids instead or make tassels, or one bigger pony tail on top or back of the head.
Eye(s):
If you decide to crochet your eye(s) they are done this simple way:
R1 sc6 in magic ring
R2 inc6 (12 sts)
Tie off leaving long end for sewing (when making eye lashes sew the eye as the eye lashes are holding it)
With white yarn embroider two tiny little dots to make doll’s eye(s) alive.
On girl voodoo the heart I made on her chest was done using pattern you can find here. Pattern was created by Lucy from Attic24. It is very easy and beautiful tiny heart to make.
At the end, let me tell you about staining the doll, or making it look dirty as I did with two of my voodoo dolls.
I crocheted them in white cotton yarn and I used 2,5 mm hook for boy and 2 mm hook for girl. Liked the idea on making them white, but didn’t like the idea on keeping them so clean and so new
I took some crayons (oil based) that I applied directly on doll. Then with my fingers I tried to smudge the crayon I applied as much as I could all around the toy.
Boy was the first one I made and he ended up too dirty (also the brown I used was too dark and I am not 100% satisfied with the look, but still think both are better than very clean white).
With girl was little bit more careful and she ended up better.
I suggest you try it. Dirty little voodoo it looks great and it is fun to do!
Wishing you all lots of fun making your little voodoo dolls. Hope they bring you lots of joy! And remember to go easy on them when using pins as voodoo dolls have feelings too 😀
Wishing you all wonderful end of the week and blessed weekend to come.
On the left side of the drawing you can see tarantula, while on the right side, giant African millipede is crawling. I keep few of such lovely creatures (many of you will have goosebumps hearing this 🙂 ) as pets, and Ella loved seeing them. She was specially fascinated by giant African millipedes and their size, as well as hissing Madagascar cockroaches who hissed at her every time she came near.
Liz the Goth doll
One piece dolls work in details( project)…general information will be shared here, but on actual project we will work through FB group.
