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BB Dolls

BBDolls - 3This week wanted to talk about amigurumi doll’s hair making. If you ask me, it is the hardest part of finishing the doll and making her look the way we imagine. At least it is for me.

Tried so many different versions of hairs to be done on the doll, and hardly ever was satisfied with the final outcome. Those tapestry way, with wool and pulling out hair by hair; works fine I guess. Eats a lot of wool, but what you can do with it is either freaking out looking doll or to make it look “decent” is pony-tail(s) or braids.

Then there is a wig making. Sorry to say, but for that am complete idiot. Tried it several times, but each and every doll looked so sad with this helmet looking wig on.

Crocheting “discs” as I call them (small round pieces) and placing one or two on top of the head, as you can see at some of my doll photos in the gallery, worked fine. Liked the results. Making tassels to go with them or braids, and placing them on sides or top of the head….. yes, many possibilities and are easy to make, and at the end doll looks nice. Cute and “dolly”.

I wanted more out of hair! That kept me busy thinking and trying.

I am sure I didn’t invent anything new; specially to those that are in amigurumi world for quite some time, but it is new to me.

For today I made one new pattern that I called BB Dolls. Made few different hair styles so you can see the possibilities that can be done. Encourage all of you to give it a try and play with it for a while. Specially to ones that love dolls as much as I do. Hair making this way is fun! Really is! 😉

The pattern for entire doll I tried to make simplest possible. For some problem might be making legs and body in one peace, but if so, just make two legs and body separated, counting the stitches used in the pattern.

For any questions you might have, I am here, and will be glad to help you.

So here we go with the BB Doll pattern

Abbreviations:

Sc: Single crochet

ch: Chain

St: Stitch

inv.dec: invisible decrease

Materials you will need:

2 mm crochet hook

8 ply cotton yarn in various colors

4,5 mm round, black, wooden beads for eyes

stuffing of your choice

needle for sewing up the body parts together

embroidery thread if you will want to sew on the eyelashes to the doll’s eyes

BBDolls - 6HEAD

CH 6

R1: Starting from second chain from hook, Sc 4. 3 2sc in last st. Turn Continue your work stitching around the other side,  Sc 4, 2sc in last st.   (12 sts)

R2: *Sc 1, 2 sc in next st*, rep 6 times. (18 sts)

R3: *Sc 2, 2 sc in next st*, rep 6 times. (24 sts)

R4: *Sc 3, 2 sc in next st*, rep 6 times (30 sts)

R5: *Sc 4, 2 sc in next st*, rep 6 times (36 sts)

R6-10: Sc 36

If you are using safety eyes, place them between row 10 and 11, leaving 6 stitches between them.

R11: *Sc 2, 2 sc in next st*, rep 12 times (48 sts)

R12: *Sc 7, 2 sc in next st*, rep 6 times (54 sts)

R13-R17: Sc 54

R18: *Sc 7, inv.dec 1*, rep 6 times (48 sts)

R19: *Sc 6, inv.dec 1*, rep 6 times (42 sts)

R20: *Sc 5, inv.dec 1*, rep 6 times (36 sts)

R21: *Sc 4, inv.dec 1*, rep 6 times (30 sts)

R22: *Sc 3, inv.dec 1*, rep 6 times (24 sts)

R23: *Sc 2, inv.dec 1*, rep 6 times (18 sts)

R24: *Sc 1, inv.dec 1*, rep 6 times (12 sts)

Fasten off and stuff head firmly. Stuff little by little and form so you shape the head nicely.

HAIR

R1: stitch 4sc in magic ring ch1 turn around

(Do not close the ring, chain one and continue stitching backwards, as you would with the flat peace. We will be crocheting the rows here. Every row finish with the chain1, turn around,  and continue stitching in the second stitch from the hook.)

R2: 2sc in each st (8 sts) ch1 turn around

R3: *Sc 1, 2 sc in next st*, rep 4 times. (12sts) ch1 turn around

R4: *Sc 2, 2 sc in next st*, rep 4 times (16 sts)

R5: *Sc 3, 2 sc in next st*, rep 4 times (20 sts)

R6: *Sc 4, 2 sc in next st*, rep 4 times (24 sts)

R7: *Sc 5, 2 sc in next st*, rep 4 times (28 sts)

R8-13: Sc 28

R14: *Sc 2, 2 sc in next st*, rep 8 times (36 sts)

R15: Sc 36

Ch1 and begin single crochet stitching to the side, toward the top of the head, where magic ring and first row is started.

Reaching the magic ring we will start making bangs.

Slip stitch 1 in the magic ring, chain 10, and return back slip stitching 9 at each stitch on the chain.

Slip stitch again to the magic ring, ch 10, return back slip stitching to 9 stitches on the chain, slip stitch to the magic ring, and repeat 3 more times, or until you create desired number of the bangs. (in my case there are 5).

