children

Back to school bunny

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For some of you, you are already singing the praises of school days being back. For some of us, we still have a month of summer… but, that means some more time at the pool and taking a few more small trips!

I made a back to school bunny to celebrate the occasion! Here she is!

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Her short-sleeved shirt, skirt with straps, and shoes are all removable.

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As pattern suggests, it is recommended to use the same yarn for doll and clothes to ensure the best fit, however, you can knit a swatch of the doll yarn on a size bigger needle, then gauge it and match a yarn exactly.

Materials used:

Doll: Fur-Cascade 220 Aran in ‘Aspen Heather,’ knitted on sz 5 needles; socks-Cascade 220 Aran in ‘Natural,’ knitted on sz 5 needles

Skirt with straps: Quince and Co Lark in ‘River,’ sz 7 needles

Shirt: Quince and Co Lark in ‘River’ and ‘Egret,’ sz 7 needles

Shoes: Quince and Co Lark ‘Smoke,’ sz 7 needles

Apple knee pads: Quince and Co Lark in ‘Peaks Ferry’ and ‘Snap Pea,’ duplicate stitched

 

The stocking instructions are included in the pattern. I’ve attached the apple knee pads below, which can be duplicate stitched onto the knee. Just ensure that the knee pads are centered on the front of the leg and even with the opposite one.

The shirt pattern will soon be available as well! Enjoy!

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Deer update!

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Hey there!

We have new patterns coming tomorrow for our Dress Up Dolls, but I did make another variation of my pre-existing deer pattern. I made this guy:

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I followed the entire pattern for the body and head, also doing the muzzle color-change where specified in the pattern. Once the ears were knitted, prior to attaching to head, I duplicate knit a white color in the center of the ear, tapering up towards the top. I also modified the small antlers in the pattern and made them into “Y” antlers, which I have included that change below.

“Y” Antlers (make 2)

Use the same yarn (different color) and needle size in which you used to create the doll.

You will also need at least 6″ of waste yarn or a small safety pin.

CO 5 sts, leaving an 8″ tail. Place BOR sm and join to knit in the rnd as follows:

Rnds 1-4: Knit 4 rnds

Rnd 5: kfb, k2, kfb, k1. (7sts)

Rnd 6: k2, slip next 4sts onto waste yarn without working them, k last st (3sts)

Rnd 7: knit the 3sts

Rnd 8: K2tog, k1. (2sts)

Rnd 9: k2tog. Break yarn and thread onto tapestry needle. Weave in.

To create the 2nd ‘spike’ slip the 4 live sts off of waste yarn and onto needles. Attach yarn leaving a 6″ tail and work in the rnd as follows:

Rnds 1-3: Knit 3 rnds

Rnd 4: (k2tog)2x (2sts)

Rnd 5: k2tog. Break yarn and thread onto tapestry needle. Weave in end.

Use the 2nd CO tail to darn the hole at the center of the “Y.” Weave in end.

Use the 1st CO tail to sew the antler onto head at inner edge of ear. Weave in end.

 

Additional notes: the materials I used in created the deer above–

Fur: Cascade 220 Chocolate Heather on needle sz 5

White Accent: Cascade 220 White

Antlers: Cascade 220 Natural

 

Large Multi Stripe Sweater–Quince and Co “Lark” on sz 7 needles, colors: egret, sedum, audouin, bird’s egg, bark.

Some kind of segue

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You know, it’s been a while. This year, for us, has been a period of  trying to ‘figure ourselves out’ in a business-focused aspect. For me, I previously wasn’t as drawn to shrinking up my dolls after knitting them because I saw the incredible amount of tedious work it took for my mom to perfect the technique. However, the finished product is unlike any other doll I’ve ever held.  To me, it is the highest form of doll making that aims at the longevity of the life of the doll, also allowing for daily use, and holding up to even the most brutal play my young daughter has had to offer. This year, I was drawn to work in that avenue of art. I mean, look at the finished product! No seams, no loose stitches, no misshaping.

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For those who are new here, this technique requires that you create the entire doll out of wool yarn by crocheting or knitting, then agitate it with water and soap and pressure over and over until it shrinks and is thick and firm but fluffy and springy.  This incredible form of art takes a lot of time, as I’ve stated over and over previously. So here’s the deal. I worked tirelessly with my mom’s guidance and I was able to create many dolls this year. Here’s a few:

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Yes, those are knitted-then-shrunken dolls wearing tiny skirts and tiny knitted cabled and fair isle sweaters, wearing hand-stitched boots and Maryjanes. I loved holding each one in my hands when I was finished with them. Each unique in their own way! So I decided, I would like to switch gears and offer something that allows other knitters to become creative and make their own unique items using a sort-of template. I’ll just leave it at that and share more very soon! Thanks for checking in!

XO, Rhonda

Oh, October

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As the foliage fireworks display makes way for the Winter dormancy, as so do we prepare for the repose of these seasons. This is the time of year to celebrate change and celebrate coziness. We’ve celebrated Autumn births and birthdays, we’ve celebrated new friendships and the rekindling of relationships. The brightly dappled bursts of color will soon fade and fall away, baring the empty branches. We hate there comes a time to say goodbye to everything pumpkin. But, we are reminded that the time of slumber during the Winter allow for closeness, and Spring will soon be here again with it’s own colorful parade of petals. We just plan on enjoying the cozy over these next few months, and hope you do as well.

Here’s a few snippets of our Fall thus far. Enjoy!

Hugs, Rhonda

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Babies and cake

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We’ve been on vacation! The last few weeks have been spent kissing on a new baby and celebrating with a little lady who turned four! It was a perfect time for the arrival of my niece, Emily. We had a ton of friends and family in town to pass around the new little lamb, and it just so happened to coincide with my daughter’s birthday. The party was a success–a lot of laughter was shared, it looked like a confetti and wrapping paper bomb went off, and a dozen kids rolled around in a bounce house after eating far too many sweets. But this mama isn’t gonna complain when they are asleep at 7:30 without argument. I wish those busy, entertaining, comforting moments weren’t spread out so far between. Maybe we’ll just start celebrating half birthdays.

We shall return back to work with some new items real soon!

Hugs, Rhonda

Fleeting Moments

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img_6246img_6382img_6402img_6501img_6563img_6963img_7145img_7230img_7249-800x533img_7252-800x533I feel it–the summer season is beginning to fade. Masses of flowers are staying bloomed a bit longer, now that they aren’t so quickly baked in the sun. There’s a cool morning breeze that teases us, only making way to warm midday temps. The occasional wind gusts whip through and scatter petals all over like confetti. This is when I begin to beckon the sweater weather by baking everything with pumpkin and cloves and leaving an apple cider candle lit all day. This is when I eat entirely too much bread. And yes, I break a sweat waiting for a pie to finish baking. Completely worth it.

In spite of my baked-sweets Fall summoning, it comes in it’s own slow-as-molasses timing. As soon as it’s here, it’s gone. The seemingly shortest, most beautiful season. As soon as it passes I feel like I spend the whole year waiting for next fall.  Here in the Southwest, I feel like the Dog Days of Summer last soooo much longer than in other regions.

Though the trees have yet to turn golden, I’ll take my time and enjoy the rest of what the warm sunshine has to offer in this last week of summer–no matter that it feels like an eternity. Besides, as the seasons grow and change, so do my kids. And I’d be okay if that would slow down.

Here’s a few things we’ve been working on, eaten, or enjoyed looking at while the weather hasn’t complied with our desires. If you’d like to see some more of those adorable rattles, view them here.

Thanks for following.

Hugs, Rhonda