Finishing last peace of hair, single crochet to the working side of the hair, and continue sc into each last row stitch (14 sts).

Reaching the end, tie off and leave long end for sewing the hair on the head.

Here are few samples of what you can do. Some you could see at presentations photo on the start of this post. Would have been to much if I tried to write down each and every pattern for different hair styles I’ve done; but as I said, if you will need any help, feel free to contact me and ask. Will be glad to help you.

Hair we are making in this pattern is the one shown on the first photo published here; look at the last doll in the line. One with light brown hair (yellow and blue dress).

BBDolls - 7

BBDolls - 2BBDolls - 1

LEGS & BODY

Leg1:

R1: 6 Sc in magic ring (6)

R2: 2 sc in each st around (12)

R3:  *2sc in one st, sc1* x6 (18)

R4: 18 sc

R5: Inv.dec6, sc6 (12)

R6: Inv.dec3, sc6 (9)

Stuff the bottom of the leg.

Change color of the thread and continue with R7.

R7-R16: 9 sc

Tie off and leave long end for sewing later. Stuff the leg.

Leg2:

R1: 6 Sc in magic ring (6)

R2: 2 sc in each st around (12)

R3:  *2sc in one st, sc1* x6 (18)

R4: 18 sc

R5: Inv.dec6, sc6 (12)

R6: Inv.dec3, sc6 (9)

Stuff the bottom of the leg.

Change color of the thread and continue with R7.

R7-R16: 9 sc

At this point stuff the leg and bring both legs together.

R17: ch1, sc to the second last stitch on the next leg, sc7, ch1, sc to next leg, leaving one stitch free. Sc8. (18)

Pull out the yarn from the first leg you left for sewing later, through the gap between the legs. So it doesn’t come to your way while crocheting. You will use this yarn to sew this gap after body is done and stuffed.

R18-25: 18 sc

R26: *Inv.dec.1, sc1* x6 (12)

R27-29: 12 sc

Tie off leaving long end for sewing the body to the head.

Stuff the body as firm as you can.

Now take the sewing needle and the yarn there is between the legs (one you left from finishing the first leg) and sew the gap nicely.

ARMS X2

R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)

R2-6: 6 sc

Change color

R7-R9: 6sc

Tie of and leave long end for sewing the arms to the body.

DRESS

R1: 18 Sc in magic ring (18) (don’t close the ring completely)

R2-R3: 18 sc

R4: *2sc in one st, sc next 2* x6 (24)

R5-R6: 24 sc

R7: *2sc in one st, sc next 3sts* x6 (30)

R8-R9: 30 sc

R10: *2sc in one st, sc next 4 sts* x6 (36)

R11: 36 sc

Change color

R12: *ch3, sc in next st* repeat all around

Tie off and hide ends.

Put the dress over the body and sew the body on the head.

Sew on the hair, and finally place and sew the arms (I find it best if you leave 6 stitches looking in front of the dress, between each arm). I also suggest to sew the arms on the dress only. Not only it is easier, but gives you space to sew and hide ends nicely.

And you own BB Doll is done.

I hope you have enjoyed making it, and the hair you have learned will open up a whole new possibilities. Experiment and try different styles. Share what you have learned and teach us something new as well.

Looking forward to see and hear you experiences in making BB Doll. Thank you for staying with me and reading this post. Thank you for following and all kind and sweet comments you always leave behind. Thank you 🙂

BBDolls - 6

Posted on 27 Comments

Karla’s Hats

Since published Little Karla Girl pattern, many times have been asked about different hat patterns for the little Karla. Blame it on me for not posting more back then, but when I crochet, I crochet without any pattern and usually don’t write what I am dong. So I end up repeating same doll and same pattern several times before it “hits” me that I could write it down for some future use. 🙂

Since I started with this blog, I do try to write down all I do. Even first time doing it. Now need time writing it all nice and readable 😀 Let us get back to what we have started here; hats for little Karla doll. You all met Karla. Since last time you saw her, her hair grew a little, but still not enough to take the hat off 😀 Will show you, her recent photos, but please, if you will must laugh, turn your head around and laugh quietly. We really did our best to comb and make nice hair style for photo shooting today.

So here comes Karla:

Karla Hats - 04🙂 we said no laughing loud!!!!

Today, tried to make up few hats together with patterns, so all of you that asked for something different to put on Karla’s head, now have few options to choose from.

Here are hats I have made today.

Karla Hats - 26These are really basic models and very, very simple to make. You can use them to make so many different styles. Once you’ll start and let your imagination lead you, you will see how it becomes never-ending story (when it comes to creating something new 🙂 So do not hesitate, take your little Karla, some yarn and needle and start creating new hats for this little one! Let’s continue with the hat patterns!

Starting with little mint green hat.

Karla Hats - 06

Round 1: 6 sc in magic circle (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around (12)

Round 3: *2 sc, sc in next st*, repeat 6 times (18)

Round 4: *2sc, sc in next 2 st*, repeat 6 times (24)

Round 5: *2 sc, sc in next 3 st*, repeat 6 times (30)

Round 6: *2 sc, sc in next 4 st*, repeat 6 times (36)

Round 7: *2 sc, sc in next 5 st*, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 8: *2 sc, sc in next 6 st*, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 9: *2 sc, sc in next 7 st*, repeat 6 times (54)

Round 10: *2 sc, sc in next 8 st*, repeat 6 times (60)

Round 11 – 12: Sc in each st around (60)

Round 13: *Inv dec, sc in next 8 st*, repeat 6 times (54)

Round 14: *Inv dec, sc in next 7 st*, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 15: * Inv dec, sc in next 6 st*, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 16-17: Sc in each st around (42)

Round 18: *slip stitch, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, slip stitch*  repeat all the way around (42)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Lilac (purple) hat

Karla Hats - 16

Round 1: 6 sc in magic circle (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around (12)

Round 3: *2 sc, sc in next st*, repeat 6 times (18)

Round 4: *2sc, sc in next 2 st*, repeat 6 times (24)

Round 5: *2 sc, sc in next 3 st*, repeat 6 times (30)

Round 6: *2 sc, sc in next 4 st*, repeat 6 times (36)

Round 7: *2 sc, sc in next 5 st*, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 8: *2 sc, sc in next 6 st*, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 9: *2 sc, sc in next 7 st*, repeat 6 times (54)

Round 10: *2 sc, sc in next 8 st*, repeat 6 times (60)

Round 11 – 12: Sc in each st around (60)

Round 13: *Inv dec, sc in next 8 st*, repeat 6 times (54)

Round 14: *Inv dec, sc in next 7 st*, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 15: * Inv dec, sc in next 6 st*, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 16-17: Sc in each st around (42)

Round 18: 2Hdc in each st around, front loop only (84)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Pastel Yellow Hat

Karla Hats - 11

Round 1: 6 sc in magic circle (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around (12)

Round 3: *2 sc, sc in next st*, repeat 6 times (18)

Round 4: *2sc, sc in next 2 st*, repeat 6 times (24)

Round 5: *2 sc, sc in next 3 st*, repeat 6 times (30)

Round 6: *2 sc, sc in next 4 st*, repeat 6 times (36)

Round 7: *2 sc, sc in next 5 st*, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 8: *2 sc, sc in next 6 st*, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 9: *2 sc, sc in next 7 st*, repeat 6 times (54)

Round 10: *2 sc, sc in next 8 st*, repeat 6 times (60)

Round 11 – 12: Sc in each st around (60)

Round 13: *Inv dec, sc in next 8 st*, repeat 6 times (54)

Round 14: *Inv dec, sc in next 7 st*, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 15: * Inv dec, sc in next 6 st*, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 16: 2hdc in each st around (84)

Round 17: Hdc in each st around (84)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Elf green HatKarla Hats - 18

Round 1: 6 sc in magic circle (6)

Round 2-3: sc in each st around (6)

Round 4: *2 sc, sc in next st* repeat 3 times (9)

Round 5-6: sc in each st around (9)

Round 7: *2sc, sc in next 2 st*, repeat 6 times (12)

Round 8-9: sc in each st around (12)

Round 10: *2 sc, sc in next 1 st*, repeat 6 times (18)

Round 11-12: sc in each st around (18)

Round 13: *2 sc, sc in next 2 st*, repeat 6 times (24)

Round 14-15: sc in each st around (24)

Round 16: *2 sc, sc in next 3 st*, repeat 6 times (30)

Round 17.18: Sc in each st around (30)

Round 19: *2sc, sc in next 4 st*, repeat 6 times (36)

Round 20: sc in each st around (36)

Round 21: * 2sc, sc in next 5 st*, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 22: Sc in each sc around (42)

Round 23: *2sc, sc in next6 st*, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 24: sc in each st around (48)

Round 25: *2sc, sc in next 7st*, repeat 6 times (52)

Round 26: *2sc, sc in next8 sc*, repeat 6 times (60)

Round 27-28: sc in each st around (60)

Round 29: *inv.dec., sc in next 8 st*, repeat 6 times (52)

Round 30: *inv.dec., sc in next 7 st, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 31: *in.dec., sc in next 6 st, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 32: reverse single crochet around (42)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

For those that don’t know how to make reverse single crochet stitch, here is little tutorial. If I could learn from this, so will you!http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-crochet-a-reverse-single-crochet-stitch.html

And final one is Teddy Bear hatKarla Hats - 22Round 1: 6 sc in magic circle (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around (12)

Round 3: *2 sc, sc in next st*, repeat 6 times (18)

Round 4: *2sc, sc in next 2 st*, repeat 6 times (24)

Round 5: *2 sc, sc in next 3 st*, repeat 6 times (30)

Round 6: *2 sc, sc in next 4 st*, repeat 6 times (36)

Round 7: *2 sc, sc in next 5 st*, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 8: *2 sc, sc in next 6 st*, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 9: *2 sc, sc in next 7 st*, repeat 6 times (54)

Round 10: *2 sc, sc in next 8 st*, repeat 6 times (60)

Round 11 – 12: Sc in each st around (60)

Round 13: *Inv dec, sc in next 8 st*, repeat 6 times (54)

Round 14: *Inv dec, sc in next 7 st*, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 15: * Inv dec, sc in next 6 st*, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 16-17: Sc in each st around (42)

Round 18: Hdc in each sc around (42)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Nose

Round 1: 6 sc in magic circle (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12)

Round 3: *2 sc, sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (18)

Round 4-5: sc in each st around (18)

fasten of and leave long end for sewing the nose to the hat.

Ears

Round 1: 6 sc in magic circle (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12)

Round 3: *2 sc, sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (18)

Round 4-6: sc each st around (18)

Fasten off and leave long end for sewing ears to the hat.

Sew nose and ears to the hat. Glue some black cloth pieces on the top of the nose and in place of eyes (or sew them on with black thread).

This way you can make polar bear, duck, panda, koala, frog….so many different animal hats.

The tiny flower used on the hats you can make as follows:

Round 1: sc5 in magic circle

switch color if you wish to make two color flower

Round 2: *slip stitch to next st, ch2, hdc in same st, ch2* repeat 5 times

fasten off, leave long end for sewing the flower to the head.

Karla Hats - 12If you have any idea of new hat pattern you would like to see, or have a pattern you would like to share with us, let me know! Send me e-mail, or post a comment!

Till next time… happy hats making 😉

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Ella the Elephant

 

Finally finished!  Let me present my first elephant amigurumi, little Ella.

As I always make several of same dolls to check up on the pattern, right after finishing her made her a boyfriend as well. Think both make nice infant or baby toy. Both are soft and cuddly.

Here are pictures of Ella and her friend

 

 

 

AmigurumiBB - 06

 

AmigurumiBB - 20

Further more, had some left over yarn, so used it to make little fun ball. Suggest everyone to do it. makes great baby gift or cat toy. All you need to do is to make 12 equal size crocheted discs and sew them piece by pice together to create this ball. Before sewing the last one, stuff it in finish sewing up and ball is ready to play with. Here are few pictures.

Crocheted discs in difernt colors (but same yarn weight)

AmigurumiBB - 17And here is the finished ball:

AmigurumiBB - 19Ball measures about 10 cm from side to side

Doing my best to systemize and write down as many of the patterns I have worked on and to publish them here. Wish days are longer in order to finish them sooner. Today published Totoro squad. Fore many, one of the fave ami dolls. This is my version of Totoros.

Totoro - 09Chu, Chibi and Sprite pattern are available under free patterns from today. Hopefully soon will finish and place more patterns.

And at the end proudly present photos of little Karla girl done by Marje and Helen! Thank you very much for sharing the photos with us! Dolls are so adorable 🙂 Still have to encourage Helen to sew on the eyes and lips! 😀

DSCF1227 IMG-20130430-00528

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Blue Bear

Recent work I have been busy with is this little plush I named Blue Bear, you might wonder why 😀

As I like working with 100% cotton yarn, so is one made of such. I like my dolls to be easy to maintain, and also like them to be suitable for smaller children (more hygienic and hypoallergenic). That is why I choose cotton.

This teddy is made of 8ply (sport weight) cotton yarn, crocheted with 2 mm size crochet hook. Head and body are stuffed firmly, but arms and legs are stuffed just in the bottom parts of each. Didn’t use pebbles (didn’t have any) but think those would make nice change weighting limbs downwards.

Will have to give it a try with next one, while checking the pattern before publishing it.

In the front, on bear’s belly crocheted this simple half oval pocket.

In the pocket (to show it is pocket) placed this little Purin dog I made some time back, based on the free amigurumi pattern posted by one very creative blogger Amigurumei. Here is the link to this pattern:  http://amigurumei.com/2012/06/10/free-amigurumi-pattern-purin/

And that’s it! My Blue Bear done and ready to play with. Hope you like him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And at the end could not finish without showing you one photo! Little Sara with her Sara Ballerina doll. Ballerina doll was really a jack pot doll for little Sara, but I found out about the secret on how much she likes Angela the Cat from Disney production, so am working on the pattern of this cat as well 🙂

Here is little Sara 🙂

Sara with he balerina doll

At the moment working on elephant soft doll and Angela the Cat. In few days will come up with new photos.

See you soon! 😉